Abstract: A reference electrode is fixed on the bottom of a concave portion of a substrate. A movable electrode is provided so that its electrode face faces that of the reference electrode at an interval to form a capacitor by the movable and reference electrodes. A driving electrode for driving the movable electrode is fixed on the substrate at an interval from the movable electrode. The distance 2L between the driving and movable electrodes is twice the distance L between the movable and reference electrodes. An external bias voltage is applied between the driving and movable electrodes to deflect the movable electrode. This doubles the range of the displacement of the movable electrode, thereby increasing the capacity change rate of the variable capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the dielectric constant or permittivity at a plurality of positions on a test specimen are provided. Accordingly, the present invention enables the spatial variance of the dielectric constant, i.e., the dielectric homogeneity, of the test specimen to be measured. In particular, high resolution dielectric homogeneity measurements are performed at low frequency (100 kHz to 10 MHz) using a specially designed guarded electrode assembly and a specially selected high permittivity matching liquid. The guarded electrode assembly comprises a guarded electrode surrounded by a guard electrode which is supported over a test specimen resting on a planar electrode. The test specimen and the planar electrode are immersed in a dielectric fluid. The guarded electrode as well as the guard electrode, which extends into the dielectric fluid, are translated across the test specimen while the capacitance between the guarded electrode and the planar electrode is measured.

Abstract: A voltage variable capacitor (VVC) is made by placing an intercalation compound between two electrodes of a capacitor. The VVC has a reservoir of an intercalant in proximity with the intercalation compound. The two materials are chosen from those known to exhibit the intercalation reaction. The extent of the intercalation reaction is controlled by applying a voltage to the intercalant reservoir and the intercalation compound. A variable capacitor is created by applying a signal to the device and appropriately controlling the .di-elect cons. of the device by using the input control voltages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tuneable fringe effect capacitor for conducting radio frequency energy. The capacitor includes a thin film of ferroelectric material, a pair of films of a conductive material deposited on the ferroelectric film with a gap between the films, and a substrate for the ferroelectric material and the conductive films. The capacitance value across the gap is varied by applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material and thereby altering the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material.

Abstract: A variable capacitor for a high frequency circuit of an electrical appliance includes a chip capacitor mounted on a multilayer circuit board and interdigital capacitors formed at inner layers of the circuit board. A wiring pattern for soldering the chip capacitor is connected with the interdigital capacitors via through holes formed in the circuit board. Capacitance select portions are cut so that the capacitance best-suited to the circuit is obtained. The through holes connected to the interdigital capacitors of the inner layer are selectively disconnected from the wiring pattern for soldering the chip capacitor, thereby obtaining a variable capacitor capable of absorbing fluctuations of the circuit for selecting the best-suited capacitance.

Abstract: An electrically controllable variable capacitor includes the interelectrode capacitance of at least one power MOSFET, a capacitance connected in series with the MOSFET and having one terminal connected to the drain or source thereof (the series capacitance), and bias control circuitry for controlling the bias voltage applied to the MOSFET. The voltage rating of the MOSFET, the peak amplitude of the applied ac signal, and the value of the series capacitance determine the range of dc bias voltages over which the MOSFET can be operated, and hence the capacitance range of the variable capacitor. Such a variable capacitance is useful as a tuning capacitor in an electrodeless HID lamp ballast.

Abstract: An integrated varactor and piezoelectric device for an acoustic ink jet ejector includes a substrate having a first surface, the silicon substrate forming a first electrode, an epitaxial layer formed over the first surface of the silicon substrate, a silicon dioxide layer formed over the epitaxial layer, a second electrode formed over the silicon dioxide, a piezoelectric layer formed over the second electrode, a third electrode formed over the piezoelectric layer and an acoustic lens formed over a second surface of the silicon substrate. The acoustic lens is aligned with the center of the piezoelectric layer generally along an axis perpendicular to the first and second surfaces of the silicon substrate.

Abstract: Guarded capacitance probe structures are constructed with guard electrodes surrounding one or more sensor electrodes and ground electrodes or grounded surfaces surrounding the guard electrodes. In a one sensor embodiment, the probe utilizes an apertured sensor electrode and the guard electrode both surrounds the sensor electrode and fills the aperture. This embodiment is particularly useful for measuring particle concentration in a fluid suspension contained within a vessel or pipe. The portion of the guard electrode within the aperture of the sensor electrode prevents electric field lines from emanating from the sensor electrode into the fluid suspension and toward infinity. A two sensor embodiment of the probe is useful for measuring flow velocities of fluid suspensions through cross correlation of the outputs generated by each sensor.

Abstract: Guarded capacitance probe structures are constructed with guard electrodes surrounding one or more sensor electrodes and ground electrodes or grounded surfaces surrounding the guard electrodes. In a one sensor embodiment, the probe utilizes an apertured sensor electrode and the guard electrode both surrounds the sensor electrode and fills the aperture. This embodiment is particularly useful for measuring particle concentration in a fluid suspension contained within a vessel or pipe. The portion of the guard electrode within the aperture of the sensor electrode prevents electric field lines from emanating from the sensor electrode into the fluid suspension and toward infinity. A two sensor embodiment of the probe is useful for measuring flow velocities of fluid suspensions through cross correlation of the outputs generated by each sensor.

Abstract: Powder and a liquid medium are introduced between a pair of electrode members which are opposed to each other with a constant space, formed there between and an apparent dielectric constant of a composite system of the powder and the liquid medium is measured with a powder volume ratio being set at 0.45 to 0.55 and a measuring frequency of at least 1 MHz. The measured value is applied to the logarithmic mixing rule or the Lichtone-Rother equation, to find the dielectric constant of the powder. It is possible to reliably find the dielectric constant of the powder with application of the logarithmic mixing rule or the Lichtone-Rother equation.

Abstract: A pressure-measuring arrangement has a pressure-sensor structure with a diaphragm whose pressure-dependent deflection is measurable capacitively by means of a first electrode (=measuring electrode) disposed on the diaphragm and forming a measuring capacitance, C.sub.s, together with a fixed counter-electrode. A second electrode forming a second pressure-dependent capacitance, C.sub.f, together with the counter-electrode is implemented and disposed on the diaphragm. A third electrode forms a constant reference capacitance, C.sub.r, together with the fixed counter-electrode. An evaluating circuit derives the pressure by a capacitance measurement and has the following transfer function:F=[C.sub.s (p)-C.sub.r ]/C.sub.f (p).The first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a boundary having an angularly extending profile optimized with respect to a minimal linearity error. This profile varies as a function of the variable radius of the first electrode and the variable radius of the second electrode.

Abstract: Mechanically movable microstructure fabricated from a single crystal such as silicon and actuator structures for providing a high degree of controlled, precision motion of nanometer-scale variable impedances.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacity type differential pressure detector wherein capacitances are formed between a diaphragm as a movable electrode which is subjected to displacement depending on a differential pressure and fixed electrodes which are arranged on opposite sides of the diaphragm. Each of the fixed electrodes has a first electrically conductive plate closely adjoining and confronting a surface of a central portion of the diaphragm. An annular support is joined to the surface of a circumferential edge portion of the diaphragm and is spaced from and surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the first electrically conductive plate. A solid insulator completely fills an annular space between the first electrically conductive plate and the annular support and is spaced from the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electrical or electronic circuit having at least one variable capacitor device connected in parallel relationship in the circuit by at least a pair of electrodes. The improvement constitutes the capacitor device being in the form of a silicon dioxide film derived from the oxidation of a hydrogen silsequioxane resin. The silicon dioxide film is characterized by a non-linear substantially symmetrical jV curve which includes a threshold voltage at which the silicon dioxide film undergoes a reversible transition from insulating to conducting. The jV curve further includes a regime of negative differential resistance in which an increase in the voltage applied to the silicon dioxide film above the threshold voltage causes a decrease of the current.

Abstract: A method of detecting the charges which photo-electric conversion elements produce in correspondence to the density data of minute regions in an original image. In the method, a variable capacitor is charged with the capacitance set to a large value, and the voltage developed across the variable capacitor is detected with the capacitance set to a small value, whereby the voltage to be detected is increased as much, with an improvement in the signal detection accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive sensor comprising two concentric capacitors having a common electrode, namely a high tension capacitor and an auxiliary capacitor, the sensor including two screens separating the two electrodes of the high tension capacitor, and these two screens leaving a gap between each other of constant size. The invention is applicable to metalclad stations.

Abstract: An elongated conductive casing is filled with a dielectric material and has an opening at one end. The dielectric material forms a surface across the opening, and a plate member is disposed on the surface to form the sensitive arm of the capacitive probe. Formed within the casing are four capacitors, including the sensitive arm, which form a capacitive probe.

Abstract: Amorphous silicon (aSi) voltage-controlled, variable capacitors (varactors) are utilized as rf amplitude modulators, such as for amplitude modulating the rf applied to an acoustic ink printhead. Large area fabrication processes are employed for vertically integrating these varactors with such printheads or other devices.

Abstract: An electrically variable three terminal monomorphic piezoelectric capacitor is manufactured with thick or thin film hybrid microelectronic circuit technology. A first capacitor plate and a ridge, which substantially surrounds and extends above the first capacitor plate, are formed on the surface of a substrate. A monomorphic piezoelectric wafer having a control plate and a second capacitor plate on opposing surfaces is bonded to the upper surface of the ridge. During bonding, a force is applied at the center of the wafer which fixes a permanent bow in the wafer in the direction of the first capacitor plate. A four terminal monomorphic embodiment and three and four terminal bimorphic embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A variable capacitor which is both mechanically and electrically tunable includes a mechanically operable rotor/stator capacitor combination; and either the rotor or stator portion of the capacitor comprises a piezoelectric assembly which becomes dished in response to a voltage applied thereto, resulting in an air gap being created between the rotor and stator elements, thus effecting a variable capacitance as a result of the voltage application.

Abstract: A cell changes conductivity by electrodeposition of a metal in response to an applied voltage pulse. The cell can be used as a variable resistance device to provide a broad frequency switching or modulating device that operates to switch dc as well as microwave energy. The cell also functions as a variable reactance device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of capacitively measuring variations in the previously adjusted nominal distance between the facing surfaces of a color selection electrode and a display window of given nominal glass thickness of a color television display tube. In this method, the distance is determined by measuring the capacitance of a capacitor electrode is formed by the color selection electrode and a measuring electrode which is disposed on the outer surface of the window and is surrounded by a screening electrode. The outside dimensions of the screening electrode are chosen so that, capacitance variations due to variations in the thickness of in the window are negligible in comparison to capacitance variations due to variations in the previously adjusted nominal distance between the facing surfaces of the color selection electrode and the window. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An improved starter switch which provides a rapid firing of a fluorescent lamp within 0.8 second has been found. An external appearance and the size of the present starter switch are almost the same as those of a prior glow switch which is slow to fire a fluorescent lamp, therefore, the present starter switch is replaceable to a prior glow switch by merely inserting the present starter switch to a socket of a prior glow switch. The present starter switch has a connector cap which is to be able to be engaged with a socket for a glow switch, a printed circuit board mounting circuit components and connected to said connector cap by lead lines, and a housing fixed to said cap and covering said printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus for use as a capacitor, solar cell, switching device, wave-shaper and the like. The apparatus comprises a first electrode, a first dielectric positioned proximate one side of the first electrode, a second electrode positioned proximate the first dielectric, a second dielectric positioned proximate one side of the second electrode, a third electrode positioned proximate the second dielectric and generally facing said one side of the second electrode, a third dielectric positioned proximate the non-facing side of the third electrode, a fourth electrode positioned proximate the third dielectric, means for connecting the first and fourth electrodes to a control circuit whereby an electrical potential is established between the first and fourth electrodes, and means for connecting the second and third electrodes to an external circuit whereby upon operation of the external circuit the second and third electrodes are connected in circuit.

Abstract: A laminated capacitive touch-pad having a thin film touch-plate electrode deposited upon a first (exterior) surface of a first, relatively thin dielectric layer and having spaced transmitter and receiver electrodes deposited upon a second surface of the first layer within the outline of and opposite to the touch electrode, with a relatively thick backing layer of dielectric material laminated upon the second surface to provide a total thickness, as measured between the furthest opposed surfaces of the first and second layers, as required for high voltage insulation purposes and to provide additional impact strength. The touch, transmitter and receiver electrodes may be of thin film construction.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting variations of an electric field surrounding the sensor and produced by an electronic circuit connected to it, resulting when the probe is approached or covered by a solid or fluid medium. A pot-shaped, metallic sensor electrode is fitted within a hollow, closed body member of insulating material. A thin conductor is connected to the electrode and extends longitudinally through the body member, the space between the conductor and the interior walls of the body member being filled by air.