Patent ID: 6836194
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A device, comprising:a plurality of circuit-coupling blocks that are serially coupled along a path of a signal, each circuit-coupling block comprising: a moveable element supported by a substrate and having a magnetic material and a long axis, at least one magnet that produces a first magnetic field, which induces a magnetization in said magnetic material, said magnetization characterized by a magnetization vector pointing in a direction along said long axis of said moveable element, wherein said first magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to a major central portion of said long axis, and a coil that produces a second magnetic field to switch said moveable element between first and second stable states, wherein only temporary application of said second magnetic field is required to change direction of said magnetization vector thereby causing said moveable element to switch between said first and second stable states; wherein in said first stable state, said moveable element couples an electrical conductor in series with the signal; and wherein in said second stable state, said moveable element couples a corresponding circuit in series with the signal, wherein each said moveable element comprises first, second, and third electrically conductive portions.