Abstract: A sensor device has a plurality of electrode portions configured to provide one or more electrical signals and a non-conductive material provided on or over the plurality of electrode portions. The one or more electrical signals are provided in response to a change in capacitance between (i) at least one of the plurality of electrode portions and a conductive object being near to or in contact with the non-conductive material, and/or (ii) at least one of the plurality of electrode portions and at least one other of the plurality of electrode portions. A system comprising the sensor device and method of manufacturing the sensor device are also provided.

Abstract: A strong-magnetic focused magnet system with a terahertz source includes a first superconducting main coil and a second superconducting main coil. The second superconducting main coil surrounds the outer surface of the first superconducting main coil, and the second superconducting main coil is coaxial with the first superconducting main coil.

Abstract: There are provided an electronic component metal material having low insertability/extractability, low whisker formability and high durability, and a method for manufacturing the electronic component metal material. The electronic component metal material 10 includes a base material 11, an A layer 14 constituting an outermost surface layer on the base material 11 and formed of Sn, In or an alloy thereof, and a B layer 13 constituting a middle layer provided between the base material 11 and the A layer 14 and formed of Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir or an alloy thereof, wherein the outermost surface layer (A layer) 14 has a thickness larger than 0.2 ?m, and the middle layer (B layer) 13 has a thickness of 0.001 ?m or larger.

Abstract: An arc-ablation resistant switch contact and a preparation method thereof is disclosed. The switch contact is a complex having a plurality of layers of layered structure, wherein a first layer is a hydrophobic rubber layer, a second layer is an adhesive layer, a third layer is a sheet metal layer, a fourth layer is an adhesive layer, and a fifth layer is a metal plated layer; wherein, the fifth layer of metal plated layer is formed by dipping a complex of the first layer, the second layer, the third layer and the fourth layer in a chemical plating bath containing refractory metal elements, and depositing on surfaces of the second layer, the third layer and the fourth layer in the complex by a chemical deposition method.

Abstract: A technical problem is to turn a persistent current switch on and off at high speed with less heat input. The invention relates to a conductive cooling-type persistent current switch, including: a superconductive wire 1 through which a current is passed; a cooling stage 9 which cools the superconductive wire; and a heater 8 which heats the superconductive wire, wherein the superconductive wire is placed between faces which are each formed by the cooling stage and the heater, a core of the superconductive wire is magnesium diboride 6, and a base material 5 placed around an outer periphery of the core is a material having a resistivity of 10 ??cm or more at 40 K.

Abstract: A mechanically operating superconducting switch has two superconducting wires, a respective end of each superconducting wire being embedded in a respective block of superconducting material. A mechanical arrangement is provided for driving respective contact surfaces of the blocks into physical contact with each other, and for separating those services.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical instrument comprises a handpiece, an end effector, and an activation and control feature that is operable to selectively activate an end effector and select an energy level for the end effector. One version of the activation and control feature includes a “floating” button feature where activation and control is accomplished based on the displacement of the button from a home position. In some versions the activation and control feature is sealed within the handpiece, but controllable by the user's touch with the handpiece. The sealed configuration can allow the handpiece to be sterilizable, e.g., using steam sterilization. The activation and control feature may comprise capacitive switches, resistive sensors, resonant cavity switching technology, infrared sensing technology, technology that uses a resonant standing wave on a surface that is perturbed by the presence of a finger, and/or any other suitable type of technology.

Abstract: A contact element for making an electric contact to a contact member for enabling an electric current to flow between the contact element and the contact member. The contact element includes a body having at least one contact surface thereof coated with a contact layer to be applied against the contact member. The contact layer includes a nanocomposite film having a matrix and crystallites of nano-size embedded therein. Portions of the matrix separating adjacent the crystallites of the nanocomposite film have a thickness providing the matrix and hence the film with an electrical conductivity determined by a substantially two-dimensional character of the matrix.

Abstract: Devices and components that can interact with or modify propagation of electromagnetic waves are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the devices exploit the properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and reaction products thereof.

Abstract: An electrical contact device, configured for electrical signals to be transmitted therethrough and for movable contact with an electrically conductive track, includes a composite carbon fiber material including plural carbon fiber elements aligned in substantially the same direction. At least a portion of the plural carbon fiber elements is bonded together in a semi-conductive (low-resistance) synthetic resin compound.

Abstract: An ultra-thin, electrically conductive slice for button use, which includes a non-metallic matrix and a metal mesh. The metal mesh is provided in the non-metallic matrix. A plurality of metal touch points are provided on the metal mesh and exposed out of a surface of the non-metallic matrix so as to enable the surface of the non-metallic matrix to form a dense, electrically conductive mesh. The non-metallic matrix is rubber or silica. The metal mesh is electrically conductive.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of electric current is provided. The device comprises a first conductor as thin film form; a second conductor switchably coupled to the first conductor to alternate between an electrically connected state with the first conductor and an electrically disconnected state with the first conductor. At least one conductor further comprises an electrical contact, the electrical contact comprising a solid matrix comprising a plurality of pores; and a filler material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K. A method to make an electrical contact is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a plurality of pores on the substrate; and disposing a filler material within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K.

Abstract: A nonmetallic electrical contact or wiper composed of a composite carbon fiber material through which an electrical signal is terminated. The carbon fibers are arranged in and bonded into a multi-layer structure used to conduct a primary electrical signal. A nonwoven carbon fiber mat is used as one or more of the layers structure, which also includes one or layers of carbon fiber, aligned substantially in the same direction, and encapsulated within a matrix of electrometric material. This mat also improves an off-axis conductivity of the material and provides increased mechanical stability required for the fabrication of electrical contacts or wipers produced using this material.

Abstract: Key actuators and other switching devices are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like.

Abstract: Key actuators and other switching devices are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like.

Abstract: In a contactor contact piece members can be arranged at a fine pitch, and a contact can be made surely by a small contact pressure. The contact piece members electrically connect an electronic part to an external circuit. The contact piece member is formed of an electrically conductive material in a generally spherical shape. A molecular density of a central part of the contact piece member is lower than a molecular density of a part near a surface. The electrically conductive material may include at least one of an electrically conductive fine particle, an electrically conductive fiber and an electrically conductive filler.

Abstract: An element for making an electric contact to a contact member for enabling an electric current to flow between the element and the contact member. The element includes a body having at least a contact surface thereof coated with a contact layer applied against the contact member. The contact layer includes a film including a multielement material with equal or similar composition as any of a layered carbide or nitride that can be described as Mn+1AXn, where M is a transition metal or a combination of a transition metals, n is 1, 2, 3 or higher, A is an group A element or a combination of a group A element, element and X is Carbon, Nitrogen or both.

Abstract: Contact pad designed to be fixed on a movable contact of a low-voltage circuit breaker designed to withstand peak short-circuit currents comprised between 200 and 600 amperes per square millimeter of pad. The pad is made of a silver- or copper-based conducting material alloy, a fraction of refractory particles such as tungsten carbide, tungsten or titanium nitride and a fraction of carbon fibers. The weight percentage of carbon fibers in the pad is strictly less than 2% of the total weight of the pad.

Abstract: An electrical contact, especially an electrical contact of a plug connector, includes a metallic substrate on which a contact layer is applied in the form of a gradient layer. The gradient layer is formed by at least two elements of which one is silver and forms a matrix for the second element or forms an alloy therewith, or of which one is tin and the other is phosphorus or of which one is indium and the other is tin.

Abstract: In an electrical switch, in particular an electrical microswitch, has at least one electrical contact designed as a hollow-shape section of a component of an electrically conducting material. In this electrical switch, the occurrence of vibrations with the introduction onto an opposing contact is prevented.

Abstract: A contact piece is formed by a tungsten overlay soldered onto a support, wherein at least portions of the solder layer and optionally of the support are covered by a layer of a less noble metal than tungsten. The corrosion resistance of the tungsten overlay is considerably improved.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a base sheet made of insulating film, a contact provided under a bottom surface of the base sheet, and a conductive layer comprising silver paste on the base sheet. The silver paste contains 12 wt % to 15 wt % of resin binder and 35 wt % to 88 wt % of silver particles. The resin binder includes polyester resin having a glass-transition point ranging from 30° C. to 40° C. and an average molecular weight ranging from 30000 to 35000. The silver particles contain 70 wt % to 80 wt % of flake-shaped silver particles and 20 wt % to 30 wt % of dendritic silver particles. This conductive layer of the movable contact assembly can be baked at a low temperature, and does not have cracks and is not peeled off even when being bent. In addition, this conductive layer can easily cope with static electricity and has high reliability.

Abstract: Key actuators and other switching devices are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like.

Abstract: Briefly, micromechanical system (MEMS) switches that utilize protective layers to protect electrical contact points.

Abstract: An electric contact comprises a main body consisting of a copper-based alloy or of stainless steel and a contact layer consisting of a gold-based alloy. The contact layer has a thickness of at least 0.3 ?m and consists of gold with a content of 0.5 percent by weight to 15 percent by weight of one or more platinum group metals, and that an intermediate layer consisting of silver or of a silver-based alloy or of nickel is provided between the main body and the contact layer. The contact layer is preferably applied on the main body by a PVD process.

Abstract: A molecular system is provided for electric field activated switches, such as optical switches. The molecular system has an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via a molecular conformation change, based on a rotor/stator construction of the molecular system, involving a rotating portion (rotor) connected between two stationary portions (stators). Nanometer-scale reversible optical switches are thus provided that can be assembled easily to make a variety of optical devices, including optical displays.

Abstract: A micro-machine switch in accordance with the present invention includes a supporter having a predetermined height relative to a surface of a substrate, a flexible cantilever projecting from the supporter in parallel with a surface of the substrate, and having a distal end facing a gap formed between two signal lines, a contact electrode formed on the cantilever, facing the gap, a lower electrode formed on the substrate in facing relation with a part of the cantilever, and an intermediate electrode formed on the cantilever in facing relation with the lower electrode. The micro-machine switch can operate at a lower drive voltage than a voltage at which a conventional micro-machine switch operates, and can enhance a resistance of an insulating film against a voltage.

Abstract: An element (20) for making an electric contact to another contact member (19) for enabling an electric current to flow between said element (20) and said contact member comprises a body having at least a contact surface thereof coated with a contact layer (21) to be applied against said contact member. This contact layer comprises a continuous film comprising a laminated multielement material having strong bonds, such as covalent or metallic bonds, within each atomic layer and weaker bonds, through larger bonding distance or for example as van der Waals bonds or hydrogen bonds, between at least some adjacent atomic layers thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes an electric contact comprising a main body consisting of a copper-based alloy or of stainless steel and a contact layer consisting of a gold-based alloy.

Abstract: Key actuators and other switching devices are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like.

Abstract: A switch assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes a first contact having a first substrate and a first contact pad. The first contact pad is of copper or of a copper alloy. A second contact has a second substrate and a second contact pad. The second contact pad is of silver or of a silver alloy. The first contact is movably mounting relative to the second contact so that in a make position the first and second contact pads are in electrical contact with one another and in a break position the first and second contact pads are spaced from one another.

Abstract: A nanowire switching device and method. The device has a nanowire structure comprising an elongated member having a cross-sectional area ranging from about 1 nanometers but less than about 500 nanometers, but can also be at other dimensions, which vary or are substantially constant or any combination of these. The device also has a first terminal coupled to a first portion of the nanowire structure; and a second terminal coupled to a second portion of the nanowire structure. The second portion of the nanowire structure is disposed spatially from the first portion of the nanowire structure. An active surface structure is coupled to the nanowire structure. The active surface structure extends from the first portion to the second portion along the elongated member.

Abstract: A switch assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes a first contact having a first substrate and a first contact pad. The first contact pad is of copper or of a copper alloy. A second contact has a second substrate and a second contact pad. The second contact pad is of silver or of a silver alloy. The first contact is movably mounting relative to the second contact so that in a make position the first and second contact pads are in electrical contact with one another and in a break position the first and second contact pads are spaced from one another.

Abstract: Efficient methods are disclosed for fabricating spring structures in which a passive, conductive coating is deposited onto the spring structure after release. A release layer is deposited on a substrate and then a spring metal layer is formed thereon. A first mask is then used to etch the spring metal layer to form a spring metal finger. A second (release) mask is then deposited that defines a release window used to remove a portion of the release layer and release a free end of the spring metal finger. The second mask is also used as a mask during the subsequent directional deposition of a conductive coating material on the cantilevered tip of the finger. The second mask is then stripped, and the residual coating deposited thereon is lifted off. The resulting spring structure includes conductive coating on the upper surface and front edge of the finger tip.

Abstract: A nonmetallic electrical contact or wiper composed of material such as carbon fiber, in which an electrical signal is transmitted along a length of the carbon fibers. The carbon fibers can be fused or conductively bonded together. The carbon fibers can be affixed to a carrier using various bonding and fastening techniques. The carrier can be electrically conductive or not depending on the application and can be affixed to the carbon fibers by bonding, fusing, or mechanical fastening. Alternatively, the electrical contact can be formed entirely from the carbon fiber material, with any carrier being also formed of carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A contact arm assembly is provided having an electrical contact for making and breaking an electrical current, a contact arm for supporting the electrical contact, and a bond surface on the contact arm that is conditioned for improving the bond between the electrical contact and contact arm. Also provided is an electrical circuit breaker that utilizes the improved contact arm assembly. The bond surface of the contact arm is provided with pyramid-shaped serrations that serve to more uniformly distribute the electrical current during brazing, provide multiple areas of localized current constriction during brazing, and provide collector pockets for accumulating the molten braze alloy during brazing. The uniform distribution of electrical current during brazing serves to generate a uniform temperature gradient across the braze area for uniform melting of braze alloy.

Abstract: The design of electrical switches that operate under load (with current flowing) requires replacement of the electrical contact after erosion and wear experienced by arcing and raised temperatures reduce functionality below acceptable limits. A quantity of trace element or compound is implanted at a depth representative of the point at which wear or erosion requires contact replacement. When exposed by wear or erosion, the quantity of the trace element is released into the oil or other medium surrounding the contact, providing an indication of excessive wear.

Abstract: A contact key switch according to the present invention is a highly reliable contact key switch allowing the prevention of rise of a resistance, easy integral molding, no need of selection of an adhesive and adhesion process for use accomplished by forming the surface of the electroconductive contact portion with a fabric or a nonwoven fabric made of a electroconductive fiber like a carbon fiber, and by using same material the rubber-like elastic body of the main body of the contact switch.

Abstract: An electric circuit protection device comprising an interruptable current path for interrupting current flow to a load including trip means for tripping the interruptable current path upon occurrence of a load fault, the interruptable current path comprising first and second electrically conductive parts that have been joined by ultrasonic welding to establish electric conductivity between them, the first part comprising non-alloying material, the second part comprising non-ferrous material, and a brazing material that has been acted upon by the ultrasonic welding to join the parts, the brazing material being selected to comprise at least two materials, one of the two materials being elemental copper, and the elemental copper being the largest single constituent of the brazing material.

Abstract: The design of electrical switches that operate under load (with current flowing) requires replacement of the electrical contact after erosion and wear experienced by arcing and raised temperatures reduce functionality below acceptable limits.A quantity of trace element or compound is implanted at a depth representative of the point at which wear or erosion requires contact replacement. When exposed by wear or erosion, the quantity of the trace element is released into the oil or other medium surrounding the contact, providing an indication of excessive wear.

Abstract: The design of electrical switches that operate under load (with current flowing) requires replacement of the electrical contact after erosion and wear experienced by arcing reduce functionality below acceptable limits. A quantity of trace element or compound is implanted at a depth representative of the point at which wear or erosion requires contact replacement. When exposed by wear or erosion, the quantity of the trace element is released into the oil or other medium surrounding the contact, providing an indication of excessive wear.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical component having an axial direction and two ends for making electrical contact with another component comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibers in a matrix, the plurality of the fibers being oriented in the matrix in a direction substantially parallel in the axial direction of the component and being continuous from one end of the component to the other end to provide a plurality of electrical point contacts at each end of the component, wherein the component further includes magnetic particles.

Abstract: A safety switch (1) has a support (2) of an elastomer and a through-going cavity (3). Within the cavity (3) are arranged electrical conductors (4) and (5) which in a rest condition are arranged at a distance (9) from one another. The electrical conductors (4, 5) are each formed as a strip of carbon fibers and have one broad side (6) and (7) vulcanized to the support (2) either directly or by way of a coupling layer (8). Substantially perpendicular pressure (12, 13) on the safety switch (1) leads to the deformation of the support (2) and eventually to the contact of the electrical conductors (4, 5) with each other. By this means, safety functions are controlled.

Abstract: An electrical system including a multi-layer conductive composition is disclosed. The multi-layer conductive composition includes at least a first composition, which may be a bottom composition layer, and a second composition, which may be a top composition layer, arranged on a substrate. The bottom composition layer has a greater level of conductivity than the top composition layer. In one preferred embodiment, the multi-layer conductive composition may be vertically conductive. In this preferred embodiment, the conductivity of the top composition layer may be selected so that electric current is permitted to flow along the z axis, but not along the x and y axes thereof. The electric current can flow along the x, y and z axes of the bottom composition layer. The top composition layer may mask the bottom composition layer. Further, the top composition may comprise a substantial amount of pigment so that multi-layer conductive composition has a desired color.

Abstract: A unique geometry is used to amplify the force created by gravity on a tilting mass to substantially increase the resulting contact force in a mechanical tilt switch. In some cases a novel contact surface containing abrasive particles is also used to substantially reduce the contact force required to achieve a low contact resistance. The combination of these two features permits a substantial reduction in the size of the seismic mass needed for mechanical tilt switches and results in a switch which has a comparable size and comparable performance to mercury switches without the use of mercury. In some applications the effect of vibration is reduced by partially filling the switch housing with a damping fluid.

Abstract: An electrical contact element having a core part made of an iron/nickel alloy and a gold/tin alloy applied to a portion of the core part which serves as a solderable connection part. The gold/tin alloy has a tin content of from about 10 to about 40% by weight and an adhesive layer, formed of a silver/tin alloy and containing about 10 to 50% by weight tin, is located between the core part and the gold/tin alloy.

Abstract: Particularly in the case of contacts consisting of a silver-metal oxide-(AgMeO)-based material which are provided on their the back side with solder, it is noted, upon hard soldering, on a contact base that solder can ascend in undesired manner up to the contact surfaces. This is due to the heating upon the hard soldering. In accordance with the invention, the wettability of the side surfaces of the contacts is reduced to such an extent that the ascent of solder to the surface on the contact mating area is avoided. For this purpose, metal oxides are preferably introduced into the surfaces of the contacts. In the case of contacts having a base of silver-metal oxide (AgMeO), metal oxides which are already contained as active elements in the material can preferably be used.

Abstract: A contacts material for a vacuum valve including an arc-proof constituent having at least one component selected from the group consisting of tantalum, niobium, tungsten and molybdenum and an auxiliary constituent having at least one component selected from the group consisting of chromium, titanium, yttrium, zirconium, cobalt and vanadium. The contact material further includes a conductive constituent having at least one component selected from the group consisting of copper and silver. The amount of the arc-proof constituent is from 25% to 75% by volume. The total amount of the arc-proof constituent together with the auxiliary constituent is no more than 75% by volume. The amount of the conductive constituent is the balance.

Abstract: A temporary electrical junction includes a first electrical contact having a first metal surface; a second electrical contact having a second metal surface; and a plurality of particulate cores having a hardness greater than that of the first and second metal surfaces, the particulate cores being disposed between the first and second contacts. Force is applied to the first and second contacts such that the particulate cores cause elasto-plastic deformation of at least one of the first and second surfaces, such that the first and second contacts are temporarily joined together at least partly along their respective metal surfaces to complete the electrical junction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fibrillated pultruded electronic component includes the steps of providing a rod comprising a plurality of conductive fibers embedded in a matrix material, the rod having a first end and a second end. The rod is rotated and a liquid is sprayed onto the rod at a distance from the first end of the rod. The matrix material is abraded away from between the fibers of the rod. The fibers of the rod are then cut. A disk is formed which has a plurality of conductive fibers embedded in a matrix material. However, the ends of the disk include only the conductive fibers and not the matrix material. This enables the ends of the disk to have a fibrillated brush-like structure which is particularly well suited for low energy electronic/microelectronic signal level circuitry typified by contemporary digital and analog signal processors.