Abstract: Cooling operation is performed so as to keep a freezer at a selected temperature. Moreover, if the cooling operation enters a phase where the freezer temperature is higher than the selected temperature by a predetermined deviation or more, not only the deviation temperature but also an accumulated time obtained by accumulating the time periods during which the cooling operation is performed at the deviation temperature or higher are stored. In addition, when an instruction signal to indicate an accumulation is input, the stored accumulated time and deviation temperature are read out and indicated on a segment indicating section (7S).

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator having an automatic expansion valve, a temperature control circuit, and an accumulator/heat exchanger. An auxiliary tank or section of the evaporator can ensure that a cooling chamber is surrounded by liquid refrigerant during normal operation. The flooding of the cylindrical cooling tank, the expansion valve, the temperature control circuit, and the accumulator/heat exchanger provide more efficient and even cooling in an interior cooling chamber. The more efficient cooling allows the ice cream machine to utilize a smaller compressor, thereby reducing the cost and energy consumption of the ice cream machine. The auxiliary tank can be a coil of tubing, a cylindrical container positioned above the cylindrical cooling tank, or a portion of the cylindrical cooling tank.

Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioner control system that maintains a target cooling vent temperature without sacrificing vehicle engine performance. When a vehicle air conditioning compressor increases to above a predetermined speed and the vehicle engine driving force increases, such as during a period of engine acceleration, compressor cooling capacity becomes saturated and does not increase. When the speed of the compressor rises to a predetermined value and the compressor assumes a high-speed state, thereafter, while the compressor is in the high-speed state, operation of the compressor is controlled so as to sustain the vent-air temperature of an evaporator determined at a time when the high-speed state has been assumed. As a result, the amount of increase of the driving force due to this compressor speed increase is suppressed by reducing the volume of the compressor, thereby resulting in power savings while securing substantially maximum cooling capacity.

Abstract: An inflatable thermal blanket is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient. The inflatable thermal blanket comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form an inflatable covering. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the inflatable covering toward the patient. The base sheet also supports a fluid delivery apparatus that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's skin by the inflating medium exhausted from the inflatable covering. The fluid delivery apparatus may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may be circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the inflatable thermal blanket, is connected to the inflatable covering.

Abstract: A lift assembly which is coupled to a refrigerant service cart to raise and lock the supply tank of refrigerant off of a weight sensor, locking the tank in a raised position for transportation of the portable servicing cart. In a preferred embodiment, a fixed arm extends from the portable cart and is positioned at a location above the refrigerant tank. A movable connecting link extends from the arm and is coupled to the tank and is controlled by an over-center toggle with a control handle for raising and lowering the tank coupled to the link between a use position resting on the weight sensor and a transporting position engaging the fixed arm and locked thereto by the over-center toggle control.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling and retarding temperature elevation of liquids in a vessel having a bottom, side walls and end walls forming an enclosure for receiving the liquids. The vessel is provided with at least one compartment having a bottom and sides forming a pocket in which one or more containers of slow-to-freeze, slow-to-thaw gelatinous material may be placed. Support members are attached to and support the compartment so that it does not contact the bottom or walls of the vessel, allowing liquid in the vessel to freely flow around the bottom and sides of the compartment.

Abstract: A portable cooling system has a drink container with a drink inlet opening in the top of the container, a removable closure closing the opening and a chilled drink in the drink container. An air duct extends through the drink in the container to the exterior of the container. A battery-driven air blower is attached to the container and forms therewith a portable device and the battery-driven blower has an air outlet connected to the air duct, which extends upwardly through the removable closure to the exterior of the drink container. A drinking tube extends from the exterior of the container into the chilled drink.

Abstract: All components of an existing R22 refrigeration apparatus, exclusive of an indoor unit (A) and an existing line (21b), are removed. A refrigerant--refrigerant heat exchanger (2) and a refrigerant pump (23) are connected to the existing line (21b) to form a secondary refrigerant circuit (20). The R--R heat exchanger (2) is connected to a primary refrigerant circuit (10). Both the circuits (10) and (20) are charged with an R407C refrigerant. It is arranged such that the design pressure of the primary line (11) exceeds that of a secondary line (21) which was designed for a R22 refrigerant.

Abstract: Process and system for liquefying a pressurized gas, especially natural gas. The process is carried out in two heat exchangers, and cooling for each heat exchanger is provided by a mixed refrigerant which is vaporized at a single essentially constant pressure. Feed precooling, low level refrigerant precooling, and high level liquid refrigerant subcooling are effected in one of the heat exchanger against low level refrigerant vaporizing at a single essentially constant pressure. The process and system of the invention are especially well-suited for installation on ships, barges, and offshore platforms.

Abstract: A plant for liquid-phase filtration of a cryogenic fluid comprising, in an ambient environment:a supply of a cryogenic fluid in liquid phase;a filtration component arranged between an inlet for feeding the cryogenic fluid and an outlet for use of the filtered cryogenic fluid, in which the filtration component filters microorganisms and/or particles and causes a head loss which is less than that which converts liquid phase to a solid or gaseous phase.

Abstract: Horizontal structured packing utilizing horizontal panels or horizontal corrugated foils arranged in a crisscrossing pattern are disclosed together with methods for manufacturing and assembling the horizontal structured packing in an exchange column. In one embodiment, the structured packing comprises at least one first layer in a generally horizontal first plane and at least one second layer in a generally horizontal second plane below the first layer, each layer having at least one generally horizontal panel in the shape of a polygon having a center. Each panel is substantially uniform in size and of a shape that nests with horizontally adjacent panels, and there are a plurality of vanes disposed inside each panel. At least one of the vanes is at an angle to the horizontal and has a passage between the vane and an adjacent vane. The center of at least one panel in the second layer is horizontally offset from the center of a vertically adjacent panel in the first layer.

Abstract: The combined plant comprises at least one furnace (FM) fed by a blowing machine (S), at least one air distillation device containing at least one medium-pressure column (MP) and a mixing column (CM) which has an oxygen outlet line (O) to feed the furnace (FM), the distillation device being fed via the blowing engine (S), at least the compressed air directed to the mixing column (CM) being given a positive pressure in at least one compressor-turbine group (C2-T2), the turbine (T2) of which is located in a circuit (Fi) for a pressurized fluid which is available at the plant site, for example steam or a gas originating from the furnace.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent the dhesion of particles such as fine iron powders onto a glass substrate upon the production of a glass substrate for an information recording medium.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass includes a vacuum housing where a vacuum is created; a vacuum degassing vessel housed in the vacuum housing to degas the molten glass; an introduction device communicated to the vacuum degassing vessel so as to introduce untreated molten glass into the vacuum degassing vessel, or preferably an uprising pipe; and a discharge device to discharge treated molten glass from the vacuum degassing vessel, or preferably a downfalling pipe. In the apparatus, at least a portion of at least one of the vacuum degassing vessel, the uprising pipe and the downfalling pipe that directly contact the molten glass is constituted by refractory material having a porosity of not greater than 5%. The apparatus can increase quantity of flow of the molten glass and consequently a degassing throughput of the molten glass, having the same size and the same pressure loss.

Abstract: A press-molding die comprises a base material, an intermediate layer formed on a surface of the base material and a protective layer formed on the intermediate layer. The base material comprises an inorganic oxide. The intermediate layer comprises a material that adheres to both the base material and the protective layer and is heat resistant at high temperatures wherein the die is used. The protective layer comprises at least one metal film selected from the group consisting of tungsten (W), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), rhenium (Re), tantalum (Ta) and alloys thereof.

Abstract: An end yarn inserting device that is so constructed that an end yarn hook can be put into action only when necessary but otherwise be retreated to such a position in the vicinity of a needle bed gap as to avoid interfering with knitting members including a yarn feeder and knitting needles.

Abstract: To provide improved beauty of an double jersey fabric at its side edge portion and improved productivity, the present invention provides a method for knitting the double jersey fabric including rib knitting such as Milano rib by a knitting equivalent to or higher than a double knitting by use of a flat knitting machine, wherein a piping is provided for at least one of a side edge portion of the fabric by the step that one or more needles of the front and back needle beds are introduced so that knitting of the side edge portion of the fabric on an ending side of a course knitting can be ended with the needle(s) of one of the needle beds and knitting of the side edge portion of the fabric on a beginning side of the subsequent course knitting can be started with the needle(s) of the other of the needle beds; and the step that the course knitting are performed orderly from the yarn feeder disposed on a frontwardly positioned track, when the knitting of the side edge portion is ended with the needle(s) of the back

Abstract: An elongate support body includes each of a plurality of pistons longitudinally translatable to urge movement of a corresponding sinker in a straight bar knitting machine. A piston chamber is disposed within or attached to the support body and includes a translatable piston head disposed therewithin. Each of a plurality of piston cylinders housing the respective ones of the plurality of pistons is in fluid communication with the piston chamber. Upon introduction of a fluid under pressure into the piston chamber on one side of the piston head, fluid pressure will be introduced serially into each piston cylinder to actuate each piston as the piston head translates along the piston chamber.

Abstract: A knitting machine part which is resistant to abrasion caused by knitting a yarn of cut-resistant fiber contains: (i) a base substrate having at least one yarn-contacting region for contacting the yarn during the knitting process, and (ii) a coating disposed on the surface of the base substrate on at least the yarn-contacting region of the base substrate, wherein the coating contains titanium carbonitride having a carbon-to-nitrogen weight ratio of from about 1:4 to 4:1, preferably from about 1:1.5 to 1.5:1, most preferably about 1:1. The knitting machine part is preferably a knitting needle or a sinker. The cut-resistant yarn is preferably composed of at least one cut-resistant fiber formed from a fiber-forming polymer and a hard filler having a Mohs Hardness value of at least about 3, the hard filler being distributed in the fiber-forming polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moulded part which can be used as a sound absorbent and heat insulating lining for an automotive engine compartment. Said moulded article consists of a carbon-fiber heat insulating layer (1) facing the engine compartment, a rear thermoplastic-fiber supporting layer (2) and a sound absorbent insert (3). Heat insulating layer (1) and supporting layer (2) are designed as a non-woven knitted fabric comprising a stitched layer which binds all fibers and is made of flatly disposed stitches, and a looped protruding pile layer. Stitched layers (4,4') of heat insulating layer (1) facing engine compartment, and rear supporting layer (2) define the outer surface of the material. Supporting layer (2) is moulded by hot pressing to form a dimensionally stable moulded part.

Abstract: A girdle for tights or pantyhose, in which the regions that constitute the panty and the initial portions of the stretch hose are constituted by a tuck-stitch mesh, formed starting from a plain background mesh so as to obtain, by combining and knitting in three dimensions particular conventional threads and elastic threads which are conveniently woven together, a mesh having alternating undulations which are considerably in relief with respect to the plain mesh, such as to generate an adequate compression and thus a massaging and tonic action in the regions of the body contained in the girdle.

Abstract: A knitting machine contains at least one knitting tool carrier for knitting tools (9) with a needle distance t, an associated knitting cam assembly (12, 13), the carrier and the knitting cam assembly being moveable relative to one another and the knitting cam assembly containing a plurality of systems (I, II) lying one behind the other in the direction of movement (v) which systems having respectively a first and a second selection point, lying one behind the other in the direction of movement (v), with one electrically controllable selection member (44, 52), a timing signal-generating device (56, 60) for producing timing signals and a programme control device (53) for producing electric control signals for the control members (44, 52).

Abstract: An improved tamper resistant combination lock with large planar easy to shift blocking slides with spring fingers that fool the lock picker into believing all three positions of the slides are blocking positions, rather than passing positions. The slides block or pass spaced spheroidal obstructions on a plunger. A small bifurcated clip prevents the complete removal of the plunger when all blocking slides are in the pass position. In one embodiment the lock is a padlock-type with a "U" shaped shackle that lies in a common plane with the slides to reduce lock size.

Abstract: A locking apparatus which is suitable for use with a manually operated control. The control is of a type which has a body and a handle. The handle is rotatable relative to the body and which is restricted to rotate between a first position defined by a first pair of abutment surfaces touching one another. In such a condition, a second pair of abutment surfaces are spaced apart to define a first gap between them. Rotation to a second limiting position is defined by the second pair of abutment surfaces touching one another and the first pair of abutment surfaces being spaced apart to define a second gap. The locking apparatus includes a first member which is attachable to the handle and a second member which is attached to the first member. The second member fits for use into either one of the first or second gap and provides further abutment surfaces each disposed to abut a respective adjacent abutment surface on the body of the control thereby to restrict rotation of the handle relative to the body.

Abstract: A programmable cylinder lock that is operable with a first key and a first master key having a different shape than the first key, and that is programmable so that the lock is no longer operable with the first key or the first master key. The reprogrammed lock is operable with a second key having a shape different from the first key and with a second master key having a shape different from the first master key.

Abstract: A blank for use in fabricating a key for a cylinder lock having a camming projection extending outwardly from a first side of the blade portion of the blank and a recess in the opposite side of the blade portion. The projection and recess are simultaneously formed in a punching operation and have at least one different geometrical parameter whereby the camming projection is not complementary to the recess and/or has a different orientation than the recess.

Abstract: A forming tool in accordance with the present invention is provided which includes a forming wheel, a shaft, a tool holder, bearings, washers, locking plate, locking bolt, and nut. The forming tool is for use with a lathe to form a journal on the ends of extruded tubing consisting of a variety of materials having various wall thicknesses. The forming operation in accordance with the present invention occurs when the lathe's turret moves the forming tool to cause the forming wheel to contact a portion of the extruded tube, which is rotated by the lathe's spindle. As a result of the contact, metal material is displaced on the extruded tube, and a journal is formed on the extruded tube. In accordance with one aspect, the forming tool is returned to its starting position by contacting a portion of the extruded tube as the forming wheel is moved away from the spindle of the lathe.

Abstract: A node roller combination method and apparatus has a node roller and a backing roller between which sheet material is passed. The node roller has a series of ring shaped circumferential nodes at spaced intervals across the material. The nodes press the sheet material into the backing roller to form a series of small radius small angle bends between flat segments and repetitions of succeeding stages of node and backing rollers forming bends between previous bends that provide a curved shape that gives the appearance of a large radius bend without the tendency to spring back to an original shape.

Abstract: A bar and wire rolling mill includes a cooling bed line for bars, a rotary basket reeling line for bars coiled into coils, and a wire line with a looper and winding collector for wire, and a holding furnace arranged downstream for thermal aftertreatments of the rolled material leaving the rolling mill. The cooling line, the rotary basket reeling line and the wire line are connected to a common holding furnace through transport devices.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention is a rolling mill having rolls with inverse symmetrical profiles and a method of using the same. An inverse symmetrical profile is a profile in which the right and left sides of a roll, with respect to the roll center line, have the profiles that are described by the same polynomial function but with opposite signs. A family of metal strip profiles can be created by the method and apparatus of the present invention wherein the family of strip profiles created prior to roll shifting are strip profiles expressed by polynomial functions having terms of the n.sup.th order, where n is preferably 1-5 inclusive, and the family of strip profiles produced by shifting at least one upper roll having an inverse symmetrical profile and at least one lower roll having an inverse symmetrical profile are strip profiles expressed by polynomial functions having terms of the (n-1).sup.th order, where n is preferably 1-5, inclusive.

Abstract: A method of deforming an initial pipe having a circular cross-section into an U-shaped section and a device for carrying out the method wherein the inner surface of one half of the initial pipe rests in a positively engaging manner against the inner surface of the opposite half of the pipe, with the exception of lateral loop-shaped ear portions. The initial pipe is secured in its position by mandrels inserted in the ends of the pipe. Initially, the initial pipe is with its lower half at least over areas thereof supported by an abutment and the top half of the initial pipe is pressed in by a ledge-like top die with a convexly curved front portion located opposite the abutment until the top half of the initial pipe is pressed in until it makes contact with the diametrically oppositely located bottom half of the pipes so as to produce a U-shaped top half.

Abstract: A hand held compressed air powered crimping tool is used both to secure ring tongue terminals to stripped electrical wire ends, and to secure butt splices that join together two electrical wire ends. The dies used, their locations, their retention, and their movements are similar to existing "T" head crimping tools, which are finger and hand manipulated and powered. When using this compressed air powered tool, pre-positioning is still undertaken by fingers and hands, of wires, ring tongue terminals or the butt sleeves, and insulation covers, to be crimped. Continued finger and hand movements, move together respective "T" head portions to preliminary keep together all the members to be crimped, in their respective positions. At the conclusion of the preliminary positioning, no spaces are left around dies for any unwanted entry of finger portions of the operator.

Abstract: An adjustable die holder for a press brake comprising an elongated base block adapted to be attached to a jaw of a press brake and having a first bore formed therein and a horizontal upper surface; a top plate slidable on the upper surface of the base block. The top plate bears a die holding element and having a second bore formed through it, the second bore being in substantial alignment with the first bore. A die carried by the die holding element has a working surface oriented away from the die holding element. Extending through the first and second bores is an elongated threaded member having external threads. A handle is provided for rotating the threaded member with respect to an internally threaded element which threadingly mates with the elongated threaded member, the handle having an unlocked position wherein the top plate is free to slide upon the upper surface of the base block and a locked position wherein the top plate is locked to the base block.

Abstract: A device for measuring wear in large roller bearings that have two bearing rings (1 & 2) with space accommodating the rollers (3) between them. The device has an indicator that indicates a prescribed deflection between the rings and a probe (9) that is accommodated in an opening (10) in the outer bearing ring (2) with the end (11) of the probe able to come into contact with one of the surfaces of the inner bearing ring (1). The object is a device that will provide accurate and reliable indications of bearing wear even after years of use, that will be simple in design, and that cannot be damaged or destroyed by outside forces. The inner bearing ring accordingly has a groove (12) facing the probe, and the end of the probe extends into the groove. The surfaces of the groove are as far from the end of the probe as the maximal permissible depth of the wear on the bearing.

Abstract: A horizontal plane frictional coefficient testing apparatus and methods are provided which include a substantially horizontal planar platen having two spaced, parallel movable rails. The rails are actuated by a motor adapted for reversibly raising and lowering the rails relative to the platen. A sled of predetermined weight is also provided having a central body and two pairs of outwardly extending axles, with each pair of axles being of equal length and formed with a wheel at the end thereof. The wheels of the sled are formed for engagement with the rails and engagement of the wheels with the rails locates the sled generally parallel to the rails. In operation, a sample of sheet material is fixed to the sled and the sled is placed on the rails, with the rails being in a raised position. Subsequently, the rails are lowered to gently place the sled onto the platen or a test medium fixed to the platen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the mass transport properties of pos materials. The apparatus is a permeation or diffusion cell that comprises two outer portions with longitudinal channels therein, two clamping plates with openings therein, two flow inlets and two flow outlets in fluid communication with such outer portion channels, which cell retains a sample of porous material during measurement procedures. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring pure diffusion transport properties of the sample of porous material. In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring the diffusion and convection transport properties of the sample of porous material. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring the pure convection transport properties of the sample of porous material.

Abstract: A helium supply unit (1) supplies helium from a high pressure storage (21) to fill a test chamber (6) which encloses a sample holder (5) to be examined for leaks by measuring device (2) including a mass spectrometer (3) and a control unit (4). The test gas is recovered after the testing by a pressure difference between a low pressure storage (18) and the test chamber (6). The test chamber is evacuated prior to receipt of the test gas by a vacuum pump (27) and after testing by a vacuum pump (34) for more complete helium recovery. The recovered test gas is then transmitted back to the high pressure storage (21) through a compressor (19), which raises the pressure of the recovered gas to a predetermined pressure, from the low pressure storage (18). The control unit (4) also controls a pure test gas supply (37) and a release valve (44).

Abstract: Measuring equipment, such as a portable pH meter system, can include a plurality of probes for measuring different properties of a sample with each of the probes contacting the sample simultaneously. A reference source line connected to an appropriate reference source can be connected to each probe, while a signal line connected to each probe can provide a measurement signal. A switch assembly is provided for each of the probes in order to isolate the respective probes from each other to prevent any interference when measuring the sample.

Abstract: A method for assessing the properties of dried milk products and hence suitability for use in various processes is described, including the steps of solubilizing a sample of a dried milk product, stirring the sample mixture and assessing the viscosity of the solution. The solvent can be water or a dilute acid buffered to approximately pH 6.5 and the sample mixture heated to at least 50.degree. C. to solubilize the proteins in the dried milk product while the viscosity is measured.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for determining the characteristics of dispersed particles. The process involves directing waves (acoustic or light) into a dispersion, and measuring the attenuation of the waves for particular frequencies to provide an attenuation spectrum. The measured attenuation spectrum is then compared to a set of theory-based calculated attenuation spectra to determine the particle size distribution corresponding to the measured attenuation spectrum. Unlike previous processes, the particle size distribution is capable of being accurately determined by a single inversion algorithm, thus eliminating burdensome steps of previous methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for determining surface tension of a liquid or interfacial tension between two dissimilar liquids by using a rigidly suspended probe with small sample sizes and by measuring probe force using a top-loading balance used for supporting the container of liquids under test. When a small sample size in a small container is used, capillary action between a probe and the container walls enhances the measured force, and an adjustment factor for the capillary action must be applied. A probe rigidly suspended to overcome capillary action between the probe and walls permits such measurements. For any sized sample, in accordance with Isaac Newton's third law of equal and opposite forces acting between objects, the force required for lifting a probe vertically from a liquid is equivalent to the reduction in weight of the liquid and container.

Abstract: A method is provided for accommodating the purge vapors from an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle. The method includes a means of learning the flow rate of purge vapors from the fuel tank. The fuel tank model uses the output of a strategic adaption routine to learn the tank vapor flow rate. This flow rate is used to maintain fuel to air control under varying air flow and purge flow conditions especially under return-to-idle situations. As such, the fuel to air ratio at the injectors can be controlled under varying air flow and purge flow conditions to improve drivability and emissions.

Abstract: A testing method for a tire, which enables reproduction of deterioration by aging under actual use and evaluation endurance after the deterioration by aging appropriately and effectively. The method includes a process to promote deterioration by oxygen, wherein a tire is inflated with concentrated oxygen having oxygen concentration x of not less than 30 which is indicated by the expression (I)x=(PO/PT).times.100 (%)where PT is the total pressure of inflated gas (kgf/cm.sup.2) after completing inflation and PO is the partial pressure of oxygen (kgf/cm.sup.2) with respect to the total pressure. After inflation of the tire with high concentrated oxygen, the tire is left for a given period and then actual endurance test of the tire is carried out, with the oxygen remaining in the tire or replaced with air.

Abstract: A method and unit for detecting defects in the tread belt of a tire (2), whereby a circumferential dimension of a tire (2) inflated to a given pressure is measured by means of a detecting device (4) with a roller (40), and the measured dimension is compared by a central control unit (47) with a reference value emitted by an emitter (50), to emit an alarm signal (51) in the event the measured dimension exceeds the reference value by a quantity greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operational monitoring of an actuator, which has a drive force unit that requires a characteristic time for build-up of the force, the apparatus including at least one position signal generator detecting a rest position of the actuator, a drive switch unit for actuating the drive force unit, and signal connections to an analyzing arrangement having a memory and a comparison unit so that, during operation, the time difference between the actuation of the drive switch unit and the possible response of the position signal generator allocated to the preceding rest limit position of the actuator is monitored, a comparison of the measured quantity to characteristic data deposited in the memory is implemented and a conclusion about the condition of the actuator is obtained from this analyzation.

Abstract: A biofeedback system for self-monitoring of selected body motions includes configurable mounting appliances, compatible twist, stretch and flexure sensors, coded means for positioning and orienting sensors at any location of the body, and a small, self contained signal processing and feedback module. Multi-level instant audible feedback is employed to provide a quick learning environment. The motion sensors include low force, high compliance, long extension sensors.

Abstract: Strictly out-of-phase stimulation of the two oscillators of a micro-mechanical rate-of-rotation sensor based on the Coriolis principle, having two-plate like oscillators arranged in layers one above another in two parallel planes and capable of being stimulated to oscillate perpendicular to the planes by means of an electrostatic drive, is achieved by the oscillators each being connected via at least one spring to a couple element formed, in each case, in the same wafer layer. The couple elements are mirror-symmetrically configured with respect to a mid-plane between the oscillators and connected to each other by a coupling web arranged therebetween to form a couple structure for the oscillators.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a tuning-fork oscillator having a pair of arms jointed by a trunk, the pair of arms extending in parallel to each other, first and second driving piezoelectric elements arranged only on one surface of the trunk with a gap therebetween in an extending direction of the arms, and angular velocity detecting piezoelectric elements arranged on surfaces of the arms in parallel with the one surface of the trunk on which the first and second piezoelectric elements are arranged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an angular velocity sensor used in posture control of a moving element or navigation system, and is intended to realize higher sensitivity, lower offset, lower offset drift, lower translation acceleration sensitivity, and higher impact resistance in a small size and at low cost.

Abstract: The method of the present invention includes forming a frame and a proof mass suspended from the frame by one or more flexures, and including within a thin active layer one or more vibratory force transducers suitably coupled to the proof mass for detecting a force applied to the proof mass. According to the present invention, an insulating layer, such as silicon oxide, is formed between the substrate and the active layer to insulate the active layer from the substrate. Providing a separate insulating layer between the substrate and active layer improves the electrical insulation between the proof mass and the transducers, which allows for effective operation over a wide range of temperatures.