A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

Selector switch provided with: a structure based on at least one phase change material placed between a first conducting element and a second conducting element, the phase change material being capable of changing state, means of heating the phase change material provided with at least one first heating electrode and at least one other heating electrode, the structure based on a phase change material being configured to form a confined active zone of the phase change material at a distance from the conducting elements.

This relay unit includes: a first bus bar; a relay electrically connected to the first bus bar; and an apparatus cover for covering the first bus bar and the relay. The apparatus cover includes: an upper member in a box shape having a covered upper end, the upper member having an opening formed in a lower end; and a lower member bonded to the upper member such that the opening of the upper member is covered with the lower member. The lower member is formed of a resin having heat conductivity that is higher than that of the upper member. The first bus bar is connected to the lower member via a first inner heat conductive sheet such that heat can be transferred to the lower member, said first inner heat conductive sheet being disposed between the first bus bar and the lower member.

This relay unit includes: a first bus bar; a relay electrically connected to the first bus bar; and an apparatus cover for covering the first bus bar and the relay. The apparatus cover includes: an upper member in a box shape having a covered upper end, the upper member having an opening formed in a lower end; and a lower member bonded to the upper member such that the opening of the upper member is covered with the lower member. The lower member is formed of a resin having heat conductivity that is higher than that of the upper member. The first bus bar is connected to the lower member via a first inner heat conductive sheet such that heat can be transferred to the lower member, said first inner heat conductive sheet being disposed between the first bus bar and the lower member.

A linear detector element includes an outer sheath having a first end and a second end, one or more shape memory responsive elements within the outer sheath and between the first end and the second end and first and second conductive wires passing through at least a portion of the outer sheath and through the one or more shape memory responsive elements. The one more shape memory responsive elements include a shape memory actuator surrounding the first and second conductive wires and that has an expanded size and a contracted size and that is sized and arranged such that when the shape memory actuator is in the contracted state the first and second conductive wires contact one another and when the shape memory actuator is in the expanded state the first and second conductive wires do not contact one another.

The present invention refers to a cooling control system and method for electrical equipment (10) and the electrical equipment (10) with controlled cooling, wherein the use of at least one cooling means (15) is dynamically considered, according to the operation of the electrical equipment (10) whose aging is determined mainly through a life balance (LB), which is, in turn, used to determine a selective activation for the cooling means (15), thus ensuring a continuous use lifetime specified by its manufacturer, while at the same time optimizing the lifespan of the cooling means (15), preserving it as much as possible while maintaining the lifespan of the electrical equipment (10) at a predetermined aging calculated through lifespan balance, avoiding unnecessary operating expenses for maintaining the cooling system.

A temperature-dependent switch comprises a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts. In its second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism further comprises first and second temperature-dependent snap-action parts which switch from geometric low-temperature configurations to geometric high-temperature configurations when exceeding first and second switching temperatures, respectively, and switch back when subsequently falling below first and second reset temperatures, respectively. Switching the first and/or the second snap-action part from its geometric low-temperature configuration to its geometric high-temperature configuration brings the switching mechanism from its first switching position to its second switching position.

A temperature-dependent switch comprises a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. In its first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts. In its second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact. The temperature-dependent switching mechanism further comprises first and second temperature-dependent snap-action parts which switch from geometric low-temperature configurations to geometric high-temperature configurations when exceeding first and second switching temperatures, respectively, and switch back when subsequently falling below first and second reset temperatures, respectively. Switching the first and/or the second snap-action part from its geometric low-temperature configuration to its geometric high-temperature configuration brings the switching mechanism from its first switching position to its second switching position.

A circuit breaker and method for operating a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a first and a second breaker terminal, a bimetal stripe, a first conduction line, a switch with a first and a second contact, a triggering device mechanically coupling the bimetal stripe to the switch, a magnet and a detection device comprising a magnetic field sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnet. The first conduction line is electrically coupled to the first breaker terminal and to the first contact and is wound around the bimetal stripe. The magnet is connected to at least one of the bimetal stripe, the triggering device and the switch.