Abstract: Disclosed herein is an actuator and its method of manufacture, wherein the actuator comprises a flexible tubing comprising an amount of incompressible fluid contained in the inner portion of the flexible tubing; and a switch disposed on the top surface of an outer portion of the flexible tubing; wherein the actuator functions by moving the incompressible fluid through the tube such that a second force is directed onto the switch in response to a first force applied to the flexible tubing. Further disclosed is an actuating system comprising an actuator disposed between a first and second substrate, and an actuating system comprising a plurality of actuators.

Abstract: A humidity sensor comprising an insulating substrate, a detection electrodes and a moisture-sensitive layer, wherein the moisture-sensitive layer is a porous layer and has a thickness not greater than 200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A high Q on-chip inductor includes a primary winding and an auxiliary winding that is coupled to receive a proportionally opposite representation of an input of the primary winding. Further, the auxiliary winding has an admittance that is greater than the admittance of the primary winding thereby yielding an asymmetry in the admittances. As such, a push/pull mechanism is obtained in a 2-port system (e.g., 1st and 2nd nodes of the primary winding) that produces a large Q factor for an on-chip inductor.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to prevent a slider from backwardly tilting toward a rotor and to maintain stable contact between the slider and a substrate. In the variable resistor, a rotor and a slider are provided in a case. A substrate having a collector electrode and an arcurate resistor is mounted in the lower end portion of the case. The slider includes an annular arm portion arranged to achieve sliding contact with the arcurate resistor, a substantially I-shaped arm portion arranged to contact the collector electrode, and a case portion coupled with the annular arm portion and the substantially I-shaped arm portion by a folded-back structure. The base portion extends up to the vicinity of the position corresponding to the tip portion of the annular arm portion. The rear surface of the base portion is supported by the rotor such that the slider is prevented from backwardly tilting.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: An integratable fluid flow and property microsensor assembly is configured to be operably embedded in a microfluidic cartridge of the type used in lab-on-a-chip systems. The assembly is a robust package having a microstructure flow sensor contained within a housing in order to achieve a robust sensing device. The cartridge provides a flow path to the assembly, which directs the fluid across the flow sensor and returns the fluid to the cartridge flow path. The flow sensor monitors the controlled flow of fluid and transmits signals indicative of that flow. The assembly structure provides a robust sensor that is operable and accurate in many different applications.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: The low resistance value resistor 11 has two electrodes 12, 13 of metal strips having a high electrical conductivity. The metal strips are affixed on the resistor body by means of rolling and/or thermal diffusion bonding. A fused solder layer is formed on a surface of each electrode comprised by the metal strip. Thus, sufficient bonding strength and superior current distribution in the resistor body is obtained. Further, a portion of the resistor body is trimmed by removing a portion of the body material along a direction of current flow between the electrodes to adjust a resistance value. Thus, a precise resistor value and superior characteristics of temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding contact member including a contact element, wherein the contact element includes a bundle of carbon fibers formed by bundling a plurality of carbon fibers and lubricant contained among the plurality of carbon fibers of the bundle of carbon fibers, and at least part of the bundle of carbon fibers is capable of a sliding movement with respect to tracks of a conductive pattern.

Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes ring-shaped resistance element layer 18, first conductive layer 22 and second conductive layer 23 shaping in arcs corresponding to resistance element layer 18, and knob 14 having ring-shaped protruded section 14D. Resistance element layer 18 has at least a pair of electrodes and is formed on flexible insulating substrate 16. Protruded section 14D brings resistance element layer 18 into contact with first conductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23 when the knob is tilted. When a given voltage is applied to the electrodes and the knob is tilted, resistance element layer 18 comes in contact with first conductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23, so that an output signal of a high resolution concerning a tilt angle can be obtained. The output signal is supplied to a microprocessor and calculated, then an angle or a direction is detected and recognized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an over-current protection apparatus, comprising a current-sensitive element, a first electrode and a second electrode. The over-current protection apparatus of the present invention is a three-dimensional multi-layer structure, and can be formed by heating, pressing, etching, cutting and multi-stage deformation to prevent it from breakage during the bending process. Therefore, the over-current protection apparatus with at least one bend is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric resistance element, which can be electromechanically regulated. A layer of a predeterminable width and thickness, consisting of an electrically conductive material with a constant specific electric resistance, is located on a substrate. At least one electric contact connection is also provided and an electric contact element can be displaced mechanically along the surface of said layer. The aim of the invention is to provide an appropriate resistance element that can be produced cost-effectively, with reproducible electric characteristics and a high resistance to wear, without a requirement for additional lubrication. To achieve this, according to the invention, a wear-resistant layer of uniform thickness is configured on the electrically condutive layer situated on the substrate. Said layer consists exclusively of a carbon similar to diamond and has a higher specific electric resistance than that of the layer.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for attaching to nails, bolts, metal shavings and other magnetic-conducting objects. The magnet assembly includes an elongate housing having side and end walls, and also having openings in the end walls; and also includes an assembly of producing magnetism including coiled wires being disposed in the elongate housing, and also including a battery being disposed in the elongate housing and being connected to the coiled wires, and further including an on/off switch being movably mounted to the elongate housing and being connected to the battery and to the coiled wires; and further includes at least one magnetizable tool being removably received through one of the openings of the elongate housing for picking up small objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resistor structure for embedding in a dielectric material including a thin film resistive material disposed on a surface of a conductive layer wherein the surface has an isotropic surface roughness having a Rz (din) value of 3 to 10 &mgr;m and a peak-to-peak wavelength of 2 to 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An angular position sensor determines the angular orientation of a rotatable shaft. The device includes a rotor rotatable with the shaft. A first housing receives the rotor and a second housing at least partially surrounds the first housing. A flexible member between the first housing and the second housing permits vibration of the first housing while the second housing remains stationary.

Abstract: A resistor foil, comprised of a copper layer having a first side and a second side. An intermediate layer having a thickness of between 5 Å and 70 Å is disposed on the first side of the copper layer. A first layer of a first resistor metal having a thickness of between 50 Å and 2 &mgr;m is disposed on the intermediate layer, and a second layer of a second resistor metal having a thickness of between 50 Å and 2 &mgr;m is disposed on the first layer of the first resistor metal. The first resistor metal has a resistance different from the second resistor metal.

Abstract: Provided for herein is a temperature sensor and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises: a cover plate disposed at a first end of a substrate to form an interface portion; a sensing element disposed between the cover plate and the substrate to form an assembly; wherein the cover plate and substrate have relative dimensions so as to form a ledge at the first end; and wherein the cover plate is attached to the substrate at the ledge. In anther embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises: a cover plate disposed at a first end of a substrate to form an interface portion, a sensing element disposed between the cover plate and the substrate to form an assembly, and a seal disposed to inhibit fluid communication between the sensing element a gas to be temperature sensed, wherein fluid communication is retained between the sensing element and an external environment.

Abstract: A supporting film is formed over an entire front surface of a base material, a heating resistor composed of a platinum film having a predetermined pattern is formed on the supporting film, and a protecting film is formed over an entire surface of the supporting film so as to cover the heating resistor. A heating structure having a diaphragm construction is constructed by forming a cavity under a region where the heating resistor is formed by removing a portion of the base material so as to extend to the supporting film from the rear surface side of the base material. The supporting film and the protecting film are each constituted by a silicon nitride film having an index of refraction of less than 2.25.

Abstract: A gas-insulated switch equipped with a fixed contact and a moving contact that can contact with and separate from the fixed contact, wherein a single shock absorber absorbs the shock in both the breaking action and the closing action of the moving contact.