Abstract: A coating for sensor transducers that transmit a signal to—and/or receive a signal from—a fluid, either liquid or gas, in contact with the transducer. In particular the coating minimizes or eliminates fouling of the transducer surface by the fluid, reducing the need for transducer maintenance, while not interfering with the transducer's ability to send and/or receive signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a substrate having a depression into which a magnetic material is disposed, forming a magnetic flux concentrator and/or a permanent magnet. A magnetic field sensing element can be disposed proximate to the depression.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a sensor having an integrated component coupled to a leadframe. In one embodiment, a sensor includes external leads on an opposite side of a die from the integrated component. In another embodiment, a leadframe includes a slot to reduce eddy currents.

Abstract: A coating for sensor transducers that transmit a signal to—and/or receive a signal from—a fluid, either liquid or gas, in contact with the transducer. In particular the coating minimizes or eliminates fouling of the transducer surface by the fluid, reducing the need for transducer maintenance, while not interfering with the transducer's ability to send and/or receive signals.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of layers including a first substrate with an on chip capacitor and a second substrate. In one embodiment, the second substrate has an on chip capacitor. The first and/or second substrate can include a sensor element, such as a magnetic sensor element.

Abstract: A micromechanical device is provided, which includes at least one flexible member formed from an alloy, where the alloy is made up of one or more noble metals and one or more alloying elements, wherein each of the alloying elements has an equilibrium solid solubility in the noble metal, and wherein the one or more alloying elements are present in an amount that does not result in precipitates. A method for making a micromechanical device includes depositing an alloy on a substrate to form at least one flexible member, the alloy comprising one or more noble metals and one or more alloying elements, wherein the one or more alloying elements form a solid solution with the one or more noble metals; and removing a portion of the substrate or a sacrificial layer beneath the deposited alloy layer to obtain a flexible member.

Abstract: An integrated circuit current sensor includes a lead frame having at least two leads coupled to provide a current conductor portion, and substrate having a first surface in which is disposed one or more magnetic field transducers, with the first surface being proximate the current conductor portion and a second surface distal from the current conductor portion. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is disposed having the first surface of the substrate above the current conductor portion and the second surface of the substrate above the first surface. In this particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented upside-down in the integrated circuit relative to a conventional orientation. A current conductor portion can be deposited proximate to a surface of the substrate and proximate to the one or more magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit current sensor includes a lead frame having at least two leads coupled to provide a current conductor portion, and a substrate having a first surface in which is disposed one or more magnetic field sensing elements, with the first surface being proximate to the current conductor portion and a second surface distal from the current conductor portion. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is disposed having the first surface of the substrate above the current conductor portion and the second surface of the substrate above the first surface. In this particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented upside-down in the integrated circuit in a flip-chap arrangement. The integrated circuit includes an overcurrent circuit responsive to a voltage drop generated by a current.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-line optical monitoring of the quality and/or chemical condition of a fluid; in particular, a hydrocarbon-based fluid used in transportation and industrial applications. The apparatus includes an IR-transparent internal-reflectance-element (IRE) that has at least one essentially flat surface and at least one convex surface, and at least two IR light paths of uniquely determined central-frequency and bandwidth with light from a source entering a flat surface of the IRE, internally reflecting at least once from at least one convex surface of the IRE that can contact a fluid, exiting a flat surface of the IRE, and being received at a detector. The apparatus also includes electronics to power the source and receive output from the detector of each light path. The apparatus can be controlled to independently monitor the IR light reflected within the IRE at the uniquely determined frequency of each path, and to communicate information relevant to the IR light detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-line optical monitoring of the quality and/or chemical condition of a fluid; in particular, a hydrocarbon-based fluid used in transportation and industrial applications. The apparatus includes an IR-transparent internal-reflectance-element (IRE) that has at least one essentially flat surface and at least one convex surface, and at least two IR light paths of uniquely determined central-frequency and bandwidth with light from a source entering a flat surface of the IRE, internally reflecting at least once from at least one convex surface of the IRE that can contact a fluid, exiting a flat surface of the IRE, and being received at a detector. The apparatus also includes electronics to power the source and receive output from the detector of each light path. The apparatus can be controlled to independently monitor the IR light reflected within the IRE at the uniquely determined frequency of each path, and to communicate information relevant to the IR light detected.

Abstract: An array of magnetically actuated MEMS mirror devices is provided having stationary magnets configured to provide strong magnetic fields in the plane of the mirrors without any magnets or magnet-system components in the plane of the mirrors. Also, a magnetically actuated mirror device is provided that includes an improved actuation coil configuration that provides greater torque during mirror actuation. In addition, a mechanism is provided to detect the angular deflection of a moveable mirror. Also, an improved process is provided for manufacturing MEMS mirror devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-line optical monitoring of the quality and/or chemical condition of a fluid; in particular, a hydrocarbon-based fluid used in transportation and industrial applications. The apparatus includes an IR-transparent internal-reflectance-element (IRE) that has at least one essentially flat surface and at least one convex surface, and at least two IR light paths of uniquely determined central-frequency and bandwidth with light from a source entering a flat surface of the IRE, internally reflecting at least once from at least one convex surface of the IRE that can contact a fluid, exiting a flat surface of the IRE, and being received at a detector. The apparatus also includes electronics to power the source and receive output from the detector of each light path. The apparatus can be controlled to independently monitor the IR light reflected within the IRE at the uniquely determined frequency of each path, and to communicate information relevant to the IR light detected.

Abstract: An array of movable MEMS mirror devices is provided being electromagnetically actuated in one axis and using an additional set of coils, or a single coil, positioned off of the main axis of rotation to achieve a second axis of rotation while allowing for a very high linear mirror fill factor (>80%). This second set of coils, or second electrically wired coil, is capable of generating the necessary torque about an axis that is perpendicular to the major axis of rotation. A second embodiment is provided using electromagnetic actuation in one axis of rotation, which typically has larger rotation angles than the second axis, and electrostatic actuation in the second axis of rotation. Electrostatic pads can be used to sense rotation. When staggering adjacent pixels a center array of mirrors with no coils or electrodes provides increased radius of curvature and reducing undesirable cross-talk between adjacent mirror devices.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for adding relatively small amounts of one or more liquid additives to powder coating composition where the liquid is sprayed onto granular or particulate components of the powder composition during mechanical mixing to blend the components before further homogenizing by a melt mixing process.

Abstract: A micromechanical device is provided, which includes at least one flexible member formed from an alloy, where the alloy is made up of one or more noble metals and one or more alloying elements, wherein each of the alloying elements has an equilibrium solid solubility in the noble metal, and wherein the one or more alloying elements are present in an amount that does not result in precipitates. A method for making a micromechanical device includes depositing an alloy on a substrate to form at least one flexible member, the alloy comprising one or more noble metals and one or more alloying elements, wherein the one or more alloying elements form a solid solution with the one or more noble metals; and removing a portion of the substrate or a sacrificial layer beneath the deposited alloy layer to obtain a flexible member.

Abstract: An array of magnetically actuated MEMS mirror devices is provided having stationary magnets configured to provide strong magnetic fields in the plane of the mirrors without any magnets or magnet-system components in the plane of the mirrors. Also, a magnetically actuated mirror device is provided that includes an improved actuation coil configuration that provides greater torque during mirror actuation. In addition, a mechanism is provided to detect the angular deflection of a moveable mirror. Also, an improved process is provided for manufacturing MEMS mirror devices.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system for a variety of applications can be formed through microfabrication techniques. Each segment of a conductive coil associated with an electromagnet is planar making it easy to fabricate the coil through microfabrication techniques. Furthermore, a plurality of magnetic fluxes generated by the electromagnet are dispersed across multiple points in order to reduce problems associated with flux density saturation, and the coil is positioned close to the magnetic core of the electromagnet in order to reduce problems associated with leakage. Accordingly, a low-cost, more efficient electromagnetic system can be batch fabricated through microfabrications techniques.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system for a variety of applications can be formed through microfabrication techniques. Each segment of a conductive coil associated with an electromagnet is planar making it easy to fabricate the coil through microfabrication techniques. Furthermore, a plurality of magnetic fluxes generated by the electromagnet are dispersed across multiple points in order to reduce problems associated with flux density saturation, and the coil is positioned close to the magnetic core of the electromagnet in order to reduce problems associated with leakage. Accordingly, a low-cost, more efficient electromagnetic system can be batch fabricated through microfabrications techniques.

Abstract: A magnetic relay system is implemented to act as a relay driven by a magnetic flux yet capable of production through micromachining. The magnetic relay system has an electromagnet, a movable plate, and conductive contacts. The contacts are connected to the circuits of outside electrical systems that are to be controlled by the switching of the relay system. The plate is movable allowing it to engage both contacts and allow current flow between the contacts or to disengage both contacts and prevent current flow between the contacts. The electromagnet provides a sufficient magnetic flux at desired times to move the movable plate and thereby controls whether the movable plate is engaged with the contacts. The electromagnet, movable plate, and the conductive contacts may be formed on a substrate capable of construction using microfabrication techniques.

Abstract: A dual cigarette carton is formed from two identical single cartons. The two cartons are connected together with adhesive bearing carrier means such that the two cartons remain securely connected when in the dual configuration and can hence be processed for tax-stamping through standard machinery and distributed to the consumer as a dual unit. The use of adhesive bearing carrier means such as stickers allows for convenient and acceptable methods of separation of the dual carton for individual purchase of the single cartons.