A MEMS structure including a latch, a first lever, and a second lever. The first lever is designed to move past the latch as a result of flexure in the event of a change in a parameter in a first direction, and to latch in place at the latch if a change in the parameter in a second direction different than the first direction subsequently takes place. The second lever is designed to move past the first lever as a result of flexure in the event of the change in the parameter in the second direction, and to latch in place at the first lever if a change in the parameter in the first direction takes place after the change in the parameter in the second direction.

A temperature-sensing tape including a flexible, electrically insulating substrate, a plurality of temperature-sensing elements disposed on the substrate, wherein a temperature-sensing element includes a bimetallic switch.

A sensor includes a body member, a volume change body, and a detection member. The body member has a flat plate-like shape, a first end in a first direction being supported, and a storage space opening at at least one of both end faces in a thickness direction. The volume change body, whose volume changes depending on an amount of a target, is supported by the body member so that at least a part of the volume change body is stored in the storage space. The detection member is in contact with a second end in the first direction of the body member, and detects stress caused by the change in the volume of the volume change body.

A sensor includes a body member, a volume change body, and a detection member. The body member has a flat plate-like shape, a first end in a first direction being supported, and a storage space opening at at least one of both end faces in a thickness direction. The volume change body, whose volume changes depending on an amount of a target, is supported by the body member so that at least a part of the volume change body is stored in the storage space. The detection member is in contact with a second end in the first direction of the body member, and detects stress caused by the change in the volume of the volume change body.

A temperature indicator includes a micro-sensor having a sensing element with a first layer coupled to a second layer where the first and second layers have different coefficients of expansion. The sensing element is configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to exposure to a temperature event and has detection circuitry configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to movement of the sensing element to the second position. The detection circuitry is prevented from returning to the first state in response to changing to the second state. An RFID module is coupled to the detection circuitry and is configured to output a value indicating that the sensing element is in the second position. An activator element is configured to maintain the sensor element in the first position until removal of the activator element from the micro-sensor.

A thermal sensing system includes an electrical contact, a sensing element, and at least one position sensor. The electrical contact releasably connects to a mating contact for establishing a conductive path across a mating interface. The electrical contact defines a channel therein that extends from an opening along an outer surface of the electrical contact. The sensing element is at least partially outside of the channel and is configured to move relative to the electrical contact from a first position to a second position based on a temperature increase within the channel that exceeds a designated threshold temperature. The at least one position sensor is spaced apart from the electrical contact and is configured to detect a position change of the sensing element from the first position to the second position, indicating that the temperature within the channel exceeds the designated threshold temperature.

A thermal sensing system includes an electrical contact, a sensing element, and at least one position sensor. The electrical contact releasably connects to a mating contact for establishing a conductive path across a mating interface. The electrical contact defines a channel therein that extends from an opening along an outer surface of the electrical contact. The sensing element is at least partially outside of the channel and is configured to move relative to the electrical contact from a first position to a second position based on a temperature increase within the channel that exceeds a designated threshold temperature. The at least one position sensor is spaced apart from the electrical contact and is configured to detect a position change of the sensing element from the first position to the second position, indicating that the temperature within the channel exceeds the designated threshold temperature.

Sensors, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices and electronic circuitry for processing an output of the sensing devices. The sensing devices each include a cantilevered structure and at least one contact configured for contact-mode operation with the cantilevered structure in response to the cantilevered structure deflecting toward or away from the contact when exposed to the parameter of interest. The cantilevered structure has at least first and second beams of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of exposure to the parameter.

Sensors, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices and electronic circuitry for processing an output of the sensing devices. The sensing devices each include a cantilevered structure and at least one contact configured for contact-mode operation with the cantilevered structure in response to the cantilevered structure deflecting toward or away from the contact when exposed to the parameter of interest. The cantilevered structure has at least first and second beams of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of exposure to the parameter.

A thermal sensing system includes an electrical contact, a sensing element, and a position sensor. The electrical contact includes a shaft that defines a channel. The channel extends into the shaft from an opening along an outer surface of the shaft. The sensing element is disposed at least partially outside of the channel and is operably connected to the channel through the opening. The sensing element is movable relative to the electrical contact based on a temperature change within the channel. The position sensor is spaced apart from the electrical contact and the sensing element. The position sensor is configured to detect a position change of a portion of the sensing element outside of the channel responsive to the temperature change within the channel.