A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device including a substrate and a connection plate having a first end joined to the substrate and an opposed second end extending along a first direction, and first and second opposed sides along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A fixing plate is joined to the second end of the connection plate. A first side of a first diaphragm is joined to the first side of the connection plate and an opposed second side of the first diaphragm is joined to the substrate. A first side of a second diaphragm is joined to the substrate and an opposed second side of the second diaphragm is joined to the second side of the connection plate. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is provided on at least a portion of at least one planar surface of at least one of the diaphragms.

Piezoelectric/electrostrictive device

A self-regulating heating article comprising a layer of material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) and said PTC layer having at least partially contiguous therewith at least one layer of constant wattage output material. The article operates such that when connected to an electric power source, the current flows through at least a portion of the thickness of the PTC layer and of the constant wattage layer. In a preferred embodiment, upon heating the article, a change in dimensions as well as activation of an adhesive occurs.

Layered self-regulating heating article

A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) electrostatically operated device is provided that can switch high voltages while providing improved arcing tolerance. The MEMS device comprises a microelectronic substrate, a substrate electrode, first and second contact sets, an insulator, and a moveable composite. The moveable composite overlies the substrate and substrate electrode. In cross section, the moveable composite comprises an electrode layer and a biasing layer. In length, the moveable composite comprises a fixed portion attached to the underlying substrate, a medial portion, and a distal portion moveable with respect to the substrate electrode. Each contact set has at least one composite contact attached to the moveable composite, and preferably at least one substrate contact attached to the substrate. One of the contact sets is closer to the composite distal portion. The distal and/or medial portions of the moveable composite are biased in position when no electrostatic force is applied. Applying a voltage between the substrate electrode and moveable composite electrode creates an electrostatic force that attracts the moveable composite to the underlying substrate. The first and second contact sets are electrically connected when the distal portion of the moveable composite is attracted to the substrate. Once electrostatic force is removed, the moveable composite reassumes the biased position such that the first and second contact sets are disconnected in a sequence to minimize arcing. Various embodiments and methods of using the electrostatic MEMS device are provided.

Arc resistant high voltage micromachined electrostatic switch

Circuit protection devices which comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and a second electrical component which is thermally coupled to the PTC element and which, when a fault causes the current in the circuit to become excessive, generates heat which is transferred to the PTC element, thus reducing the time taken to "trip" the PTC element. The second component is for example a voltate-dependent resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element under the fault conditions and is thus protected from damage. Alternatively, the second component is a thick film resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element.

Composite circuit protection devices

A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) electrostatically operated high voltage switch or relay device is provided. This device can switch high voltages while using relatively low electrostatic operating voltages. The MEMS device comprises a microelectronic substrate, a substrate electrode, and one or more substrate contacts. The MEMS device also includes a moveable composite overlying the substrate, one or more composite contacts, and at least one insulator. In cross section, the moveable composite comprises an electrode layer and a biasing layer. In length, the moveable composite comprises a fixed portion attached to the underlying substrate, a medial portion, and a distal portion moveable with respect to the substrate electrode. The distal and/or medial portions of the moveable composite are biased in position when no electrostatic force is applied. Applying a voltage between the substrate electrode and moveable composite electrode creates an electrostatic force that attracts the moveable composite to the underlying microelectronic substrate. The substrate contact and composite contact are selectively interconnected in response to the application of electrostatic force. Once electrostatic force is removed, the moveable composite reassumes the biased position such that the substrate and composite contacts are disconnected. Various embodiments further define components of the device. Other embodiments further include a source of electrical energy, a diode, and a switching device connected to different components of the MEMS device. A method of using the aforementioned electrostatic MEMS device is provided.

High voltage micromachined electrostatic switch

A constant temperature heater includes a thermistor having a positive temperature coefficient and a varistor stacked upon one another in an electrically insulating casing in such a manner that the thermistor and varistor are electrically connected in series with each other and the thermistor is in heat exchange relationship with a radiator plate on the casing A spring in the casing presses the varistor and thermistor into firm engagement with each other and biases the thermistor into good heat conductive relation with the radiator plate The varistor serves to reduce the transient currents in the thermistor and reduces the heat dissipation power of the thermistor, thereby providing a longer service life

Constant-temperature heater

The invention relates to a piezoelectric relay in which a bimorph is used as a flexible element. First, second and third relay contacts (14), (14') and (14") are disposed coplanar with the third relay contact sandwiched between the first and second relay contacts. First and second flexible members (11) and (11'), each of which is supported as a cantilever, are displaced in directions opposite to each other when an electric field is applied to one. The first flexible member (11) displaces the first and second relay contacts (14) and (14'), and the second flexible member (11') displaces the third relay contact (14"). Thus, the first and third relay contacts (14) and (14") and the second and the third relay contacts (14') and (14") are turned on or off in response to the different polarities of the applied electric field.

Piezoelectric relay with oppositely bending bimorphs

A plurality of thermistors extend transversely of and are disposed longitudinally in an axial bore of a metal housing having a closed end and an open end. A plurality of spacers are provided for electrically isolating the thermistors and biasing springs urge the thermistors toward the closed end to establish a thermally conductive path therebetween. Conducting wires extend through the bore to establish connections to the thermistors to provide individual thermally responsive resistive circuits. The open end portion of the housing is filled with an insulating mould cap to provide fluid tight sealing.

Water jacket temperature sensor

An ultrasonic wave microphone which comprises a flat piezo-electric vibrator and a funnel-like appendant resonator formed of a metal having a high Q and connected to the piezo-electric vibrator at the center thereof so that electrical characteristics of the microphone can be varied, and which is especially useful for a remote control device or the like for a television set.

Ultrasonic wave microphone

A small-sized gas ignition device comprising a self-oscillation circuit, a piezo-electric transformer which steps up the output of the self-oscillation circuit, a capacitor which accumulates the output voltage of the piezo-electric transformer, and a discharging gap which is connected in parallel with the capacitor and is adapted to discharge the accumulated voltage for performing gas ignition. With this device gas ignition is obtained with certainty by single operation requiring only a light touch.

Hideo Mifune

Papers

Constant-temperature heater

Piezoelectric relay with oppositely bending bimorphs

Water jacket temperature sensor

Ultrasonic wave microphone

Gas ignition device