Abstract: A multilayer component is disclosed. In an embodiment, a multilayer component includes a main body having a plurality of alternately arranged ceramic layers and inner electrodes and at least two outer electrodes for electrically contacting the inner electrodes, wherein the at least two outer electrodes have a different polarity, and wherein the outer electrodes have a different geometric shape and/or a different size and/or a different arrangement at an outer surface of the main body for identifying the different polarity.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a micromachined composite silicon flow sensor that is comprised of calorimetric flow sensing elements, time-of-flight sensing elements as well as independent temperature sensing element on a silicon-on-insulator device where the device layer is used for the thermal isolation membrane. The disclosed composite silicon flow sensor can measure mass flowrate, volumetric flowrate and flow medium temperature simultaneously, from which a full spectrum of flow parameters including flow pressure can be obtained. The sensor can be further used to alert any changes in physical properties of flow medium during operation. The disclosed manufacture process details the micromachining process of making such a sensor.

Abstract: A passive temperature-sensing apparatus, which includes a capacitive sensing element that includes a capacitive sensing composition that includes a ferroelectric ceramic material that exhibits a measurable electrical Curie temperature that is below 30 degrees C. The capacitive sensing composition exhibits a negative slope of capacitance versus temperature over the temperature range of from 30 degrees C. to 150 degrees C.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of a fluid includes a Bourdon tube that has a helical segment and an anvil. A portion of the anvil is positioned within the helical segment. The sensor also includes a dielectric material positioned between the portion of the anvil and the helical segment. The anvil, the dielectric material, and the helical segment form a variable capacitor. A capacitance of the variable capacitor changes based on a pressure applied to the Bourdon tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to electronic device having an operation temperature range, wherein the electronic device comprises a tunable capacitor (CST) comprising a first electrode (BE), a second electrode (TE), and a dielectric (FEL) arranged between the first electrode (BE) and the second electrode (TE). The dielectric (FEL) comprises dielectric material (FEL) having a value of a relative dielectric constant (?r) varying at least within the operation temperature range. The electronic device further comprises a temperature varying means (RES) being thermally coupled to the tunable capacitor for providing a temperature of the dielectric (FEL) causing a predetermined capacitance of the tunable capacitor (CST). The invention, which relies on the idea of varying temperature to vary a capacitance of a capacitor stack, provides an alternative tunable capacitor type for the known types.

Abstract: The invention relates to a token, to an integrated circuit comprising the token, to a method of randomizing the token and a system for randomizing the token. The token comprises a physical unclonable function and comprising probing means for probing the physical unclonable function. The physical unclonable function comprises a capacitor comprising a dielectric medium being arranged at least partially between the electrodes of the capacitor. The dielectric medium is configured for contributing to a capacitance value of the capacitor and comprises conducting particles substantially randomly dispersed in the dielectric medium. The conducting particles comprise a phase changeable material being changeable between a first structural state having a first conductivity and a second structural state having a second conductivity different from the first conductivity.

Abstract: Precursor polymers to conjugated polymers, such as poly(phenylene vinylene), poly(poly(thiophene vinylene), poly(aniline vinylene), and poly(pyrrole vinylene), can be used as thermally switchable capacitor dielectrics that fail at a specific temperature due to the non-conjugated precursor polymer irreversibly switching from an insulator to the conjugated polymer, which serves as a bleed resistor. The precursor polymer is a good dielectric until it reaches a specific temperature determined by the stability of the leaving groups. Conjugation of the polymer backbone at high temperature effectively disables the capacitor, providing a ‘built-in’ safety mechanism for electronic devices.

Abstract: An actuator of the present invention includes a moving part, and a driving electrode which is comprised of electrode parts electrically isolated from each other and drives the moving part. A drive voltage is applied selectively to some of the electrode parts to control an electrostatic force which acts on the moving part.

Abstract: An NTC capacitor comprises a capacitor body having a plurality of insulator layers laminated therein, first to third inner electrodes arranged within the capacitor body, and first to third terminal electrodes arranged on outer surfaces of the capacitor body. The first inner electrode is connected to only the first terminal electrode. The second inner electrode is connected to only the second terminal electrode. The third inner electrode is connected to only the third terminal electrode. The third inner electrode opposes none of the first and second inner electrodes in the laminating direction of the insulator layers.

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 NTC capacitor comprises a capacitor body having a plurality of insulator layers laminated therein, first to third inner electrodes arranged within the capacitor body, and first to third terminal electrodes arranged on outer surfaces of the capacitor body. The first inner electrode is connected to only the first terminal electrode. The second inner electrode is connected to only the second terminal electrode. The third inner electrode is connected to only the third terminal electrode. The third inner electrode opposes none of the first and second inner electrodes in the laminating direction of the insulator layers.

Abstract: Methods for making and systems employing pressure and temperature sensors are described. Embodiments include a capacitive element including a first conductor plate and a second conductor plate. Each plate includes a conductor layer formed on a substrate. In a pressure sensor embodiment, seal is positioned at or near the edges of the conductor plates, and a gas retained in a gap defined between the plates. In a temperature sensor embodiment, the gap defined between the plates is in fluid communication with the external environment.

Abstract: An electrode core apparatus and article of manufacture adapted for use in an energy storage device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a heat flow controlled ultracapacitor apparatus is disclosed. In another embodiment, a heat controlled electrode core is disclosed.

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 MEMS tunable capacitor and method of fabricating the same, includes a plurality of fixed charge plates on a substrate, the plurality of fixed charge plates having a same height, being arranged in a shape of comb-teeth and being electrically connected to one another, a capacitor dielectric layer covering the plurality of fixed charge plates, a movable charge plate structure spaced apart from the capacitor dielectric layer, and arranged on the plurality of fixed charge plates, wherein the movable charge plate structure includes a plurality of movable charge plates arranged corresponding the plurality of fixed charge plates, and an actuator connected to the movable charge plate structure allowing the movable charge plate structure to move in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A capacitance temperature sensor in which temperature is measured by detecting capacitance of a parallel plate condenser which comprises a dielectric material comprising strontium titanate single crystal in which (a) 30% by weight or less of oxygen-16 or (b) 30% by weight to 50% by weight of oxygen-16 is substituted with oxygen-18 isotope.

Abstract: A device for varying the capacitance of an electronic circuit is disclosed. The device comprises a flexible membrane located above the electronic circuit, a metal layer connected to the flexible membrane, and bias circuitry located above the membrane. Variation of the capacitance of the electronic circuit is obtained by pulling the membrane upwards by means of the bias circuitry. The disclosed device provides a sizeable capacitance variation and high Q factor, resulting in overall low filter insertion loss. A nearly constant group delay over a wide operating bandwidth is also obtained.

Abstract: The cooling system allows the liquid coolant discharged from the pump to flow into the evaporation chamber. The liquid coolant passes through the atomizer. Minute droplets of the atomized coolant is discharged from the atomizer into the evaporation chamber. The minute droplets serve to form a uniform thin liquid film over the surface of the fin. Heat conducting from a target heat generating object to the fin promotes the evaporation of the liquid coolant over the surface of the fin, for example. The coolant absorbs a large amount of heat from the fin based on the evaporation. The target heat generating object can thus efficiently be cooled.

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 MEMS tunable capacitor and method of fabricating the same, includes a plurality of fixed charge plates on a substrate, the plurality of fixed charge plates having a same height, being arranged in a shape of comb-teeth and being electrically connected to one another, a capacitor dielectric layer covering the plurality of fixed charge plates, a movable charge plate structure spaced apart from the capacitor dielectric layer, and arranged on the plurality of fixed charge plates, wherein the movable charge plate structure includes a plurality of movable charge plates arranged corresponding the plurality of fixed charge plates, and an actuator connected to the movable charge plate structure allowing the movable charge plate structure to move in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A vacuum variable capacitor is includes of a vacuum container which is formed by sealing both end of a cylindrical insulator with a fixed-side end plate and a movable-side end plate, a movable conductive member which is disposed opposite to the fixed-side end plate in the vacuum container, a fixed electrode which is provided on the fixed-side end plate, a movable electrode which is provided on the movable conductive member, a bellows provided in the vacuum container, a rotating portion which is rotatably disposed outside of the vacuum container, and a ball screw through which the movable conductive member is supported by the rotating member.

Abstract: Electrically tunable electromagnetic bandgap (“TEBG”) structures using a ferroelectric thin film on a semiconductor substrate, tunable devices that include such a TEBG structure, such as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (“MMIC”), and a method producing such a TEBG structure are disclosed. The present invention provides a semiconductive substrate having an oxide layer, a first conductive layer positioned on the oxide layer, a ferroelectric layer covering the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer positioned on a surface of the tunable ferroelectric layer. The use of the ferroelectric layer, which have a DC electric field dependent permittivity, enables a small size, tunable EBG structure.

Abstract: A MEMS micro-capacitor having a variable capacity is disclosed. The MEMS micro-capacitor has at least one fixed electrode (3) positioned on one surface of a substrate (1); bending means with respect to the surface of the substrate including at least one moveable electrode (5) located opposite the fixed electrode (3); a layer of solid dielectric material interposed between the fixed electrode and the moveable electrode; and means (5, 6 and 7) for applying a bending force to the bending means. The bending force is intended to move the moveable electrode (5) with respect to the fixed electrode (3) in order to obtain, between these electrodes, a capacity that varies according to the applied bending force. The bending means are designed to clamp the layer of dielectric material between the moveable electrode and the fixed electrode so as to obtain a variable surface of the clamped layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: A vacuum variable capacitor includes an energization bellows arranged in a vacuum vessel and having ends mounted to a movable-electrode support plate and a movable side-end plate, respectively, a heat shielding bellows arranged inside the energization bellows and outside a slide-guide support and having ends mounted to the movable-electrode support plate and the movable side-end plate, respectively, and a cooling pipe interposed between the two bellows and for preventing transfer of heat generated in the energization bellows.

Abstract: The invention concerns a particular link structure (1) for a wristwatch including decorative elements made of hard materials such as ceramics. The sintering step carried out during manufacturing of these decorative elements increase the maximum uncertainties on their dimensions. The parts thereby obtained consequently do not have sufficiently precise dimensions to avoid the appearance of gaps at their common junctions. In order to overcome this drawback, the link (1) according to the invention includes a mechanical device (17, 26, 29, 34, 37, 53) allowing a precise adjustment to be made of the relative positions of these different decorative elements and consequently continuous junctions to be obtained between them.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator with an intrinsic stress gradient is provided. The electrostatic actuator comprises an electrode and an electrostatically actuated beam fixed at one end relative to the electrode. The electrostatically actuated beam further includes a metal layer made substantially of a single metal with an induced stress gradient therein. The stress gradient in the metal layer determines the initial curvature of the beam. Upon electrostatic actuation of the beam, the beam is deflected from its initial curvature relative to the electrode. In one embodiment, the electrostatically actuated beam is used as a top movable electrode of an electrostatically actuated variable capacitor. The capacitance of the electrostatically actuated capacitor is changed upon electrostatic actuation of the beam.

Abstract: An electrically tunable device, particularly for microwaves, includes a carrier substrate, conductors, and at least one tunable ferroelectric layer. Between the conductors and the tunable ferroelectric layer, a buffer layer including a thin film structure having a non-ferroelectric material is arranged.

Abstract: A vacuum variable capacitor includes a vacuum bellows for allowing a pressure differential between two volumes inside the capacitor, wherein one of the volumes may be a vacuum volume. The vacuum variable capacitor further includes a conductive bellows disposed within the vacuum volume. In such an arrangement, the materials selected for the vacuum bellows and the conductive bellows may be selected to optimize the function of each bellows.

Abstract: A tunable capacitor having low loss and a corresponding high Q is provided. The tunable capacitor includes first and second substrates having first and second capacitor plates disposed, respectively, thereon. The capacitor plates may include a high temperature superconductor material. A MEMS actuator, that is either driven by electrostatic force, heat or both, operably contacts the second substrate so that once the actuator is engaged it responds by displacing the second substrate, thereby varying the capacitance between said first capacitor plate and said second capacitor plate. As such, the capacitance can be controlled based upon the relative spacing between the first and second capacitor plates. The MEMS actuator may either be operably attached to the second substrate or detached, yet supporting, the second substrate.

Abstract: A temperature sensor apparatus comprising: a capacitor with first and second conductors and a dielectric material between the conductors; a frequency generator coupled to the capacitor and providing an excitation signal thereto; a processor coupled to the capacitor, wherein the processor monitors a capacitance of the capacitor, converts the capacitance to a temperature signal, and alters a frequency of the excitation signal when the temperature signal passes a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In an electrical component that contains materials that can physically and/or chemically change under the influence of heat (infrared) radiation required during processing of the component and which in particular, is suitable for employment on printed circuits, a surface layer that reflects the heat (infrared) radiation is arranged at the outside of the component.

Abstract: Electrical impedance detector for measurement of physical quantities, in particular of temperature. The detector comprises electrodes (11,14), between which the electrical impedance (C;R) that represents the physical quantity to be measured is measured. Between these electrodes (11,14) there is an active material whose impedance properties are a function of the physical quantity to be measured. The active material of the detector is a very thin thread-like glass or glass-ceramic fibre (10), which has been manufactured by means of the glass-drawing technique. Further, a process for the manufacture of said detectors is described.

Abstract: A temperature sensor comprises a body of insulating diamond material and a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts applied to the body. The body has a predetermined thickness between the contacts, and the contacts have a predetermined area, so that the sensor has a corresponding capacitance between the contacts which is temperature dependent The diamond body may comprise a diamond crystal, or may be a layer of diamond deposited on a substrate by a CVD process. In the latter ease, the substrate may be a semi-conductive silicon layer, which serves as one of the contacts. The other contact may be a metallic contact, or may comprise a layer of doped amorphous semi-conductive material. The sensor is sensitive to ionizing radiation as well as to changes in temperature, and is suitable for use in a temperature compensated radiation measuring apparatus.

Abstract: The capacitive sensor comprises a sensor body which includes a housing, a conductive front surface and insulation means provided between the conductive surface and the housing; it also comprises a coaxial cable of the type shielded by a mineral insulator for the connection of the conductive surface to a device for measuring the capacitance of the system formed by the conductive surface, constituting a first capacitor plate, and a reference conductive surface which is arranged opposite to and at a given distance from the first plate and which constitutes a second capacitor plate. The body of the sensor is formed by an electrically open extension of the coaxial cable shielded by a mineral insulator in which the free end of the core constitutes the conductive surface, the extension of the sheath constitutes the housing, and the insulation means consist of a mineral insulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling heat generating members such as semiconductor devices on a multichip module. A discharge device discharges cooling liquid for contacting the heat generating members and cooling them. A mixing device mixes the now high temperature cooling liquid, which has cooled the heat generating members, with another portion of the aforesaid cooling liquid still at a lower temperature. As a result, the temperature of the high temperature cooling liquid, which has been heated because it had cooled the heat generating members, can be lowered because the high temperature cooling liquid is mixed with the low temperature cooling liquid. Furthermore, a cooling liquid discharge device is provided for each heat generating member and a mixing device is located between the cooling liquid discharge devices or between heat generating members. In addition, the mixing device has a guide member for guiding the flow.

Abstract: A temperature dependent capacitor formed from thermostatic bi-metallic strips is used to compensate the resonant frequency of a microstrip patch antenna array structure for dielectric constant thermal effects.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a capacitor having electrodes between which a dielectric body having its dielectric constant variable depending on the variations of ambient temperature is interposed, and a CR oscillating circuit utilizing the capacitor. The dielectric body is made of a ceramic dielectric material which has a working temperature range in the normal dielectric phase with the dielectric constant thereof having a temperature coefficient ranged between -1,000 ppm/.degree.C. and -10,000 ppm/.degree.C. The ceramic dielectric body is also used as a substrate on which the CR oscillating circuit is formed.

Abstract: This invention concerns a capacitive pressure sensor construction and method for fabricating said sensor. The pressure sensor construction comprises a base part (1, 2, 4), comprising an electrically conductive silicon layer (1, 2) and a thereupon permanently bonded planar intermediate layer (4) of an insulating material with an essentially smaller thickness than that of the silicon layer (1, 2); a fixed planar capacitor electrode (9) fabricated on the base part (1, 2, 4); and a deflecting membranous capacitor electrode (6) fabricated of silicon and integral with a surrounding, essentially thicker base element (5), and gappedly spaced from and aligned at least approximately coincident with the fixed capacitor electrode (9), so that a hermetically sealed chamber (25) remains between the fixed electrode (9) and the membranous electrode (6).

Abstract: A dielectric probe for use with conventional frequency and time domain impedance analyzers comprises two chemically resistant electrodes deposited in an interdigitated pectinate configuration on particular non-conductive substrates, the spaces between the digits thereof being no greater than about 0.01 inch; methods and apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling chemical reactions, particularly polymerization reactions, in contact therewith, wherein the complex permittivity may be calculated over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device provides a phase shift and a first predetermined phase shift variation as a function of temperature. A passive network including a passive, reactive component is thermally and electrically coupled to the SAW device. An electrical characteristic of the component has a predetermined variation as a function of the temperature of the reactive component which provides the network with a second, predetermined phase variation as a function of temperature to compensate for the first predetermined phase variation as a function of temperature provided from the surface acoustic wave device. With this arrangement, the phase shift provided from the surface acoustic wave device is substantially invariant with temperature.

Abstract: Capacitive pressure and temperature sensing devices for use at cryogenic temperatures are provided utilizing a quantum ferroelectric pyrochlore ceramic material as the dielectric. The ceramic material has the formula:(Cd.sub.1-x M.sub.x).sub.2 (Nb.sub.1-y M'.sub.y).sub.2 O.sub.7where M is Pb, Ca, Sr, Ba, or mixtures thereof; where M' is Ta, Sb, or mixtures thereof; and where x and y are numbers in the range of from 0 to 1. M and M' are chosen such that the pressure sensing device uses a ceramic with a nearly temperature independent dielectric constant while the temperature sensing device uses a ceramic with a strongly temperature dependent dielectric constant. The sensors may comprise multi-layered capacitive devices, and may be combined into a single temperature and pressure sensing device.

Abstract: By means of a moveable insulating member that has two electrically conductive areas that are separated by a nonconductive area it is possible to build a mechanically controlled electronic thermostat. The temperature sensing is accomplished by a temperature responsive means that moves generally parallel to the conductive area, and functions as a pair of differentially energized variable capacitors that drive an electronic circuit when any unbalance occurs. This unbalance is indicative of a disagreement of the set temperature with the control temperature.

Abstract: The invention is an over-temperature sensor and locator utilizing a temperature sensitive cable comprising (1) an electrical conductor, (2) a dielectric, and (3) a solid, conductive polymeric, positive temperature coefficient of resistance composition. An over-temperature condition at any point along the cable is detected by a drop in the capacitance of the cable, as measured from one end of the cable. The location of the over-temperature point on the cable is determined by comparing the reduced capacitance from the control end to the over-temperature point with the capacitance of the full cable length.

Abstract: A pyroelectric or ferroelectric sensing element consists of a substrate with a thin layer of sodium nitrite. Electrodes may be applied to both sides of the sodium nitrite layer, or, alternatively, only one electrode may be used. In one embodiment, an array of electrodes is applied to one side of a continuous sodium nitrite layer, while the other side has a continuous electrode. In another embodiment, the sodium nitrite layer consists of separate portions, each interposed between one electrode of an electrode array and either the substrate or a second, continuous electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a capacitive pressure transducers which includes a flexible diaphragm. The flexibility of the diaphragm varies with temperature and thus different capacitance values result from the same pressures at different temperatures. To compensate for the variance of flexibility and capacitance values parts of the transducer are chosen with respect to specific temperature of coefficients.

Abstract: A bourdon tube transducer has included a bourdon tube with a conductive plate electrically separated from the bourdon tube and in parallel with the bourdon tube. As the pressure varies, so does the electrical reactance between the bourdon tube and the conductive plate and this variation is used to vary the frequency of an electrical oscillator that is connected to the bourdon tube and the conductive plate.

Abstract: Radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including an ionic dielectric. The dielectric is a sintered crystal superionic conductor, e.g., lanthanum trifluoride, lanthanum trichloride, or silver bromide, so that a multiplicity of crystallites exist between electrodes of the capacitor. The radiant energy cyclically irradiates the dielectric so that the dielectric exhibits a cyclic photocapacitive like effect. Adjacent crystallites have abutting surfaces that enable the crystallites to effectively form a multiplicity of series capacitor elements between the electrodes. Each of the capacitor elements has a dipole layer only on or near its surface. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the dielectric breakdown voltage by connecting it across a DC source causing a current to flow through a charging resistor to the dielectric. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector or as a solar energy cell.

Abstract: A screen printed capacitor to provide a predetermined temperature coefficient of capacitance. The capacitance device utilizes a common electrode with a uniform dielectric layer in conjunction with two side-by-side base electrodes resulting in opposite polarity temperature coefficient of capacitance values. The proportion of the area of each of the side-by-side base electrodes with respect to each other determines the predetermined temperature coefficient of capacitance required.

Abstract: A temperature sensor particularly adapted for use with digital displays or controls comprises an oscillator circuit coupled to a capacitor formed of ferroelectric material in order to provide a linear relation of frequency with temperature. Both chip and multilayer capacitors are shown to be useful as the sensing element.

Abstract: A ceramic capacitor operatively connected to a piezoelectric oscillator for compensating for the temperature dependence of the oscillator frequency is provided for thereby optimizing the accuracy of an electronic timepiece.