Abstract: This invention consists of an extended sight radius on a gun that fires a single projectile at a time. The sights may be mounted on extensions to get the required sight radius length. The gun has a short barrel to minimize the bullet residence time in the barrel during firing, which minimizes bullet launch trajectory errors due to gun movement during firing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical relay in which a solid slug is moved within a channel and used to make or break an electrical connection. The solid slug is moved by electromagnets. In the preferred embodiment, the slug is wetted by a conducting liquid, such as liquid metal, that also adheres to wettable contact pads within the channel to provide a latching mechanism. The relay is amenable to manufacture by micro-machiningtechniques.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is presented which is manufactured from hollow, gas-filled glass or ceramic microspheres, which are bound together in a dried or fired matrix. The microspheres may be glass-coated microspheres, which are bound together by sintering the outer layers of glass together. The semiconductor surface may be smoothed by glazing the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a channel plate for a fluid-based switch. The channel plate is produced by 1) depositing a photoimagable dielectric layer onto a substrate, 2) photoimaging at least one channel plate feature on the dielectric layer, and 3) developing the dielectric layer to form the at least one channel plate feature in the dielectric layer, thereby forming the channel plate. A method for making a switch with a photoimaged channel plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a piezoelectrically actuated relay that latches. The relay operates by means of the longitudinal displacement of a piezoelectric element in extension mode. The piezoelectric element displaces a liquid metal drop and causing it to wet between at least one set of contact pads and at least one other set of contact pads. Positioning of the liquid metal causes the optical path to be blocked. The same motion that causes the liquid metal drop to change position can cause the optical path to be unblocked between the fixed pad and a contact pad on the piezoelectric element or substrate close to it. The motion of the piezoelectric element is rapid and causes the imparted momentum of the liquid metal drop to overcome the surface tension forces that would hold the bulk of the liquid metal drop in contact with the contact pad or pads near the actuating piezoelectric element. The switch latches by means of surface tension and the liquid metal wetting to the contact pads.

Abstract: In a method for forming one or more features in a thick-film ink deposited on a substrate, a photoimagable material is used to define a negative of the one or more features on the substrate. A thick-film ink is then deposited on at least part of the substrate, abutting at least some of the photoimagable material. The thick-film ink is cured, and the photoimagable material is removed. One embodiment of the method is used to produce a channel plate. Another embodiment of the method is used to produce a switch.

Abstract: Methods for producing waveguides are disclosed. In one embodiment, a waveguide is produced by depositing a first metal layer on a substrate, depositing a sacrificial material on the first metal layer, depositing a second metal layer on the sacrificial material, the second metal layer contacting the first metal layer and defining therebetween a cavity for the waveguide, the cavity filled with the sacrificial material, and removing the sacrificial material.

Abstract: A closed-loop piezoelectric pump is disclosed for use in a fluid delivery system. The pump housing includes a movable diaphragm that defines a pumping chamber within the pump housing, the pumping chamber having an inlet for admitting fluid and an outlet for emitting fluid. A piezoelectric transducer is coupled to the moveable diaphragm and operates to produce a pumping action by varying the volume of the pumping chamber. The piezoelectric transducer may be used to generate an acoustic pressure pulse within the fluid delivery system and to sense reflections of the acoustic pressure pulse caused by impedance changes downstream of the pump. Properties of the fluid path downstream of pump may be determined from the characteristics of the sensed reflections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a switch having a channel plate and a switching fluid. The channel plate defines at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by an ultrasonically milled channel in the channel plate. The switching fluid is held within one or more of the cavities, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid. Alternate switch embodiments, and a method for making a switch, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a channel plate for a fluid-based switch. The channel plate is produced by 1) depositing a photoimagable dielectric layer onto a substrate, 2) photoimaging at least one channel plate feature on the dielectric layer, and 3) developing the dielectric layer to form the at least one channel plate feature in the dielectric layer, thereby forming the channel plate. Switches using photoimaged channel plates, and a method for making a switch with a photoimaged channel plate, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and structure for an electrical switch. According to the structure of the present invention, a liquid-filled chamber is housed within a solid material. A plurality of switch contacts within the liquid-filled chamber are coupled to the solid material, while a plurality of piezoelectric elements are coupled to a plurality of membranes. The plurality of membranes are coupled to the liquid-filled chamber. The plurality of switch contacts are coupled to a plurality of liquid metal globules. According to the method, a piezoelectric element is actuated, causing a membrane element to be deflected. The deflection of the membrane element increases pressure of actuator liquid and the increase in pressure of the actuator liquid breaks a liquid metal connection between a first contact and a second contact of the electrical switch.

Abstract: A method and structure for an optical switch. According to the structure of the present invention, a liquid-filled chamber is housed within a solid material. A plurality of seal belts within the liquid-filled chamber are coupled to the solid material, while a plurality of piezoelectric elements are coupled to a plurality of membranes. The plurality of membranes are coupled to the liquid-filled chamber, and a plurality of optical waveguides are coupled to the liquid-filled chamber. The plurality of seal belts are coupled to a plurality of liquid metal globules. According to the method, one or more piezoelectric elements are actuated, causing one or more corresponding membrane elements to be deflected. The deflection of the membrane element changes a pressure of actuator liquid and the change in pressure of the actuator liquid breaks a liquid metal connection between a first contact and a second contact of the electrical switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing optical signals. The apparatus includes first and second optical waveguides coupled via an optical coupler. The optical coupler has a coupling waveguide and an optical switching wedge attached to a piezoelectric actuator. In operation, first and second optical signals are received by the first and second optical waveguides, respectively. If the signals are to be combined, the optical switching wedge is moved to a first position where it is optically coupled to the first optical waveguide. The first optical signal is then transmitted, via the coupling waveguide, to the second optical waveguide, where it is combined with the second optical signal. If the signals are not to be combined, the optical switching wedge is moved to a second position where it is optically uncoupled from the first optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method and structure for an optical switch. A channel is housed within a solid material. Contacts coupled to the channel are further coupled to the solid material, while a plurality of piezoelectric elements are coupled to chamber and further coupled to a slug. Optical waveguides are coupled to the channel. The contacts are coupled to a plurality of liquid metal globules, wherein one or more of the plurality of liquid metal globules are coupled to a slug. One or more piezoelectric elements are actuated, causing the slug to be moved within the channel. The motion of the slug is operable to block or unblock one or more of the plurality of optical waveguides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a liquid metal switch in a state of readiness for switching. The liquid metal switch has a liquid metal volume contained in a cavity of a switch body. A signal path though the cavity is made or broken by energizing an actuator to move the liquid metal volume within the cavity in response to a switching signal. To maintain readiness, a signal generator supplies a vibratory signal to the actuator. The resulting vibrations in the liquid metal volume allow the liquid metal volume to be subsequently moved with reduced power.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a piezoelectrically actuated relay that switches and latches by means of a solid slug and liquid metal is disclosed. The relay operates by means of a longitudinal displacement of a piezoelectric element in extension mode displacing a liquid metal drop and causing it to wet between at least one contact pad on the piezoelectric element or substrate and at least one other fixed pad to close the switch contact. This motion of the piezoelectric element is rapid and causes the imparted momentum of the solid slug and liquid metal drop to overcome the surface tension forces that would hold the bulk of the liquid metal drop in contact with the contact pad or pads near the actuating piezoelectric element. The switch latches by means of surface tension and the liquid metal wetting to the contact pads.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a channel plate for a fluid-based switch. The channel plate is produced by 1) forming a plurality of channel plate layers in ceramic green sheet, 2) forming at least one channel plate feature in at least one of the channel plate layers, and 3) laminating the channel plate layers to form the channel plate. A method for making a switch with a ceramic channel plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure actuated optical relay containing a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of two optical paths. A liquid metal slug is moved within a channel passing through the transparent mirror housing by the action of pressure exerted by an actuation fluid. The liquid metal slug is moved in or out of the transparent mirror housing to select between the optical paths. When the liquid metal slug is within the optical path, an incoming optical signal is reflected from a reflective surface of the slug. The liquid metal of the slug adheres to wettable metal surfaces within the channel to provide a latching mechanism.

Abstract: Fluid-based switch and methods for reducing oxides on switching fluid are disclosed. In one method, oxides are reduced by depositing a switching fluid on a first substrate, mating the first substrate to a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate defining therebetween a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states, and creating a gas in the cavity holding the switching fluid, the gas to react with at least one of oxygen in the cavity and oxides on the switching fluid.

Abstract: An electromagnetic optical relay is disclosed in which a solid slug moves within a switching channel formed in relay housing. An optical path passing through the switching channel is blocked or unblocked by motion of the solid slug. Motion of the solid slug is controlled by at least two electromagnetic actuators, such as electrical coils surround the switching channel. Motion of the solid slug is resisted by a liquid, such as a liquid metal, that wets between the solid slug and at least one fixed contact pad in the switching channel. The surface tension of the liquid provides a latching mechanism for the relay. An optical signal may be reflected from the wetted surface of the solid slug and switched to an alternative optical path.