Resumen
This article presents a brief information about the Recodable Locking Device (RLD). RLD is a mechanical switch constructed using polycrystalline silicon surface microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Polysilicon surface micromachining is a process for manufacturing MEMS, which is based on the manufacturing methods and tool sets used to fabricate integrated electronic circuits. The RLD produced using New Mexico-based Sandia National Laboratories' unique multilevel mechanical polysilicon surface micromachinig technology. The RLD performs two primary functions: code discrimination and energy switching. The RLD contains six decimal-encoded wheels creating a population of one million different codes. Since it is only stored in the mechanical device, discovery of the code is not possible through software operations. After the RLD verifies proper code entry, it mechanically actuates a switching element. Functionally, the RLD provides a one-part-per-million electromechanical combination lock with the shackle function provided by either an optical or electrical switch