A MEMS electrostatic actuator comprises first and second opposing electrode arrangements, wherein at least one of the electrode arrangements is movable. A dielectric material (24) is adjacent the one of the electrode arrangements (22). The second electrode arrangement is patterned such that it includes electrode areas (26) and spaces adjacent the electrode areas, wherein the dielectric material (24) extends at least partially in or over the spaces. The invention uses a multitude of electrode portions as one plate. The electric field lines thus form clusters between the individual electrode portions and the opposing electrode. This arrangement provides an extended range of continuous actuation and tunability.

An element includes an upper electrode, a flexible intermediate layer, and a lower electrode. The upper electrode having an uneven structure. The lower electrode is closely attached to the intermediate layer. The element is configured to generate an electrical signal due to contact and separation between the upper electrode and the intermediate layer. The lower electrode is configured to take a shape fittable to the uneven structure when the upper electrode and the intermediate layer come into contact with each other.

A variable-capacitance capacitor having first and second electrodes mobile with respect to each other and third and fourth electrodes insulated from the first and second electrodes, capable of receiving a control signal to vary the relative position of the first and second electrodes in order to vary the capacitance between the first and second electrodes, the capacitor further including a system for controlling the position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, the system being arranged so that, for at least one relative position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, the position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode is independent from the voltage between the first and second electrodes.

The disclosure relates to a compensation capacitor for an antenna of a magnetic resonance scanner and a corresponding antenna with a compensation capacitor. The compensation capacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel. An insulation material configured to resist high voltages and a dielectric with low dielectric losses are arranged between the first and the second electrode. The second electrode and/or the dielectric may be moved relative to the first electrode such that a surface area of a projection of the surface of the first electrode along the surface normal of the first electrode to the surface of the second electrode and/or the dielectric is variable.

A pressure detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode layer including a channel portion configured to output a sensing signal and a wiring portion connected to the channel portion, a first elastic dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer disposed on the first elastic dielectric layer at a position corresponding to the channel portion, a second elastic dielectric layer disposed on the second electrode layer, and a third electrode layer disposed on the second elastic dielectric layer, wherein, when a pressure is applied to the third electrode layer, capacitances of the first elastic dielectric layer and the second elastic dielectric layer are changed.

A system including first and second electric or electronic circuits galvanically isolated from each other, and a coupling device coupling the first circuit to the second circuit, the coupling device including a variable-capacitance capacitor including first and second electrodes mobile with respect to each other, separated by an insulating region, and third and fourth electrodes electrically insulated from the first and second electrodes, capable of receiving a control signal to vary, by an electrostatic, electromagnetic, or piezoelectric actuation mechanism, the relative position of the first and second electrodes, to vary the capacitance between the first and second electrodes.

A switched capacitive device includes a stationary portion including a plurality of first electrodes extending at least partially in a longitudinal dimension. Each first electrode has a first substantially active electrode volume. The device also includes a translatable portion including a plurality of second electrodes proximate the plurality of first electrodes. Each second electrode has a second substantially active electrode volume. The first active electrode volume is greater than the second active electrode volume. The second electrodes are translatable with respect to the first electrodes. The second electrodes extend at least partially in the longitudinal dimension. The first electrodes are configured to induce substantially linear motion of the second electrodes in the longitudinal dimension through the use of an electric field induced by at least a portion of the first electrodes.

A method for assembling a force sensitive capacitor is provided. The method comprises: assembling an insulating member to a rear end of a rear-end moving part; inserting a front-end moving part and the rear-end moving part into a case from a front end and a rear end of the case, respectively, and assembling connecting portions of the front-end moving part and the rear-end moving part; assembling a compressible conductor to a front end of a conductor base; and inserting the conductor base into the case from the rear end of the case and assembling the conductor base to the case.

A pressure detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode layer including a channel portion configured to output a sensing signal and a wiring portion connected to the channel portion, a first elastic dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer disposed on the first elastic dielectric layer at a position corresponding to the channel portion, a second elastic dielectric layer disposed on the second electrode layer, and a third electrode layer disposed on the second elastic dielectric layer, wherein, when a pressure is applied to the third electrode layer, capacitances of the first elastic dielectric layer and the second elastic dielectric layer are changed.

A system including first and second electric or electronic circuits galvanically isolated from each other, and a coupling device coupling the first circuit to the second circuit, the coupling device including a variable-capacitance capacitor including first and second electrodes mobile with respect to each other, separated by an insulating region, and third and fourth electrodes electrically insulated from the first and second electrodes, capable of receiving a control signal to vary, by an electrostatic, electromagnetic, or piezoelectric actuation mechanism, the relative position of the first and second electrodes, to vary the capacitance between the first and second electrodes.