摘要:
Fluid-based switches and methods for producing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a switch comprises depositing a first alignment pad on a first substrate, depositing a second alignment pad on a second substrate with a perimeter relief surrounding the second alignment pad, depositing solder on at least one of the alignment pads, depositing a switching fluid on the first substrate, mating the first substrate to the second substrate by aligning the alignment pads and heating the solder, the substrates defining there between a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states to form a liquid switch, forming a perimeter ring around the liquid switch on at least one of the two substrates, depositing wettable material in the perimeter ring, depositing solder paste containing uncured epoxy on the wettable material in the perimeter ring, and reflowing the solder paste.
摘要:
A device and manufacturing method are provided comprising first and second substrates comprising a main channel provided in at least one of the substrates and a first connecting channel provided in at least one of the substrates and in fluid communication with the main channel. The main channel comprising spaced apart electrodes and filling the main channel at least partially with liquid metal. The method further comprising a first heater substrate comprising a first suspended heater element in fluid communication with the first connecting channel with the first suspended heater element operable to cause a fluid non-conductor to separate the liquid metal and selectively interconnect the electrodes and surface joining the first, second, and first heater substrates.
摘要:
With proper handling, Gallium-Indium-Tin eutectics are suitable for use as a substitute for mercury in switch applications. The eutectics should be acid washed to prevent oxidation of the metal components of the eutectic while in the switch housing and, further, the switch housing should be filled with an inert gas. Preventing oxidation ensures long term performance of the switch. In addition, provisions need to be made to prevent wetting of the switch housing by the eutectic. Experiments have shown that acid washing of metallic switch housings prior to adding the Gallium-Indium-Tin eutectic reduces or eliminates wetting by the eutectic. In addition, experiments have shown that coating the walls of the switch housing with a fluoropolymer coating prevents wetting by the eutectic.
摘要:
A reed switch comprising a sealed capsule which includes a movable armature consisting in a beam of magnetic material having two pole ends capable of alternate contacting engagement with a respective of two distinct stationary contacts when the armature is pivoting in a longitudinal axial plane. The armature is suspended symmetrically to the ends of a helicoidal spring which extends axially around the armature beam and which is fixedly positioned inside the capsule by means of a cylindrical annular electrode. The coacting surfaces of the pole ends and the stationary contacts are provided with spots made of a material which cannot be wetted by the mercury also included in the capsule. Magnetic means in various embodiments are also provided to create the initial magnetic condition according to the mode of switching operation desired.
摘要:
A miniature mercury switch, comprising an enclosure including a tube having a mercury wettable inner surface, within which a contact carrying shuttle is movable along the axis of the tube. The shuttle is not mercury wettable except for a slot or groove extending between its ends and for contact surfaces at its ends, but it rides on a mercury layer attached to the inner surface of the tube. Secured within and extending into the ends of the tubes are unwettable rods of magnetic material having stationary end contacts which are mercury wettable. The contacts on the shuttle ends include tantalum or niobium spacers extending beyond mercury wettable end contact surfaces on the shuttle, the spacers accepting the impacts when the relay contacts operatively close, which implies that the wettable contact areas on the shuttle ends closely approach the stationary end contacts, so that the mercury layers coalesce, but the wettable surfaces do not impact. The quantity of mercury within the enclosure is only sufficient to form a layer of mercury on the mercury wettable surfaces within the enclosure, but insufficient to form a pool of mercury, or to cover unwettable surfaces while wettable surfaces are covered, and the slot or groove in the shuttle facilities transfer of mercury from end to end of the enclosure, which prevents pooling at either end of the enclosure concomitant with depletion at the other, due to imbalance of mercury transfer during relay operation. Stationary contacts are, for open contact condition, spaced from movable contacts, by mercury unwettable surfaces of the enclosure, and the quantity of mercury available is insufficient to cover these unwettable surfaces and also to form a mercury layer on the mercury surfaces.
摘要:
A mercury relay having nonsticking mercury wettable surfaces, one of the surfaces carrying a button of mercury wettable material surrounded by a rim of nonmercury wettable material, preferably tantalum, which extends beyond the button and forms a physical barrier against physical impact between the mercury wettable surfaces.
摘要:
An electric relay including a movable armature wherein the armature includes an electric conducting portion adapted to engage and bridge spaced electrical contacts at a predetermined armature position. During the conducting position of the armature, a mercury applicator mounted on the armature is immersed within a small reservoir of mercury wherein small particles thereof adhere to the applicator upon removal of the armature from engagement with the electrical contacts. Such disengagement of the armature from the contacts positions the applicator adjacent the effective contact surfaces, for random engagement therewith, wherein small mercury particles are transferred to the contact surfaces, to utilize mercury in establishing the electrical circuit between the contacts and the armature electrical conducting portion during subsequent cycles of operation.