Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuating method and device which allows mechanically converting rotational movement into helicoidal movement, said helicoidal movement including considerable travel in the axial direction. To that end, the device comprises a rotating rod (1) inside a fixed outer body (2). The rod (1) comprises an emerging lug (4) sliding between two parallel surfaces (3) of the outer body (2), said parallel surfaces (3) being inclined with respect to the axial axis (5) of the rod (1).

Abstract: Wearable devices are described herein including a housing and a mount configured to mount the housing to an external surface of a wearer. The wearable devices further include first and second electrical contacts protruding from the housing and configured such that the electrical contacts can be used to measure a Galvanic skin resistance of skin proximate to the electrical contacts when the wearable device is mounted to the external surface of the wearer. The electrical contacts are additionally configured to deliver an electro-haptic stimulus to skin proximate to the electrical contacts when the wearable device is mounted to the external surface of the wearer. Electro-haptic stimulus could be delivered to a wearer to indicate information to the wearer, including information about a health or activity state of the wearer, about communications received by the wearable device, and about alerts generated by the wearable device.

Abstract: A tape-drive condensation sensor includes a probe with first and second spaced-apart electrodes that define a passage for air flow within a pneumatic conduit. A voltage source is coupled between the electrodes and the voltage of the source and the spacing between the electrodes are adapted to pass a current when a drop of condensation forms between the electrodes. An alarm circuit is activated by the flow of current, the alarm being adapted to signal an event of discernible condensation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid in a liquid metal micro-switch. In representative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a heater and a sub-channel inside a structure. The heater is located inside a cavity of the structure onto which the liquid metal micro-switch is fabricated. The sub-channel inside the structure connects the cavity to a main channel. The sub-channel has a cross-sectional area. The value of the cross-sectional area at the boundary between the sub-channel and the main channel is less than the value of the cross-sectional area at the boundary between the sub-channel and the cavity. The gas permeates the cavity and the sub-channel and is capable of extending into the main channel.

Abstract: A method of configuring an electrolytic tilt sensor having a plurality of non-precious metal electrodes and a common electrode at least partially immersed in an electrolyte and included within an electrical circuit with a voltage supply by maintaining the power at the electrodes of the tilt sensor below a predetermined threshold power density measured at an immersed surface of the electrodes.

Abstract: The sensor is intended preferably for use in conjunction with a heart pacemaker whose stimulation rate is variable in dependence on the physical activity of the wearer. The sensor includes a mass of mercury which, in use, can assume a shape determined by the gravitational force and variable as a result of the forces applied to the mass due to movement. Detector means sensitive to the variations in shape generate signals which can be used as activity monitoring signals.

Abstract: A switch for use in an inductive energy store transfer circuit utilizes a quantity of electrically conductive liquid bidirectionally flowable between a position that establishes electrical connection between electrodes and a position that opens electrical connection between the electrodes. High pressure gas biases the liquid to a position that establishes electrical connection between the electrodes, and yieldably resists movement of the liquid toward the position that opens electrical connection between the electrodes. Current through the switch electrodes produces a magnetic force that acts on the liquid and urges it toward the position that opens electrical connection between the electrodes. Switching action occurs upon a predetermined magnitude of current being attained.

Abstract: A freestanding multidirectional control device for use in controlling video display images in electronic game machines comprises a handle member connected by a multiconductor cable to electric circuitry in the game machine. The handle member contains two pairs of gravity switches electrically connected to separate output signal conductors in the cable. The pairs of switches are mutually normal along the vertical axis of the handle member. The switches in each pair are oppositely inclined from vertical so that tilting the handle member one way produces an output signal on one of the conductors and tilting it in the opposite direction produces such a signal on a different conductor. The pairs of switches can be either single-ended, two-position tilt switches or double-ended, three-position tilt switches. At least one of the liquid contact switches may contain at least one electrode comprising a length of electrically resistive material to form a variable resistance electrical conduction path.

Abstract: It has been discovered that electrically conducting, vitreous pyrolytic carbon in broken-bubble, foam-type, reticulated structures can be used as an extremely fast and efficient electrically operated motor to actuate mechanical devices, such as mercury liquid contact relays, by electrothermally-produced gas expansion. The gas pressure change is produced evenly and almost instantaneously throughout the volume of the reticular motor to move mercury contacts, to open or close a liquid contact relay, thus avoiding the expensive electromagnetic coils now used as relay motors.By passing an electrical current through conducting reticulated material formed from pyrolytic carbon, metals, conductive ceramics or plastics, the microscopic network of interconnecting filaments is heated, thus heating and expanding the fluid (air, hydrogen, helium, argon, etc.) contained in the reticular motor.

Abstract: Switches operated by gas, preferably controlled electrothermally, include a capillary tube closed at both ends with a conductive liquid piston dividing the tube into two chambers each filled with a non-oxidizing gas. A pair of electrical contact points are disposed within the capillary tube with the piston positioned to, at selected intervals, contact both points simultaneously. In one embodiment of the switches, a closed glass capillary tube contains a pair of aligned nickel wires with ends selectively contacted simultaneously by a mercury piston or globule providing a circuit-closing position for the switch. The switch is set in the circuit-closing position by applying heat to a non-oxidizing gas within one end of the capillary tube. The switch is then reset to a circuit-opening position at any desired time by applying heat to a non-oxidizing gas within the other end of the capillary tube.

Abstract: An electrical switch of the liquid contact type having a housing divided into three compartments: (1) a power compartment having electrodes, (2) a control compartment containing a resistor and (3) an intermediate compartment communicating with the power compartment through a lower channel and communicating with the control compartment through an upper channel containing a wick. The wick prevents liquid flow but permits gaseous flow.A body of electrically conductive liquid is normally contained in the intermediate compartment so that when the resistor is heated, the gas in the control compartment is expanded and passes into the intermediate compartment thereby forcing the conductive liquid into the power compartment to establish a circuit between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the presence and quantity of conductive particles in an oil flow system is disclosed which method and apparatus is based on a novel sensor element comprising a planar array of a plurality of electrically conductive surfaces interconnected with a plurality of series connected resistor elements. Electronic circuitry for use in combination with the sensor element is described. Preferred embodiments of the sensor element and preferred combinations of sensor element and electronic circuitry are disclosed.