Patents Examined by Karl D. Easthom
  • Patent number: 7002448
    Abstract: A control drive according to the related art does not have a potentiometer that allows a position of the motor or the driven wheel to be registered. The control drive (1) according to the invention allows a position of the motor or the driven wheel to be registered using a potentiometer (25) and a defined home position to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reeb, Bernd Diebold, Hans-Peter Schemel
  • Patent number: 6995650
    Abstract: A mounting structure is provided to mount, on the same circuit board, two types of electrical parts in each of which an operating member is rotatably supported by a housing including sliders and a conductive pattern, such as a contact pattern, and which are similar in arrangement of terminals to extend terminal-insertion holes of the circuit board. Each of the electrical parts has a positioning protrusion protruding from its bottom face, and the position of the positioning protrusion differs according to the type of the electrical part. In a mounting region of the circuit board for each electrical part, a positioning hole is provided in which only the positioning protrusion of the corresponding electrical part can be inserted. Preferably, the positioning protrusion protrudes from a bottom face of a bottom plate member attached at the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Hayashi, Hiroshi Ohara
  • Patent number: 6987440
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an element composed of a conductive polymer composition is positioned in contact with the first surface of a metal electrode, the first surface having a center line average roughness Ra and a reflection density RD, the product Ra times RD being 0.5 to 1.6 ?m. The conductive polymer composition preferably exhibits PTC behavior. In a second embodiment an electrical device has an element composed of a conductive polymer composition in contact with the first surface of a metal electrode produced by providing a base metal foil having an Ra of at most 0.45 ?m and depositing material onto the base metal foil to form a first surface having a product of Ra times RD of at least 0.14 ?m. Other embodiments include electrical devices with metal electrodes made by pulse plating processes, and metal electrodes made by electrodeposition under diffusion-limited conditions. The electrical devices may be circuit protection devices and have improved electrical and physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N. Becker, Orion Jankowski, Cecilia A. Walsh
  • Patent number: 6985068
    Abstract: A resistor card for a fuel level sensor has improved resistance to corrosion and wear. The resistor card has a substrate with a resistive layer and a conductive layer. A nickel layer covers the conductive layer. A nickel-gold alloy layer covers the nickel layer. The nickel-gold alloy layer protects the conductive layer from sulfur corrosion and improves wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Dedert, Robert Heimann, Craig Hoffman, Kevin Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6985067
    Abstract: A resistor card for a fuel level sensor has improved resistance to corrosion and wear. The resistor card has a substrate with a resistive layer and a conductive layer. A nickel layer covers the conductive layer. A nickel-gold alloy layer covers the nickel layer. The nickel-gold alloy layer protects the conductive layer from sulfur corrosion and improves wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Dedert, Robert Heimann, Craig Hoffman, Kevin Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6985066
    Abstract: A controlled electron mobility galvanomagnetic device comprising a layer of indium antimonide alloyed with a Group 13 isoelectronic element antimonide and doped n-type, the layer disposed on an insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale L. Partin, Joseph Pierre Heremans, Thaddeus Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6982624
    Abstract: A chip resistor includes an insulating chip substrate, a resistor film formed on the substrate, a pair of upper electrodes formed from silver paste to be connected to the resistor film, a cover coat covering the resistor film, an auxiliary electrode formed on each of the upper electrodes to partially overlap the cover coat, a side electrode formed on each of the side surfaces of the substrate to be connected to the upper electrode and the auxiliary electrode, a nickel-plated layer covering the auxiliary electrode and the side electrode, and a soldering layer covering the nickel-plated layer. The side electrode is made from nonmagnetic conductive resin paste, whereas the auxiliary upper electrode is made from carbon-based conductive resin paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Saito, Takahiro Kuriyama, Masato Doi
  • Patent number: 6977575
    Abstract: A temperature sensor. The sensor comprises a wire comprising a resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensing material wrapped around a flexible insulated metal core wire to form an assembly. A first end of the sensing wire is electrically connected to a first end of the core wire. The second end of the core wire provides a first lead, and an insulated lead wire is electrically connected to a second end of the sensing wire to provide a second lead. Shrink tubing encapsulates the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: RTD Company
    Inventor: Pete Bernier
  • Patent number: 6967561
    Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Each actuator is a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, or piezo-controlled pneumatic element, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: QorTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bower, Gareth Knowles
  • Patent number: 6965293
    Abstract: An electrical device including a PTC conductive polymer sheet, and first and second electrodes physically contacted with opposite surfaces of the conductive polymer sheet is disclosed. The first and second electrodes have a plurality of protrusions protruded from surfaces thereof, respectively. The protrusions have an surface roughness (Rz) of 1 to 20 ?m and an average width ({overscore (Rw)}) which is 0.5 to 2 times of the surface roughness (Rz), and an average gap ({overscore (Rg)}) between adjacent protrusions is 0.5 and 2 times of the surface roughness (Rz). The conductive polymer sheet has a thickness which is more than 5 times of the surface roughness (Rz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: LG Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-An Choi, Jong-Ho Lee, Chang-Hee Choi, Tae-Sung Kim, Jun-Ku Hahn
  • Patent number: 6963265
    Abstract: A ball grid array resistor network that has a ground plane to reduce noise and improve signal integrity. The ball grid array resistor network includes a substrate having a first and a second surface and vias that extending through the substrate between the first and second surfaces. Resistors are located on the first surface between the vias. Conductors are located over the vias and are electrically connected to ends of the resistors. A cover coat covers the conductors and resistors. A ground plane is located on the second surface. An insulating layer is located over the ground plane. Ball pads are located over the vias. The ball pads are electrically connected to the vias. Solder spheres are attached to the ball pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Cooper, Yinggang Tu, Cynthia A. Christian, legal representative, David A. Christian, deceased
  • Patent number: 6960979
    Abstract: A resistor having a desired temperature coefficient of resistance and a total electrical resistance. A first resistor segment has a first temperature coefficient of resistance and a first electrical resistance. A second resistor segment has a second temperature coefficient of resistance and a second electrical resistance. The first resistor segment is electrically connected in series with the second resistor segment, and the total electrical resistance equals a sum of the first electrical resistance and the second electrical resistance. The desired temperature coefficient of resistance is determined at least in part by the first temperature coefficient of resistance and the first electrical resistance of the first resistor and the second temperature coefficient of resistance and the second electrical resistance of the second resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: LSI logic Corporation
    Inventor: Robindranath Banerjee
  • Patent number: 6960980
    Abstract: A power converter includes a shunt resistor constituted by a shunt resistance and a plurality of main electrodes made of a sheet-like resistive material. In the shunt resistor, plates lower in volume electric resistivity than the resistive material, higher in thermal conductivity than the resistive material and thicker in thickness than the resistive material are fixedly attached by solder, to the side surfaces of the main electrodes opposite to the side surfaces with which the main electrodes are fixedly attached to an insulating layer. At least one plate main electrode for electrically connecting with main circuit wiring is provided in each of the plates. At least one constricted portion is formed between each of the plate main electrodes and the shunt resistance. Plate detection electrodes for detecting a voltage between the opposite ends of the shunt resistance is provided on the plates near the shunt resistance portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Nakatsu, Masataka Sasaki, Ryuichi Saito, Satoshi Ibori, Masato Takase
  • Patent number: 6960736
    Abstract: A switching gas damper for low-voltage power circuit breakers, is arranged as an attachment above the arcing chambers for additional damping, deionization and cooling of the switching gases. The switching gas damper includes a cuboid enclosure with separate inlet openings to receive switching gas flows from each arcing chamber in the low-voltage power circuit breaker. Separate outlet channels are formed by channel walls and/or by deflection elements and are routed on both sides of the power circuit breaker. A variable arrangement of the deflection elements and outlet channels makes it possible to produce a number of mutually separate flow paths, with different desired damping and cooling characteristics, as a function of the gas amounts that occur and of the characteristics of the arcing chambers that are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Patent number: 6958674
    Abstract: A terminal plate is formed with a wide portion and a narrow portion. The wide portion, to be insert-molded by a housing of a synthetic resin, is opened by an elongate blank hole having an inner peripheral surface parallel with a side shape thereof, thereby forming two divisional parts on the both sides thereof. The divisional part is given by a width s1 narrower than a width s2 of the narrow portion, wherein the total width (s1×2) of the two divisional parts is made equal to the width s2 of the narrow portion. Grooves can be formed on the main and back surfaces of the divisional parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yasuo Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6943659
    Abstract: A varistor includes a varistor element, a first layer which is porous on the varistor element, and a second layer on th first coating. The thickness t (mm) of the second layer is not smaller than 1.3/V. where V(ml/g) is the volume of pores of the first layer exposed to an outside of the first layer. This varistor includes the outer layers protected from being broken even when a non-ohmic interface in a voltage non-linear resistor is broken down with a voltage exceeding a rated level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kitsui, Minoru Ouchi, Naoki Muto
  • Patent number: 6943660
    Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. Two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: QorTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bower, Gareth Knowles
  • Patent number: 6943661
    Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient of resistance resistor/overload (PTCR/OL) resistor assembly that can be quickly and easily electrically connected and disconnected from equipment without the need for special tools or equipment. In some arrangements of the present invention, a locking tab on the electrical connector can be secured against an angle on the PTCR/OL to prevent the electrical connection from being broken during shipping or operation equipment movement or vibration. When it is necessary to electrically disconnect the PTCR/OL from the equipment, the locking tab can be disengaged from the angle on the PTCR/OL by bending the tab until it releases from against the angle, and the electrical plug can then be disconnected from the PTCR/OL. The improved assembly provides increased isolation of incoming electrical wires with less material than previous devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan J. Janicek, Kennett R. Fuller, Mark A. Heflin, Ted P. Struttmann
  • Patent number: 6943313
    Abstract: A rotating arc fault-current interrupter, also known as an arc spinner interrupter, is provided that establishes an easily visible open gap via a movable blade member having a first portion for engaging a stationary main contact and a second portion formed by an arcing electrode for engaging an auxiliary contact associated with an arc spinner assembly. The geometry, orientation and placement of the auxiliary contact is such that during opening of the movable blade member, the arcing electrode remains engaged with the auxiliary contact after the blade member and the stationary main contact are separated from each other whereby current is transferred through the auxiliary contact into the arc spinner assembly, i.e. the current is commutated into the arc spinner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: S & C Electric Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Evans, Michael R. Smith, Roy T. Swanson, Martin Zeitler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6937132
    Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes an insulating-resin front case, and an insulating-resin rear case fitted to the front case. The front case further includes a circuit board having a circuit pattern including a resistive element, and a slider that is slidable on the resistive element. The rear case includes a capacitor housing for accommodating a capacitor, and a terminal guide for accommodating an external connection terminal. The capacitor housing and the terminal guides are integrally molded with the rear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kato, Yukihiko Yoshida