Abstract: Apparatuses are provided to facilitate sensing fluid within a fluid system, such as a coolant-based cooling apparatus for removing heat generated by one or more electronic components. The apparatus includes a plug configured to couple to a wall of the fluid system at an opening in the wall and to form a fluid-tight seal about the opening. The plug includes a fluid a fluid-sensor-receiving space configured to receive a fluid sensor, and when the plug is coupled to the wall at the opening, to position the fluid sensor at the opening in a manner to facilitate sensing of fluid within the system. The fluid sensor is removable from the plug without requiring uncoupling of the plug from the wall. In one implementation, the fluid sensor is a proximity sensor, and the plug is fabricated of a non-conductive material, and the wall a conductive material.

Abstract: Devices for switching or tuning of an electrical circuit comprise a liquid metal (LM) drop confined inside a sealed cavity. The cavity is formed at least partially inside a microelectronics layered structure which includes metal, dielectric and semiconductor layers. The microelectronics layered structure may be prepared using a VLSI/CMOS technology. Some of the VLSI/CMOS metal layers or metalized vias may be used for conduction lines contacted by the LM drop or as RF transmission lines opened or closed by the LM drop.

Abstract: A self-healing liquid contact switch and methods for producing such devices are disclosed. An illustrative self-healing liquid contact switch can include an upper actuating surface and a lower actuating surface each having a number of liquid contact regions thereon configured to wet with a liquid metal. The upper and lower actuating surfaces can be brought together electrostatically by an upper and lower actuating electrode. During operation, the liquid metal can be configured to automatically rearrange during each actuating cycle to permit the switch to self-heal.

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

Abstract: A switch device includes (a) a switch arranged on a bottom of a recess, and (b) a waterproof sheet adhered at its outer edge to a wall defining the recess, at a certain height to entirely cover the recess therewith. The waterproof sheet has a first area greater than a cross-sectional area of the recess when the waterproof sheet is in its original planar form. A difference between the first area of the waterproof sheet and the cross-sectional area of the recess allows the switch to be actuated through the waterproof sheet, and disallows moisture to enter the recess through the waterproof sheet. The waterproof sheet is composed of transparent or semi-transparent resin, for instance. The waterproof sheet may be adhered at its outer edge to a summit or a bottom of the wall.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a state of a switch is disclosed. The method includes providing a high side driver circuit in communication with a voltage source, activating the high side driver circuit at a first predefined time interval, and sourcing voltage to a resistor in communication with the high side driver circuit at the first predefined time interval. Further, the method monitors the switch at the first predefined time interval, and determines the state of the switch, and deactivates the high side drive at a second predefined time interval.

Abstract: A shock sensor comprises a housing defining an interior space. The space includes a cylindrical side surface and an end surface, the surfaces being formed of an electrically conductive material. An insert is positioned in the space and includes an electrically conductive support surface which defines a recess facing the conductive end surface. A volume of mercury is contained in the recess. The support surface is wetted to the liquid, and the end and side surfaces are not wetted to the liquid, so that the liquid moves into electrical contact with the end surface and/or side surface in response to shocks and is thereafter restored.

Abstract: An acceleration responsive switch, for operating an air bag system installed in an automobile, includes a cylindrical receptacle for containing an electrically conductive liquid such as mercury and an inert gas, a metallic lid having an open end and hermetically secured to the open end of the receptacle, and a pair of electrodes having one ends extended into the receptacle through the open end of the lid, respectively such that the one ends of the electrodes are brought into contact with the conductive liquid when a shock acting on the receptacle causes the conductive liquid to move within the receptacle.

Abstract: A mercury switch device comprising a pool of mercury and a plurality of electrical contacts made of or coated with a non-wettable material such as titanium diboride.

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

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

Abstract: This electric contact device is a variant of those described in Anizan et al., French Pat. No. 2,385,208.The composite unit formed by the insulating coating and the conducting material form a single insulator-conductor unit. The electrical duct penetrates the insulation to reach the conductor. The composite unit is made of enamelled metal, a metal on which insulation is deposited by "shoopage" (a process apparently involving the deposit of a vaporized metal) or of a cermet (ceramic alloy) from whose surface the metallic phase has been eliminated. The duct may be cylindrical, a groove, or grooves crossing at a right angle.Usable for many types of electric contact.

Abstract: The mercury contact comprises a solid metal base of antimony, wetted with mercury. The method of manufacturing the mercury contact includes preparing the solid metal base by electrolytic deposition of antimony onto the substrate, and subsequently coating the antimony with a layer of mercury.

Abstract: A mercury tilt switch is provided with electrodes which during operation are oriented in a vertical plane projecting through an end wall of an elongated insulating envelope. The lower electrode is longer than the other and terminated with a blunt end of area of such size and shape as to provide resistance to the surrounding movement of the mercury pool past the end and the subsequently reduced steps of the electrode. When the switch is tilted to close the contacts, the blunt end opposes the mercury pool until the switch is sufficiently tilted that the weight component of the mercury in direction opposed to the blunt end is sufficient to overcome surface tension of the mercury pool, at which point the mercury pool will flow down along the stepped electrode and into contact with the other electrode closing the switch.

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

Abstract: An intrusion detector which senses the motion and vibration caused by intrusion comprises a base plate secured to the surface to be protected, and a housing coaxially and rotatably joined to the base plate. Within the housing is disposed a mercury switch parallel to the protected surface. The mercury switch comprises a tubular envelope housing a drop of mercury and a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are of disparate lengths so that the mercury must travel to one extreme end of the tube to complete the circuit. Rotation of the housing alters the orientation of the switch envelope with respect to horizontal, permitting the device to be employed as a normally-open or normally-closed motion switch. Further, the switch is sensitive to motion colinear with the axis of the envelope, so that, by rotation of the housing, its sensitivity may be finely adjusted to stimuli ranging between loud noises to broachment of the protected surface.