Abstract: A lead chloride cathode suitable for use in seawater batteries comprises a supporting electrically conductive grid to which lead chloride is applied by dipping the grid in a molten lead chloride bath. The grid is preferably made of mesh or expanded metal, and after allowing the lead chloride to solidify, a conductive matrix is formed in the cathode by inserting it in a salt solution and partially discharging it to form electrically conductive lead pathways within the cathode adjacent the points at which the grid material is closest to the surface and the grid itself. The preferred method comprises dipping the mesh or grid material in molten lead chloride, removing the grid and the adhering lead chloride, allowing the lead chloride to solidify, and partially discharging the cathode to form conductive lead portions.

Abstract: A keyboard membrane switch including the standard three layer resilient flexible diaphragm switch construction. Threshold pressure is applied to the membrane prior to engagement of the membrane contact with at least one fixed contact. This phenomenon is achieved by applying variable thicknesses of nonconductive threshold paint or glass to the substrate, flexible membrane, a first layer of threshold material or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Cermet resistors based on ruthenium dioxide and in some instances iridium dioxide have been found to have unusually low Temperature Coefficients of Resistivity (TCR) when a particular glass frit and a vanadium oxide additive are utilized. These unique resistors exhibit TCR's of less than .+-.25 ppm/.degree. C over -55.degree. to .+-.150.degree. C with the extremes of the TCR varying less than 20 ppm. The vanadium, iridium and ruthenium oxides can be used as such or derived from metal resinates.

Abstract: An electronic switch which has no moving parts and is actuated by the capacitance of an operator providing a connection between earth ground and an input to the electronics associated with the switch is disclosed. The electronic switch in the preferred embodiment, includes a plate accessible to the tough of a human operator electrically connected to a first amplifier, and particularly to the input which is isolated from and thus oscillating with respect to earth ground. The output of the first amplifier is simultaneously connected to one end of a storage capacitor, having its other end connected to earth ground, and to one end of a high impedance. A second amplifier, is connected to the other end of the high impedance to provide a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit.

Abstract: A touch actuated electronic switch is disclosed including at least one surface, accessible to the touch of a human, interconnected with an active circuit and protected against static electricity. In the preferred embodiment, the active circuit is differential sensing circuitry, preferably, dual input logic circuitry, and most requiring protection from static electricity at this time, a MOS exclusive OR gate. In the preferred embodiment where the interconnection between the logic circuit and the surfaces is desired to include long wires, a twisted pair of wires is used if increased noise immunity or noise protection is desired. The twisted pair is interconnected at one end with one wire electrically connected to the touch surface and the other substantially equal length wire being unconnected or connected to a second touch surface. Both wires are connected at their other ends to the dual inputs to the logic circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring freshly pasted battery panels from a battery grid paster and oven to a slitting device while supporting the panels in a generally horizontal additude. The apparatus includes a first sensing device for detecting the entry of individual battery grid panels into a pasting machine, a second sensing device for detecting the position of the pasted panels as they pass through the oven, and a third sensing device for detecting the position of transfer lugs on a conveyor mechanism which receives the pasted panels after leaving the oven. Signals generated by the sensing devices are directed to a control system for adjusting the speed of the conveyor mechanism so that the conveyor lugs for engaging the battery panels are correctly positioned for engaging the panels from the oven.

Abstract: Membrane keyboard apparatus is disclosed as including an insulator having a conductive sheet thereon providing a plurality of first electrode members and a plurality of second electrode members to form an array of individual switching units. A membrane member is disposed in a spaced relation above and adjacent to the level of the top surfaces of the pluralities of first and second electrode members. The membrane member is formed of a flexible, plastic, insulative sheet member, and includes: an array of indicia corresponding to the array of individual switching units formed on the first, bottom surface of the sheet member; a background color layer formed on the bottom surface of the sheet member and over the array of indicia; a very thin, conductive layer formed on the background color layer and applied to form patterned areas for providing a conductive path between the first and second electrode members of the individual switching units selected; and height differential members formed in the membrane member.

Abstract: Membrane switch apparatus is disclosed, in its preferred form, as a keyboard including an insulator with an array of individual switching units located thereon. Each individual switching unit includes a plurality of first electrode members and a plurality of second electrode members. A flexible, nonconductive member is disposed in a spaced relation above and adjacent to the level of the top surfaces of the electrode members of the array of individual switching units. The flexible member includes conductive material located thereon in a patterned arrangement to allow sequential bridging first, of the plurality of the first electrode members and, second, of the plurality of second electrode members.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulator and electrode member is disclosed, in its preferred form, as including an insulator having a first face supporting a uniform height conductive layer. A plurality of first electrode members are formed in the conductive layer by etching away or otherwise forming an array of apertures therein. A plurality of second electrode members are simultaneously formed either by printing, screening or other similar approach forming conductive material within and laterally spaced from the array of apertures.

Abstract: A machine for forming elements for storage batteries consisting of alternating layers of positive and negative plates and separators. A plurality of homogeneous feed stacks of negative and positive battery plates and separators are supported on a loading platform located above a moving conveyor. Each individual feed stack is supported on a rotatable disc having an aperture formed therein which may be selectively rotated into and out of alignment with a similar aperture formed in the loading platform. Rotation of the discs results in the depositing of a single battery plate or separator from the individual feed stacks onto the conveyor. As the conveyor traverses beneath the loading platform the discs are pivotally cycled to form individual books of alternating plates and separators on the conveyor belt. A ferris wheel type arrangement may be provided for removing the formed books from the conveyor and combining them into battery elements before removal for further processing.

Abstract: An illuminated push button switch assembly has a self-contained light source and a switch portion having integral conductive terminals eminating therefrom. A removable nonconductive saddle is provided for mounting a pair of auxiliary conductive terminals on the switch assembly and connectors are provided for electrically coupling the light source to the auxiliary terminals when said saddle is in place or for coupling the light source to the switch terminals when said saddle is removed. The removable saddle enables switches to be uniformly constructed while having the flexibility of having the light source function either independently of or in conjunction with the activation of the switch.

Abstract: An electrical system for controlling the number of positive and negative battery plates contained in a battery element produced by a conventional stacking apparatus. The system includes a detector coupled to a first counter for determining the number of cycles of the apparatus and for activating a dispensing apparatus to provide an additional negative battery plate on the battery element. A second counter is provided for activating a transfer mechanism to transfer a completed battery element having a preselected number of positive and negative plates. The system may be adapted to control the manufacture of battery elements containing an odd number of positive and negative battery plates or an even number of positive and negative plates.

Abstract: A fired porous ceramic battery vent having a porosity and particle size distribution which can effectively permit the venting of cell gases in the battery while at the same time impede a flame from entering the battery container. The fired ceramic body is formed with a high melting point inorganic material containing aluminum and silicon oxides having a particle size no larger than about 600 microns. A lower melting point glass is used to fuse the particles together when in the fired state. The particle size of the high melting point material is important and ranges in size from 200 to 600 microns.

Abstract: An improved thick film resistor for use with variable resistor applications includes a gold overlay applied to the contact surface of the thick film resistor after first etching the contact surface with acid. The combination of the gold overlay and acid etching of the contact surface reduces contact resistance and the contact resistance variation and provides improved wear resistance of the contact surface in a variable resistor element.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling lead-acid storage batteries with acid by immersion of a plurality of batteries into a tank of acid. A framework is provided over an acid tank for supporting a pivotable linkage carrying a support cradle for a number of batteries. The front and back portions of the linkage are supported by separate pairs of chains attached to a counterweight through a number of sprockets. The front support chains are driven by a motor to raise or lower the front portion of the linkage, and the back pair of chains are delayed during lowering of the linkage so that the linkage pivots to immerse and withdraw the batteries at an inclined angle into and out of the acid tank. The angle of incline of the cradle and batteries determines the level of acid which remains in the batteries after filling. The active lengths of the chain pairs are adjustable for selectively varying the angle of incline of the batteries during immersion.