Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor, comprising a sensor element (1) that operates without contact, an electronic component (5), and a housing (2) having an electrical/electronic connection. The sensor element (1) is part of the housing (2) and is used to close and seal the housing (2) with respect to the measurement side (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor, comprising a sensor element (1) that operates without contact, an electronic component (5), and a housing (2) having an electrical/electronic connection. The sensor element (1) is part of the housing (2) and is used to close and seal the housing (2) with respect to the measurement side (3).

Abstract: A monolithic waveguide/MEMS switch is disclosed that has a waveguide portion and a MEMS mirror portion fabricated on a single substrate, such as a as a silicon-on-insulator wafer. The monolithic waveguide/MEMS switch adjusts the phase of an optical signal by varying the position of one or more moveable mirrors. The mirror portion includes a mirror having a reflective surface that is attached to at least one MEMS actuator to achieve in-plane motion of the mirror (moves parallel to a plane of said at least one waveguide). In one implementation, the MEMS actuator is embodied as a known comb drive actuator. The phase adjustment techniques of the present invention may be employed in various optical devices, including wavelength selective optical switches that support multiple optical channels.

Abstract: A monolithic waveguide/MEMS switch is disclosed that has a waveguide portion and a MEMS mirror portion fabricated on a single substrate, such as a as a silicon-on-insulator wafer. The monolithic waveguide/MEMS switch adjusts the phase of an optical signal by varying the position of one or more moveable mirrors. The mirror portion includes a mirror having a reflective surface that is attached to at least one MEMS actuator to achieve in-plane motion of the mirror (moves parallel to a plane of said at least one waveguide). In one implementation, the MEMS actuator is embodied as a known comb drive actuator. The phase adjustment techniques of the present invention may be employed in various optical devices, including wavelength selective optical switches that support multiple optical channels.

Abstract: A monolithic waveguide/MEMS switch is disclosed that has a waveguide portion and a MEMS mirror portion fabricated on a single substrate, such as a as a silicon-on-insulator wafer. The monolithic waveguide/MEMS switch adjusts the phase of an optical signal by varying the position of one or more moveable mirrors. The mirror portion includes a mirror having a reflective surface that is attached to at least one MEMS actuator to achieve in-plane motion of the mirror (moves parallel to a plane of said at least one waveguide). In one implementation, the MEMS actuator is embodied as a known comb drive actuator. The phase adjustment techniques of the present invention may be employed in various optical devices, including wavelength selective optical switches that support multiple optical channels.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a tunable, reconfigurable optical add-drop filter comprises a pair of optical waveguides optically coupled by a microring or microdisk resonator wherein the coupling distance between the resonator and at least one of the waveguides is micromechanically controllable. With this arrangement, the degree of coupling can be tuned after fabrication to provide high level extinction of dropped wavelengths and the filter can be dynamically reconfigured. Advantageously, laser radiation is provided to tune the resonant wavelength.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a tunable, reconfigurable optical add-drop filter comprises a pair of optical waveguides optically coupled by a microring or microdisk resonator wherein the coupling distance between the resonator and at least one of the waveguides is micromechanically controllable. With this arrangement, the degree of coupling can be tuned after fabrication to provide high level extinction of dropped wavelengths and the filter can be dynamically reconfigured. Advantageously, laser radiation is provided to tune the resonant wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a domestic coffee maker having in a housing (1) with a front face, a cold water tank and a filter (4) having an outflow orifice (7) situated above an infusion collection jug (8) resting on a base (9). The filter (4) is equipped with a shut-off valve (13) for the outflow orifice (7). The shut-off valve is controlled by an actuating device which is movable relative to the housing. Displacement of the actuating device is caused by the positioning and removal of the jug (8) on the base. A substantial portion of the base (9) projects beyond the front face of housing (1). The filter (4) is enclosed within the housing (1). The actuating device comprises a rod (14) which is mounted to slide horizontally under the filter (4) against the urging of an elastic device (15). One end (16) of the rod (14) controls the valve (13). Movement of the rod (14) is controlled by a movement multiplier device actuated in response to the presence or absence of the pouring spout (12).

Abstract: The coffee machine has a water reservoir located in a housing, a heating device having electric regulating devices, a beverage collecting vessel which can be placed on a housing base, and a coffee brewing housing which is arranged above the beverage collecting vessel. The coffee brewing housing which can be swivelled out of the coffee machine housing is secured in the working position at the coffee machine housing by a manually actuated hold-back device which is spring-loaded in the locking direction. To enable a reliable triggering of the swiveling movement of the coffee brewing housing after it has been unlocked from the housing of the coffee machine without the use of spring elements which cause an undefined swiveling movement, the hold-back device is coupled with a push bar which acts on the coffee brewing housing in the swiveling out direction and is guided at the housing.

Abstract: A sensor-drive and signal-processing method, wherein the primary side of the sensor is supplied with a preferably oscillating input signal, and the output signal from the secondary side of the sensor is demodulated, if need be, filtered and amplified, is developed for realizing smaller structural designs for sensors and associated electronics such that both the sensor drive on the primary side and the signal conditioning and processing on the secondary side occur in digital form.

Abstract: To provide association of a particular angular position of a gear, for example the starter gear of an internal combustion (IC) engine, with an inductive pick-up (10), at least one tooth (15) is made a marker tooth by relieving the end portion (15') over a portion (B1) of its width (B) for a predetermined portion (H1) of the height (H) of the tooth, leaving the remainder of the tooth at its normal height (H) so that operation of the gear is not impaired. The output signal derived from the pick-up will be distorted when the at least one tooth passes thereby, thus providing a reference pulse. The tooth (16, 18) adjacent the marker tooth (15, 17) can be likewise relieved, preferably to a lesser extent. Relief can be parallel to the end portion of the tooth, or at an angle of inclination, the relief of an adjacent tooth preferably being at an angle of inclination opposite that of the marker tooth.

Abstract: Repetitive processes in internal combustion engines which are dependent upon the values of particular parameters are controlled either by a main computer or an auxiliary computer. Switching from the main to the auxiliary computer takes place if a sequence error detecting stage detects errors in the desired alternation between the main control signals furnished by the main computer and reference mark signals indicative of predetermined angular positions of a shaft of the engine. Specifically, the system is switched to operate under control of the auxiliary computer if such an alternation error occurs again within a predetermined number of cycles. The switching can also take place as a result of missing reference mark signals and as a result of the absence of monitoring signals indicative of correct operation of the main computer program.

Abstract: In order to permit diagnosis of operation and function parameters in a motor vehicle which is equipped with an electronic microprocessor control system without the necessity of providing in the diagnostic equipment substantial additional memory capability, the control system includes a sub-program for diagnosis. A first subprogram executed by the control system in response to a command from the diagnostic equipment gives the appropriate actual operational data to the diagnostic equipment. A second subprogram simulates nominal values for specific vehicle data under various operating conditions and compares these with the actual values. The resulting information is given to an operator by a display and can additionally include various instructions, e.g. repair instructions or a trouble shooting sequence based on the diagnosis.