Abstract:
A delayed-activation sensor system includes at least one microsensor. The microsensor may include at least one sensor module for sensing a condition in an environment and a dissolvable coating encapsulating at least a portion of the at least one sensor module such that the dissolvable coating prevents the at least one sensor module from sensing the condition in the environment. The dissolvable coating may be dissolvable in a fluid in the environment such that the sensor module is activated after being located in the environment for a period of time. The microsensor may also include at least one energy harvester module to generate electrical power for the microsensor from the environment.
Abstract:
The device 10 includes a liquid filled bellows activated battery composed of two non miscible fluids 14, 15 flowing through a channel 13 containing two electrodes 16, 17 of different metals. One of the fluids 14 is an electrolyte while the second 15 one is electrically non conducting. At rest the two electrodes 16, 17 are in the non conductive fluid 15. When the electrical device is actuated, manually or by an external force, the fluids surrounding the electrodes 16, 17 are replaced by the electrolyte 14 thus giving rise to a redox chemical reaction generating an electrical voltage between the two electodes. The electrical current can be used to temporarily generate light or supply energy to another device. When the actuation mechanism is released, the electrodes 16, 17 are surrounded by the non conductive fluids 15 again and the electrical current is stopped.
Abstract:
Methods for forming an enclosed liquid metal (LM) drop inside a sealed cavity by formation of LM components as solid LM component layers and reaction of the solid LM component layers to form the LM drop. In some embodiments, the cavity has boundaries defined by layers or features of a microelectronics (e.g. VLSI-CMOS) or MEMS technology. In such embodiments, the methods comprise implementing an initial microelectronics or MEMS process to form the layers or features and the cavity, sequential or side by side formation of solid LM component layers in the cavity, sealing of the cavity to provide a closed space and reaction of the solid LM components to form a LM alloy in the general shape of a drop. In some embodiments, nanometric reaction barriers may be inserted between the solid LM component layers to lower the LM eutectic formation temperature.
Abstract:
An electrostatically driven high-speed micro droplet switch includes a substrate having an upper surface containing one or more signal electrodes that are selectively connected via a droplet. The switch includes at least one actuation electrode disposed beneath the upper surface of the substrate, the at least one actuation electrode operatively coupled to drive circuitry. The switch includes a frame disposed on or above the upper surface of the substrate that is configured to hold the droplet in substantially the same location during operation of the switch. In one aspect, the frame is configured to absorb variations in the volume of the droplet placed on the switch, leaving the active meniscus not affected by the variation in volume.
Abstract:
An electrical fitting such as a socket (1) is provided with a thermal cut-out (16) to disconnect the power supply to the socket (1) in response to detection of an abnormal increase in temperature caused, for example, by a loose or faulty connection. The cut-out (16) is connected across the earth and neutral terminals and is normally open and is closed when an abnormal temperature is detected to cause a fault that trips a residual current detector (RCD) to disconnect the power supply to the socket (1). The cut out (16) may be a switch (17) operable by a temperature responsive actuator (18). In one embodiment (Figure 4) , the cut-out comprises contacts held apart (open circuit) by a thermally responsive spacer that melts at a pre determined temperature to allow the contacts to come together (closed circuit) to trigger the RCD (Figures 4 and 5).
Abstract:
An electronic switch (400) comprises a substrate (402) having a surface (416) and an embedded electrode (404), a droplet (410) of conductive liquid located over the embedded electrode (404), and a power source (414) configured to create an electric circuit including the droplet (410) of conductive liquid. The surface (416) comprises a feature (482) that determines a contact angle between the surface (416) and the droplet (410).
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung (1) zur Strombegrenzung sowie eine Schaltanlage mit einer solchen Vorrichtung (1). Erfindungsgemäss wird Flüssigmetall (3) entlang eines Widerstandselements (5) für den Strombegrenzungspfad (31) geführt, um eine lichtbogenfreie Strombegrenzung für netzbedingte Kurzschlussströme (i(t)) zu erzielen. Ausführungsbeispiele betreffen u.a.: einen in der Bewegungsrichtung (x) des Flüssigmetalls (3) nicht linear zunehmenden elektrischen Widerstand (R x ) für eine sanfte Strombegrenzungscharakteristik, ein Widerstandselement (5) in Form einer dielektrischen Matrix (5) mit Kanälen (3a) für das Flüssigmetall (3), und ein kombinierter Strombegrenzer-Leistungsschalter (1). Vorteile sind u. a.: lichtbogenfreie, reversible Strombegrenzung und gegebenenfalls Stromabschaltung, geeignet auch für hohe Spannungen und Ströme, schnelle Reaktionszeiten, geringer Verschleiss und wartungsfreundlich.