Abstract: Temperature compensation methods for physical property sensors are disclosed herein, based on a simple bridge circuit. An imbalance of the bridge circuit can be driven to a zero value, while a supply voltage thereof is simultaneously driven to a level required to bring the heating element to the temperature rise above ambient temperature that optimally compensates for a number of temperature-dependent effects. The heating element can be configured as a thin-film heating material. The resulting total temperature dependence of the measuring system, which includes the heating element, the bridge-circuit with amplifier and the fluid to be measured, can be reduced to a level at which the need for additional digital temperature compensation circuitry and its associated costs may be reduced.

Abstract: A control valve is fluidly coupled to chambers containing fluid of different pressures for regulating flow therebetween. The control valve has a valve housing having a chamber fluidly coupled to a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. A fluid flow regulation member is disposed in the chamber and is configured to regulate fluid flow between the second chamber and the third chamber. A diaphragm is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the chamber in which longitudinal deflection of diaphragm is representative of the pressure in the first chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system or rotating device utilizing data collection and correlation techniques to extract balance measures from sensor data is disclosed. Sensor data from the rotating system, containing information indicative of the dynamics of the rotating system, are filtered and sampled. A select time span of sampled data, adjusted upward to a nearest number of full revolutions of the rotating system, which is of sufficient size to extract balance measures, is collected. Data may be collected as a fixed number of samples per revolution, independent of a rotational speed, so as to simplify later computation. Several unique select time spans may be used for different ranges of rotational speeds so as to maintain the amount of data to be processed while still serving its original purpose. Window function may be applied to modify sampled data in the select time span so as to improve extraction performance.

Abstract: A turbidity sensor for measuring a full range of particulate content in a turbid environment, including a method thereof. The turbidity sensor includes a laser light source for emitting laser light through the particulate content. The turbidity sensor additionally includes at least one light-sensitive detector located proximate to the laser light source for the detection of light scattered from particles of the particulate content that come into contact with laser light emitted from the laser light source, thereby permitting the accurate measurement of the turbidity of the turbid environment. A plurality of light-sensitive detectors may be employed, including a back scatter detector, a side scatter detector, a forward scatter detector, and a direct transmission detector. The light-sensitive detectors may be arranged in a geometric configuration of light-sensitive detectors with respect to the laser light source.

Abstract: A p-i-n photodiode having a high responsivity and quantum efficiency due to an AlGaN heterojunction where photons are absorbed within the p-n junction thereby eliminating carrier losses due to surface recombination and diffusion processes. Ultraviolet light comes through a transparent substrate, such as sapphire, a transparent AlN buffer and an n-doped AlGaN layer, and to an undoped AlGaN layer where the light is absorbed. The undoped layer is sandwiched between the n-doped AlGaN layer and a p-doped AlGaN layer. Metal contacts are formed on the doped layers to obtain the current caused by the absorbed light in the undoped layer. The mole fractions of the Al and Ga in the undoped and doped layers may be adjusted to obtain a desired wavelength bandpass of light to be detected.

Abstract: A self-aligned optical coupler, and method of manufacturing thereof, for conducting light from and to vertical and/or horizontal ports on optical devices or optoelectric integrated circuits. The device or circuit having the respective port has keys and/or slots on the device or circuit for self-aligning an end of the optical coupler to the port. The end has corresponding slots and/or keys. Visual alignment marks may be used instead so as to permit automatic alignment with machine vision devices. The coupler may have one or a plurality of waveguides. One of the ends of the coupler may have a connector for a self-aligning optical connection to a connector receptacle of a module or a backplane.

Abstract: This invention relates to electroless autocatalytic plating of platinum onto a substrate, an aqueous platinum plating bath, a process for plating a uniform coating of platinum onto various substrates using an electroless autocatalytic plating composition, and a platinum plated article formed therefrom. The plating bath of this invention allows direct autocatalytic plating of platinum on catalytically active and inactive, conductive and non-conductive substrates, avoiding the extra costs of activating a catalytically inactive substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that eliminates at least one of the channel/dielectric interfaces along the side walls of an SOI/SOS transistor channel, but does not require the use of a dedicated body tie contact. Because a dedicated body contact is not required, the packing density of the device may be significantly improved over conventional T-gate and H-gate configurations. The present invention may also reduce the overall gate area, which may increase both the speed and overall yield of the device.

Abstract: A tilt sensor capable of sensing tilt in two axes includes an outer shell, a magnet at a fixed position inside the shell, and a reference element movable within the shell in response to gravity. Magnetic flux follows a plurality of paths from a pole of the magnet, around the shell, through the reference element, to the opposite pole of the magnet. Magnetic sensors detect changes in reluctance of the flux paths resulting from the movement of the reference element within the shell, from which the angle of tilt can be determined.

Abstract: A method for bonding a gyroscope component to a gyroscope body using the solid liquid Inter Diffusion (SLID) process. The resulting bond structure has a larger operating range than the bonding-materials used to create to bond. Mating material layers may be added to the bond to improve bonding between the bonding materials and the component and between the bonding materials and the gyroscope body.

Abstract: A configurable switch having a base and interchangeable stationary contacts positioned in adjustable locations with respect to the base. A plunger is slidably mounted with respect to the base so that the plunger moves between a first position and a second position. One or more moveable contacts are mounted in a normally open position or a normally closed position. In the first position or the second position, the moveable contacts make contact and/or break contact with the stationary contacts depending upon the respective arrangements of the stationary contacts and the moveable contacts. Thus the configuration of a four-circuit switch can be altered with a minimum of different components to be, for example, a four normally closed circuit configuration, three normally closed and one normally open circuit configuration, two normally closed and two normally open circuit configuration, etc., with a minimum of expense or retooling.

Abstract: A light emitting device having a first mirror, an active layer, a second mirror, and a beryllium implantation resulting in a peripheral boundary of a waveguide through the first and second mirrors, the active layer and the trapping layer. A P-N junction is situated within the implantation and the guide. The turn on voltage is lower for the junction within the waveguide than that within the implantation, resulting in confinement of current within the guide at a voltage applied to the device that is greater than the lower junction voltage and less than the higher junction voltage. The device also has an electron trapping layer between said first mirror and said active layer, and a conduction layer situated on said second mirror.