Abstract: An active capacitive pen including: a tip; a first electrode mechanically connected to the tip that displaces in response to a force applied to the tip; a second electrode that is isolated from the tip, where the first electrode and the second electrode are of different types (e.g., transmitter electrode, receiver electrode); and a measurement module that detects a change in capacitance resulting from displacement of the first electrode relative to the second electrode.

Abstract: A variable capacitance type capacitor includes an inside member and an outside member including a space for housing the inside member. The inside member has a columnar shape, and a first conductor pattern is formed on a circumferential surface thereof. The outside member has a predetermined dielectric constant, and a second conductor pattern is formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof so as to oppose the first conductor pattern formed on the inside member. The inside member housed in the space of the outside member is displaced relative to the outside member in a direction of a central axis of the inside member in response to an externally applied force, and an opposed area between the first conductor pattern and the second conductor pattern changes to thereby form a capacitance corresponding to the externally applied force between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A variable capacitor includes a first component made of conductive material in the form of an at least partially hollow rod, comprising a hole or perforation extending axially into the body of the first component to form a tube portion, and a second component also made of conductive material in the form of a rod able to be fitted to a variable depth into the axial hole, the engagement depth of the second component in the first component determining the degree of capacitive coupling between them and therefore the value of the resulting capacitor. The capacitor tube portion is provided on its internal face, preferably substantially over the whole depth of the axial hole, with a layer of dielectric material, the latter extending in a continuous manner over the edge defining the access aperture of the hole and onto an adjacent part of the external face of the tube portion.

Abstract: A variable passive component is provided for fabrication on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. A conductive portion is provided on a low-profile sliding dielectric sheet that cooperates with a conductive portion disposed on a substrate to provide a variable passive component. The passive component can be a variable inductor provided by moving a shorted spiral inductor formed on the dielectric sheet over a spiral inductor on the substrate with varying degrees of overlap causing varying inductance values. The passive component can be a variable capacitor that consists of a large conductive pad on a dielectric plate which slides over two adjacent pads on the substrate with varying overlap causing varying capacitance values.

Abstract: An adjustable electrical device, such as a trimmer capacitor, comprising a housing and an electrode movable relative to the housing, the electrode comprising a screw-threaded portion which is resiliently deformable to allow compliant threaded engagement with a complementarily screw-threaded portion of the housing of slightly smaller diameter. The screw-threaded portion is split to allow said deformation, the split being in the form of a slot extending across the screw-threaded portion, parallel to the rotational axis of the screw-threaded portion. A further slot is located at the base of the screw-threaded portion, which interconnects with the slot. The electrode is provided with an actuating member having a head portion adapted to receive an adjusting tool, such as a screwdriver, and a body portion which is an interference fit within the electrode.

Abstract: A circuit breaker auxiliary device is housed in its own separate enclosed container and is accessible by a drive pin through an opening in the container mounting surface. A drive pin is inserted into an opening in a circuit breaker housing mounting surface. The container is snap-fitted flushly to a side of the circuit breaker housing. The internal trip mechanism of the circuit breaker and the operative mechanism of the auxiliary device communicate via the drive pin cooperatively linked to each mechanism and operating through the aligned openings in the container and the circuit breaker housing.

Abstract: A capacitive strain gage includes a housing attachable to a test specimen at a first location and a ground plane attachable to the test specimen at a second location. The housing and the ground plane are movable relative to each other. A passage extends through the housing between opposing spaced-apart surfaces. First and second excitation electrodes are located on one of the surface, and a third signal electrode is located on the other of the surfaces. The electrodes each have fixed positions on the housing. Each of the first and second electrodes is positioned for capacitive coupling to the third electrode. The ground plane includes an arm that extends into the passage in the housing. The arm includes an aperture for electric fields that is aligned with the electrodes in a quiescent position.

Abstract: A variable area capacitance transducer for measurement of length and displacement is disclosed. The preferred embodiment uses three concentric cylinders. The innermost cylinder acts as a working electrode, the middle cylinder acts as a common electrode, and the outer cylinder, a reference electrode. A movable concentric cylinder acts as a shield and is guided for movement between the working and common electrodes. The capacitance of the transducer is related to the displacement of the shield.

Abstract: A variable electronic component in the nature of a trimmer capacitor for use in a subminiature electronic circuit is adapted to provide a desired wide range of impedance characteristics. The variable electronic component is constructed of a sealed housing having an impedance varying piston driven by a screw supporting a non-axially extending tab or threaded member. The piston includes a cylindrical member which, through conjoining with a cylindrical member of dielectric material, provides a varied range of capacitance to the trimmer capacitor.