Abstract: An IR sensor (1), especially a CO2 sensor, is described, having a filter arrangement (6), downstream of which there is arranged a detector arrangement (7), and an evaluating device (8) which is connected to the detector arrangement (7), the filter arrangement (6) having a first filter (9) and a second filter (10), which are configured as bandpass filters and each have a passband and of which the first filter (9) allows passage of a predetermined IR band and the second filter (10) does not, and the detector arrangement having two detectors (14, 15), each of which is associated with a filter (9, 10). The objective is to simplify the use of such an IR sensor. For that purpose, the passband of one filter (10) is arranged within the passband of the other filter (9) and the evaluating device (8) forms the difference of the signals (S1, S2) of the detectors (14, 15) and normalises it to the signal (S1) of a detector (14).

Abstract: A multilayer composite includes at least two composites, each composite having a film and an electronically conductive layer. Several composites are laminated to provide an increased conversion between mechanical and electrical energies not only due to the multiplication of the effect of each layer, but also due to the fact that the multilayer structure itself renders the multilayer composite more rigid. In addition, the multilayer structure facilitates application of an electrical field over thinner portions of the structure, thereby requiring much less potential difference between electrodes.

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 composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: A multilayer composite includes at least two composites, each composite having a film and an electronically conductive layer. Several composites are laminated to provide an increased conversion between mechanical and electrical energies not only due to the multiplication of the effect of each layer, but also due to the fact that the multilayer structure itself renders the multilayer composite more rigid. In addition, the multilayer structure facilitates application of an electrical field over thinner portions of the structure, thereby requiring much less potential difference between electrodes.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: A tactile sensor element includes a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer, an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces, a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface, the first and the second electrodes being connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes, where at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness. Further disclosed is a tactile sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor elements.

Abstract: An IR sensor (1), especially a CO2 sensor, is described, having a filter arrangement (6), downstream of which there is arranged a detector arrangement (7), and an evaluating device (8) which is connected to the detector arrangement (7), the filter arrangement (6) having a first filter (9) and a second filter (10), which are configured as bandpass filters and each have a passband and of which the first filter (9) allows passage of a predetermined IR band and the second filter (10) does not, and the detector arrangement having two detectors (14, 15), each of which is associated with a filter (9, 10). The objective is to simplify the use of such an IR sensor. For that purpose, the passband of one filter (10) is arranged within the passband of the other filter (9) and the evaluating device (8) forms the difference of the signals (S1, S2) of the detectors (14, 15) and normalises it to the signal (S1) of a detector (14).

Abstract: A capacitive transducer having a significantly increased actuation force and improved response time as compared to similar prior art capacitive transducers. In the capacitive transducer of the present invention it is not necessary to balance response time and actuation force or to provide pre-strain to the transducer in a direction of actuation. Additionally, buckling in the capacitive transducer is prevented, or at least substantially reduced, in a simple manner.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. The composite facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction, an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, and provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

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 proposes a pressure-reducing module for an air conditioning circuit (10) through which a supercritical refrigerant flows. The module is connected to the circuit via one inlet and two outlets. The module comprises a pressure-reducing device (120), and a distribution valve (16) connected to the pressure-reducing device and to the two outlets. A dual evaporator circuit using such a pressure-reducing module is also proposed. The two evaporators (131, 132) are mounted in parallel. The module receives the fluid coming from a gas cooler via its inlet and delivers the fluid to at least one of the two evaporators (131, 132) via its outlets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers for converting the spatial position of an object into an electrical signal, more specific to a novel position sensor which has advantages of simplicity, long-term stability and durability. According to the invention, a position sensor comprises at least one body of an elastomeric material, mounting means for mounting a first part of the body to a support, and movable means joined to a second part of the body at a distance from the first part, the movable means being movable to stretch a third part of the body located between the mounting means and the movable means. The sensor has opposed first and second surfaces on the third part, a first electrode on the first surface, and a second electrode on the second surface.

Abstract: The invention proposes an air conditioning installation having both an air conditioning apparatus and an electronic printed circuit. The installation also includes measuring means which are adapted to transmit values to the electronic circuit for estimation of a first value relating to the temperature (Tin) of the liquid at the input to the expansion unit, a second value relating to the inlet pressure (Pin) of the expansion unit, and a third value relating to the outlet pressure (Pout) of the expansion unit. The electronic circuit is adapted to calculate the value of the mass flow (MOT) of the refrigerant fluid into the expansion unit from the estimate of the first, second and third values. From this value of the mass flow (MOT) of the refrigerant fluid into the expansion unit and the estimate of the third value (Pout), the electronic circuit is able to estimate the power absorbed by the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to anactuating 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.