A method for producing a liquid transport apparatus is disclosed. The liquid transport apparatus includes a pressure chamber plate, a ceramics layer formed on a surface of the pressure chamber plate, a piezoelectric layer formed on the ceramics layer, and an electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer. The ceramics layer is formed by heating an insulating ceramic material at a temperature lower than an annealing temperature of the piezoelectric layer. Accordingly, the atoms of the pressure chamber plate are suppressed from being diffused into the piezoelectric layer.

Electrically controlled solid-state thermal switches and methods of controlling heat flow. An electrostrictive material is electromagnetically coupled to first and second electrodes that provide an electric field to the electrostrictive material. Different portions of the electrostrictive material are thermally coupled to each of a heat sink and a thermal load so that heat flowing from one into the other passes through the electrostrictive material. A control voltage is applied to the electrodes to selectively generate the electric field, thereby selectively altering the thermal conductivity of the electrostrictive material. The heat sink and thermal load are thereby selectively thermally coupled to each other in dependance on the control voltage.

Electrically controlled solid-state thermal switches and methods of controlling heat flow. An electrostrictive material is electromagnetically coupled to first and second electrodes that provide an electric field to the electrostrictive material. Different portions of the electrostrictive material are thermally coupled to each of a heat sink and a thermal load so that heat flowing from one into the other passes through the electrostrictive material. A control voltage is applied to the electrodes to selectively generate the electric field, thereby selectively altering the thermal conductivity of the electrostrictive material. The heat sink and thermal load are thereby selectively thermally coupled to each other in dependance on the control voltage.

A switching device comprising first and second body parts and a first operating device for moving the body parts into a closed state. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each body part and is operable to move the body parts part away from one another. The switching device may be incorporated into an actuator for operating the vacuum interrupter of a vacuum circuit breaker.

A switching device comprising first and second body parts and a first operating device for moving the body parts into a closed state. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each body part and is operable to move the body parts part away from one another. The switching device may be incorporated into an actuator for operating the vacuum interrupter of a vacuum circuit breaker.

A relay (1) includes a motor (20) and a primary electrical switch assembly (132). Primary electrical switching attachment points (113) are switched by a moveable switching link (101) which is moved in and out of the switch on an switched off position axially by the motor (20) in response to electrical signals delivered to the coil (26) via the flexible leads (32, 33). The switching link (101) includes a mercury reservoir (119). A piezoelectric disk bender (105) displaces mercury to close the gaps between the attachment points (113).

A relay (1) includes a motor (20) and a primary electrical switch assembly (132). Primary electrical switching attachment points (113) are switched by a moveable switching link (101) which is moved in and out of the switch on an switched off position axially by the motor (20) in response to electrical signals delivered to the coil (26) via the flexible leads (32, 33). The switching link (101) includes a mercury reservoir (119). A piezoelectric disk bender (105) displaces mercury to close the gaps between the attachment points (113).

A push-button starter for use with an outdoor power equipment unit. In one embodiment, the starter includes a housing defining an opening to receive a removable button, and a peripheral edge surrounding the opening. The peripheral edge may define two scalloped areas such that two opposite sides of a head portion of the button are exposed and accessible when the button is in a neutral position within the housing while remaining sides of the head portion are enclosed within the housing. Moreover, the opening and the head portion may be configured to control an orientation of the button relative to the housing, and further prevent rotation of the button relative to the housing.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is proposed a capacitive radiofrequency MicroElectroMechanical System or capacitive RF MEMS comprising a metallic membrane suspended above an RF transmission line and resting on ground planes, and exhibiting a lower face, an upper face opposite to the lower face and a first layer comprising a refractory metallic material at least partially covering the upper face of the membrane so as to prevent the heating of the membrane.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is proposed a capacitive radiofrequency MicroElectroMechanical System or capacitive RF MEMS comprising a metallic membrane suspended above an RF transmission line and resting on ground planes, and exhibiting a lower face, an upper face opposite to the lower face and a first layer comprising a refractory metallic material at least partially covering the upper face of the membrane so as to prevent the heating of the membrane.