Abstract: A free-floating shorting bar carries electrical contacts at opposed ends thereof. The shorting bar is actuated to open and close mating electrical contacts by a pair of axially indexable shafts in a manner whereby three electrical contact conditions are provided: (1) With both shafts indexed "out" a first set of contacts is closed and a second set is opened; (2) With both shafts indexed "in" the first set is open and the second set closed; and (3) When one shaft is indexed "out" and one "in", both sets of contacts are closed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a timing mechanism utilizing a digital interval timer composed of rotating drum wheels each having a cam to close electrical switches to provide a program sequence. Cam followers are constructed and arranged so that when they drop in notches of the cams the drum wheels can be rotated in either direction.An auxiliary program is provided by a slideable drum shaped helical cam that actuates a cam follower. The drum shaped helical cam is manually axially set to provide a desired program. Both the drum shaped helical cam and the drum wheels are power driven from the same source.The timing mechanism is packaged in a cup shaped housing having individual ribs in its side-walls to receive a frame carrying the drum wheels and the drum shaped helical cam.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit having a variable duty cycle for controlling the power level of a microwave oven provides an adjustable RC time constant circuit including a capacitance branch and a resistance branch and coupling means therebetween, the resistance branch including a pair of alternately selectable current paths for the charging and discharging of the capacitance branch, the coupling means including semiconductor switch means for selecting and coupling either of the current paths to the capacitance branch for changing the charging and discharging of the capacitance branch in accordance with the selected current path, and one of the current paths including a pair of parallel connected portions with each of the parallel portions having a diode connected therein for controlling the direction of current flow, the diodes being connected with opposite respective polarities for allowing current flow only in opposite directions in the respective portions, the one current path further including a potentiometer hav

Abstract: A touch control system includes at least two capacitance means, a shunting means, and an implemental means wherein the implemental means includes at least two multiple input inverting logic gates having complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS).

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the application of alternating current power to an apparatus provides a triac having a pair of main terminals adapted for being coupled in series between the apparatus and a source of alternating current power, the triac also having a gate terminal, nonregulated direct current power supply adapted to receive alternating current power from the source thereof, the power supply including a rectifier and a filter and having a pair of output terminals for distributing direct current power, circuitry for maintaining an approximately constant load on the nonregulated direct current power supply and for switching current therefrom to the triac gate terminal including a semiconductor junction switch having a gate terminal, a first main terminal coupled to one output terminal of the power supply and the triac gate terminal and a second main terminal coupled to the other output terminal of the power supply, and circuitry coupled to the switch gate terminal for activating and deactivating curren

Abstract: A geneva drive means is used in combination with an eccentric drive means to provide intermittent motion to a cam means.

Abstract: A slider is actuated by an outer shaft of two cooperating inner and outer shafts to move the slider and close electrical contacts. The outer shaft is spring-biased with respect to the inner shaft such that after a momentary closing the outer shaft is returned to its original position to open the electrical contacts. A means is provided to impart a snap action of the outer shaft with respect to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A control system for an apparatus having a plurality of selectable functions, with each function including a plurality of predetermined operational steps, providing a control element for controlling the performance of each operational step, an input to the control element for selecting one of the functions, circuitry for interfacing the control element with the apparatus for allowing direct control of the operational steps by the control element, and an instruction program located within the control element for effecting the control function of the control element, the instruction program including a first instruction group for distinguishing a selected function from the other selectable functions, a second instruction group for registering the function distinguished by the first instruction group, a third instruction group for initiating performance of the predetermined operational steps of the registered function and for registering a period of performance for the initiated operational step, and a fourth in

Abstract: A gear train is connected to a motor carried in a housing and has an output member extending into another housing, the output member having at least one cam lobe. Electrical switch means carried in the second housing are responsive to the cam lobe.

Abstract: A pair of movable electrical contact blades are linked together through a lost motion linkage. An actuator means engages one of the blades to initially move it by itself. Subsequent movement of the actuator means moves both blades to selectively open and close electrical contacts carried by the blades and to open and close an electrical contact carried by a fixed contact blade.

Abstract: A flue damper is rotated 360.degree. in a predetermined direction in 90.degree. increments to be selectively opened and closed in 90.degree. increments. The incremental rotation is accomplished by a motor driven timing mechanism with power to the motor being controlled by the timing mechanism and a solid state switching means selectively energizing and deenergizing the motor.

Abstract: A plurality of conductive strips are situated on a receptacle for receiving a liquid which at least partially comprises dielectric material. A first electrode is commonly situated in spaced relation to each of the conductive strips and provides an electrical signal which is capacitively transmitted between the electrode and each of the conductive strips. A second electrode is commonly situated in spaced relation to each of the conductive strips and the electrical signal is capacitively transmitted between each conductive strip and the second electrode. The electrical signal being capacitively transmitted is modified as the liquid comes in proximity to each conductive strip whereby the level of the liquid is detected.

Abstract: A circuit controller which in addition to providing a program for actuating functions of a clothes dryer also includes a means to provide an additional program to prevent wrinkling of the clothes after the normal drying program is completed. The additional program is provided in a gear train of a motor and follower means are provided to be actuated by the additional program to open and close electrical switches.

Abstract: A sensing element is carried by a probe and electrically connected to an electrical plug through electrical connectors carried within a flexible cable. Moisture sealing joints are provided between the cable and the probe and plug. An electrically insulative medium is disposed within the plug and extends to the outer surface of the plug. A moisture seal is provided within the plug to provide a seal between the plug and the electrically insulative material.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit of the type including a transistor having a base, an emitter representing a voltage output terminal and a collector representing a voltage input terminal, and a zener diode connected in series with the base to represent a common input-output terminal, wherein voltage regulation is achieved by the constant reverse bias voltage drop of the zener diode in combination with the constant forward bias voltage drop of the emitter-base junction of the transistor, the improvement including a second transistor having an emitter representing a second voltage output terminal with respect to the common input-output terminal, and the second transistor further having a base connected to the emitter of the first transistor, wherein voltage regulation is provided for the second output terminal with respect to the common input-output terminal by the combination of the voltage regulation provided at the first output terminal and the constant forward bias voltage drop of the emitter-base junction of th

Abstract: A polarized chip capacitor is encapsulated within an insulative material which forms a substantially rectangular member. The exposed portion of the leads exit from oppositely facing, substantially vertical walls of the member. Both leads cover a lower portion of the substantially vertical wall from which they exist and a portion of the bottom of the member. The polarized capacitor rests on and is capable of being electrically connected to a substrate through the wrapped leads. A method for manufacturing a chip capacitor includes the steps of electrically connecting a lead to each the anode and cathode and then encapsulating the capacitor within an insulative material. The exposed portions of the leads are folded towards each other to substantially conform to the exterior shape of the encapsulated capacitor.

Abstract: A fluid interface detector includes a circuit for detecting the presence of one of two fluids to establish an interface level between the two fluids. The detection circuit produces an output signal having a variable pulse width determined by which of the two fluids is present. A reference signal of a predetermined pulse width is compared to the pulse width of the output signal of the detection circuit by a comparator which produces an output signal indicating which of the two fluids is present. The detection circuit includes at least one capacitive sensing device and in accordance with the present invention may include a plurality of capacitive sensing devices to detect a fluid interface at various levels.

Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting discrete states of multiple capacitive sensing devices in a continuum provides an output which is linearly variable with respect to changes in the states of the sensing devices. The circuit uses either a time interval measurement or voltage measurement which has a magnitude which linearly corresponds to changes in the states of the sensing devices. By continuously monitoring these outputs, a continuous indication of discrete changes in the states of the sensing devices is detectable. In accordance with the present invention, a single drive electrode and a single sense electrode in combination with a plurality of sensing devices capacitively transmit electrical pulses in accordance with the various states of the sensing devices whereby the detection circuit detects discrete changes in a state of the sensing devices in a continuum.

Abstract: A wound capacitor having at least two conductive layers with non-conducting spacer layers disposed between them. Means for conducting electricity is attached to each of the conductive layers. An open hollow cored member having a flange extending outwardly from it has the layers wound around it and on one side of the flange with the hollow cored member remaining open. A member cofitting with the hollow cored member and flange sealingly encloses the layers. The means for conducting electricity extend out from the formed enclosure.

Abstract: A high output smoke and heat detector alarm system comprises a high output audible alarm means which includes a piezoelectric transducer and a voltage doubling means in combination with an improved smoke and heat detector which includes a low voltage power supply source, an ambient temperature detecting means, at least one ionization sensing chamber, a voltage amplitude comparing means, and a low voltage sensing means.