Patent ID: 6876877

Claim:
A variable split-plate capacitor, comprising: a fixed substrate having an upper surface; a movable substrate having a lower surface opposing the upper surface of the fixed substrate; a first magnetic actuator disposed on the fixed substrate, the first magnetic actuator comprising a first magnetic driver; a first reaction plate disposed on the lower surface of the movable substrate, the first reaction plate substantially overlapping the first magnetic driver whereby a current flowing through the first magnetic driver produces a repulsive force between the first magnetic driver and the first reaction plate; a second magnetic actuator disposed on the fixed substrate, the second magnetic actuator comprising a second magnetic driver; a second reaction plate disposed on the lower surface of the movable substrate, the second reaction plate substantially overlapping the second magnetic driver whereby a current flowing through the second magnetic driver produces a repulsive force between the second magnetic driver and the second reaction plate; a first capacitor plate disposed on the upper surface of the fixed substrate; a second capacitor plate disposed on the upper surface of the fixed substrate; and a floating capacitor plate on the lower surface of the movable substrate, the floating capacitor plate substantially overlapping the first and second capacitor plates.