Abstract: A method of making a plurality of flow sensors is provided, each flow sensor having a substrate with a sensing element and flow channel aligned over the sensing element. The sensing element senses at least one property of a fluid. The flow channel is aligned by one or more guide elements formed in an alignment layer. The flow channel across the sensing area is accurately and precisely aligned due to the guide elements provided at the wafer-level, facilitating reliable, low-cost, and consistent results among multiple flow sensors. The flow sensor is adapted for use in harsh environments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for actuating a negative rate switch. A negative rate switch comprising a plunger and a resilient actuator thereof can be provided, wherein a highest plunger force occurs at a free position and a lowest plunger force occurs at a full over travel position. The negative rate switch can be configured such that when the resilient actuator provides resilient actuating force to overcome a free position force associated with the free position, the plunger moves without interruption through a total range of travel thereof and when the resilient actuating force drops slightly below a full over-travel plunger force associated with the full over travel position, the negative rate switch overcomes the resilient actuating force to return the plunger to the free position thereof without interruption.

Abstract: A flow sensor system includes a plurality of flow sensor chips, wherein each flow sensor chip among the plurality of flow sensor chips comprises a substrate, a heater element, a heater control circuit, and flow sensor component formed on the substrate, wherein the heater element is disposed separately from the heater control circuit on the substrate, wherein the heater control circuit is thermally isolated from the heater element and the flow sensor component. Additionally, an air gap can be formed between each sensor chip among the plurality of flow sensor chips, wherein the plurality of flow sensor chips comprises a flow sensor system in which each of the flow sensor chips are separated from one another by the air gap formed therebetween in order to reduce output distortion, response time, warm-up time, drift and noise associated with the plurality of flow sensor chips.

Abstract: A flow sensor is provided having a substrate with a sensing element and flow channel aligned over the sensing element. The sensing element senses at least one property of a fluid. The flow channel is aligned by one or more guide elements formed in an alignment layer. The flow channel across the sensing area is accurately and precisely aligned due to the guide elements provided at the wafer-level, facilitating reliable, low-cost, and consistent results among multiple flow sensors. The flow sensor is adapted for use in harsh environments.

Abstract: A thermal sensor includes a die having a surface formed to accept the outer surface of tubing; a molded plastic part located on the die surface, said molded plastic part including flexible portions having a surface adapted to engage the bottom half of the circumference of standard tubing when the tubing is fully placed in the molded plastic part; conductive material selectively patterned on the surface of the flexible portions that engages the die surface; and retaining hardware adapted to secure the tubing against the molded plastic part and flexible portions when the retaining hardware is secured to the molded plastic part.

Abstract: A combined liquid flow tube alignment and liquid sensing system includes flow tube mounting and alignment hardware including a clip for fastening the hardware to a substrate; and a sensor for sensing integrated with the liquid flow tube mounting and alignment hardware, wherein fluid flowing through a flow tube mounted and aligned by the flow tube The flow tube mounting and alignment hardware includes a clip with internal periphery edges sized to match the external periphery edges of at least one sensing element associated with the sensor. At least two posts located at outer members of the clip above and below the tube. Posts are sized to be located ideally within a system to position and retain the outer diameter of liquid flow tube with respect to internal periphery edges of the clip and subsequently, the sensing element both horizontally and vertically. A center flexing member associated with the clip.

Abstract: A negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus and method is disclosed, which generally includes a plunger associated with an actuating lever, a stationary anchor, a moveable contact, and at least two stationary contacts. The negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus also includes a snap-spring assembly reactive to the actuating lever, wherein the snap-spring assembly is assembled into the stationary anchor and the actuating lever to form a spring-anchor-lever assembly thereof including a central spring member loaded into an axial compression and persuaded to bend into a post-buckled elastic mode shape thereof to form a negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus in which the moveable and the stationary contacts are responsive to an actuating force derived from the snap-spring assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating and deactuating an electro-mechanical switch utilizing an energy-storing actuator is disclosed. An electro-mechanical switch can be configured to include an (internal or external) lever. A first magnet having a first magnetic field thereof is generally located on the (internal or external) lever of the electro-mechanical switch. A second magnet having a second magnetic field thereof is generally located on an energy-storing actuator, such as a bi-metal coil, wherein the second magnetic field of the second magnet opposes the first magnetic field of the first magnet to form an opposing magnetic force thereof in order to actuate and deactuate the electro-mechanical switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating and deactuating an electro-mechanical switch utilizing an energy-storing actuator is disclosed. An electro-mechanical switch can be configured to include an (internal or external) lever. A first magnet having a first magnetic field thereof is generally located on the (internal or external) lever of the electro-mechanical switch. A second magnet having a second magnetic field thereof is generally located on an energy-storing actuator, such as a bi-metal coil, wherein the second magnetic field of the second magnet opposes the first magnetic field of the first magnet to form an opposing magnetic force thereof in order to actuate and deactuate the electro-mechanical switch.

Abstract: A switch assembly with three axis actuator tolerance comprises a body containing an actuator floating in the x-y plane for moving a camming device which activates a self-contained switch unit with all parts being contained within the body. The switch assembly is thereby highly useful for accommodating manufacturing tolerances of appliances where the switch actuator must fit through holes in appliance panels or the body must fit between appliance panels or both.

Abstract: A self adjusting switch mechanism is provided which permits the specific location of a switch to be determined during an initial operation that moves a mounting plate relative to a bracket portion of the mechanism. This initial movement sets the switch in its proper position and prevents further movement. Subsequent operations of the device depress a plunger of the switch but do not change the relative position of the switch housing relative to a stationary structure, such as the housing of an appliance. Certain embodiments of the mechanism further incorporate a locking mechanism that can be manually set to prevent any further movement of the mounting plate relative to the bracket portion in response to jarring forces, such as when the door of an appliance is slammed shut.

Abstract: A switch is specifically shaped to be retained in position within an apparatus, such as a household appliance, by inserting edges of an opening formed in the sheet material of the apparatus into first and second slots shaped into the housing of the switch. The first and second slots can be formed in opposite edge surfaces of the switch housing structure, either within the flat edges or at the corners of the housing structure. When attached to an appliance, no screws or other fasteners are necessary to rigidly attach the switch to the apparatus. The switch can be pushed into a slot formed in an edge of one panel of the apparatus and then captivated by an opening in another panel of the apparatus. Alternatively, the switch can be inserted into a larger portion of a single opening and then moved into a narrower portion of that opening. Another device can then be inserted into the larger portion of the opening to prevent inadvertent removal of the switch from its attached position within the opening.