Patent ID: 7456482

Claim:
A micro-mechanical switch comprising: mutually non-contacting first and second switch terminals; a switch rod having a primary axis and comprising first and second switch plates at respective first and second ends of the switch rod, the switch rod having a range of travel along its primary axis bounded by respective first and second limit positions; a hollow bearing having a primary axis that is substantially collinear with the primary axis of the switch rod, wherein the hollow bearing surrounds the switch rod and constrains the switch rod such that the primary axis of the switch rod remains substantially collinear with the primary axis of the hollow bearing; and first and second relay plates associated with the respective first and second switch plates operable to move the switch rod along its primary axis, whereby when the switch rod is in the first limit position, the first switch plate conductively bridges the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal, and when the switch rod is in the second limit position, the first switch plate does not conductively bridge the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal, and wherein the switch rod and the hollow bearing each comprise at least one carbon nanotube, and wherein the switch rod and the first and second switch plates at the ends of the switch rod are electrically unbiased and are moved via an external deflection field alone.