Abstract: A level sensor for determining the presence or absence of a liquid in contact with the sensor includes an elongate probe, a transducer operably connected to the probe and configured to produce compressional waves in the probe, and circuitry for detecting acoustic energy emitted into the liquid when liquid is in contact with the probe. A mount for the releasably holding the sensor includes a base have a receiving region formed in part by a plurality of flexible securing fingers. The fingers have locking projections extending therefrom. A contact is mounted to the base and extends into the receiving region. A cartridge supports the level sensor and is received in the receiving region. The cartridge includes a circumferential recess for receiving the securing fingers. When the level sensor is positioned in the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the base, the level sensor is operably connected to the contact and the cartridge is resiliently secured in the base.

Abstract: A level sensor for determining the presence or absence of a liquid in contact with the sensor includes an elongate probe, a transducer operably connected to the probe and configured to produce compressional waves in the probe, and circuitry for detecting acoustic energy emitted into the liquid when liquid is in contact with the probe. A mount for the releasably holding the sensor includes a base have a receiving region formed in part by a plurality of flexible securing fingers. The fingers have locking projections extending therefrom. A contact is mounted to the base and extends into the receiving region. A cartridge supports the level sensor and is received in the receiving region. The cartridge includes a circumferential recess for receiving the securing fingers. When the level sensor is positioned in the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the base, the level sensor is operably connected to the contact and the cartridge is resiliently secured in the base.

Abstract: A system for detecting ice of a particular thickness includes a structure from which ice forms, and an ice detection assembly movably secured to the structure. The ice detection assembly includes a transducer operatively connected to a sensing medium. The transducer generates a trapped acoustic wave in the sensing medium, wherein ice of a particular thickness is detected when the ice that forms from the structure contacts the sensing medium and dampens the trapped acoustic wave within the sensing medium.

Abstract: A touch pad assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of acoustic wave switches positioned with respect to the substrate. Each of the plurality of acoustic wave switches includes a touch surface connected to an acoustic wave cavity and a transducer secured to the acoustic wave cavity. The plurality of acoustic wave switches are positioned to provide detection of sliding motion direction and rate between the plurality of acoustic wave switches.

Abstract: A controller for an acoustic wave touch panel includes a signal conditioning circuit that can receive and process X axis and Y axis sense signals from the touch panel where the touch panel can be configured with either one or two transducers per sense axis. The signal conditioning circuit includes a differential amplifier to which simultaneously received X axis and Y axis sense signals are applied to provide common mode rejection. The controller also includes a touch position detector that accurately determines the position and pressure of a touch without jitter, the touch position detector including a software low pass filter and peak detector for analyzing the output of the signal conditioning circuit.