Abstract: Electrically conductive paths are selectively engaged by a pair of electrical contacts that are carried in a pair of holders. Each holder is pivoted by an actuator. Each holder also carries a spring biased detent plunger that cooperates with V-shaped cavities in a switch housing to provide an over-center feel.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the fact that the rate of change of the amplitude of a sinusoidal waveform is substantially constant within an interval of such waveform near its zero crossing. A circuit for measuring peak amplitudes of sinusoidal waveforms includes a voltage differentiator for differentiating between a first and second reference selected within the interval of a sinusoidal waveform wherein the rate of change of the amplitude is substantially constant; a time interval calculator for measuring a time interval between the references; a frequency determinator for determining the frequency of oscillation of the waveform; and a processing unit responsive to the voltage differentiator, the time interval calculator, and the frequency determinator for determining a peak amplitude of the waveform.

Abstract: A synchronous motor wherein a field coil is positioned adjacent to a rotor and stator assembly in a side-by-side relationship has a stator pole arrangement to compensate for flux phase differences caused by the side-by-side arrangement.

Abstract: The time between constant speed defrost cycles is shortened by monitoring the opening and closing of a door of a cooling unit. The control system for doing so includes cam means rotating at a constant speed and electrical switches responsive thereto, a ratchet with missing teeth coupled to the cam means, a pawl engaging the door and the ratchet.

Abstract: A temperature detecting heating control system provides a temperature sensor, first and second voltage comparators for detecting a set point temperature and a warning temperature, and alarm circuitry for producing intermittent and predetermined period alarm signals in response to the detecting of the warning temperature and set point temperature respectively.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting a substance including hydrocarbons on the surface of water provides a floatation device for floating on the water surface and for supporting at least one sensing element for detecting said substance, the floatation device being composed substantially of nitrile. A sensing device for use in an apparatus for detecting a substance on the surface of a liquid, the sensing device providing a mounting surface adapted for facing downwardly toward the liquid surface, a plurality of sensing elements each of which is mounted at a different predetermined distance below the mounting surface, and a flotation portion affixed to the mounting surface for supporting the mounting surface at the liquid surface whereby the sensing elements may be maintained at different known depths below the liquid surface.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid for a capacitor includes a mixture of phthalate ester, polychlorinated benzene and a linear alkylbenzene.

Abstract: Upon insertion of a coin into a receiver of a timing mechanism, an actuator rotates a ratchet which in turn rotates a cam. The cam and a disc each have a tab extending therefrom. When the ratchet and cam are rotated, the tabs separate from each other providing a desired timing cycle and the cam is set to close electrical switches. When the timer is operative, the disc rotates causing its tab to engage the tab of the cam to rotate the cam and open the electrical switches.

Abstract: A method and means for programming the operation of an apparatus having at least a plurality of different control functions provides a control panel, an arrangement for causing the control panel to appear blank prior to initial activation of the apparatus, circuitry for initially activating the apparatus, and circuitry responsive to initial activation for indicating and allowing selection of the different control functions, the circuitry for indicating and allowing selection including circuitry for sequentially displaying the control functions on the control panel to allow selection thereof.

Abstract: A control system for an appliance having a plurality of different operational cycles, provides cam operated switches for controlling the coupling of electrical power to the appliance, the switches including a plurality of rotatable cams for operating the switches in response to the rotational position of the cams, the switches being adapted for electrical rotation of said cams, a digital electronic control circuit for controlling the electrical cam rotation, the control circuit including circuitry for receiving a selection of any one of the cycles for the operation of the appliance, and a second circuit coupled between the switches and the control circuit and responsive to the circuitry for receiving for supplying information on the rotational position of the cams to the control circuit to enable control of the electrical rotation in accordance with a cycle selection.

Abstract: A method and control system for controlling an apparatus having at least one machine function and a cycle of operation associated therewith provides a central control element for controlling the function, an input for selecting one of a plurality of fixed periods for causing the control element to activate the function for a cycle of operation in response to the selected period, a device for determining a variable period independent of the fixed periods, and an input for the variably determined period into the control element, the control element having information stored therein, which information includes the fixed periods and an instruction repertoire for causing the control element to control the machine function in response to either one of the fixed periods or the variably determined period.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting a substance including hydrocarbons on the surface of water provides a floatation device for floating on the water surface and for supporting at least one sensing element for detecting the hydrocarbon substance with the floatation device is composed substantially of nitrile and having printed circuitry deposited on the nitrile for providing electrical connection between the sensing element and an electrical conductor for coupling the element to a sensing instrument.

Abstract: A cam is axially displaced so that a pair of cam followers sequentially drop from the cam's outer periphery to sequentially close a pair of electrical switches which are responsive to the cam followers. Upon completion of a program, the cam is permitted to displace to its original position. A clip ring clutch is used to provide a two-way manual rotation of a ring which carries a ramp that axially indexes the cam.

Abstract: A coil bobbin includes a spindle, a terminal retaining flange and a second flange extending from opposed ends of the spindle between which a coil of wire is wound. The terminal retaining flange includes two diametrically opposed slots which receive electrical terminals, one of the slots serving as a starting place for the wire.

Abstract: A device for sensing a substance on the surface of a liquid of the type including a float and a sensing element mounted on the float for extending into the liquid, includes a plastic encasement enclosing all portions of the element to be exposed to the liquid for preventing interference with the operation of the element by substances in the liquid other than the substance to be sensed.

Abstract: A digital clock is coupled to a cam means of a timing mechanism so that the clock can indicate the time remaining of a cycle provided by the cam means. One of the display wheels of the clock is intermittently rotated through the stored energy of a torsion spring, the energy being stored when the wheel is prevented from rotating by a slider which engages the wheel. A second display wheel is intermittently rotated as the first wheel is rotated through a geneva gear system which couples the two wheels together.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a housing having an open end for receiving an electrical component, a rigid member for sealing the open end to contain the electrical component within the housing, and an apparatus positioned between the electrical component and the rigid sealing member for anchoring the electrical component within the housing. The anchoring apparatus includes a center section, at least two angularly spaced arms extending radially outward from the center section, a locator extending axially outward from the center section for engaging the electrical component, posts extending axially outward from each of the arms for engaging the rigid sealing member to restrict movement of the center section and the arms relative to the rigid sealing member, and a plurality of spaced fingers extending axially outward from the arms for engaging the electrical component.

Abstract: A voltage level detector for controlling a battery charger, includes a power supply circuit adapted to be coupled to a battery during charging thereof, a first voltage regulator for providing a supply voltage for the detector, the first voltage regulator being coupled to receive power from the power supply circuit, a second voltage regulator for providing a stable source of reference voltage, the second voltage regulator being coupled to receive power from the detector supply voltage, a voltage comparator having one input thereof coupled to the stable reference voltage source, circuitry for coupling the battery to the other input of the voltage comparator, the circuit for coupling being adapted to coupled a proportion of the battery voltage which proportion equals the stable reference voltage when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined maximum level, and control circuitry responsive to the output of the voltage comparator for controlling the charging of the battery in response to the battery voltage reac

Abstract: In a time constant circuit of the type having a resistance capacitance circuit including a capacitor and a resistance network connected in series with the capacitor, wherein the improvement provides digital gate means having an output and at least one input, the output being electrically coupled to the resistance capacitance circuit, the digital gate means being adapted to provide a first digital output voltage level for charging the capacitor through the resistance network and a second digital output voltage level for discharging the capacitor through the resistance network, and circuitry connected to the input of the digital gate for controlling the output of the gate in response to the voltage charge of the capacitor.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a housing having an open end for receiving an electrical component, the housing including an inwardly extending flange located in proximity to the open end and the flange having surface area facing into the housing and away from the open end, anchoring structure adapted for positioning between the electrical component and the open end, the anchoring structure including a hub and at least two arms extending radially outwardly from the hub, the arms including radially extending ends having an effective distance therebetween which is larger than the size of the open end of the housing, and an abutment for abutting the hub against the electrical component, the arms being adapted for concave resilient deflection thereof into the housing for creating a biasing force against the electrical component and for reducing the effective distance between the radially extending ends for permitting installation of the anchoring structure into the open end and past the flange for engaging the radi