Abstract: An image sensor unit includes a fixed substrate, a movable substrate, an actuate section including an actuator for moving the movable substrate against the fixed substrate, an image sensor having an imaging surface on a front surface of the image sensor, and at least, a part of a rear surface of the image sensor being directly fixed onto the movable substrate, an external electrical connecting member for conducting a transmission and reception of signals between the actuate section and the image sensor and an outside of the image sensor unit, and an internal electrical connecting member electrically connects the actuate section, the image sensor and the external connection wiring, wherein the actuate section, the image sensor, the internal connection wiring and a part of the external connection wiring are sealed into the same space.

Abstract: The invention is a converter for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The energy conversion takes place by causing magnetic particles that are initially suspended in ferrofluid to circulate in the converter and to induce electric currents when they pass through one or more coils of electric wires that are coiled around parts of the conduits of the converter. The particles are caused to circulate around the main circuit of the converter by controlling the local temperature and pressure at different locations in the main circuit. The invention also is a method of using the converter to produce electricity.

Abstract: A method and structure for an electrical switch. According to the structure of the present invention, a liquid-filled chamber is housed within a solid material. A plurality of switch contacts within the liquid-filled chamber are coupled to the solid material, while a plurality of piezoelectric elements are coupled to a plurality of membranes. The plurality of membranes are coupled to the liquid-filled chamber. The plurality of switch contacts are coupled to a plurality of liquid metal globules. According to the method, a piezoelectric element is actuated, causing a membrane element to be deflected. The deflection of the membrane element increases pressure of actuator liquid and the increase in pressure of the actuator liquid breaks a liquid metal connection between a first contact and a second contact of the electrical switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a liquid metal switch in a state of readiness for switching. The liquid metal switch has a liquid metal volume contained in a cavity of a switch body. A signal path though the cavity is made or broken by energizing an actuator to move the liquid metal volume within the cavity in response to a switching signal. To maintain readiness, a signal generator supplies a vibratory signal to the actuator. The resulting vibrations in the liquid metal volume allow the liquid metal volume to be subsequently moved with reduced power.

Abstract: An electrical relay that uses a conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. In the relay, a pair of moveable switching contacts is attached to the free end of a switch bar and positioned between a pair of fixed electrical contact pads. The connections to the switching contacts and the fixed contact pads are shielded by ground traces. A surface of each contact supports a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. A piezoelectric actuator is energized to push or pull the switch bar and move the pair of switching contacts, closing the gap between one of the fixed contact pads and one of the switching contacts, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. At the same time, the gap between the other fixed contact pad and the other switching contact is increased, causing conducting liquid droplets to separate and break an electrical circuit. The piezoelectric actuator is then de-energized and the switching contacts return to their starting positions.

Abstract: An electrical relay that uses a conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. In the relay, a pair of moveable switching contacts is positioned between a pair of fixed electrical contact pads. A surface of each contact supports a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. An actuator is energized to move the pair of switching contacts, closing the gap between one of the fixed contact pads and one of the switching contacts, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. At the same time, the gap between the other fixed contact pad and the other switching contact is increased, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to separate and break an electrical circuit. The actuator is then de-energized and the switching contacts return to their starting positions. The volume of liquid metal is chosen so that liquid metal droplets remain coalesced or separated because of surface tension in the liquid.

Abstract: An electrical relay that uses a conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. In the relay, a pair of switching contacts is attached to the free end of a switch bar and positioned between a pair of fixed electrical contact pads. A surface of each contact supports a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. A piezoelectric actuator is energized to push or pull the switch bar and move the pair of switching contacts, closing the gap between one of the fixed contact pads and one of the switching contacts, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. At the same time, the gap between the other fixed contact pad and the other switching contact is increased, causing conducting liquid droplets to separate and break an electrical circuit. The piezoelectric actuator is then de-energized and the switching contacts return to their starting positions.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device with a liquid metal includes two T-shaped electrodes for connection to an electric circuit to be protected. Each of the electrodes are made of a solid metal. Several compressor cavities which are partially filled with the liquid metal are situated one behind the other between the electrodes. The compressor cavities are formed by pressure-proof insulating bodies and by insulating intermediate walls which are provided with connecting channels and which are held by the insulating bodies. The insulating bodies and the intermediate walls form a uniform upper and lower half shell with opposite-lying joining surfaces. The half shells are connected in a sealed manner along joining surfaces in the area of a common middle plane of the connecting channels. Up to half of each of the electrodes is accommodated in corresponding recesses of the half shells, the electrodes extending with their respective middle limb out of the half shells.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device having liquid metal includes solid metal electrodes for connecting to an external electric circuit to be protected. A plurality of compression spaces which are partially filled with liquid metal are arranged one behind the other between the electrodes and are formed by pressure-resistant insulating bodies and by insulating partitioning walls having connecting channels. An enclosing insulating shaped housing is provided having a trough-like bottom part and a cover that tightly closes the bottom part via a non-positive and/or positive connecting device. The partitioning walls and the bottom part are interconnected as one piece. The connecting channels are configured as longitudinal holes which are open at the top. The electrodes are mounted in the bottom part. The nominal current range of the device may be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A self-regenerating current limiter with liquid metal includes solid metal electrodes for connection of the current limiter to an electric circuit to be protected. A plurality of compression chambers that are partially filled with liquid metal are located one behind the other between the electrodes. The compression chambers are formed by compression-proof insulating bodies and insulating partition walls that have communicating channels and that are supported by the insulating bodies. Non-conductive ceramic disks are mounted on the inner surfaces of the electrodes. The disks are located opposite the communicating channels of the adjacent partition walls.

Abstract: Novel conductive liquid compositions which have low resistivity when carrying an applied steady-state current (I.sub.Steady-State) but exhibit sharp increases in resistivity when subject to an applied fault current (I.sub.Fault). When used in circuit protection devices, the novel conductive liquid compositions having low resistivity are contained within an elongated flexible tube sealed by electrodes electrically connected to a load of an electrical circuit. The conductive liquid compositions carry an applied normal current under steady-state conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical circuit protection device using a conductive liquid contained in a flexible tube contacted and sealed at each end by an annular metal electrode capped by a flexible membrane. The flexible tube is further sealed inside a solid insulating tube which contains a ferromagnetic liquid. The ferromagnetic liquid surrounds the flexible tube and remains in intimate contact with the outside of the flexible tube and is connected to a load sensing element which generates a magnetic field in the ferromagnetic fluid in response to excessive currents applied in the current path through the conductive liquid between the electrodes. This assembly is contained inside a tubular resistor. Under normal current conditions, a current flows through the conductive liquid which has relatively low resistivity.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus includes a magnetic field in which a magnetic field gradient is provided by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic fluid to produce an apparent specific gravity gradient in accordance with the magnetic field gradient. A control member immersed in the magnetic fluid moves under the influence of buoyant force from a gradient of the apparent specific gravity produced in accordance with the magnetic field gradient, so that a driven body interlocking with the control member is driven at a low noise level.

Abstract: A very low inductance, very low resistance, command operated repetitive high current opening switch is described which uses a Lorentz force to move a conductive liquid between a conducting region and an insulated region between two electrodes. In a specific embodiment, a cylindrical outer electrode coaxially surrounds in a spaced relationship a generally cylindrical inner electrode. The annular space between the inner and outer electrodes is divided into first and second sections along the length of the electrodes. Intermeshing continuous spiral fins are defined on the facing surfaces of the inner and outer electrodes along the first section of the length of the opening switch. Insulation covers the surfaces of the inner and outer electrodes surrounding the second section.

Abstract: A glass reed relay has an elongated glass enclosure with an electrode passing through and being sealed to each of the opposite ends of said enclosure. One of the electrodes has an associated reed for making and breaking contact with the other of said electrodes. The other electrode has a hollow tubular structure filled with mercury. The dimensions are such that only a limited amount of mercury can escape therefrom in order to wet the contacts without creating a pool of mercury.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for very high currents utilizes the magneto hydrodyna pinch effect to interrupt a liquid metal column that occupies the gap between a pair of spaced conductors maintained apart by an insulating sleeve. The on/off condition of the switching apparatus is controlled by regulating the relationship between the fluid pressure within the sleeve and P.sub.p, the MHD pinch pressure.

Abstract: A switching element having a container made of insulating material, terminals extending from the inside to outside of the container, a mixture filled and hermetically sealed in the container, the mixture being composed of conductive powder or particles which may be magnetic and of a non-conductive liquid such as contact oil. The conductive powder is primarily suspended in the liquid, and magnetic forces are applied to and removed from the above-mentioned powder or particles by magnets or the like provided outside of the container to perform switching operations.

Abstract: A mercury-wetted relay construction is disclosed in which a substantially flattened "Z" shaped armature (20) is mounted by means of a flexible hinge (19), at one side of the stem (11) to extend in an overlapping and spaced-apart relation with a contact (16) mounted on the other side of a pole-piece (12), the armature (20) thereby crossing the common longitudinal axis of the stem and pole-piece. An armature oscillation dampening bumper (23) is affixed to the other side of the stem (11) which extends parallel and in a spaced relation with the armature (20) at the contact end. Because of the operating direction of armature (20), the latter member may be abutted against the stem (11) end to reduce to a minimum the magnetic reluctance at this juncture.

Abstract: A mercury switch is provided in a cartridge for insertion into a relay having a plurality of flux fingers spaced apart to define a flux finger gap, the cartridge being received in the relay and bridging the flux finger gap. The mercury switch includes a pair of mercury layers having an air gap therebetween, the mercury layers merging in response to a magnetic field to form a continuous electrical conductor. The mercury switch is disposed across the width of the cartridge in the flux finger gap. Flux plates are disposed within the cartridge and magnetically coupled to the switch to provide a low reluctance path between the flux fingers, the path including the switch air gap. The switch may be operated in a normally open position; or with the insertion of a bias magnet in the cartridge, the switch may be operated in a normally closed position.

Abstract: A miniature magnetic, mercury-wetted relay construction for achieving optimum magnetic reluctance in its operating flux path and thereby improving relay sensitivity. The dimensions of the armature of the relay are determined for maximum flux-carrying capacity without sacrifice of flexibility by mounting the armature to the relay stem by means of a thin, magnetic hinge. At the pole-piece end of the relay, a recess is provided within which the contact is mounted, the recess forming a flux concentrator projection of the pole-piece which extends outwardly therefrom toward the opposing face of the armature. Reluctance of the flux closure path is further reduced by providing an integral extension of the stem toward the end of the pole-piece which extension advantageously acts as a parallel flux path shunting the small gap presented at the armature end and an end of the stem. By forming the shunt extension integrally with the stem, joint reluctance is eliminated.

Abstract: A viscous-fluid inertia damper, which damper comprises a housing composed of a nonferromagnetic material and having a chamber therein, a seismic mass containing a permanent magnet disposed in the housing chamber and in a closely spaced-apart relationship with the internal wall surface of the chamber, means to couple the housing to a dynamic element whose energy is to be dampened, and a ferrofluid of selected viscosity in the remaining volume of the chamber, the ferrofluid distributed generally uniformly in the volume, the magnetic saturation of the ferrofluid by the magnetic field of the permanent magnetic levitating the seismic mass in the damper, and the viscosity of the ferrofluid in the magnetic field providing a means to dissipate energy from the dynamic system through viscous shear forces in the ferrofluid disposed between the wall surface of the chamber and the seismic mass.