Claims
- 1. A compressible pressure conduction composite comprising:
(a) a porous, nonconductive matrix; and (b) a conductive filler dispersed within said nonconductive matrix, said conductive filler providing an electrical path when said nonconductive matrix is compressed.
- 2. A compressible pressure conduction composite comprising:
(a) a porous, nonconductive matrix; and (b) a conductive filler dispersed within said nonconductive matrix, said conductive filler providing an electrical path when said nonconductive matrix is compressed; and (c) an additive disposed within said porous, nonconductive matrix, said additive improving switch function.
- 3. A method for impregnating a pressure conduction composite with an additive comprising the step of suffusing said pressure conduction composite within a bath of said additive.
- 4. A current control device comprising:
(a) two electrodes; and (b) a pressure conduction composite disposed between said electrodes, said electrodes communicating a compressive load applied onto said electrodes into said pressure conduction composite.
- 5. The current control device of claim 4, wherein said pressure conduction composite is porous.
- 6. The current control device of claim 5, wherein said porous pressure conduction composite is filled with a temperature sensitive material capable of exerting a temperature dependent force.
- 7. The current control device of claim 4, wherein said pressure conduction composite and said electrodes are porous.
- 8. A current control device comprising:
(a) a pressure plate electrically nonconductive and movable; (b) a plate electrically nonconductive and immovable; and (c) a pressure conduction composite disposed between said pressure plate and said plate, said pressure plate communicating a compressive load applied onto said pressure plate into said pressure conductive composite.
- 9. The current control device of claim 8, wherein said pressure plate, said plate, and said pressure conduction composite are porous.
- 10. The current control device of claim 8, furthering comprising two electrodes separately disposed, said pressure conduction composite contacting said electrodes and providing an electrical path between said electrodes when compressed.
- 11. A current control device comprising:
(a) at least two pressure plates electrically nonconductive and movable; (b) a pressure conduction composite disposed between said pressure plates, said pressure plates communicating a compressive load applied onto said pressure plates into said pressure conductive composite.
- 12. The current control device of claim 11, wherein said pressure plates and said pressure conduction composite are porous.
- 13. The current control device of claim 11, furthering comprising two electrodes separately disposed, said pressure conduction composite contacting said electrodes and providing an electrical path between said electrodes when compressed
- 14. A current control device comprising:
(a) four pressure switches, each said pressure switch comprised of a pressure conduction composite disposed between two conductive pressure plates; (b) two electrodes, each said electrode aligned in series between two said pressure switches, said pressure switches electrically connected whereby said electrodes are electrically connected parallel; (c) two nonconductive pressure plates, said nonconductive pressure plates communicating a compressive load into said pressure switches; and (d) a restoration element disposed between said electrodes and electrically isolated from said electrodes, said restoration element decompressing said pressure switches when said compressive load is removed.
- 15. The current control device of claim 14, further comprising at least two said devices electrically connected parallel.
- 16. The current control device of claim 15, further comprising a current measuring device electrically connected to said current control device.
- 17. The current control device as in one of claims 4-15, further comprising at least one actuator comprised of a piezoelectric material, said actuator applies said compressive load.
- 18. The current control device as in one of claims 4-15, further comprising at least one actuator comprised of a peizoceramic material, said actuator applies said compressive load.
- 19. The current control device as in one of claims 4-15, further comprising at least one actuator comprised of an electrostrictive material, said actuator applies said compressive load.
- 20. The current control device as in one of claims 4-15, further comprising at least one actuator comprised of an magnetostrictive material, said actuator applies said compressive load.
- 21. The current control device as in one of claims 4-15, further comprising at least one actuator comprised of a shape memory alloy, said actuator applies said compressive load.
- 22. The current control device as in one of claims 4-15, further comprising at least one piezo-controlled pneumatic actuator, said actuator applies said compressive load.
- 23. A current control device comprising:
(a) two electrodes; (b) an electrically nonconductive isolator; (c) at least one pressure plate electrically nonconductive and movable; (d) at least one actuator, said actuator fixed at one end and attached at a second end to said pressure plate; and (e) a pressure conduction composite, said pressure conduction composite and said isolator disposed between said electrodes, said pressure conduction composite contacting said electrodes, said isolator, and said at least one pressure plate.
- 24. A current control device comprising:
(a) two electrodes; (b) an electrically nonconductive isolator; (c) at least one pressure plate electrically nonconductive and movable; (d) at least one actuator, each said actuator attached at a first end to said pressure plate; (e) a band whereon is fixed said at least one actuator at a second end and slidable attached to said isolator, said band restricting movement of said actuator at said second end, said band communicating a mechanical load to said isolator when said actuator is extended; and (f) a pressure conduction composite, said pressure conduction composite and said isolator disposed between said electrodes, said pressure conduction composite contacting said electrodes, said isolator, and said at least one pressure plate.
- 25. The current control device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said pressure conduction composite is porous.
- 25. The current control device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said actuator is comprised of a piezoelectric material.
- 27. The circuit protect device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said actuator is comprised of a piezoceramic material.
- 28. The circuit protect device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said actuator is comprised of an electrostrictive material.
- 29. The current control device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said actuator is comprised of a magnetostrictive material.
- 30. The current control device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said actuator is comprised of a shape memory alloy.
- 31. The current control device as in claim 23 or 24, wherein said actuator is a piezo-controlled pneumatic device.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/267,306 filed on Feb. 8, 2001.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention was made with government support under Contract No. N00024-01-C-4034 awarded by the United States Navy.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60267306 |
Feb 2001 |
US |