Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described herein that provide improved motor control and feedback, thereby combining advantages of manually-operated and powered surgical devices. In one embodiment, a surgical device includes a proximal handle portion that includes a motor, a distal end effector coupled to the handle portion, and a cutting element configured to cut tissue engaged by the end effector, wherein the motor is configured to supply power that moves the cutting element. The device also includes a motor control mechanism configured to cause the amount of the power to dynamically change in response to a manual user input when the cutting element is moving.

Abstract: Described is a system for remotely detecting and signalling the open and/or closed state of the shutter (O) of an element (3) for controlling the flow of gas along a gas distribution line (2), comprising an electric switch (17; 18) configured to generate an electrical signal representing at least one of the open and closed states.

Abstract: A float assembly comprising a float traveling along a rod until making contact with either an upper or a lower adjustable stopper, so that an actuator lever having one or more counterweights in mechanical coupling with a switch, so that the float assembly may respond to the fluid level.

Abstract: An insulated joystick for use in an insulated environment, such as on an insulated aerial device. The insulated joystick includes an inner assembly segment, a mobile sensor, and an outer protective segment. The inner assembly segment presents a sensor void and is formed of a dielectric material. The mobile sensor is disposed at least partially within the sensor void. The mobile sensor is configured to detect a movement of the insulated joystick by a user. The outer protective segment disposed at least partially around the inner assembly segment and is formed of a dielectric material.

Abstract: An electropneumatic valve assembly comprises an electropneumatic pilot stage and a pneumatic power stage which is actuated by the pilot stage. Each pilot valve switches at least two power valves, and the valve assembly has a housing with an electrical signal input, with a compressed-air port, at least one vent port and at least one working outlet. The housing is layered with a pilot stage housing and a power stage housing connected along a substantially planar parting surface. At least one sealing element is between the pilot stage housing and power stage housing surrounding a control pressure region between the pilot stage housing and power stage housing. The control pressure region has two actuation regions for two power valves and has a duct-like connection with a defined flow cross section between the two actuation regions. An outlet of the associated pilot valve opens into the control pressure region.

Abstract: Described is a system for predicting system trajectories toward critical transitions. The system transforms a set of multivariate time series of observables of a complex system into a set of symbolic multivariate time series. Then pair-wise time series of a transfer entropy (TE) measure are determined, wherein the TE measure quantifies the amount of information transfer from a source to a destination in the complex system. An associative transfer entropy (ATE) measure is determined which decomposes the pair-wise time series of TE to associative states of asymmetric, directional information flows, wherein the ATE measure is comprised of an ATE+ influence class and a ATE? influence class. The system estimates ATE+, TE, and ATE? trajectories over time, and at least one of the ATE+, TE, and ATE? trajectories is used to predict a critical transition in the complex system.

Abstract: A multi-condition sensor, comprising a housing defining a component cavity, a pressure input tube disposed through the housing, a fault actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing and in pressure communication with the pressure input tube through the housing, wherein the fault actuator is configured to extend and contract as a function of pressure from the pressure input tube, an alarm actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing opposite the fault actuator and configured to be actuated by the fault actuator and to extend to a maximum fault position, and an adjustable alarm contact disposed on an opposite side of the alarm actuator within the component cavity and configured to be adjusted to a predetermined extension length from the housing to provide a predetermined alarm contact position.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a base having a high-pressure contact portion, and a diaphragm positioned over the base and having an external top surface opposite the base. The external top surface is defined within a closed perimeter and external side surfaces extend down from an entirety of the closed perimeter toward the base. A high-pressure contact portion of the diaphragm is aligned with and separated by a gap from the high-pressure contact portion of the base. A sensing element is coupled to the diaphragm and provides an output based on changes to the diaphragm. When a hydrostatic pressure load above a threshold value is applied to the entire external top surface and external side surfaces of the diaphragm, the hydrostatic pressure load causes the high-pressure contact portion of the diaphragm to contact the high-pressure contact portion of the base.

Abstract: A housing containing its own record of any private and unwarranted disassembly includes a first shell, a second shell detachably connected with the second shell, a consumer disassembly indication structure. The consumer disassembly indication structure includes a circuit board, a plurality of switches, a computer chip, a plurality of conductive bodies, and a plurality of insulative bodies. The plurality of switches are fixed on the circuit board and each is electrically connected with the computer chip. The computer chip is configured to record electric connections between the conductive bodies and switches, the original electric connections being changed to other or no connections after any disassembly of the housing.

Abstract: A sensor for contactless electrocardiographic measurement of a person has at least one electrically conductive, planar electrode having a measurement surface facing the person and a connection surface facing away from the person. An electrical terminal for connection with a measurement apparatus is spaced from the connection surface such that the connection surface is only placed in electrical connection with the terminal when pressure of a required magnitude is applied to the measurement. The electrical connection may be achieved by a switching contact disposed between the electrode and the terminal which is brought into contact with both the electrode and the terminal when the electrode is deflected toward the terminal by the pressure. A compressible material is disposed between the electrode and the terminal to allow tuning of the pressure required to achieve electrical contact.

Abstract: A linkage and operating assembly is provided for a dead tank circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has a plurality of pole assemblies and an actuating assembly associated with each pole assembly for opening and closing a movable electrical contact of the associated pole assembly. The linkage and operating assembly includes a linkage module having a plurality of drive structures. Each drive structure has a portion constructed and arranged to be removably coupled to an associated actuating assembly. An operating mechanism is coupled with the linkage module for causing movement of the drive structures substantially simultaneously. When the portions of the drive structures are decoupled from the associated actuating assemblies, the linkage module together with the operating mechanism is constructed and arranged to be removed as a single unit from the circuit breaker.

Abstract: The present application describes an apparatus (1) for sectioning an electric energy flow in one or more conductors (15) of an electric energy generating plant (100), comprising a pneumatic circuit (4) that feeds a plurality of pneumatic remote switches (5), and a control unit (2) that controls such a pneumatic circuit (4); the pneumatic remote switches (5) intercept conductors (15) of an electric energy generating plant (100) and are able to interrupt the passage of current both for automatic safety intervention and for manual or automatic controlled intervention; it also describes an electric energy generating plant (100) comprising a plurality of electrical generators (6) connected in series and the aforementioned sectioning apparatus (1), the pneumatic remote switches (5) of which intercept at least one conductor (15) of such a plurality of electrical generators (6).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating sensing and/or control device assemblies, e.g., a dual pressure switch sensing and/or control device, a dual temperature switch sensing and/or control device or the like. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating sensing and/or control device assemblies (e.g., dual switch sensing and/or control device assemblies) with adjustment features and/or functionalities for switch calibration and/or adjustment. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating sensing and/or control device assemblies (e.g., dual switch sensing and/or control device assemblies) with rotary adjustment features/functionalities wherein the switches of the sensing device may be calibrated or adjusted via the rotary adjustment features/functionalities.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is employed to displace a conductor disposed within a fluidic channel, thereby reconfiguring an electronic component.

Abstract: A pneumatic fire detector is disclosed having a switch module comprising a manifold operatively connected to a sensor tube, the switch module incorporating respective forming tubes for applying a sufficient pressure first to the outer surface of an installed diaphragm and thereafter to a pre-determined pressure through the manifold to deform the diaphragm outwards and into contact with a respective switch.

Abstract: A pressure switch employs semiconductor silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and utilizes a first silicon wafer which has a deflecting diaphragm. Deposited on the wafer is at least one distinct metal contact. Secured to the semiconductor wafer is a glass wafer having a central aperture defining a deflecting region. Positioned on top of the glass wafer is another metal contact which is positioned to receive the two contacts deposited on the silicon wafer when a given pressure is applied to the silicon wafer. The metal contact on the silicon wafer is connected to a header pin, via apertures formed in the glass wafer, the apertures are filled with a conductive glass metal frit so that contact is made between the header pins and the metal contacts deposited on the silicon wafer.

Abstract: A snap action switch (12) which includes an M-type actuator having an actuation location that can be depressed to cause a middle contact to snap up against an upper contact, and which can be released to cause the middle contact to snap down against a lower contact, which enables adjustment of the position at which the middle contact snaps against a selected one of the upper and lower contacts. The adjustment of a snap position of the actuation location is accomplished by raising or lowering the position of one of the upper or lower contacts.

Abstract: The sensor comprises a body in which a diaphragm is mounted so as to define a variable-volume chamber to which a fluid pressure is supplied in use, and a plurality of electrical switches connected to the diaphragm so that the diaphragm can bring about switching of the switches when the pressure in the chamber exceeds corresponding different threshold values which are predetermined by associated calibration means including, for each switch, a respective spring the compression of which can be varied by means of a corresponding reaction member the position of which relative to the body is adjustable. The reaction members are connected rigidly to the ends of an interconnection structure translatable in a guide structure.

Abstract: A pressure-operated safety switch is applied to a point in the compressed air system, which requires monitoring for presence of pressurized air. Pressurized air is introduced into the switch through a tube or other suitable fitting at the point needing monitoring. The pressurized air is split internally to force redundant, independent pistons to an extended position. Under safe conditions (i.e., the absence of pressurized air), electrical contacts on each piston makes physical contact with switch body contacts to create two independent electrical switch paths. Pressure required to force the pistons away from the electrical contacts is adjustable by using a spring and set screw, for example.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and a method of verificating leaks in a fuel system including an integrated pressure management apparatus. The sensor arrangement comprises a chamber having an interior volume varying in response to fluid pressure in the chamber, a first switch, and a second switch. The chamber includes a diaphragm that is displaceable between a first configuration in response to fluid pressure above a first pressure level, a second configuration in response to fluid pressure below the first pressure level but above a second pressure level, and a third configuration in response to fluid pressure below the second pressure level. The third pressure level being lower than the second pressure level, and the second pressure level being lower than the first pressure level. The first switch is actuated by the diaphragm in the second configuration. And the second switch is actuated by the diaphragm in the third configuration.

Abstract: Each of pressure-detecting switches to be connected to one another has a first connector provided at one side section and a first connector provided at the other side section. Electric wiring is mutually effected for the pressure-detecting switches by attaching/detaching the first connectors. The pressure-detecting switches are mutually fixed by using a fixing mechanism arranged for the side sections to effect the function for mutually attaching/detaching the pressure-detecting switches.

Abstract: Each of pressure-detecting switches to be connected to one another has a first connector provided at one side section and a first connector provided at the other side section. Electric wiring is mutually effected for the pressure-detecting switches by attaching/detaching the first connectors. The pressure-detecting switches are mutually fixed by using a fixing mechanism arranged for the side sections to effect the function for mutually attaching/detaching the pressure-detecting switches.

Abstract: An improved pressure activated control apparatus is provided for sensing fluid pressure and triggering one or more switches in response to the fluid pressure, as desired. The apparatus includes a first resilient member, such as a pliable rolling diaphragm or bellofram, having an outer surface exposed to the fluid and responsive to the fluid pressure. A force translation and switching mechanism responds to the force exerted by the pressure of the fluid on the outer surface area of the first resilient member to trigger one or more switches mounted on an adjustable switch track assembly within the apparatus housing. The pressure activated control apparatus includes a second resilient member, such as a spring with a chosen spring constant, k, that provides a biasing force against the force translation and switching mechanism. In an embodiment, a plurality of microswitches are each adjustably and removably connected on the switch track assembly.