Abstract: A fuel control system for supplying metered quantities of fuel from a fuel supply (11), through a fuel pump (13), a metering valve (15) and a pressurizing valve (17) to a plurality of engine fuel manifolds (31a, 31b, 33) includes an ecology valve (43) for withdrawing fuel from the engine fuel manifolds (31a, 31b, 33) during cessation of engine operation and for returning fuel to the engine fuel manifolds (31a, 31b, 33) to be burned during normal engine operation. The ecology valve (43) includes a valve housing (44) having a plurality of ecology ports (50, 52, 54) adapted to be coupled to corresponding ones of the engine fuel manifolds (31a, 31b, 33) and a control port (46) adapted to be connected to a corresponding control port (45) of the fuel pressurizing valve (17).

Abstract: An injection element for a combustion component running on two fuels, includes a first, central injection channel, which is connectable to a first fuel supply for a first fuel, and a second injection channel, which annularly surrounds the first injection channel. The second injection channel is connectable to a second fuel supply for a second fuel. The injection element includes a third injection channel, which annularly surrounds the second injection channel and which is in fluid communication with the first injection channel.

Abstract: A catalyst state detector for detecting a state of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst which is capable of accurately detecting the state, including deterioration, of an HC adsorbent contained in the exhaust gas purifying catalyst for adsorbing hydrocarbons in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, and can be manufactured at a low cost. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst is arranged at an intermediate portion of an exhaust pipe, and the HC adsorbent is capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and moisture in exhaust gases. The catalyst state detector comprises a downstream humidity sensor arranged at a location downstream of the HC adsorbent in the exhaust pipe for detecting a humidity of the exhaust gases, and an adsorbent state detecting unit (ECU) for detecting the state of the HC adsorbent in accordance with the result of detection made by the downstream humidity sensor.

Abstract: A catalytic converter (3) having a three-way catalyst which stores oxygen is disposed in the exhaust passage (2) of an engine (1). An oxygen storage amount of the catalyst is estimated based on the output of a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor (4) provided upstream of the catalytic converter (3). A control unit (6) controls an air-fuel ratio of the fuel mixture supplied to the engine (1) through a fuel injector (12) so that the oxygen storage amount coincides with a target value. An excess/deficiency oxygen amount in the exhaust gas is accumulated when the output of an oxygen sensor (5) which detects the oxygen concentration downstream of the catalytic converter (3) is in an excess oxygen region which is higher than a stoichiometric oxygen concentration region. An average oxygen excess ratio is calculated by dividing the accumulated value by an accumulated intake air amount. The output of the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor (4) is corrected based on the average oxygen excess ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing the opening and closing timing and/or a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid-operated circuit for setting the top dead center and the bottom dead center of the punch actuation cylinder in punching machines comprises a first copying distributor which distributes pressurized fluid, which has a spool at one end and can be connected in output to the upper section of the chamber in which the actuation cylinder slides and in input to a first pump for feeding low-pressure fluid and to at least one first fast-acting electric valve element; the spool can be pushed into position by contact by a corresponding setting element with continuous micrometric movement.

Abstract: A hydrostatic vehicle drive has a control (5) for controlling an output torque of the drive and another control device (5) for controlling the output torque of a hydrostatic drive, the control device (5) having a controllable pressure-limiting valve (6) by means of which the working pressure can be adjusted and which is used for sensitive control of the output torque of a hydraulic motor (3). The pressure-limiting valve (6) can be controlled by a proportionally adjustable pressure-reducing valve (7).

Abstract: An hydraulic system that includes a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, a fluid conduit extending between the cylinders, and a pressure relief valve within the conduit between the cylinders. The pressure relief valve includes at least one port that is closed by an elastic member that overlies the port and that opens when fluid pressure acting through the port exceeds a predetermined level to cause the elastic member to open the port.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder which prevents a contact between a projection of a spring retainer and a stopper of a sleeve when a piston is suddenly retracted by an operation of a pressure applying device of a brake system or by an air relieving operation to offer a high reliability without deformation and damages of the spring retainer and the sleeve. A groove extended in axial direction is provided on the sleeve. A distance between a rear end surface of the groove and a radial projection of a first spring retainer when the brake is not applied corresponds to the total of a distance of a retracting distance of a second piston from the position defined by the non-braking operation to a position where a piston port and an opening of a reservoir communication conduit are overlapped and a predetermined additional distance.

Abstract: A burner configuration includes a combustion chamber. A multiplicity of burners are disposed in the combustion chamber. Each of the burners has an outlet opening into the combustion chamber. Flow-guidance elements each at least partly form a respective one of the outlets of at least some of the burners. The flow-guidance elements project into the combustion chamber for guiding a fuel-gas flow discharging from the burners into the combustion chamber. As a result, combustion oscillations are suppressed.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker for use in freezing compartments of the refrigerators. A planar stop arm is used as an ice cube detecting device for detecting a sufficient ice cubes stored in a bin arranged below a tray for making ice cubes. The stop arm can be swung between the bin for storing therein the ice cubes and the tray in order prevent the ice cubes stored in the bin from being molten by a head radiation from a heater provided on the tray.

Abstract: A compact portable transport unit for shipping hyperpolarized noble gases and shielding same from electromagnetic interference and/or external magnetic fields includes a means for shifting the resonance frequency of the hyperpolarized gas outside the bandwidth of typical frequencies associated with prevalent time-dependent fields produced by electrical sources. Preferably the transport unit includes a magnetic holding field which is generated from a solenoid in the transport unit. The solenoid includes a plurality of coil segments and is sized and configured to receive the gas chamber of a container. The gas container is configured with a valve, a spherical body, and an extending capillary stem between the valve and the body. The gas container or hyperpolarized product container can also be formed as a resilient bag.

Abstract: A regenerator comprises a regenerator body and cold accumulating material packed in the regenerator body in which cooling medium gas flows from one end portion of the regenerator body to the other end portion of the regenerator body so as to obtain a lower temperature, wherein at least part of the cold accumulating material is a plate-shaped cold accumulating material having a thickness of 0.03-2 mm. In the above structure, it is preferable that the cold accumulating material is composed of an alloy containing 10 at % or more of rare earth element and that a length of the plate-shaped cold accumulating material in a flowing direction of the cooling medium gas is 1-100 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus for the chilling or freezing of items, particularly food items includes an entrance module, and exit module and may include one or more intermediate modules. The modules may be connected in order to provide an optimal solution in a food freezing or chilling process. Each module includes at least a portion of a belt for conveying items and a motor driven impeller for circulating a stream of cryogenic gas around the items. The velocity of the stream of cryogenic gas is increased through the use of one or more impingers creating impingement jets above and below the belt. The impinger may be a plate having a series of holes or it may be a series of channels. The configuration of the impinger effects the rate of heat transfer from the cryogen to the items. A sprayer for spraying liquid cryogen into the impingement jets to provide an immediate freezing of the surface of an item. Baffles between modules enable the user to control the flow of cryogen and the pressure differential between modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device for motor vehicle air-conditioning systems which can be operated with harmless and natural refrigerants, in particular CO2. The filling device is to have a high safety standard, while at the same time being simple to operate and having a cost-effective makeup. For this purpose, the filling device comprises a connection (12) for connecting the device (10) to the air-conditioning system, a drainage line (18), containing a drainage valve (24), for draining off the refrigerant of the air-conditioning system in a defined manner, a pumping-off line (20) which has a pump (36) and is connected to the connection (12), for completely pumping off refrigerant residues and any other impurities, and a refrigerant feed line (22), connected to the connection (12), for filling the air-conditioning system with refrigerant from a refrigerant reservoir (44).

Abstract: Structure for mounting a monitor on a refrigerator including the monitor mounted on a front face of the refrigerator for presenting a picture, and a controlling part mounted on a top of the refrigerator for providing a picture signal to the monitor for presenting a state of the refrigerator and internet information, wherein cables connecting the displaying part and the driving circuit are resistant to noise, thereby permitting no trespass into a food space at all and an easy mounting on the door.

Abstract: There are provided a refrigerator and method for controlling the same in which a data error generated in a main controller of the refrigerator can be repaired with an easy key operation. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator controller for controlling configurations related with refrigerating functions according to an algorithm previously set, a main controller for controlling the refrigerator controller or configurations related with additional functions other than the refrigerating functions to correspond to a command of a user, and for returning to an initial setup state according to a request of the user when there is generated a data error therein, and a restoration switch, set at a predetermined outer portion of the main controller, for inputting a restoration command of the user when the data error is generated in the main controller.

Abstract: In an ejector cycle system using carbon dioxide as refrigerant, an ejector decompresses and expands refrigerant from a radiator to suck gas refrigerant evaporated in an evaporator, and converts an expansion energy to a pressure energy to increase a refrigerant pressure to be sucked into a compressor. Because refrigerant is decompressed and expanded in a super-critical area, a pressure difference during the decompression operation becomes larger, and a specific enthalpy difference becomes larger. Accordingly, energy converting efficiency in the ejector becomes higher, and efficiency of the ejector cycle system is improved.

Abstract: The performance of mobile air conditioning systems is improved with the use of a pressure sensing valve to control refrigerant flow in the system. The pressure sensing valve is connected between the condenser and the evaporator. The control valve senses the refrigerant pressure adjacent the evaporator, ie. the input, or output, or the combination of both, to control the refrigerant flow through the evaporator in a manner to improve the performance of the system. The reference pressure for the valve can be the atmosphere or a fixed or variable source. Various other operating variables can be sensed to control the variable source in a manner to interact with the sensed pressure to provide added control of system performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor vehicle air-conditioning system in which individual air-conditioning zones can be air-conditioned independently. The air-conditioning system is divided into four partial regions by partitions. In order to provide as small a construction space as possible as well as simple regulation, the coolant stream through the heater (22) is regulatable, in order to bring the entire heater (22) to a specific temperature. Thus, air flowing through the heater (22) can be controlled to a maximum temperature dependent on the temperature of the heater (22), corresponding to the (warmest) air temperature desired in one of the interior zones (HL, VL, VR, HR). In the other region(s) (B1, B2, B3, B4) of the air-conditioning system (10), the temperature of the air to be introduced into the other interior zone(s) (HL, VL, VR, HR) can be lowered by means of cold air guided via a bypass (32R, 62R).

Abstract: Disclosed is an air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle with which individual zones of the interior can be individually air-conditioned. The air-conditioning system is divided by means of at least one dividing wall into sub-regions, with the dividing wall having a dividing wall opening which can be closed off. The heating or air-conditioning system improves the safety, for example, by reducing the amount of condensation on windows, while conserving installation space. In a first region (B1 or B2 or B3 or B4), the partial air stream flowing therethrough can flow through a sub-region (22HL or 22VL or 22VR or 22HR) of heater (22), and the partial air stream, which has already been heated in the first region (B1 or B2 or B3 or B4) can after passing through the dividing wall opening (82R, 82L), also flow through a sub-region (22FL or 22RL or 22RR or 22FR), located in the second region (B2 or B1 or B4 or B3) of the heater (22).

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a compressor for increasing a temperature and a pressure of a refrigerant vapor, a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor for condensing the refrigerant vapor, an expansion device for decreasing the temperature and pressure of a refrigerant liquid, and an evaporator fluidly coupled to the expansion device for evaporating the refrigerant liquid by transferring thermal energy between the refrigerant liquid and a second fluid. The refrigeration system also comprises a heat exchanger having a first flow path fluidly coupled to the compressor and the evaporator and a second flow path fluidly coupled to the condenser and the expansion valve. The heat exchanger is adapted to superheat the refrigerant vapor in the first flow path and subcool the refrigerant liquid in the second flow path by transferring thermal energy between the refrigerant in the first and second flow paths.

Abstract: A container for cooling/refrigerating produce comprising at least one panel made from metal foam for storing a cryogenic fluid under pressure and means for discharging said fluid into the container in order to reduce/maintain the temperature within the container.

Abstract: A removable ice bucket for an ice making system for a refrigerator and more particularly a removable ice bucket disposable in a refrigerator for receipt of ice pieces from an ice maker disposed in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A cooling air arrangement for an aircraft air conditioning unit includes an air inlet, a heat exchanger, an outlet plenum, first and second air outlet channels branching from the plenum, and a fan arranged in the first outlet channel. During flight of the aircraft, external ram air driven into the air inlet flows primarily through the second outlet channel. During ground operation, the fan primarily sucks cooling air through the first outlet channel, which merges back into the second outlet channel at an air mixing junction that functions as an injector nozzle and a non-return flap valve. The first outlet channel is provided in a spiral housing of the fan, or in a smooth curved duct. The air inlet and outlet of the cooling air arrangement, and the air outlet of the air cycle machine, are oriented in the same direction, e.g. the flight forward direction.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft includes a first rotatable shaft with a first compressor, a first turbine, a cooling air fan, and an auxiliary compressor connected for rotation therewith, and preferably further includes a second rotatable shaft with a second compressor and a second turbine connected for rotation therewith. A compression, cooling, and expansion cycle driven by at least the first compressor and the first turbine provides a principle flow of air conditioning air. The auxiliary compressor draws in outside air and provides a redundant auxiliary ventilation air flow, which is supplied into the installation space in which the air conditioning unit is installed, or another space in the aircraft that requires a reliable constant ventilation and cooling whenever the air conditioning unit is operational. The auxiliary ventilation air may be connected to a common air distribution network with other air conditioning units.

Abstract: A shelf placing frame formed in a hollow shape and a timing belt arranged along its periphery utilizing the hollow part are prepared. A lever movable along the frame is fixedly connected to the timing belt so as to rotationally move the timing belt. A screw shape shaft fixedly provided with a gear disposed rotational moving line of the timing belt is provided in the frame and conjointly moved with the timing belt. A moving board having a screw threaded hole meshing with the screw shape shaft is fixed on an inner wall of a refrigerator so that the shelf placing frame is moved up and down in accordance with movement of the lever.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle that includes a multi-stage compressor, an internal heat exchanger, an external heat exchanger, a heat exchanger switching circuit, a cooling expansion passage and a heating expansion passage. The compressor has at least two cylinder bores, one bore being smaller than the other. Refrigerant is compressed in two stages. Refrigerant is conducted from the large cylinder bore to the small cylinder bore via an intermediate chamber. The heat exchanger switching circuit connects the intake chamber of the compressor to one of the heat exchangers depending on whether heating or cooling is desired.

Abstract: A sorption cooler for cooling substances in a vessel (4) by means of a sorption agent (11) within a sorption agent vessel (10), which in connected via a vapor valve (9) to an evaporator (10) for generation of working agent vapor, and where a part of the outer wall (1) of the vessel (4) is in good thermal contact with a working agent storage material (2) and at least this part of the outer wall (1) of vessel (4) is at the same time a part of the boundary surface (5) of the evaporator (8).

Abstract: A filter cartridge F in a condenser K for an automobile air-conditioning system comprises a permeable housing 1 containing a desiccant charge, said housing being inserted into a header pipe 8 of said condenser which header pipe is closed by a plug S being part of said filter cartridge F. In a condenser K being equipped with a filter cartridge F in header tube 8 which is closed by a plug S said plug is made from plastic material or light metal and is part of said filter cartridge F to fulfil a dual function, namely to seal the header tube and to position the cartridge.

Abstract: A method and machine for processing sheets of laminated glass, whereby a sheet of glass, as it is fed in a given traveling direction on a supporting surface having a cutting opening crosswise to the traveling direction, is raised with respect to the supporting surface by an auxiliary supporting device movable through the cutting opening, so as to enable the edges of the sheet to get past a downstream edge of the cutting opening in the traveling direction.

Abstract: A sinker (50) for a knitting machine operating according to the relative technique is described. The sinker (50) contains a front (32), a back (33), a head (34) arranged on one end and having a sinker throat (35) and a knock-over edge (36), a control butt (38) intended to make possible movements in a longitudinal direction (v) and protruding from the front (32), and at least one rocking element (39, 40) designed to make possible pivot movements transverse to the longitudinal direction (v) and provided on the front (32). According to the invention, the sinker (50) also has a spring element (41) intended to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies, acting transverse to the longitudinal direction (v) (FIG. 4). A knitting machine equipped with such a sinker (50) is also described.

Abstract: A device for cutting the trailing portions of thread at an end of a textile item, particularly for finishing hosiery items or the like, comprising an extraction device for extracting the trailing portions of thread from the body of the item and a cutting device acting on the extracted trailing portions of thread in order to cut them.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved system for mounting and aligning, in a manner that is both accurate and precise, an array of tubes used for delivering relatively small quantities of air or other fluids in various applications, as, for example, in patterning systems in which a stream of a patterning fluid such as a liquid dye is deflected from a trajectory by the impingement of a stream of a control fluid such as air.

Abstract: A locking device having at least one blocking element (6) displaced axially by an electromechanical drive (4) from a locking position into an unlocking position and vice versa. The locking device (1) comprising a control element (5) rotated by the electromechanical drive (4) that is positioned toward the blocking element (6) with a thread (11) that engages the control bolts (14), which are arranged in a transversely displaceable manner within the blocking element (6). The axial position of the control-bolt arrangement within the blocking element (6) is determined by the contour of the inner wall (17) of the control element (5). To displace the blocking element (6), the first end (12) of the control bolt (14) engages the thread turn (16) of the thread (11), while the second end (15) is supported on the inner wall (17) of the control element (5) located opposite the thread (11).

Abstract: An interconnected lock assembly with a locking mechanism which can throw the deadbolt and lock the door in response to a remote control signal. The interconnected lock comprising a first lock assembly including an inside handle and an outside handle, and a second lock assembly interconnected to said first lock assembly. The second lock assembly comprises a deadbolt assembly operably connected to a deadbolt latch. The deadbolt latch comprises a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The interconnected lock further comprises a locking mechanism selectively engageable by a remote control signal to move the deadbolt to an extended position.

Abstract: A process for mechanically joining plies of thin metallic components lying on one another, and apparatus for its implementation, involves an impulse-wave conductor (9, 25, 31-35) having first and second substantially straight impulse-wave-conductor portions (19, 20, 32, 33) which are arranged at an angle to one another along which impulse waves are transmitted to a stamp (7) to be driven into a component to be joined by impulse force. The impulse waves are redirected between the first and second substantially straight impulse-wave-conductor portions by a structure of an intermediate angled portion (21, 31) located between, the first and second substantially straight impulse-wave-conductor portions.

Abstract: The hooking system of the lid (4) to the sliding plate comprises grooves (27) provided in the heating ceramic plate (11), to accommodate rails made of refractory steel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gearwheel (10) by clutch gear tooth forming with an axial undercut and a roof-shaped entry geometry consists in causing the gearwheel blank to perform a rotating movement and to cause profiled shaping tools in the form of rolls with external toothing, toothed racks or hollow rolls with internal toothing to perform a motion in rolling contact for engagement in the material, and in initiating the corresponding shaping operation by a radial or axial feeding motion, respectively.

Abstract: A method for producing a unitary toothed part with a shaft and the resulting products. In the process, a blank is formed. The blank includes a shaft part and a flange part. The flange part having a thicker outer diameter and a thinner inner diameter. The outer diameter is formed into a tubular part by drawing. A plurality of teeth and remnants are formed by extruding the tubular part. At least one spline is formed by extruding the shaft part. Through the steps of forming, drawing, and extruding, a blank is made into a unitary part having teeth and a shaft thus increasing precision, rigidity, durability, and reducing forming costs.

Abstract: An improved structure of a gas sensor is provided which is designed to establish firm electric connections between electrode terminals formed on opposed major surfaces of a sensor element and terminals of a connector disposed within a body of the gas sensor leading to an external devices. The connector includes two arrays of terminals. Each of the terminals has a contact elastically deformable at least in a direction perpendicular to the opposed major surfaces of the sensor element for keeping the electric connections of the electrode terminals and the terminals of the connector constant.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting leakage from a evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system. A reciprocating pump is operated in a pressurizing mode to build pressure in the space toward a nominal test pressure. The pressurizing mode involves operating the pump in a repeating cycle wherein the pump operates alternately in an accelerated pumping mode and a natural frequency pumping mode. During the pressurizing mode, a characteristic of successive occurrences of the natural frequency pumping mode indicative of pressure in the space is measured. The number of times the cycle repeats is counted and compared to a predefined reference.

Abstract: A test piece made of a material equal to the material of the workpiece is formed in a size that permits the test piece to be housed in an adsorption tube container mounted to a mass analyzing apparatus of a gas chromatograph. The test piece is left to stand for a predetermined time in a measuring site of the atmosphere within a cleansing chamber and, then, recovered. The recovered test piece is introduced into a mass analyzing apparatus of a gas chromatograph (GC-MS apparatus) for measurement of the material of the contaminant and the mass of the contaminant, thereby evaluating the degree of contamination of the measured point.

Abstract: An abnormality diagnosis apparatus for performing a leak check of an evaporative fuel processing system which includes a fuel tank, a canister for storing evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank, a purging passage for connecting the canister to an intake system of an internal combustion engine, and a purge control valve provided in the purging passage. A process of reducing the pressure in the evaporative fuel processing system is executed with a limited flow rate of gases passing through the purge control valve when performing the leak check in an idling condition of the engine. The limited flow rate is set to a value equal to or smaller than a predetermined flow rate which is smaller than the maximum flow rate applied to the leak check performed in operating conditions other than the idling condition. The leak check is performed on the basis of a change in the pressure in the evaporative fuel processing system after the pressure reduction process.

Abstract: Known devices for measuring the mass of a flowing medium by means of a temperature-sensitive measuring element have the disadvantage that considerable measuring errors may occur in the event of a pulsating flow characterized by flow fluctuations.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and a device for determining the filling level and can be applied, in particular, for the ascertainment of thesimmering process of mineral oil products.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing of electrical, mechanical, physical and/or chemical properties of material in sheet form includes a cassette for holding of sheets and sensors rigidly mounted relative to the cassette. The sensors may be mounted adjacent a test location exterior to the cassette. The cassette and the sensors may be so configured and positioned that a suitable end effector may move sheets of material between storage locations in the cassette and test locations adjacent the sensors. A method for testing sheet material includes the steps of placing the sheet material in a cassette, and conducting tests employing one or more sensors rigidly mounted with respect to the cassette. The method may include employing an end effector to remove the sheet from the cassette, to position the sheet stepwise in several positions relative to the sensors, and to replace the sheet in the cassette upon completion of testing.

Abstract: A semiconductor physical quantity sensor has a beam connecting a movable portion and a support substrate for displacing the movable portion in a displacement direction. The beam has a rectangular frame shape with a hollow portion and is surrounded by a groove. The groove has opposing intervals at both sides of the beam in the displacement direction, and the opposing intervals are equal to an interval of the hollow portion in the displacement direction. Accordingly, etching rates at the groove and the hollow portion become approximately equal to each other, reducing processing variation of the beam.

Abstract: A semiconductor acceleration sensor, which prevents an adhesion of a movable electrode to a first or second fixed electrode due to an electrostatic attracting force generated therebetween. The sensor has a weight portion and movable electrodes formed on both sides of which, and first and second fixed electrodes each engaging with the each of the movable electrodes. Each of the first and second fixed electrodes is disposed in parallel with each of the movable electrodes so that side faces thereof determine a detection interval and non-detection interval larger than the detection interval with side faces of adjoining two of the movable electrodes. Protrusions are formed on both of the side faces of each of the first and second fixed electrodes. These protrusions prevent the movable electrodes from adhering to the first or second fixed electrode in both of the detection interval and non-detection interval.

Abstract: A thermal pressure sensor monitors pressure by measuring effects caused by variations of thermal conductivity between a member and a substrate to which the member is adhered by stiction. The interface between the member and the substrate behaves as an extremely narrow gap. In a preferred embodiment the member is a bridge extending between a pair of cantilever arms. Two pressure sensors may be combined in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A method for fabricating a pressure sensor according to the invention comprises forming a layer of oxide on a substrate, depositing a layer of material on the oxide layer, forming the member from the layer of material, removing the oxide layer and then bringing the member into contact with the substrate. The portion of the substrate under the member may be patterned with plateaus and valleys.