Abstract: A three-stage liquid metal switch employing electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD), including a common EWOD switch 1310 having an input port 1302, a first shared-EWOD-switch output 1336, and a second shared-EWOD-switch output 1338; a first EWOD switch 1340 having a first-EWOD-switch input 1343, a first output port 1304, and a first-EWOD-switch output 1368; and a second EWOD switch 1370 having a second-EWOD-switch input 1373, a second output port 1306, and a second-EWOD-switch output 1398; wherein the first shared-EWOD-switch output 1336 is operably connected to the first-EWOD-switch input 1343, and the second shared-EWOD-switch output 1338 is operably connected to the second-EWOD-switch input 1373.

Abstract: The switch device includes first and second cavities, a passage extending between the cavities, a conductive liquid located in the passage and movable therein, a conductive path that includes the conductive liquid, an actuating liquid enclosed in each of the first and second cavities and covering the inner surfaces thereof and an actuating gas enclosed in each of the first and second cavities and existing as a bubble therein. At least one of the cavities includes a constriction element shaped to constrain the expansion of the actuating gas bubble in the cavity. This limits expulsion of the actuating liquid into the passage and movement of the conductive liquid along the passage.

Abstract: An electrical relay array using conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. The relay array is amenable to manufacture by micro-machining techniques. In each element of the relay array, two electrical contacts are held a small distance apart. The facing surfaces of the contacts each support a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. An actuator, coupled to one of the electrical contacts, is energized in a first direction to reduce the gap between the electrical contacts, causing the two conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and complete an electrical circuit. The actuator is then de-energized and the contacts return to their starting position. The liquid droplets remain coalesced because of surface tension. The electrical circuit is broken by energizing an actuator to increase the gap between the electrical contacts to break the surface tension bond between the conducting liquid droplets.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a mercury-wetted insert for supporting a mercury mass normally space from a terminal. The mercury and terminal are contained within a sealed housing. When the sensor is subjected to a shock, the mercury is redistributed and protrudes from the insert so as to contact the terminal and complete a circuit between that terminal and another terminal that is normally in communication with the mercury.

Abstract: A seismosensitive device comprises a hermetically sealed enclosure having a recess at the bottom, a first annular surface provided around the recess and having a radial gradient substantially of horizontal level and a second annular surface provided around the first annular surface and progressively diverging from the lower to upper portions with a slope having a gradient greater than that of the first annular surface. A switch assembly comprising a drop of mercury placed at the recess, an electrode bar provided with the enclosure, a needle contact secured to the electrode bar to have its lower end immersed into the drop is provided. When the mercury drop moves along the gradient surfaces significantly smoothly to separate from the needle contact upon tremor of the earth, the switch will open.

Abstract: A drawback device to ensure the return of a moving part to its original position, after it has been moved away from it by another force. The existing method, involving an elastic mechanical component which acts as a spring, is replaced in this invention by a quantity of liquid, placed between the moving part and a fixed part, and remaining there through the effect of capillarity. When the moving part moves away from the fixed part, surface tension is created on the surface of the liquid, tending to draw the moving part back to its original position. Such devices are used in sealed miniaturized relays with mercury-wetted contacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for articulating a moving blade pivoting on its base.The mobile member is constituted by a blade fixed to a float, which floats on a liquid contained in a cavity made in a base, the liquid being kept in the cavity by capillarity. The nature and dimensions of the float are adapted to the liquid density. The cavity dimensions are large enough to permit the float to move, without mechanical jamming. The mobile assembly, blade and float is prevented from escaping from the cavity by at least one bridge welded to the base towards the ends of the float.Application to switches with blades wetted by an electricity-conducting liquid.

Abstract: An omnidirectional tilt switch includes an enclosure for a gravity response conductive ball. An annular shelf surrounds a central depression where at least one switch contact passing into the housing is exposed. The shelf is operable to support the ball in a position resting against a cup-shaped portion of the switch housing, with the ball centroid located within a imaginary right cylinder having the inner shelf periphery as a base. In response to tilting of the switch, the ball is movable away from the cup-shaped housing to the depression where it engages the aforementioned contact and closes a circuit between that and another contact.A switch holder mounts the switch on a substrate located, for example, in an electro-optical display-type watch. The holder includes a base with a positioning edge or surface and tabs for securing the base to the substrate. Remote from the positioning edge or surface, the switch is supported at an angle relative to the positioning edge or surface.

Abstract: The possibility of contact bounce in an electrical switch is minimized by transferring energy from an armature of the switch to a damping liquid. An arrangement for damping the armature by such a transfer is particularly suited for use with a mercury-wetted sealed contact switch. The switch includes first and second spaced terminals embedded at opposite ends of a cylindrical envelope. The armature is located in the space between the two terminals. It is hinged by a thin leaf spring at the first terminal and is normally positioned to form a gap with the second terminal. Operation of the switch to close and reopen the gap results from an application and a removal, respectively, of a magnetic field through the terminals and the armature. Mercury wets the contact points between the second terminal and the armature. The mercury is supplied from a pool located at the first terminal.

Abstract: A switching device comprising a movable blade wetted with a liquid metal, and a stationary blade having a surfacelayer of a non-metallic material which is not wetted by the liquid metal.

Abstract: A liquid for a level or a feeler element for the electrical measurement of inclinations and for the determination of the vertical by measuring an electrical current or impedance between surface electrodes, which current or impedance changes as a function of tilting, the electrodes being in contact with the liquid which is contained in a container and each electrode is connected with an electrode terminal which can be contacted from the outside. The liquid contains a major proportion, i.e. at least about 50 percent by weight of hydrazine monohydrate and an effective amount of at least one compatible conducting salt dissolved in said liquid.