Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, has at least one refrigeration compartment for accommodating refrigerated goods and a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit has a condenser, an evaporator for cooling the refrigeration compartment, the evaporator being thermally coupled to the at least one refrigeration compartment and connected to the condenser, a dryer, which is arranged between the condenser and the evaporator, and a valve device, which is connected by an intermediate capillary tube to the dryer and by a throttle capillary tube to the evaporator.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: A piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is provided, comprising a dedicated ultrasonic transmitter and at least one separate dedicated ultrasonic receiver on a single common semiconductor die. A plurality of PMUTs may be arranged in a tessellated array. Also disclosed is a system comprising at least one PMUT on a single common semiconductor die, a dedicated ultrasonic transmitter arranged to transmit a first ultrasonic signal and at least one separate dedicated ultrasonic receiver arranged to receive a second ultrasonic signal is also provided. The system further comprises a signal processing subsystem which comprises an analogue domain; a digital domain; a digital to analogue converter; and an analogue to digital converter.

Abstract: A field detector (2) comprises a field-responsive element (10) which undergoes a dimensional change when exposed to a predetermined field; and an interferometric read-out arrangement arranged to detect the dimensional change of the field-responsive element. A light source (4) is arranged to provide a measurement beam reflected from the field-responsive element (10) and a reference beam not reflected from the field-responsive element (10), an optical detector (6) being disposed so as to detect at least part of an interference pattern produced by the measurement beam and the reference beam. The field-responsive element (10) has a shape comprising a curved surface and is constrained at least one edge (12) thereof such that the dimensional change causes the curved surface to be displaced in a direction which changes an optical path length of the measurement beam relative to the reference beam, thereby changing the interference pattern detected by said optical detector.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: An optical microphone assembly comprises a rigid substrate; an interferometric arrangement, a light source, at least one photo detector and an enclosure. The interferometric arrangement comprises a membrane and at least one optical element spaced from the membrane, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a surface of the substrate and/or is disposed on a surface of the substrate. The light source is arranged to provide light to the interferometric arrangement such that a first portion of the light propagates along a first optical path via the interferometric arrangement and a second portion of the light propagates along a second different optical path via the interferometric arrangement, thereby giving rise to an optical path difference between the first and second optical paths which depends on a distance between the membrane and the optical element.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance has a refrigeration chamber, a thermal insulation layer, and a wall extending between the refrigeration chamber and the thermal insulation layer. A pipe support is integrally formed with the wall and surrounds an opening in the wall. A line extends through the pipe support. An elastic sleeve has a first end section, fixed on a free end of the pipe support, and a second end section, abutting the line.

Abstract: An optical microphone assembly comprises a rigid substrate; an interferometric arrangement, a light source, at least one photo detector and an enclosure. The interferometric arrangement comprises a membrane and at least one optical element spaced from the membrane, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a surface of the substrate and/or is disposed on a surface of the substrate. The light source is arranged to provide light to the interferometric arrangement such that a first portion of the light propagates along a first optical path via the interferometric arrangement and a second portion of the light propagates along a second different optical path via the interferometric arrangement, thereby giving rise to an optical path difference between the first and second optical paths which depends on a distance between the membrane and the optical element.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: A field detector (2) comprises a field-responsive element (10) which undergoes a dimensional change when exposed to a predetermined field; and an interferometric read-out arrangement arranged to detect the dimensional change of the field-responsive element. A light source (4) is arranged to provide a measurement beam reflected from the field-responsive element (10) and a reference beam not reflected from the field-responsive element (10), an optical detector (6) being disposed so as to detect at least part of an interference pattern produced by the measurement beam and the reference beam. The field-responsive element (10) has a shape comprising a curved surface and is constrained at least one edge (12) thereof such that the dimensional change causes the curved surface to be displaced in a direction which changes an optical path length of the measurement beam relative to the reference beam, thereby changing the interference pattern detected by said optical detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displacement sensor device and the system including the device, wherein the device comprises a first at least partially transparent plane surface with a first diffraction pattern and a second plane surface comprising a second reflecting diffraction pattern. The diffractive patterns being adapted to diffract light within a chosen range of wavelengths, the second surface being positioned below and parallel to the first surface constituting a pair wherein said first and second diffractive patterns being essentially equal, the device also comprising displacement means for allowing a movement in a direction parallel to said surfaces, the device thus providing a movement sensitive diffraction pattern.

Abstract: An optical accelerometer arrangement (20) comprises an array of optical accelerometers (26) attached to a common structure (22). Each of the optical accelerometers (26) provides a signal indicative of displacement of a measurement mass (6) as a result of an acceleration along a given axis applied to the common structure (22). The arrangement (20) also comprises a processor (31a) configured to determine an estimate of the acceleration using the signals provided by the accelerometers (26). The arrangement (20) may be attached to an object (40; 46; 0; 52) which also comprises a gyroscope (44) and/or a camera (48).

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a refrigerant circuit having a heat exchanger. The refrigeration appliance also includes a heat circuit. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat circuit by a coupling element. The coupling element is mechanically connected to the heat circuit by a detachable connection. The detachable connection may be a force-locking connection, in particular a screw connection, a plug-in connection or a form-locking connection, in particular a snap-on connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displacement sensor device and the system including the device, wherein the device comprises a first at least partially transparent plane surface with a first diffraction pattern and a second plane surface comprising a second reflecting diffraction pattern. The diffractive patterns being adapted to diffract light within a chosen range of wavelengths, the second surface being positioned below and parallel to the first surface constituting a pair wherein said first and second diffractive patterns being essentially equal, the device also comprising displacement means for allowing a movement in a direction parallel to said surfaces, the device thus providing a movement sensitive diffraction pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displacement sensor device and the system including the device, wherein the device comprises a first at least partially transparent plane surface with a first diffraction pattern and a second plane surface comprising a second reflecting diffraction pattern. The diffractive patterns being adapted to diffract light within a chosen range of wavelengths, the second surface being positioned below and parallel to the first surface constituting a pair wherein said first and second diffractive patterns being essentially equal, the device also comprising displacement means for allowing a movement in a direction parallel to said surfaces, the device thus providing a movement sensitive diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a refrigerant circuit having a heat exchanger. The refrigeration appliance also includes a heat circuit. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat circuit by a coupling element. The coupling element is mechanically connected to the heat circuit by a detachable connection. The detachable connection may be a force-locking connection, in particular a screw connection, a plug-in connection or a form-locking connection, in particular a snap-on connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displacement sensor device and the system including the device, wherein the device comprises a first at least partially transparent plane surface with a first diffraction pattern and a second plane surface comprising a second reflecting diffraction pattern. The diffractive patterns being adapted to diffract light within a chosen range of wavelengths, the second surface being positioned below and parallel to the first surface constituting a pair wherein said first and second diffractive patterns being essentially equal, the device also comprising displacement means for allowing u movement in a direction parallel to said surfaces, the device thus providing a movement sensitive diffraction pattern.