Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing having at least one refrigerator compartment, a door for accessing the at least one refrigerator compartment, and an ice-dispensing assembly. The ice-dispensing assembly includes an insulated housing arranged within the at least one refrigerator compartment, an ice-making device arranged within the insulated housing and configured to produce ice, an ice-storage container arranged within the insulated housing, and a dispenser arranged within the door and communicating with the ice-storage container, wherein the dispenser is configured to transfer ice from the ice-storage container to an external portion of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A control method of a refrigerator comprising an ice storing part storing and discharging ice cubes, an ice shaving unit shaving the ice cubes discharged from the ice storing part to make shaved ice, an ice transferring driving part supplying the ice cubes stored in the ice storing part to the ice shaving unit, and an ice shaving unit driving part driving the ice shaving unit to make the shaved ice. The method includes: setting on/off reference times for the ice transferring driving part so that the ice transferring driving part operates according to a predetermined operation period; storing final on/off times elapsed from a final operation period of the ice transferring driving part when the ice shaving unit driving part is stopped; and driving the ice transferring driving part for the final on/off times remaining from the final operation period, and then driving the ice transferring driving part according to the operation period when the ice shaving unit driving part is driven again.

Abstract: A refrigerator (1) with a goods space (4) for industrially produced frozen goods shall be designed in such a way that it can be supplied with new goods as efficiently as possible. For this purpose, a goods space (4) of a refrigerator (1) is provided with a level sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using hot gas to defrost sequentially each refrigerated display case (evaporator) in a group of refrigerated display cases (evaporators). A unique cross-feed line connects the distributor and the evaporator suction line for each evaporator in the group of evaporators. Like a typical hot gas defrost system, the sequential hot gas defrost system may be time-initiated and time-terminated or time-initiated and temperature-terminated. Each evaporator in the group of evaporators is defrosted in turn while the remaining evaporators in the group continue to operate in the refrigeration mode. A unitary combination check valve and orifice simplifies the sequential hot gas defrost refrigeration system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioning device for the passenger compartment of a vehicle, said device comprising a first closed loop (BF) which contains an evaporator (BF5), through which an air stream (F) may flow, and in which a first coolant may flow such as to transfer cold to said air stream in the evaporator. According to said invention, the device comprises a second closed loop (BS) in which a second coolant may flow between the evaporator (BF5) and a tank (BS2), such as to receive cold from the first coolant in the evaporator for storing the same in the tank and returning to the air stream in the evaporator, according to the cooling capacity, produced by the first loop and to the air conditioning needs.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing defining a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment, a fan configured to provide airflow through the compartments, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an airflow passage configured to allow cold air to flow from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment, a damper configured to be in an open position under the pressure of airflow flowing through the airflow passage and in a closed position due to a weight of the damper when cold air is flowing through the fresh food compartment. The damper assembly also includes a solenoid element configured to maintain the damper in the closed position regardless of airflow.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system for a heat-generating structure that is disposed in an environment having an ambient pressure comprises a fluid coolant and three structures. The first structure allows the heat generating structure to removably couple to the cooling system. The second structure reduces a pressure of the fluid coolant to a subambient pressure at which the fluid coolant has a boiling temperature less than a temperature of the heat-generating structure. The third structure directs a flow of the fluid coolant in the form of a liquid at the subambient pressure in a manner causing the fluid coolant to be brought into thermal communication with the heat-generating structure where heat from the heat-generating structure causes the fluid coolant in the form of the liquid to boil and vaporize so that the fluid coolant absorbs heat from the heat-generating structure as the fluid coolant changes state.

Abstract: The releaser is used in a specialized freezer tray to remove ice shapes from inserts. In this invention, the releaser is modified to enable cooling of beverages inside drinking vessels. An open-ended reservoir within the modified releaser's body stores ice and other coolants. A hook-like feature permits the attachment of the modified releaser to drinking vessels of varying wall thicknesses. Another ring-like feature with a hollow center holds drinking straws. The state of the fluids contained within the body can be visually monitored through the top opening. This monitoring serves as an indicator of the device's cooling efficiency, especially when ice (or water) is contained.

Abstract: A quick-cooling device for a refrigerator includes top, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define an air intake/delivery housing. A plurality of air discharge nozzles are arranged about at least one wall of the housing. A blower fan is mounted to the housing for drawing an airflow from the refrigerator into the housing and thereafter expelling the airflow from the housing through the air discharge nozzles. The air discharge nozzles can be constituted by slotted or circular openings arranged in staggered rows and sized to match a particular application.

Abstract: An ice discharging structure of an ice making mechanism for discharging an ice block from the ice making mechanism reliably regardless of the weight of the ice block. An ice making mechanism of an ice making machine comprises an ice making section case in which an opening closed by a separator openably and closably is provided. The ice making section case comprises an ice chute inclined downward to the opening of the ice making section case, provided between an ice making section 16 and a sprinkler, for leading an ice block fallen from an ice making chamber to the opening. On an end face of the ice chute, a first rib is horizontally provided in a width direction of the end face, and a top thereof is in line contact with an inner face of the separator.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment with a top wall, side walls, a back wall, and a door opposite the back wall includes a mold body having at least one cavity for containing water therein for freezing into ice, and a control housing extending from the mold body. The control housing is configured to be coupled to a mounting surface of said freezer compartment, wherein the mounting surface includes at least one of the top wall, the side walls, the back wall, and the door of the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a freezing chamber, a freezing chamber door, an ice making device provided in the freezing chamber and making ice, and a dispenser part provided with an ice outlet and discharging the ice made in the ice making device to an external side of the refrigerator. The dispenser part includes an ice lever selectively operating a supply and a stoppage of ice, a cover member moving between a closing position closing the ice outlet and an opening position opening the ice outlet in cooperation with the ice lever, a cover opening and closing sensor sensing opening and closing of the cover member, and a display part displaying a signal corresponding to the opening and closing of the cover member, from the cover opening and closing sensor. The refrigerator is capable of sensing the opening state of a cover accurately and reducing loss of energy.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided with a cooling air ram that includes both air-to-air heat exchangers, and a liquid sink heat exchanger. The liquid sink heat exchanger receives a cooling fluid that has been utilized to cool a power electronics control for an electric motor. The liquid sink heat exchanger is necessary to properly cool the power electronics control, and by including it in the same cooling air ram with the air-to-air heat exchangers, there is no need for additional ram air cooling circuits to be added to the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit of the air conditioning apparatus includes a first heat exchanger including a first body, a first introduction opening provided at an upper end portion of the first body, and a first discharge opening formed at a corner portion on one side of a lower end portion of the first body and having an elliptic shape; and a second heat exchanger including a second body, a second introduction opening connected to the first discharge opening, provided at a corner portion on one side of a lower portion of the second body, and having an elliptic shape corresponding to that of the first discharge opening, and a second discharge opening provided at a corner portion on the other side of an upper end portion of the second body.

Abstract: An ejector-type refrigerant cycle device includes: a first evaporator 15 that evaporates refrigerant flowing out of an ejector 14; a branch passage 17 that branches a flow of refrigerant between a radiator 13 and the ejector 14 and guides this flow of refrigerant to a vapor-phase refrigerant suction port 14c of the ejector 14; a throttling mechanism 18 disposed in the branch passage 17; and a second evaporator 19 disposed downstream of the throttling mechanism 18 with respect to the flow of refrigerant. The throttling mechanism 18 is constructed to be provided with a fully opening function, and to fully open the branch passage 17 when the second evaporator 19 is defrosted. Therefore, in an ejector-type refrigerant cycle device including multiple evaporators, the function of defrosting the evaporators can be carried out with a simple construction.

Abstract: A subcool flow control valve useful in a refrigerant system includes an enclosure having a fluid flow pathway for a controlled fluid between an inlet and an outlet. A thermally conductive flexible wall forms a sealed cavity within the enclosure for carrying a controlling fluid. A metering orifice operable between the pathway and the outlet port controls an amount of metered fluid passing through the outlet port in response to movement of the flexible wall toward and away from the metering orifice in response to temperature changes of the controlled fluid transmitting temperature and thus pressure changes to the controlling fluid in the sealed cavity. Inverse thermal feedback means is formed as part of the valve for stabilizing valve operation thus providing means for transmitting a thermal signal from the metered controlled fluid back to the controlling fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance includes a container (12) having a cooling space (13) adapted to contain pressurized air or gas of above atmospheric pressure. At least one flexible walled vessel (14) extends through the cooling space (13) and is connectable to a water source. The apparatus (10) is operable to maintain the cooling space at a sufficiently low temperature to at least partially freeze the water within the flexible walled vessel (14). As a preferred feature of the snow making apparatus, the apparatus may be adapted to maintain a static pressure within the cooling space of the container (12) and to periodically and temporarily increase the pressure within the cooling space to compress the flexible walled vessel (14). Invention also resides in an apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance, the apparatus including at least one flexible walled vessel (14) connectable to a water source.

Abstract: A sculpted interconnected split jewelry device is connected in a variety of ways through magnets that are placed in recesses where the connection is invisible from the outside; and wherein a stabilizing system is provided in the members of the device.

Abstract: A ring (1) for wearing on toes and fingers having an elastic band portion (6) surrounded by a protective cover and a method of making same. The protective cover, which may be tubular (7) or beaded (10) provides for the comfortable yet customized wearing of a ring (1). To use, a person simply slides the ring (1) on the desired toe or finger and proudly displays the ring (1).

Abstract: An axial symmetric molding glass lens has a central longitudinal axis, a lens surface, an annular intermediate area and a mounting flange area. The lens surface is axial symmetric around the central longitudinal axis and is curved. The annular intermediate area is curved and axial symmetric, is formed around the lens surface and has a radius of curvature having a continuously vary modulus that decreases as the radius of curvature approaches the annular intermediate area. The mounting flange area is formed around and connects smoothly to the annular intermediate area. The axial symmetric molding glass lens has fine precision, a high production rate and a low cost.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace has a gas inlet positioned proximate to a charging section oxy-fuel combustion region to introduce gas into the region and to at least partially displace gas having a partial pressure of alkali vapor from the region, and optionally a gas outlet is adapted to provide an exit for a volume of furnace atmosphere. A method for reducing alkali vapor corrosion of glass furnace refractory structures includes providing a gas inlet proximate to the oxy-fuel combustion region; introducing a volume of gas from the inlet into the region, displacing a volume of gas having a partial pressure of alkali vapor from the region; and, optionally providing a gas outlet adapted to provide an exit for a volume of furnace atmosphere.

Abstract: According to a known vertical drawing method for producing a cylindrical glass body, the cylinder longitudinal axis of the glass cylinder is adjusted by hand in relation to the longitudinal axis of a heating tube. The aim of the invention is to optimise the stability of said glass body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for improving the thermal performance of fibrous glass insulation in the admix recycling of the insulation, which includes corrugated hose in a recycling portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment apparatus includes shield means that shields the gap between a plurality of laundry treatment apparatus main bodies and a gap between a laundry treatment apparatus main body and a pedestal. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the market quality can be enhanced since the togetherness and beauty of products are improved. Furthermore, the shield means includes a fixed part that fixes the laundry treatment apparatus main body disposed on an upper side. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the laundry treatment apparatus main body can be fixed in a stable way.

Abstract: A control system for a home appliance includes a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and configured to receive laundry therein, and a fill device configured to deliver liquid into the tub. The control system includes a first detecting component configured to detect an amount of the liquid delivered into the wash tub, a second detecting component configured to detect a liquid level in the wash tub, and a controller operatively coupled with the detecting components. The controller is configured to receive signals from the detecting components and calculate an amount of the laundry positioned within the wash tub based on the received signals.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, but is not limited to a key, a lock, said lock including a shape memory alloy, said lock being configured to change shape when it transfers energy, said lock being configured to exert a first force on the key, and a retainer, said retainer being configured to exert a second force on the key that opposes the first force.

Abstract: A computer lock that comprises a body, preferably made out of metal, having a top hook, a center post, and a bottom hook. The two hooks fit into two specially located and sized corresponding slots that are built into a computer chassis. The center post fits into a specially located and sized corresponding hole that is built into the computer chassis, thereby preventing the computer lock from being improperly removed from the computer chassis. The computer lock also includes a security cable slot or channel for attaching a security cable and a cable trap protecting peripheral devices (such as mouse and keyboard) against theft.

Abstract: Rotary operating handle comprising blocking means placed in a body, the blocking means being designed to block rotation of the operating handle with respect to a frame and being designed to be locked by interacting with at least one padlock. The blocking means comprise a rotary drum having at least one pass-through hole. Said rotary drum can be placed in a blocking position preventing any rotation of the operating handle and where, in said blocking position, said at least one hole is aligned with a hole of the body allowing a shackle of a padlock to pass preventing any rotation of the rotary drum from the blocking position to an unblocked position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method of agricultural fertilization said method comprising, applying a water-soluble nitrogen-containing fertilizer composition comprising one or more nitrogen-containing sources and one or more gelling grade clays, to soil, and thereby minimizing nitrogen loss due to volatilization and/or leaching. The present invention is also directed to the water-soluble nitrogen-containing clay composition and a method of preparing said composition.

Abstract: The invention consists of a granulated fertilizer which contains iron (11 to 13%), zinc (3 to 9%), manganese (0.1 to 2.5%), copper (0.5 to 0.7%), in the form of sulphates, also ammonium molybdate (0 to 0.1%) and a Caolinite, Ilite or Montmorillonite clay (45 to 57%), or a mixture of them in any proportion. All the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the fertilizer. The product is 100% soluble, the high cationic exchange capacity which clays have allows the micronutrients to be adsorbed by the clay and prevent its leaching or reacting, making its assimilation by the plant more efficient and better. The use of sulphates in the soil, in the presence of water provoks an acidification of the soil which allows a better assimilation of the micronutrients in alkaline soils.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for holding at least one roll (10) which rotates or can rotate about a rotational axis (A) and at least one second roll (20) of a rolling machine which rotates or can rotate about a rotational axis (B), having a) two first holding devices (11, 12) for the first roll (10) and two second holding devices (21, 22) for the second roll (20), b) at least one or at least two first coupling devices (13, 14) for the first roll (10) and at least one, preferably at least two second coupling devices (23, 24) for the second roll (20), c) each coupling device (13, 14; 23, 24) having at least two corresponding coupling parts (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b; 23a, 23b; 24a, 24b), d) the in each case corresponding coupling parts (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b; 23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) being connected in a form-fitting and/or force-transmitting manner to one another in the coupled state of the coupling devices (13; 14; 23; 24), for the generation of a torque-transmitting connection of each holding device (11,

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a synthetic resin coated metal can body capable of drawing and ironing the synthetic resin coated metal can body with a large processing quantity without causing can body breakage. First and second ironings are conducted to the side wall of a redrawn can (20) formed by drawing a thermoplastic resin-coated aluminum sheet (1) on both surfaces by a first ironing die (14) and a second ironing die (15) in that order according to the pressing-in of a punch (11) with such processing quantities that sheet thickness reduction ratios from an original sheet thickness come within the rages of 35 to 55% and 60 to 75% respectively for manufacturing a metal can body.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibration and testing of pressure switches which are typically used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. The apparatus can be used to test, set or adjust a pressure switch to the manufacturer's specifications. The apparatus includes an exterior housing with an on/off switch, two vacuum nozzles, and a bypass control valve mounted thereon, with the inside of the housing including an air compressor in communication with the nozzles and the bypass control valve. The air compressor typically operates from a battery power supply located within the housing. A pressure measuring device, such as a differential pressure gage, and a conductivity indicator are typically used in conjunction with the device to calibrate adjustable pressure switches and to test and diagnose faulty pressure switches.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring and/or determining the condition of a force-measuring device with at least one housing that has an interior space and with at least one force-measuring cell installed in the interior space of the at least one housing, at least one parameter of the atmospheric climate of the interior space is measured with at least one sensor that is arranged in the interior space of the housing or with at least one sensor that is arranged at the housing, wherein said parameter is of a kind that has an influence on the operating lifetime of the force-measuring cell; and a sensor signal corresponding to the measured parameter of the atmospheric climate of the interior space is transmitted to a computing unit and/or to a data output device.

Abstract: A reference volume tube (10) which is a bi-directional prover having a prover pipe (12) provided with two detectors (14a, 14b), and tube sections (16a, 16b) provided at the opposite ends. At each position of the tube sections (16a, 16b) closer to the detector (14a, 14b), waiting means (18a, 18b) consisting of gates (20a, 20b) and hydraulic cylinders (22a, 22b) are provided. When a sphere (24) is positioned at the tube section (16b), a gate (20b) of the waiting means (18b) provided between the sphere (24) and the detector (14b) projects into the tube section (16b). Consequently, the sphere (24) moved from the tube section (16b) toward the detector (14b) is stopped by the waiting means (18b) until the flow velocity of a fluid reaches a specified value and prevented from moving in the direction to the detector (14b), and the sphere (24) waits at that position.

Abstract: An incorrectly connected differential pressure sensor with a high and a low pressure connection to an exhaust gas duct in parallel with a particle filter can be detected by checking at least one predefined criterion stable operating conditions. If stable operating conditions are present, at least one uncorrected differential pressure value is determined from sensor signals of the differential pressure sensor. In a first detection, the uncorrected differential pressure value representing the stable conditions is checked whether it satisfies a first predefined error criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration standard, especially for the calibration of devices for the non-destructive measurement of the thickness of thin layers with a carrier plate (16) of a basic material and a standard (17) applied on the carrier plate (16), said standard having the thickness of the layer at which the device is to be calibrated, wherein that a holding device (22) arranged on the basic body (12) of the calibration standard (11) receives at least the standard (17) to the basic body (12) such that upon setting a measuring probe of the device for the non-destructive measurement of thin layers onto the standard (17), its position will be changeable by at least one degree of freedom.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a gas volume in a unit filled with a liquid, where the unit has an inlet line with at least one expansion chamber, and the device includes one or more buoyant bodies floating in the liquid. The floating buoyant body is connected to a shaft, fixed in the expansion chamber and mounted pivotally relative to the shaft. The gas volume above the liquid may be recorded rapidly and with high accuracy, by measuring the torque generated by the buoyant body, or an angle to the horizontal. There is also disclosed a method for monitoring a gas volume in a unit filled with liquid, by way of a floating buoyant body.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an incidence probe intended to measure the incidence of an air stream flowing outside a skin. The invention finds particular utility in aeronautics for measuring the incidence of an aircraft. According to the invention, the incidence probe comprises a body situated outside the skin and means of measurement of a stress exerted by the air stream on the body.

Abstract: By using a disc type resonator, a sensor detects a substance having a mass and the mass with high sensitivity. Moreover, it is preferable to detect a change in vibrations of a substance attached or adsorbed to an area having a vibration amplitude equal to or larger than a constant value. This disc type resonator can be fabricated by the MEMS technique by using single-crystal or polycrystalline Si as a structural material. To improve the attachment efficiency of molecules and the like to be detected, irregularity or a groove is preferably provided on the surface of the disc type resonator.

Abstract: A soot particle sensor for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes a first electrode device and a second electrode device. The electrode devices are situated at a distance from one another and are able to be exposed to the gas stream, at least in some areas. It is provided that the electrode devices are separated from each other by an intermediate layer made of an electrically insulating material, and the electrode devices have free edges that are set apart from each other by the thickness of the intermediate layer and are able to be exposed to the gas stream.

Abstract: A gas detector utilizing tunnel junction geometry is disclosed. The gas detector comprises a first electrically conductive material layer, an electrically nonconductive material layer disposed on the first electrically conductive material layer, a second electrically conductive material layer disposed on the electrically nonconductive material layer, a gas source (34) in fluid communication with the second electrically conductive material layer; and a power source in electrical communication with the first and second electrically conductive material layers. A method of detecting a gas utilizing the detector of the present invention is also disclosed. A method of making a gas detector is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A gas sensor where breakage of a separator can be prevented even if impact is applied to an outer sleeve from outside and the separator can be stably held in the outer sleeve. A separator (82) is received in an outer sleeve (44) without contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve (44), and the separator (82) is held in contact with a front end surface (52) of an elastic seal member (50) and urged toward the rear end. At that time, the separator (82) is held between the urging metal piece (200) and the elastic seal member (50) while being urged toward the elastic seal member (50). The urging metal piece (200) is located around a front-end-side portion (301) of the separator (82) and, with effect of a deformed portion (205) of the outer sleeve (44), the urging metal piece (200) is deformed so as to urge the separator (82) toward the rear end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing chemical and/or biological analytes includes a deflectable arm of a microcantilever at least partially embedded within a sensing element. A gaseous or liquid medium which may include the analyte being detected is introduced to the sensing element. The sensing element undergoes volumetric expansion or contraction in the presence of the analyte sought to be detected, typically by adsorbing the analyte. The volumetric change of the sensing element causes the deflectable arm to deflect. The deflectable arm includes at least one measurable physical property which changes when the arm deflects. Detecting means are provided to measure the change in the physical property to determine the presence and amount of analyte present. An array of microcantilevers in which each microcantilever is dedicated to detecting a particular analyte which may be included in the medium, is also provided.

Abstract: In an inspection device in which a leakage of He gas from a product 1 is detected when He gas is pressurized and charged into the product 1 accommodated in a vacuum chamber 2, a variable displacement means, capable of changing the volume of the vacuum chamber corresponding to a size of the product 1, is provided in the vacuum chamber. An example of the variable displacement means is a variable displacement piston 8 which is arranged in the vacuum chamber and moves along wall faces of the vacuum chamber. A plurality of variable displacement pistons may be provided.

Abstract: A collecting conduit for leakage monitoring and leakage location at an installation, includes a support pipe having openings. An outer surface of the support pipe is covered by a layer being permeable to a substance to be monitored, at least on a segment extending in longitudinal direction of the support pipe. An electrically conductive layer extends in longitudinal direction. The substance (L) can at least penetrate into the electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive layer has an ohmic resistance dependent on the substance penetrating into it. An apparatus and a method for leakage monitoring and leakage location are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a large particle component in a multi-component system. The method requires first separating and concentrating the large particle component of the system by acoustic means and then measuring an acoustical parameter of the separated large particle component. The invention also provides for an apparatus for determining the concentration of large particles in a multi-component fluid system. The apparatus is comprised of an acoustic standing wave resonator, at least one acoustic standing wave generating source, electronic circuitry for actuating, controlling and processing the acoustic standing wave generating source and means for measuring at least one parameter of the multi-component system after the large particles have been concentrated and aggregated by the generated standing wave(s).

Abstract: A semiconductor probe and a method of writing and reading information using the same. The semiconductor probe includes a cantilever and a tip formed on an end portion of the cantilever to write or read information on or from a ferroelectric medium on a surface of which an electrode is formed. The tip includes a resistive region lightly doped with semiconductor impurities and a conductive region heavily doped with the semiconductor impurities. The cantilever includes an electrostatic force generation electrode formed on a bottom surface facing the medium. A contact force between the tip and the medium is adjusted by selectively applying a voltage between the electrode formed on the ferroelectric medium and the electrostatic force generation electrode.

Abstract: A method of operating a scanning probe microscope includes using a probe having a cantilever, and oscillating the probe at a torsional resonance frequency thereof. In addition, the method includes substantially increasing torsional drive efficiency with dual actuators disposed on the probe or the probe base. First and second actuators may be driven by corresponding first and second drive signals, the first and second drive signals being about 180° out of phase. The maximizing step includes altering at least one of the amplitudes of the first and second drive signals to maximize torsional oscillation. Torsional and flexural oscillation of the cantilever probe can be excited concurrently, sequentially or independently by adjusting the phase of the corresponding drive signals. A pair of cantilever components can be used to form a nanotweezer by rotating the respective arms having corresponding tip portions at the distal ends.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine make it possible to monitor a temperature sensor or a lambda sensor in an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine for functionality in the entire operating range of the internal combustion engine. To that end, the plausibility of the signal of the temperature sensor is checked with a signal of the lambda sensor for a predetermined relationship.