Abstract: A relay (1) includes a motor (20) and a primary electrical switch assembly (132). Primary electrical switching attachment points (113) are switched by a moveable switching link (101) which is moved in and out of the switch on an switched off position axially by the motor (20) in response to electrical signals delivered to the coil (26) via the flexible leads (32, 33). The switching link (101) includes a mercury reservoir (119). A piezoelectric disk bender (105) displaces mercury to close the gaps between the attachment points (113).

Abstract: A vehicle window with a primary window pane arrangement, a secondary window pane that is spaced apart from the primary window pane arrangement and a window funnel that extends between the secondary window pane and the primary window pane arrangement is provided. The vehicle window includes an intermediate space that is formed by the window funnel, the secondary window pane and the primary window pane arrangement, and the intermediate space is sealed and equipped with an air inlet for introducing dehumidified air into the intermediate space. Due to the seal, humid air leading to condensation and frost in the intermediate space is prevented from flowing into the intermediate space during a pressure compensation flow. The passenger comfort is enhanced due to the improved view through the window.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a housing defining a channel, a plunger slidably engaged with an inner surface of the channel, a substrate with one or more passages each having two or more openings, a liquid in each of the one or more passages, at least one fluid, and a force application system. The substrate is disposed in the channel on one side of the plunger. The liquid in each of the one or more passages has a volume which exceeds an internal volume of each the one or more passages and forms a liquid drop around each of the openings. The liquid drops are fluidly connected to one another and each of the liquid drops is individually adjustable between two or more sizes. Each of the sizes and a location of each of the liquid drops define one of two or more switch positions. The fluid is located in the channel on the one side of the plunger and substantially surrounding the liquid drops.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS switch having a free moving inductive element within in micro-cavity guided by at least one inductive coil. The switch consists of an upper inductive coil at one end of a micro-cavity; optionally, a lower inductive coil; and a free-moving inductive element preferably made of magnetic material. The coils are provided with an inner permalloy core. Switching is achieved by passing a current through the upper coil, inducing a magnetic field unto the inductive element. The magnetic field attracts the free-moving inductive element upwards, shorting two open conductive wires, closing the switch. When the current flow stops or is reversed, the free-moving magnetic element drops back by gravity to the bottom of the micro-cavity and the conductive wires open. When the chip is not mounted with the correct orientation, the lower coil pulls the free-moving inductive element back at its original position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical relay in which a solid slug is moved within a channel and used to make or break an electrical connection. The solid slug is moved by electromagnets. In the preferred embodiment, the slug is wetted by a conducting liquid, such as liquid metal, that also adheres to wettable contact pads within the channel to provide a latching mechanism. The relay is amenable to manufacture by micro-machiningtechniques.

Abstract: An electrical relay using conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. Two electrical contacts are held a small distance apart. The facing surfaces of the contacts each support a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. A piezoelectric actuator is energized to reduce the gap between the electrical contacts, causing the two liquid metal droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. The piezoelectric actuator is then de-energized and the electrical contacts return to their starting positions. The liquid metal droplets remain coalesced because of surface tension. The electrical circuit is broken by energizing a piezoelectric actuator to increase the gap between the electrical contacts and break the surface tension bond between the liquid metal droplets. The droplets remain separated when the piezoelectric actuator is de-energized because there is insufficient liquid metal to bridge the gap between the contacts. The relay is amenable to manufacture by micro-machining techniques.

Abstract: In a switching device having first and second conductor elements and an operating mechanism shiftable to and from a first position wherein the conductor elements are electrically connected to each other to establish a conductive path therebetween. The device includes a body of mercury, and a mercury wettable porous member between the mercury body and the first conductor element so that the mercury from the body may be forced through the porous body to establish the above-mentioned electrical connection. When the shiftable mechanism is shifted into the first position, the mercury is withdrawn from the first conductor element by the wettable porous member to disconnect the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A self-encoding key switch is formed of a body having a well for storing a pool of mercury, a plurality of contact chambers with encoding contacts therein and having channel portions communicating with the well of a size to resist flow of the mercury therethrough due to surface tension of the mercury, and a plunger movable into the well to force the mercury through the channel portions into the contact chambers to momentarily connect the encoding contacts thereby providing tactile feedback, self-encoding and N-key rollover. A keyboard system utilizes a plurality of the above-described self-encoding key switches along with a register, and a strobe contact is disposed in a contact chamber of each key switch such that the trailing edge of the signal from the strobe contact precedes the breaking of electrical connection between a supply contact in the body and the encoding contacts to trigger the register and enter coded data from the encoding contacts.

Abstract: A resettable switch is disclosed having a conductor maintained in contact with a reservoir of mercury to conduct current therethrough during normal operation. During impact or roll over, the mercury is spilled from the reservoir and prevented from returning thereto by cone-shaped retainers maintained in a telescoped relation by a spring, thereby opening the switch. The switch may be reset by depressing a plunger which aligns slots in the telescoped retainers, which permits mercury to return to the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switch. The switch housing has a cavity therein. In one embodiment a plunger has selected portions cut away so as to form, in combination with the side walls of the cavity, two contiguous chambers. Thus, the first chamber communicates with the second chamber. Mercury is placed in the larger chamber and remains there, irrespective of the position of the switch housing. Upon depression of the plunger, the mercury is forced into the smaller chamber. Upon removal of the plunger, the displaced mercury returns to the larger chamber. Electrical contacts are disposed in the two chambers. The mercury, displaced by the plunger, will couple the contacts and close the switch. It, upon operation of the switch at high frequencies, mercury is pumped out of the chambers and passes above the plunger and within the cavity, a channel of smaller dimension than either chamber, which extends the length of the plunger, acts to direct such mercury back to the first chamber.

Abstract: An electrical control unit for interconnection between a source of electrical energy and an electrically driven unit including a slide surface composed in part of electrically nonconductive material, a plurality of conductive discrete contact elements arranged in the slide surface, a conductive liquid contact adapted to progressively engage certain of the conductive discrete contact elements in the slide surface to provide a variable magnitude electrical output, and/or one or more conductive liquid contacts adapted to engage other of the discrete contact elements in the slide surface to effect a switching operation with respect to the variable magnitude electrical output or other electrical signal.