Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectric actuators or sensors of the kind wherein electrostatic attraction between two electrodes located on an elastomeric body leads to a compression of the body in a first direction and a corresponding extension of the body in a second direction. The dielectric actuator/sensor structure comprises a first sheet of elastomeric material having at least one smooth surface and a second surface and a second sheet of elastomeric material having at least one smooth surface and a second surface. The sheets are laminated together with their second surfaces exposed, and there is provided a first electrode on the second surface of the first sheet and second electrode on the second surface of the second sheet.

Abstract: A refrigerant valve arrangement is described, having a housing which has a first functional space, in which there is arranged at least one functional element, which co-operates with a first annular contact surface formed in an internal boundary wall. It is desirable to be able to match a refrigerant valve arrangement to different functions with little outlay. For that purpose there is provided, arranged on that side of the boundary wall which is located opposite the first functional space, a second functional space, in which a second functional element can be positioned and which has a second annular contact surface, a channel which passes through the boundary wall opening out in both contact surfaces.

Abstract: A micro-analysis system for determining the concentration of a species within a medium is disclosed, said system comprising storage means for the storage of fluids, comprising at least one first fluid reservoir holding reagent fluid and at least one second fluid reservoir holding carrier fluid, sensing means for collecting species from the medium, said sensing means having an inlet and an outlet, analysing means for determining the concentration of the species in the medium, connecting means, comprising first connecting means for fluid connection between the first fluid reservoir and the analysing means, second connecting means for fluid connection between the second fluid reservoir and the inlet of the sensing means and third connecting means for fluid connection between the outlet of the sensing means and the analysing means, said first connecting means comprising at least one first flow restricting means and said second connecting means comprising at least one second flow restricting means, where a third f

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly spring and a valve incorporating such a spring. The spring is made from a wire which extends around a longitudinal axis to form windings. The spring terminates in axially opposite end portions in first and second end windings. The end windings each has an arcuate portion wherein the wire extends around the longitudinal axis. The end windings serve to fasten the spring in a groove of an element to which the spring is being attached. The end winding further has a free end portion wherein a free wire end extends outwardly away from the longitudinal axis to form gripping means. The spring thereby facilitates easy attaching of the end winding to the element. In particular, the spring is applicable for attaching a valve element to a plunger in a valve, e.g. a servo valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a refrigeration system with a compressing unit, and a method of controlling a refrigeration system. To facilitate a better control, the capacity of the compressing unit is controlled based on a predicted future cooling demand rather than an actually determined cooling demand. The invention further provides a system wherein a cost value for changing the cooling capacity of the system is taken into consideration.

Abstract: The invention provides a pressure sensor with a housing for a pressure sensing arrangement, e.g. a semi-conductor arrangement. The housing consists of a bottom part and an intermediate member with a through hole forming a sidewall of a cavity for the pressure sensing arrangement. A membrane is attached to the intermediate member to cover an opening of the cavity, and to allow pressure from outside to propagate into a pressure transmitting medium contained inside the housing and thus to the pressure sensing arrangement therein. The invention also provides a method of making a pressure sensor with a housing of the above-described kind.

Abstract: Micro fluidic system for analysing species within a fluid medium includes at least one first fluid reservoir (12) holding a carrier fluid, a second fluid reservoir(s) (13-15) holding reagent fluid(s) producing measurable chemical reactions when mixed with the species, detecting arrangement (54) able to detect the measurable chemical reactions, a membrane (61) permeable to the species, the membrane being in downstream fluid communication with the first fluid reservoir (12) and in upstream fluid communication with analysing mechanism (50), the first fluid reservoir(s) and the second fluid reservoir(s) being stored in storage container (10) and in downstream fluid communication with pressurizing mechanism through connecting mechanism (6), wherein the analysing mechanism comprise one substrate with micro-channels and covered in a fluid tight manner by a sheet, the micro-channels at said one substrate defining at least one meandering part(s) (51, 52) for mixing and/or reacting the reagent fluid(s) to the carrier f

Abstract: A tubular elastomer actuator with a shape in a cross-sectional view which shape exposes at most one single axis of symmetry of a specific length, e.g., an oval shape. The actuator could be made from a sheet made from a plurality of plate shaped elements which are laminated together and rolled. Each plate shaped element may have a corrugation that gives the element an anisotropic structure, and contains an electrode on only one surface. The actuator displacement is the result of shrinkage displacement of the plate shaped elements upon the application of electrical field across their thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating member comprising an elastomer body that is provided with one electrode each on opposite peripheries. The aim of the invention is to improve the dynamism of such an actuating member. To this end, at least one periphery is provided with at least one waved section that comprises elevations and depressions as the extremes disposed in parallel to the cross direction. Said section is covered by an electrode that completely covers at least a part of the extremes and that extends across the waved section.

Abstract: A nozzle (100) for air-assisted atomizing of a liquid fuel comprises a fuel feed passage (110) and an air feed passage (114) and a swirling chamber (118) from which fuel and air may be passed to an exit orifice (126) for emerging a cone shaped spray. An air bypass passage (122) is provided for leading a fraction of the air flow in the air feed passage (114) past the swirling chamber (118) and to an air exit (124) arranged such with respect to the exit orifice (126) that, during operation of the nozzle, air emerging through the air exit (124) reduces depositing of residues of fuel on a downstream surface (130, 132, 136) of the nozzle element (108). Grooves or other flow-guiding elements may confer swirling or rotation of air in or downstream of the air feed passage (114) and/or the air bypass passage (122).

Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic axial piston machine (1) with a cylinder body (3), at least one piston (9) to be axially displaceable in the cylinder body (3), said piston (9) resting on a swash plate (13) by way of a slide shoe (11), with a pressure plate (14) loading the slide shoe (11) in the direction of the swash plate (13), and a hold-down part (16), which bears with a contact surface (18) on a counter surface (20) of the pressure plate(14) facing away from the swash plate (13). It is endeavored to operate the machine with as little wear as possible. For this purpose, it is ensured that the contact surface (18) is formed by a circumferential surface section of a cone, whose peak (19) is directed towards the swash plate (13).

Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic axial piston machine (1) with a cylinder body (3), at least one piston (9) to be axially displaceable in the cylinder body (3), said piston (9) resting on a swash plate (13) by way of a slide shoe (11), with a pressure plate (14) loading the slide shoe (11) in the direction of the swash plate (13), and a hold-down part (16), which bears with a contact surface (18) on a counter surface (20) of the pressure plate(14) facing away from the swash plate (13). It is endeavoured to operate the machine with as little wear as possible. For this purpose, it is ensured that the contact surface (18) is formed by a circumferential surface section of a cone, whose peak (19) is directed towards the swash plate (13).

Abstract: The invention provides a box for electronic components, in particular, a refrigerator. The box has a wall made with electrically separated layers and having an electrical conductor incorporated between the layers. The components are connected to the conductor via entry points through which a conductive member can penetrate one of the layers and thereby establish contact between the conductor and electronic components. Thereby it is achieved that electrical components can be fitted to the inner surface of the box by use of the conductor which is incorporated between the layers and without implying additional fastening of conductors to an outer surface of the box. In particular, the invention facilitates refitting of electrical components in a refrigerator.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for the determination of the concentration of compounds in body tissue. The method utilises optical methods based on the interaction of light with compounds, whereby the concentration of the compound under analysis is determined. The method is especially suited for analysis for the concentration of glucose in blood or tissue of diabetic patients, a device being implanted underneath the skin of the patient and the method being carried out by using the implanted device. The device contains photo detectors at different levels connected by wires to an electronic circuit device. A differential analysis is performed on the signals from the detectors to reduce the effect of skin on the analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to absolute pressure sensors with two bonded wafers containing a pressure sensing structure and forming a reference pressure chamber and a buffer chamber. Since the buffer chamber collects molecules, which permeate through a bonding interface between the two wafers, a raise in pressure of the reference chamber can be avoided. The sensor is therefore more resistant to pressure equalisation between the pressure chamber and the pressure of the surroundings, i.e. the sensed pressure and repetitive recalibration of the sensor can be avoided.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a valve body defining fluid inlet and outlet sections interconnected by a connecting port. A valve unit is disposed in the valve body and is operably connected to an actuator to be moved thereby for opening and closing the connecting port. The valve unit includes a valve element which has a bleed passage extending therethrough for communicating the fluid inlet and outlet sections with one another. A bleed piston is operably connected to the actuator and is movable thereby relative to the valve element for opening the bleed passage when the valve unit is in a port-closing position. The valve unit also includes a pressure balancing passage which communicates front and rear ends of the valve element with one another and tending to aid in statically and dynamically balancing the fluid pressures acting on the valve element.