| 摘要 |
A synchronously operable electrical current switching apparatus includes a controllable piezoelectric relay having movable electrical contacts, and means for controlling the relay so as to move the contacts and effect a change of state of the electrical connectivity between them. The apparatus also includes means for operating the controlling mechanism so as to substantially reduce arcing between the contacts. A relay which is especially useful in the apparatus utilizes a piezoelectric bender and a flexible member disposed adjacent to one of the flat surfaces of the bender. The flexible member is fixed to the bender so that bending motion of the bender causes corresponding movement of the flexible member. At least one first electrical contact is disposed on the flexible member, and an electrical conductor having at least one second electrical contact is disposed adjacent the flexible member on the side thereof opposite the side which is adjacent to the bender. The electrical conductor is fixed to the flexible member so that movement of the member causes a change in electrical connectivity between the first and second contacts, and so that the electrical conductor is electrically isolated from the first contact when the first and second contacts are in an open position. The relay may be enclosed in a conventional 16 pin dual-in-line integrated circuit package, and is particularly useful for switching circuits operating at household power line current levels.
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