Abstract: A humidity controller apparatus (10) includes a refrigerant circuit provided with first and second heat exchangers (61, 62). An adsorbent is supported on the surface of each of the first and second heat exchangers (61, 62). The refrigerant circuit is configured to allow for switching of the circulation direction of a refrigerant by operation of a four-way selector valve. In addition, in the humidity controller apparatus (10), a switching mechanism (50) switches the distribution routes of air streams. The humidity controller apparatus (10) operates the four-way selector valve and the switching mechanism (50), whereby a first air stream is dehumidified in the heat exchanger (61) or (62), whichever is acting as an evaporator while, on the other hand, a second air stream is humidified in the heat exchanger (61) or (62), whichever is acting as a condenser.

Abstract: A coupling assembly and associated method is provided for an air conditioning system. The coupling assembly is configured for coupling an indoor coil section of the air conditioning system to a condensate drain line. The coupling assembly has a conduit that is attachable at one end to the indoor coil section. Also, a pump is enclosed within the conduit that has a suction port and a parallel discharge port. The suction port is operably connected to a condensate collection member of the indoor coil section and the discharge port operably connected to the condensate drain line. Preferably, the coupling assembly also has a switching circuit controlling operation of the pump in relation to rate at which condensate is pumped.

Abstract: There is provided a protecting method capable of simply and firmly protecting a required face of an article such that the required face of the article is not damaged or contaminated and capable of extremely simply carrying out a protecting step and a protection releasing step.

Abstract: A reusable container for transporting temperature controlled items, which includes an outer case including a lid, and an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid. A generally rigid well is located inside the insulating later. At least one cooling element is provided, which is capable of maintaining temperature within a prescribed temperature range for predetermined periods of time, the cooling element being disposed within the well and at least partially defining a receptacle area. A caddy can be located in the receptacle area, at least partially surrounded by the cooling element, and is designed to accommodate at least one item to be transported. The cooling element may include a phase change material sealed within a plastic surround, and is designed to be separately removable and freezable prior to use. Temperature logging and/or location logging devices may be included.

Abstract: An air tower is provided for a refrigeration appliance that has a first cooled compartment and a second cooled compartment. The air tower has a diffuser section with a plurality of vent outlets to communicate with the first cooled compartment. A central duct section is defined by walls extending away from the diffuser section. An outlet is located at an end of the central section opposite the diffuser section to communicate with the second cooled compartment. A heat trap compartment is formed along one of the walls defining the central duct section. The heat trap compartment may communicate with a defrost heater.

Abstract: A two-part cooling device including a heat-insulating housing and a cooling circuit including an evaporator, a compressor and a liquefier. The cooling device is subdivided into a first component including at least one housing and the evaporator and a second component including at least the compressor. The first and second components are separable and can be placed in a variable manner in relation to each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a beverage container comprises a vessel having an interior that is adapted to hold a beverage. The vessel has a closed bottom end and an open top end. The bottom end defines a cavity that is fluidly sealed from the interior of the vessel. A cooling element is configured to be coupled to the vessel and to fit within the cavity. A base comprises a bottom member and a stem extending vertically upward from the bottom member. The base includes a connector that is configured to be coupled to the cooling element or vice versa.

Abstract: A branch passage, which is branched at a point on an upstream side of an ejector, is connected to a refrigerant suction inlet of the ejector. An evaporator is arranged in the branch passage, and a capillary tube is arranged on an upstream side of the evaporator.

Abstract: A shell side condenser inlet diffuser for a vapor compression refrigeration system is provided. The diffuser includes an inlet to receive a compressed refrigerant from a compressor of a refrigeration system. A chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet to receive compressed refrigerant, the chamber having an upper side and a lower side and lateral sides bridging the upper and lower sides, the chamber having a plurality of openings to discharge refrigerant inside the condenser. A protrusion is disposed inside the chamber. The protrusion and the chamber are configured and disposed to diffuse and direct a flow of refrigerant from the compressor to inside the condenser, the refrigerant leaving the chamber having a higher pressure level than the refrigerant entering the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing bubble-free liquid carbon dioxide to a user is disclosed. For cost-effective supply, gaseous CO2 is removed from a supply line, liquefied in a condenser and transported to the user.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system having a main condenser comprising a plurality of tubes having fluted external condensing surfaces upon which downflowing nitrogen vapor condenses, and having structured internal boiling surfaces upon which downflowing oxygen liquid vaporizes.

Abstract: A method for intermittently delivering counterblow air to a gob glass at a formable temperature in a blank mold of an I.S. glass container forming machine being operated on the blow and blow process. The method utilizes a plunger having a fixed annular member with an enlarged recess at an inlet end and a valve seat at an upper end. The plunger has a sliding valve member with an annulus of the annular member, and the valve member has a stem portion and an enlarged vale seat portion at a free end thereof. Pressurized air is intermittently delivered to the recess of the annular member to urge a collar secured to the stem of a sliding valve of the plunger upwardly to unseat the valve portion from the seat of the annular member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and one or more side holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The method features the steps of: assembling a preform for drawing a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, by providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide from the heated preform. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.

Abstract: A permanent magnet applies first sliding resistance in-between a holding arm and a guide rail. A carriage is provided with an electromagnet for magnetically applying second sliding resistance in-between the holding arm and the carriage. Although the holding arm persists in moving through inertia when the carriage stops movement, a sliding resistance that is the sum of the first sliding resistance and the second sliding resistance acts on the holding arm, and it is possible to promptly stop. Since the second sliding resistance does not act when the carriage brings the holding member, it is possible to reduce a load. When the carriage starts bringing the holding arm, a difference between the first sliding resistance and the second sliding resistance becomes the sliding resistance, and it is possible to decrease sliding resistance that acts when bringing is started, and reduce occurrence of an impact and a noise.

Abstract: A dispensing system is disclosed herein and includes a valve, a rotatable disc within the valve, and a motor for selectively rotating the disc to certain positions. Positioning of the disc, via the motor, establishes communication between the inlet of the valve and one of at least two outlets.

Abstract: A drum washing machine in which washing water is supplied directly to a drum to reduce consumption of the washing water, and is easily discharged from the drum in a dehydrating mode without leakage of the washing water from the drum in a washing mode. The drum washing machine includes an opening and closing device to open the dehydration holes by a centrifugal force only when the drum is rotated more than a designated speed. The opening and closing device includes opening and closing members to open and close the dehydration holes, and an elastic member to enable the opening and closing members to open and close the dehydration holes according to an intensity of the centrifugal force generated due to a rotation of the drum. The drum washing machine supplies the washing water directly to the drum, thereby preventing problems regarding the leakage or discharge of the washing water.

Abstract: In connection with the non-destructive stretching and fastening of pelts (2) on distention elements/pelt boards (4), where the pelt is stretched and fastened in the stretched position during the drying process by means of a fixing bag, it has shown that the pelts give way (shrink) on each side of the tail root of the pelt, with the result that use is made of a number of staples for the fastening of these places on the stretched pelt. Since it is not at all desirable to use staples, a development of the distension elements/pelt boards (4) has taken place, so that these have an arched extent around two transverse axes in relation to their longitudinal axes. Moreover, it has long been desirable to be able to stretch the pelts to a greater degree, which has not been possible with the use of the known stretching machines.

Abstract: A pull handle assembly for use with a latch mechanism and including a pivot axis, a handle and a locking mechanism. The pivot axis is fixed relative to the latch mechanism and spaced therefrom. The handle is rotatable about the pivot axis between a first position, where a finger portion of the handle engages an of a spindle of the latch mechanism, and a second position, where the finger portion is disengaged from the end of the spindle. The locking mechanism includes a blocking member movable between a locked position, where the blocking member prevents the handle from reaching the first position, and an unlocked position, where the handle is free to rotate between the first and second positions. A method of preventing the actuation of a latch mechanism of a door from one side of the door only is also provided.

Abstract: A strengthened lock structure is disclosed. The lock structure has an outdoor handle group, a bolt, and an indoor handle group. Two first legs of the outdoor handle group are inserted to a respective first location hole and a second location hole defined in the bolt, and a bar of the outdoor handle group is inserted to a first hole defined in the bolt. In this way, the two first legs and the bar form a three point engagement between the outdoor handle and the bolt, whereby the engagement strength between the outdoor handle (11) and the bolt is enhanced to prevent forced entry.

Abstract: A lock and key system is disclosed including locks of the kind comprising a cylindrical key plug (203) with locking tumblers (205) having a body part (206a) and an integral key sensing part (206b) for engagement with an associated key (100). The key sensing part (206b) of each locking tumbler comprises at least two neighbouring key contacting portions (210a, 211a), confined within a limited region, for possible sliding engagement with a longitudinal code pattern of the associated key, at least one but not necessarily all of these key contacting portions of each locking tumbler actually engaging with a corresponding code portion of the associated key upon fully inserting the latter into the key slot of the lock.

Abstract: A nitrification inhibitor and a soil improver and a fertilizer containing the same are offered which can be utilized in a wide area from a tropical to a temperate zone, and can be easily obtained from natural origin materials. It is a nitrification inhibitor to inhibit soil nitrification, containing as a main component either one of linoleic acid, ?-linolenic acid, ?-linolenic acid, and methyl linoleate, or their mixture of two or more. By incorporating this nitrification inhibitor into a soil improver or a fertilizer, nitrification of soil can be effectively inhibited.

Abstract: A system and process for performing a crimping operation by which a fitting is crimped to the end of a fluid conduit, and which automatically compensates for one or more variables that can lead to out-of-tolerance crimp diameters, particularly fitting spring-back and crimper deflection. The system and method use a device for inputting into the system a targeted crimp diameter for the fitting, and a crimper for crimping the fitting to the end of the fluid conduit. The crimper comprises a plurality of dies and an actuator for contracting the dies around the fitting to obtain the targeted crimp diameter for the fitting. The system and method further includes a unit for attaining the targeted crimp diameter by automatically compensating contraction of the dies for spring-back of the fitting during crimping and/or deflection of the crimper during crimping.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composite article comprising a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is a defective polymeric layer. The defective polymeric layer has at least one artificial defect, in the form of a volume of air confined by walls made of said defective polymeric layer, and by layers adjacent thereto. The invention further provides the use of a composite article for calibrating equipment and a method for making such a composite article.

Abstract: A particle generating system includes an aerosol generator, an ejector diluter, and an aerosol diluter. The ejector diluter receives the generated aerosol and dilutes the aerosol to an expected raw concentration. The aerosol diluter further dilutes the aerosol to a concentration in the range of 0% to 100% of the expected raw concentration. The aerosol diluter includes a mini cyclone for diluting the aerosol. The particle generating system may be configured to provide variable concentrations of monodisperse or polydisperse aerosols for instrument calibration. The system may provide constant concentrations in the range of 0% to 100% of the raw concentration. The mini cyclone makes the system compact, and the system may be portable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the flow calibration factor of a Coriolis flowmeter. In accordance with a first embodiment, an improved material density is obtained by measuring material density when the temperature of the material is equal to a predetermined reference temperature. In accordance with a second embodiment, a preprogrammed data base stores density/temperature relationships. Improved density information is obtained by measuring the density and temperature of the material, applying the measured density/temperature information from the data base, and obtaining density information compensated for a predetermined reference temperature. The improved density information obtained for both embodiments is unaffected by temperature changes and is used to validate the flow calibration factor. The flow calibration factor compensation for pressure changes and changes in material composition is obtained in a similar manner.

Abstract: A failure diagnostic device for diagnosing whether a failure has occurred in an acceleration sensor to be loaded in an electronic device such as a living body information measurement device of acquiring data concerning e.g. living body information includes: an acceleration calculator for calculating an acceleration applied to the electronic device based on an output from the acceleration sensor; and a first judger for judging whether the electronic device is in a stationary state based on a judgment as to whether an output value from the acceleration calculator lies within a predetermined range for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A valve test apparatus, a solenoid valve test method and a venturi valve test method are provided. The valve test apparatus may include a gas supply unit, a solenoid valve holding unit, a first measurement unit, a venturi valve holding unit, a second measurement unit, a timer unit and/or a power supply unit. The solenoid valve holding unit may be connected to one end of the gas supply unit. The first measurement unit may be connected to the solenoid valve holding unit. The venturi valve holding unit, on which a venturi valve to be tested may be arranged. The venturi valve may be selectively connected to the solenoid valve holding unit together with the first measurement unit. The second measurement unit may be connected to the venturi valve. The timer unit may measure a time interval between when the solenoid valve is activated and when a measured value by the first measurement unit or second measurement unit is equivalent to a desired value.

Abstract: A gas sensor which includes: a plurality of gas detectors, each detects a target gas; an error detector which detects the occurrence of an error on each of gas sensors; an output selector which selects one output from among outputs entered from each gas sensor, the output selected by the output selector is the output from the gas detector in which no error exists; and an output unit which generate a normal output based on the output selected by the output selector and outputs the normal output to an external electrical device through a single output system, the output unit generates an abnormal output based on the output from the gas detector, in which the error exists, when the gas detector, in which an error exists, is detected, and outputs alternately the normal output and the abnormal output.

Abstract: Provided are an electronic nose sensor array which can easily measure and process a sample using a personal information terminal and can be mass-produced, a sensor system including the same, a method of manufacturing the electronic nose sensor array, and a analysis method using the electronic nose sensor system. The sensor array comprises a plurality of sensing films which are formed on a side of a polymer substrate and react to chemical species to be analyzed, thereby changing their electric resistances, and a plurality of sensing electrodes, each of which contacts both ends of each of the sensing films and senses a change of one of the electric resistances.

Abstract: A sensor 10 has a pump 20, an adsorbing unit 30, a gas chromatography unit 40, and a sensor unit 50 all of which are provided on a substrate 80. The pump 20 sucks in and condenses surrounding gas, and the adsorbing unit 30 adsorbs molecules contained in the gas. The gas chromatography unit 40 separates a particular type of molecules from those adsorbed to the adsorbing unit 30. An absorption film in the sensor unit 50 then adsorbs the separated particular type of molecules. The sensor unit 50 detects adsorption of the molecules to the adsorption film. On the basis of the detection level of the adsorption, a measurement processing unit 60 determines the presence of the particular type of molecules or measures the amount of the molecules. The present invention thus detects the presence of a particular type of molecules or measures the amount of the molecules.

Abstract: A vacuum pump has, in fluid communication with a location intermediate an inlet thereof for receiving fluid and an outlet thereof for exhausting pumped fluid, a sensor for receiving at least part of the fluid received by the pump and for sensing the presence of one or more contaminants therein.

Abstract: A three-wafer channel or column structure for a fluid analyzer. The structure may have a support member, membrane, or support wafer containing heaters and interactive elements. The membrane may have a channel of one wafer facing the interactive element side and a space of another wafer facing the other side. The membrane may have perforations to equalize the pressures on both sides of the membrane. A detector in the membrane may have exposure to both the channel and space for good sensitivity, as the sample may be on both sides of the membrane. The wafers may be bonded with a thin film of non-flowing viscous material. Capillaries may be attached to an inlet and outlet of the channel and be parallel to an elongated dimension of the channel.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids is fluidized in a test chamber to yield multiple test samples for subsequent evaluation of segregation effects. A controlled stream of gas enters the chamber in a series of flow rate cycles each progressively increasing to a maximum rate of gas flow and then decreasing, the maximum rate increasing for successive cycles. An indicating function is formed from measurements of corresponding rates of gas flow and pressure across the bed. Upon termination of the fluidization, multiple samples are sequentially extracted from a single space at the bottom of the test chamber.

Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a shaker apparatus, a vacuum source and a container; placing a sample of the aggregate in the container; adding liquid to the container sufficient to reach a calibration mark on the container; weighing the sample and liquid; mounting the container to the shaker apparatus; connecting the vacuum source to the container; agitating the sample and liquid with the shaker apparatus; applying a vacuum to the sample and liquid with the vacuum source; after the agitation and vacuum steps, adding liquid to the container sufficient to again reach the calibration mark on the container; again weighing the sample and liquid; and subtracting the initial weight of the sample and liquid from the final weight of the sample and liquid in order to determine the liquid absorption of the aggregate.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for detecting a leak in a hydraulic fluid system having a reservoir and a conduit operatively connected to the reservoir. The fluid may reside in the reservoir, the conduit, or both. A current level of the fluid in the reservoir is sensed. A determination is made as to whether the current level is less than a leak detection level. When it is determined that the current level is greater than the leak detection level, a current temperature of the fluid is sensed and the leak detection level is updated based on the current temperature of the fluid so that thermal expansion of the fluid in the system is considered in detecting and isolating a leak.

Abstract: A removable, convenient main drain testing system is provided through the use of a testing device that includes a cap clampable about a drain pipe, an air pressure gauge, a valve and connection to an air compressor. The assembly can be moved from one jobsite to the other with ease and can be transported in a plumber's tool kit without cumbersome apparatus. The test involves injecting compressed air into the system with the valve open, followed by closing of the valve when a test pressure has been obtained and observing the pressure gauge to look for pressure drops indicating leaks. The valve also is useful for the introduction into higher pressure air to ascertain where leaks are occurring should any be observed.

Abstract: A valve testing device and method for determining whether a fluid control valve, such as an automatic transmission valve, is operating acceptably. The device and method of the present invention passes pressurized fluid through the valve and to a flow measuring means where the flow rate of fluid through the valve can be measured. Because contamination within such a valve can contribute to unacceptable flow rate measurements, the device and method of the present invention can also pass purge fluid through the valve in a direction that is opposite to the normal flow of working fluid through the valve.

Abstract: A measurement system has a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head, which in turn is mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The surface sensing device is moved relative to a surface by driving at least one of the coordinate positioning apparatus and probe head in at least one axis to scan the surface. The surface sensing device measures its distance from the surface and the probe head is driven to rotate the surface sensing device about at least one axis in order to control the relative position of the surface sensing device from the surface to within a predetermined range in real time.

Abstract: A method for the dynamic diagnosis of an exhaust gas analyzer probe situated in an exhaust-gas system having at least one exhaust-gas catalytic converter, of an internal combustion engine, a measuring signal (lambda-actual) of the exhaust gas analyzer probe being compared to a setpoint value (lambda-setpoint) as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine, and the system deviation being supplied to a controller, which regulates the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine correspondingly, the dynamic diagnosis of the exhaust gas analyzer probe being implemented with a closed control loop, and the deviation from the setpoint value (lambda-setpoint) of the measuring signal (lambda-actual) of a slowing exhaust gas analyzer probe being amplified by the intervention of the controller and the dynamic diagnosis is implemented on the basis of this amplified deviation.

Abstract: A ply wire sensor system is provided for a tire carcass ply in a green tire carcass having a toroidal shape, the tire carcass ply having a plurality of spaced apart ply wires extending across the toroidal shape. The sensor system includes a wire sensor mounted in close proximity with the tire carcass ply, the wire sensor detecting the presence of a proximal ply wire; and means for establishing relative movement between the wire sensor and the tire carcass whereby the plurality of spaced apart ply wires are sequentially placed into proximity with the wire sensor. The wire sensor generates sequential data indicative of at least one ply wire parameter of the plurality of spaced apart ply wires.

Abstract: A device for measuring the tack of materials, comprising a first cylinder (1) included in a fixed frame (2) and a second cylinder (3) included in a movable yoke (4), whose outer surfaces contact each other via a layer of the material to be tested for tack (8). The yoke (4) is connected with the frame (2) via a connecting element (5) movable about a center. A force sensor (6) is included between the yoke and the movable connecting element or between the frame and the movable connecting element. The output of the force sensor (6) is connected with processing means (7) for processing the measuring signal delivered by the force sensor into a material -specific tack value. In a first calibration step, the first cylinder is coupled with a static mass (11) via coupling means (10). A first correction value, based on the measuring signal delivered by the force sensor, is stored in the processing means.

Abstract: A method of measuring the shape of a glass sheet is provided. The method includes positioning the glass sheet in contact with a fluid and measuring the distance between a sensor and a surface of the glass sheet at a plurality of locations on the surface thereof. The method may further include deconvolving the shape of the glass sheet into at least one simple shape element, such as cylindrical or spherical, and may further include varying the temperature profile of an array of heaters in a glass manufacturing process based on the at least one shape element.

Abstract: A system for measuring a fluid level using an acoustic impedance matching is disclosed, which is capable of accurately measuring a fluid level using a flat panel medium, in particular, polyethylene, with the flat panel medium being impedance-matched with an object medium. The flat panel medium having the same acoustic impedance as the object medium is used, and the limit switch is directly connected through the flat panel medium, so that the angle coincidence problems are resolved. Since the sizes of signals are high, the construction of the electronic circuit is simplified, and the fabrication process is easy. The price of the system is low. Since polyethylene is used as the flat panel medium, the impedance matching with the object medium is easily achieved. Therefore, the present invention may be well adapted to measuring the fluid level.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device and method for sensing pressure utilizes a deformable cavity containing a conductive medium. Pressure changes induce deformations of the cavity, resulting in changes of conductivity, as measured by electrodes. The device may either sense pressure directly or may be used to sense the pressure in a separate cavity that is in close proximity. Since the measurements do not require electrodes in the sensing region, the device is simple to fabricate. The device also has high sensitivity, making it suitable for microfluidic or biomedical applications where a low profile and disposable device is required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring a filling level of a filling material, wherein the device comprises a receiving unit with such buoyancy properties that it floats on the surface of the filling material. The receiving unit measures the distance between the transmitting and receiving units by means of a distance measurement on the basis of a first signal that is transmitted by at least a first transmitting unit and received by the receiving unit, wherein the filling level can be determined from this measured distance.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a pair of physical quantity sensor chips that are inclined with respect to the bottom of an exterior mold package whose side surfaces are each inclined in a thickness direction by an angle ranging from 0° to 5° and are formed in proximity to the outer ends of the physical quantity sensor chips. It is possible to realize the inclination of stages without using molds, wherein absorption devices are used to absorb prescribed portions related to stages, which rotate about axial lines and are thus inclined with respect to a prescribed base. In manufacturing, a thin metal plate having a plurality of lead frames is placed on a base delimited by a clamp; then, intersecting points of intermediate portions formed between the lead frames are subjected to pressing so as to realize the inclination of stages.

Abstract: An exemplary vibrating mass gyroscope uses a mass disposed for movement along an x-axis and y-axis. First and second electrodes are disposed adjacent surfaces of the mass along an x-axis and y-axis. Circuitry, coupled to the first and second electrodes, provides during a first mode a dither driving voltage on one of the first and second electrodes causing vibrating displacement of the mass along the one of the x-axis and y-axis. The measurement voltage is sensed on the other of the first and second electrodes where the measurement voltage represents a first angular rate value. During a second mode, the circuitry provides a dither driving voltage on the other of the first and second electrodes causing vibrating displacement of the mass along the other of the x-axis and y-axis and measurement voltage is sensed on the one of the first and second electrodes where the measurement voltage represents a second angular rate value.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor, which has realized such a high impact-resistance that a weight bottom surface of an acceleration sensor element does not directly collide with an inner bottom plate of a protection case made of ceramic, glass or silicon to avoid edges and corners of the weight bottom surface of the acceleration sensor element chipping, even when an excessive acceleration or impact is applied to the acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor comprises the acceleration sensor element having in a center a weight that works as a pendulum when acceleration is applied, and the protection case housing the acceleration sensor element. The inner bottom plate of the protection case works as a regulation plate to prevent the weight from excessively swing downwards. An impact buffer material of a metal layer or a resin layer is provided on the weight bottom surface or the inner bottom plate of the protection case.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a fluid container; a fluid mixture disposed within the fluid container, the fluid mixture including at least two components having different relative dielectrics or different relative permeabilities; means for imparting an electrostatic or electromagnetic force across the fluid mixture to cause at least one of the components to be placed in motion; and means for controlling the electrostatic or electromagnetic force to counteract the effects of an applied acceleration. A method includes positioning a high dielectric or high permeability element suspended in a low dielectric or low permeability fluid contained between a pair of charged electrode plates or a magnetic gap; determining a change in capacitance or inductance of the apparatus; and determining from the capacitance change or inductance change a magnitude of the acceleration.