Abstract: An apparatus and production method for a watertight capacitive sensor unit is provided. Accordingly, a carrier, approximately U-shaped in cross section, is made from a water-impermeable material. At least one electrode strip is placed in an interior space of the carrier along the longitudinal extension of the carrier. The interior space is filled with a hardening filler material in such a way that the electrode strip is sealed outwardly watertight.

Abstract: Disclosed are a humidity sensor and a fabricating method thereof. The humidity sensor includes a substrate, an anodic aluminum oxide layer formed on the substrate and having a plurality of holes, and electrodes formed on the anodic aluminum oxide layer, in order to improve sensitivity and accuracy of the humidity sensor. Further, the fabricating method of a humidity sensor includes preparing an aluminum substrate, forming an anodic aluminum oxide layer by oxidizing the aluminum substrate, and forming electrodes on the anodic aluminum oxide layer.

Abstract: A varactor element, includes: a dielectric layer; a pair of signal electrodes, each disposed on one face of the dielectric layer and facing each other; and a pair of control electrodes, each disposed on another face of the dielectric layer and facing each other parallel to a direction intersecting a direction of the pair of signal electrodes facing each other.

Abstract: A MEMS device of an aspect of the present invention including a MEMS element includes a first lower electrode provided on a substrate, a first insulator which is provided on the upper surface of the first lower electrode, and has a first thickness, and a movable first upper electrode supported by an anchor in midair above the first lower electrode, and a capacitance element includes a second lower electrode provided on the substrate, a second insulator which is provided on the upper surface of the second lower electrode, and has a second thickness, and a second upper electrode provided on the second insulator, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air variable capacitor including a mobile comb and a fixed comb. Each of the combs include a body and teeth each having an end fixed to the body and free end. The teeth of the mobile and fixed combs being interdigital and an the air-gap of the capacitor is adjustable by the transverse movement of the teeth of the mobile comb. The teeth of the mobile comb have geometric differences between one another, in order to attenuate the transverse resonance modes of the mobile comb.

Abstract: A capacitor seat and two conductors are utilized to install a capacitor seat on a PCB by soldering the two conductors on electrical contacts of the PCB. The capacitor is installed on the capacitor seat in a fastening way such as by pressing downward, rotating the capacitor or in other feasible fastening ways to be electrically connected with the electrical contacts on the PCB. If the detachable capacitor device has errors or is damaged in use, or a user wants to replace it with a different type of the capacitors to test or adjust the characteristic of the circuit, it is easy to replace the capacitor.

Abstract: A mechanical drive system for a vacuum capacitor is provided and includes a drive screw and a nut, wherein the nut is arranged in a housing of the vacuum capacitor, wherein the drive screw is screwed through the nut, wherein a first electrode is arranged on one side of the drive screw, wherein, by a rotation of the drive screw, the first electrode is movable relative to a second electrode, and wherein the nut is at least partially manufactured out of a plastic material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable capacitor that includes signal electrodes configured to sandwich a dielectric layer so as to generate a signal electric field, and control electrodes configured to sandwich the dielectric layer so as to generate a control electric field in a direction intersecting with the signal electric field generated between the signal electrodes.

Abstract: In a method for forming an in-molded capacitive sensing device a plastic film is provided, the plastic film comprising a first side and a second side. A capacitive sensor pattern is disposed on at least a portion of the second side, the capacitive sensor pattern including a region for facilitating electrical contact. A resin layer is printed over a portion of the capacitive sensor pattern such that access to the region for facilitating electrical contact is maintained. A plastic layer is injection molded onto a portion of the resin layer such that the capacitive sensor pattern becomes in-molded between the plastic film and the plastic layer while access to the region for facilitating electrical contact is maintained.

Abstract: A variable capacitance element provided with a substrate, a signal line provided on the substrate, a fixed electrode provided on the substrate, and a movable electrode. The movable electrode includes a movable portion that spans the signal line and extends to above the fixed electrode, and is movable with respect to the fixed electrode, and a fixed portion that is fixed to the fixed electrode across a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A tuneable capacitor arrangement for RF use has two series coupled MEMS variable capacitors (C1,C2;C4,C5,C6,C7), varied according to a control signal. The series coupling enables the capacitor to withstand a higher voltage since this is shared by the individual capacitors in a series coupled arrangement. An increase in size of electrodes for each capacitor is compensated by a reduction in size of the springs supporting movable electrodes. These springs can have a larger stiffness value since the capacitance is larger. This means shorter springs, which can also result in a reduction in problems of stiction, resistance, and slow switching. The capacitances have a fixed and a movable electrode, with the RF signal coupled to the fixed electrode to avoid the springs needing to carry an RF signal. This can reduce the problems of inductance and resistance in the springs.

Abstract: To provide a capacitative device capable of accurately securing a capacitance value, a variable capacitative device capable of sufficiently securing a capacity variability rate, and a resonance circuit that uses the capacitative devices. A capacitative device according to the present invention includes a capacitative device body constituted of a dielectric layer and at least a pair of capacitative device electrodes that sandwich the dielectric layer and cause a desired electric field in the dielectric layer; and stress adjustment portions to adjust a stress caused in the dielectric layer of the capacitative device body.

Abstract: A variable capacitor is provided for use with an electronic circuit board including a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, to be built in a position indicator. The variable capacitor includes a dielectric having a first surface portion and a second surface portion opposite to the first surface portion, and a conductive elastic member having a board coupling portion and a dielectric contacting portion. The first terminal portion is coupled to the first surface portion, the second terminal portion is coupled to the board coupling portion, and the dielectric contacting portion is disposed separately from the second surface portion so as to face the second surface portion and is configured to be deformed to come in contact with the second surface portion of the dielectric.

Abstract: An electronic component includes an electronic component main body including opposed first and second main surfaces, opposed first and second side surfaces, and opposed first and second end surfaces and also includes first and second external terminal electrodes disposed on the first main surface. The first and second external terminal electrodes are spaced apart by a gap region. When a dimension in a longitudinal direction being a direction linking the first and second end surfaces of the electronic component main body is L, a dimension in a width direction being a direction linking the first and second side surfaces is W, and a dimension of the gap region along the longitudinal direction is g, W<L?g<2W and L?g+W?{2(L?g)W}1/2>(L?g)/2 are satisfied.

Abstract: The method comprises fabricating a layer stack on a substrate, the layer stack comprising at least two electrically conducting layers and at least one electrically insulating layer arranged between the two electrically conducting layers, and displacing a first portion of the layer stack away from its original position, the first portion comprising an edge portion of the layer stack, and bending the first portion back towards a second portion of the layer stack. The bending may comprise a rolling-up of the first portion of the layer stack.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator includes first and second lower electrodes formed apart from each other above a substrate, an electrode portion formed above the first and second lower electrodes and first and second upper electrodes, a distance between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode at a first portion being greater than that at a second portion, a distance between the second upper electrode and the second lower electrode at a third portion being greater than that at a fourth portion, a first boundary portion between the first and third upper electrodes having a convex shape, a second boundary portion between the second and third upper electrodes having a convex shape, and the electrode portion driving the third upper electrode, and first and second layers formed in the first and second boundary portions.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method include forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode and an insulator layer between the first and second electrodes, the MIM capacitor also including a reactive layer; and altering the reactive layer to change a capacitive value of the MIM capacitor.

Abstract: A capacitive switch for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) comprises a topmost metal plate which extends across a bridge structure formed by a polymer layer. The polymer layer comprises poly-monochoro-para-xylene (parylene-C). The space below the polymer layer contains the second plate on a substrate. Using parylene as the primary bridge material makes the bridge of the MEMS device very flexible and requires a relatively low actuation voltage to pull the bridge down and lower power is required to control the MEMS device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a variable capacitor that operates without moving mechanical parts. In this capacitor electrically conductive electrodes are separated by an enclosed chamber filled with an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material can freely vary its position within the chamber. The capacitance of the device will vary as position of the conductive material changes due to external mechanical motion (ex: rotation, vibration, etc.) of the device. Other embodiments of this device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitor structure is provided. In the capacitor structure, a signal electrode plate and an extension ground electrode plate are disposed on the same plane to form a co-plane capacitor structure. Due to slow wave characteristic, the resonance frequency of the capacitor structure is effectively raised and the capacitor structure may be applied in high frequency.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system package includes a chip carrier, a first microelectromechanical system chip, a silicon cover, a layer of metal, a plurality of first bonding wires and a sealant. The first microelectromechanical system chip is positioned on the chip carrier and has an active surface, and an active area on the active surface. The layer of metal is formed on the upper surface of the cover. The first bonding wires electrically connect the active surface of the first microelectromechanical system chip to the chip carrier. The sealant is formed on the chip carrier to encapsulate the first microelectromechanical system chip and the first bonding wires.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing capacitive elements for a capacitive device which comprises one or more layers is provided. At least one layer is etched from a first surface to a second surface thereof to form two sections of the layer, such that the sections are movable relative to one another, and such that a wall extending from the first surface to the second surface is formed on each of the two sections, the walls defining a gap therebetween. An etching step forms multiple recesses in each wall such that multiple capacitive elements are defined between adjacent recesses, the capacitive elements of one wall being offset from those of the other wall when the sections are stationary with respect to one another. A corresponding capacitive device is also provided.

Abstract: A tunable capacitor using an electrowetting phenomenon includes a first electrode; a second electrode which is spaced apart from the first electrode and faces the first electrode; a fluidic channel which is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first insulating layer which is disposed between the first electrode and the fluidic channel; and a conductive fluid which is disposed in the fluidic channel and moves along the fluidic channel when a direct current (DC) potential difference occurs between the first and second electrodes. Accordingly, it is possible to fabricate the tunable capacitor with the simplified fabrication process, good reliability and durability, and no restriction on the tuning range.

Abstract: An array variable capacitor apparatus includes a line unit including a ground line and a signal line which operates as a lower electrode; and a plurality of plates which are engaged with the line unit to generate capacitance and which operate as upper electrodes, the plurality of plates being arranged in an array pattern and having different degrees of stiffness.

Abstract: A filament post used in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition has an outer shell and an inner post. An electrical potential is applied only to the inner post to ensure that there is no impact on the plasma density and the carbon film properties. The inner post and the outer shell are electrically insulated by ceramic insulators, such that no electrical potential is applied to outer shell. The stress generated in the carbon film is directly related to the electrical potential of the surface to which the film is deposited. The carbon film deposited on the outer shell of the post is not highly stressed, which significantly reduces film delamination from the filament post surfaces.

Abstract: A micro-device includes a movable part, a frame and a connecting part. The movable part has a main portion, a first capacitor electrode and a first driver electrode. The capacitor electrode and the driver electrode have electrode teeth extending from the main portion. The frame includes second capacitor and driver electrodes, where the second capacitor electrode has electrode teeth extending toward the first capacitor electrode, and the second driver electrode has electrode teeth extending toward the first driver electrode. The connecting part connects the movable part to the frame. The first and second capacitor electrodes have their electrode teeth overlapped in their initial position. The movable part is rotatable for varying the extent of the overlapping between the first and second driver electrodes.

Abstract: A variable capacitance system including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a layer of elastically deformable dielectric material positioned between the first and the second electrode. An electret forms with the first electrode a first capacitor, and the electret forms with the second electrode a second capacitor. Capacitances of the first and second capacitors vary with deformation of the dielectric layer. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the first electret follow deformations of the dielectric layer and a deformation of the dielectric layer causes an inverse variation of capacitances of the first and of the second capacitor. The first electrode includes slots in which the electret is located, wherein the edge of the slots forms with the electret located inside the slots the first capacitor, wherein the electret is made on or in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: [Object] An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum capacitor, a vacuum state of a vacuum chamber of which is maintained without bellows etc., and whose capacitance is easily adjustable, and a decrease of life of which is lessened. [Means to Solve] A fixed electrode 4 is formed by arranging a plurality of flat electrode members 5 in layers at a certain distance in an axial direction of a vacuum chamber 1b in the vacuum chamber 1b.

Abstract: A capacitance arrangement comprising at least one parallel-plate capacitor comprising a first electrode means, a dielectric layer and a second electrode means partly overlapping each other. A misalignment limit is given. Said first electrode means comprises a first and a second electrode arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis, said first and second electrodes have a respective first edge, which face each other, are linear and parallel such that a gap is defined there between. Said second electrode means comprises a third electrode with a first section and a second section disposed on opposite sides of said gap interconnected by means of an intermediate section, which is delimited by a function depending on a first parameter and a second parameter. One of said two parameters is adapted to be selected hence allowing calculation of the other parameter to determine the shape and size of the second electrode means.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a multi layer structure on a ceramic or crystalline substrate. The multilayer structure includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a dielectric that is tunable by a voltage applied to the electrodes. The multilayer structure is configured such that resonant oscillation modes of bulk acoustic waves can be propagated in the multilayer structure and such that the resonant frequencies of the oscillation modes are outside a first band range of between 810 and 1000 MHz, second band range of between 1700 and 2205 MHz and third band range of between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz.

Abstract: A variable capacitor is provided which is appropriate for suppressing fluctuation in driving voltage characteristic and for achieving a larger variation ratio of static capacitance. The variable capacitor includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode. The fixed electrode includes a first opposing face, while the movable electrode includes a second opposing face that faces the first opposing face. The movable electrode further includes a curved portion that protrudes toward the fixed electrode. The variable capacitor also includes a dielectric pattern provided on the first opposing face.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) includes a first electrode interposed between a first fixed end and a second fixed end, the first electrode being movable by an actuator element. The MEMS also includes a substrate on which the first and second fixed ends are located. The MEMS further includes a second electrode formed on the substrate to face the first electrode. A shape from the first electrode to the first fixed end and a shape from the first electrode to the second fixed end are asymmetrical, the first electrode to be lowered to the second electrode.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a device, comprising a multilayered tunable dielectric capacitor, wherein said multilayers of tunable dielectric are adapted to be DC biased to reduce the dielectric constant; and wherein the DC bias is arranged so that the number of layers of tunable dielectric biased positively is equal to the number of layers of tunable dielectric biased negatively.

Abstract: This present invention relates generally to manufacturing objects. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and structure for fabricating an out-of-plane compliant micro actuator. The compliant actuator has large actuation range in both vertical and horizontal planes without physical contact to the substrate. Due to fringe field actuation, the compliant actuator has no pull-in phenomenon and requires low voltage by a ‘zipping’ movement compared to conventional parallel plate electrostatic actuators. The method and device can be applied to micro actuators as well as other devices, for example, micro-electromechanical sensors, detectors, fluidic, and optical systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides compliant/stretchable electroactive materials and devices made from those materials which exhibit fault-tolerant properties, i.e., self-healing/clearing properties. The present invention also provides systems, which incorporate the subject materials and/or devices, as well as methods of fabricating the subject materials and devices.

Abstract: An integrated variable voltage diode capacitor topology applied to a circuit providing a variable voltage load for controlling variable capacitance. The topology includes a first pair of anti-series varactor diodes, wherein the diode power-law exponent n for the first pair of anti-series varactor diodes in the circuit is equal or greater than 0.5, and the first pair of anti-series varactor diodes have an unequal size ratio that is set to control third-order distortion. The topology also includes a center tap between the first pair anti-series varactor diodes for application of the variable voltage load. In preferred embodiments, a second pair of anti-series varactor diodes is arranged anti-parallel to the first pair of anti-series varactor diodes so the combination of the first pair of anti-series varactor diodes and the second pair of anti-series varactor diodes control second-order distortion as well.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises an electrostatic actuator, an estimation circuit, a storage circuit and a bias circuit. The electrostatic actuator has a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and an insulating film disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The estimation circuit estimates the amount of a charge accumulated in the insulating film of the electrostatic actuator. The storage circuit stores a result of the estimation of the charge amount by the estimation circuit. The bias circuit changes, on the basis of the estimation result stored in the storage circuit, a drive voltage to drive the electrostatic actuator.

Abstract: A variable capacitor including a first electrode part, which is provided at a fixed part that includes a substrate, and a movable part, which has a second electrode part forming the capacity of said variable capacitor between itself and the first electrode part, and the movable part is displaced in response to a first drive signal to selectively go into an opposing status, in which the second electrode part opposes the first electrode part, and a non-opposing status, in which the second electrode part essentially does not oppose the first electrode part. This variable capacitor is able to obtain at least a two-value capacity in which the mutual ratio is large without specially requiring another capacitor or a switch, and it is able to obtain the desired capacity variation range by combining a plurality of capacitors.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a variable capacitor that operates without moving mechanical parts. In this capacitor electrically conductive electrodes are separated by an enclosed chamber filled with an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material can freely vary its position within the chamber. The capacitance of the device will vary as position of the conductive material changes due to external mechanical motion (ex: rotation vibration, etc.) of the device. Other embodiments of this device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitive array comprising at least two capacitive entities, comprising a substrate layer. The substrate layer comprises a comb comprising at least four substantially identical teeth, and, for each capacitive entity, a set of fingers comprising one or more interlinked fingers. At least two sets of fingers comprise a different number of fingers, each finger being nested between two teeth of the comb and being substantially identical to the other fingers. The fingers of each set of fingers are substantially distributed symmetrically relative to a median axis of the comb. The comb and the fingers are integrated in a single block.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer of multi-layer construction includes two rotor plates supported by flexible springs, the plates being spaced apart and rigidly connected by a stem. One rotor plate my be used as either a pickup electrode or a grounded target electrode for determining position, displacement, or load force. The second rotor plate may be used for electrostatic actuation without interfering with or destroying circuitry associated with the first rotor plate. A number of improvements are disclosed including a hollow rotor plate structure for reduced moving mass, buckling resistant features for the springs, improved spring anchor joint design for reduced creep and hysteresis, and material selection and matching for reduced thermal sensitivity.

Abstract: A variable-capacitance element the capacitance value of which can be freely set to a desired value corresponding to a write voltage, and, once set, is maintained also after the write voltage is removed. The invention also provides a method for adjusting a variable-capacitance element, a variable-capacitance device and an electronic apparatus. According to the invention, a variable-capacitance element 100 includes a pair of electrodes 101 and 102 formed with a ferroelectric material layer 103 in between. The variable-capacitance element is adjusted by the steps of: maximizing or minimizing the sum of electric dipole moments of the ferroelectric material layer 103; and writing a desired capacitance to the variable-capacitance element 100 by applying a desired write voltage V between the electrodes 101 and 102 of the variable-capacitance element 100 the sum of electric dipole moments of the ferroelectric material layer 103 of which has been maximized or minimized.

Abstract: A variable capacitance element provided with a substrate, a signal line provided on the substrate, a fixed electrode provided on the substrate, and a movable electrode. The movable electrode includes a movable portion that spans the signal line and extends to above the fixed electrode, and is movable with respect to the fixed electrode, and a fixed portion that is fixed to the fixed electrode across a dielectric layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention is provided a varactor comprising a substrate, a bottom electrode positioned on a surface of the substrate, a tunable dielectric material positioned adjacent to and extending over the bottom electrode forming a step and in contact with a top electrode, and an interconnect layer in contact with the bottom electrode, the tunable dielectric and the top electrode.

Abstract: A capacitive device comprising at least one first and one second comb, respectively provided with interdigital fingers, adapted to be mobile relative to each other depending on the closing-spacing apart of the axes of the fingers, at least one finger of the first comb including a face opposite a face of a finger of the second comb wherein the axis of the finger of the first comb and the axis of the finger of the second comb are inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the first direction of displacement of the combs, the plane being defined by the second and third directions perpendicular to the direction, and perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A printed board is mounted with a chip-type solid electrolytic capacitor of a four-terminal structure where a pair of positive electrode terminals are disposed at opposite positions and a pair of negative electrode terminals are disposed at opposite positions on a mounting surface. The printed board has a pair of positive electrode patterns and a pair of negative electrode patterns to which the positive electrode terminals and negative electrode terminals of the chip-type solid electrolytic capacitor are connected, respectively. The printed board further has an inductor section that is insulated from the negative electrode patterns, and electrically connects the positive electrode patterns.

Abstract: One inventive aspect relates a variable capacitor comprising first and second electrically conductive electrodes, arranged above a support structure and spaced apart from each other and defining the capacitance of the capacitor. At least one of the electrodes comprises at least one bendable portion. The bendable portion(s) are actuated by a DC voltage difference which is applied over the electrodes to vary the capacitance. In preferred embodiments, the support structure comprises a layer of higher permittivity than the atmosphere surrounding the electrodes and the electrodes configure as an interdigitated structure upon actuation. Also disclosed is a 2-mask process for producing such capacitors.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus that includes: a circuit board; a switch attached to the circuit board; an electronic part mounted on the circuit board; a wiring pattern extending between the switch and the electronic part; and a protrusion protruding from a surface of the wiring pattern, the protrusion being disposed adjacent to the switch on the circuit board and overlapping the wiring pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dense energy storage is disclosed. The inner tube of a multi-wall nanotube is reversibly withdrawn from the outer tube thereof via a facing electrode that is biased with respect to the nanotube by an external voltage source. As the inner tube is withdrawn, the potential energy of the van der Waals field between the inner tube and the outer tube increases, which manifests as a force that is directed opposite to the electrostatic force of attraction between the electrode and the inner tube. The storage apparatus is discharged by decreasing the applied voltage, which enables the van der Waals force to overcome the electrostatic force. As a consequence, the inner tube is drawn back into the outer tube. The electrode and nanotube define a variable capacitor and, as such, the change in capacitance based on movement of the inner tube results in a flow of charge to a load.

Abstract: A variable capacitive element which includes a substrate; a signal line provided on the substrate; a movable electrode provided so as to cross over the signal line and having a first end and a second end which are fixed to the substrate; and a fixed capacitive portion provided between at least one of the both ends of the movable electrode and the substrate.