A capacitive sensor comprising: a first electrode; a displacement element moveably mounted relative to the first electrode; and a second electrode coupled to the displacement element so that displacement of the displacement element along a displacement direction changes a separation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a controller element configured to selectively operate in a displacement sensing mode and in a proximity sensing mode, wherein in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential and to electrically couple the first electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic of the first electrode to determine a displacement of the displacement element relative to the reference electrode; and in the proximity sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic associated with the second electrode to detect the presence of an object in proximity to the second electrode; and in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential signal.

A sensor includes an electrode, an insulator, a pressure receiver, and a pressure imparting unit. The insulator is disposed at a position facing the electrode and away from the electrode. The pressure receiver is disposed on a surface of the insulator on a side opposite to the electrode. The pressure imparting unit presses a part of the insulator toward the electrode at a position different from the pressure receiver to contact the insulator with the electrode. The insulator generates power by contact charging or separation charging with respect to the electrode, to output the power as a signal.

Electrostatic capacitance can be measured with high directivity in a specific direction. A sensor chip that measures the electrostatic capacitance includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The first electrode has a first portion. The second electrode has a second portion extended on the first portion of the first electrode, and is insulated from the first electrode within the sensor chip. The third electrode has a front face extended in a direction which intersects with the first portion of the first electrode and the second portion of the second electrode, and is provided on the first portion and the second portion. The third electrode is insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode within the sensor chip. No portion is extended from the first electrode to be positioned above the first portion.

A probe (1, 101) for monitoring a moving engine element and a method of forming a probe (1, 101) for monitoring a moving engine element, the probe (1, 101) comprising: a housing (2, 102) formed of electrically insulating ceramic material; a core (14, 114) formed of electrically insulating ceramic material, the core (14, 114) comprising a front face (16, 116; and a sensing electrode (20, 120) formed of electrically conductive material, the sensing electrode (20, 120) being arranged between the housing (2, 102) and the front face (16, 116) of the core (14, 114) and the housing (2, 102) and the front face (16, 116) of the core (14, 114) being bonded together by the sensing electrode (120).

Sensors and circuits for batteries are provided that prevent battery fires. The sensors and circuits are part of a battery management system that detects battery cell swelling and changes in the internal pressure of battery cells and removes the battery cells from service before they vent and catch on fire or explode. The sensors and circuits continually monitor every battery cell for swelling/increases in internal pressure that are indicative of the formation of flammable and explosive gases within the battery cells, and a battery management system that includes one or more of the sensors and circuits removes battery cells with issues from service before they vent and catch on fire or explode.

A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) having at least two deflectable membranes. The membranes are spaced from each other, and the membranes contribute to and/or are responsive to receive or transmit an ultrasonic signal. Spacing between the at least two deflectable membranes is adjustable through application of a voltage to cause deflection of at least one of the deflectable membranes, to affect the receive/transmit properties of the CMUT.

Electrostatic capacitance can be measured with high directivity in a specific direction. A sensor chip that measures the electrostatic capacitance includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The first electrode has a first portion. The second electrode has a second portion extended on the first portion of the first electrode, and is insulated from the first electrode within the sensor chip. The third electrode has a front face extended in a direction which intersects with the first portion of the first electrode and the second portion of the second electrode, and is provided on the first portion and the second portion. The third electrode is insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode within the sensor chip.

A measuring arrangement includes an electrostatic concentrator, a surface and an imaging sensor which are configured to detect particles.

A capacitive distance sensor includes a first guard electrode, a conductor, a second guard electrode, and insulators. The conductor includes a sensor electrode and a lead portion and is arranged on a side of a measurement target with respect to the first guard electrode. The second guard electrode is arranged on the side of the measurement target with respect to the conductor. The first guard electrode includes portions overlapping the sensor electrode and the lead portion. The second guard electrode includes a portion overlapping the lead portion and does not overlap the sensor electrode.

A physical quantity detection device includes a switched capacitor filter circuit having a first sample-and-hold circuit adapted to sample and hold a first signal, which is based on an output signal of a physical quantity detection element, an amplifier circuit to which an output signal of the first sample-and-hold circuit is input, and a first switched capacitor circuit to which a first output signal of the amplifier circuit is input, wherein an output signal of the first switched capacitor circuit is input to the amplifier circuit, and an A/D conversion circuit adapted to perform an A/D conversion on an output signal of the switched capacitor filter circuit.