Abstract: A contactor device includes: a first body substrate; a second body substrate; a flexible membrane connected to the first body substrate and second body substrate, wherein the second substrate body is movable relative to the first substrate body by flexure of the flexible membrane; an electrical contact member carried by the second substrate body; a microfluidic-channeled substrate coupled to the first body substrate, the microfluidic-channeled substrate having a chamber and a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the chamber; and a 3-dimensional flexible membrane enclosing the chamber, wherein the 3-dimensional flexible membrane flexes toward the second body substrate when a fluid pressure is applied to the chamber through the microfluidic channel whereby a force or a movement is transferred to the second body substrate by the 3-dimensional flexible membrane.
Abstract: A contactor device includes: a first body substrate; a second body substrate; a flexible membrane connected to the first body substrate and second body substrate, wherein the second substrate body is movable relative to the first substrate body by flexure of the flexible membrane; an electrical contact member carried by the second substrate body; a microfluidic-channeled substrate coupled to the first body substrate, the microfluidic-channeled substrate having a chamber and a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the chamber; and a 3-dimensional flexible membrane enclosing the chamber, wherein the 3-dimensional flexible membrane flexes toward the second body substrate when a fluid pressure is applied to the chamber through the microfluidic channel whereby a force or a movement is transferred to the second body substrate by the 3-dimensional flexible membrane.
Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated device for establishing electrical contact includes a first side and a second side each defining a respective cavity. A respective flexible membrane is positioned across each cavity. Each membrane has an outer side that carries an electrically conducting contactor. The contactors are electrically connected to a conducting connector that extends at least partially through the device. Each flexible membrane extends and withdraws moving the associated electrically conducting contactor in opposing directions when fluid pressure is increased and decreased in the associated cavity. Each membrane may have an undulating shape by including concentric frustum portions that narrow in opposite directions. The contacts may have neutral positions that are internal relative to outer surfaces of the device until fluid pressure is increased in the respective cavities causing extension by movement of the membranes.