With Significant Electrolyte Patents (Class 200/194)
  • Liquid metal switch employing electrowetting for actuation and architectures for implementing same
    Patent number: 7268310
    Abstract: An electronic switch comprises a substrate having a surface and an embedded electrode, a droplet of conductive liquid located over the embedded electrode, and a power source configured to create an electric circuit including the droplet of conductive liquid. The surface comprises a feature that determines a contact angle between the surface and the droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Beerling
  • Liquid metal switch employing an electrically isolated control element
    Patent number: 7183509
    Abstract: A switch comprises a first switch element configured to actuate by electrowetting, the first switch element comprising at least two radio frequency contacts and at least two control electrodes. The switch also comprises at least two additional switch elements configured to make and break an electrical connection between the at least two control electrodes of the first switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Beerling
  • Fluid electrode system for resistive slope sensors
    Patent number: 6488826
    Abstract: An electrode electrolyte system is provided that is capable of operating in slope sensors in a wide range of temperatures. The eletrolytic system is characterized by a stable conductivity at high temperature and by low toxicity. The slope sensor can be installed in a system containing an Nal solution in propylene carbonate, combined with platinum electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventors: Patrick Altmeier, Andreas Konrad
  • Electrolytic tilt sensor
    Patent number: 5612679
    Abstract: A method of configuring an electrolytic tilt sensor having a plurality of non-precious metal electrodes and a common electrode at least partially immersed in an electrolyte and included within an electrical circuit with a voltage supply by maintaining the power at the electrodes of the tilt sensor below a predetermined threshold power density measured at an immersed surface of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Lester E. Burgess
  • Fluid type inertia switch having resettable plunger and cone shaped retainer
    Patent number: 4072835
    Abstract: A resettable switch is disclosed having a conductor maintained in contact with a reservoir of mercury to conduct current therethrough during normal operation. During impact or roll over, the mercury is spilled from the reservoir and prevented from returning thereto by cone-shaped retainers maintained in a telescoped relation by a spring, thereby opening the switch. The switch may be reset by depressing a plunger which aligns slots in the telescoped retainers, which permits mercury to return to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Albert M. Eisner
    Inventor: Courtney L. Burke