Abstract: The varistor element contains zinc-oxide as a main constituent and at least bismuth and antimony as accessory constituents. The content of bismuth in the form of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 is in a range from about 0.1 to 4.0 mol % and the content of antimony in the form of Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 constitutes a mol-ratio of Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 less than or equal to about 1.0 mol %. These materials are mixed thoroughly and are pressed into a compact. After coating both sides of the compact with Ag or Ag--Pd paste, the compact and its electrodes are sintered simultaneously at a temperature of about 800.degree. C. to 960.degree. C.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for preventing the accumulation of snow and ice, and having an apertured heating mat in the form of a lattice or web. The heating mat is made of a durable weatherproof insulative polymer so that the mat may be installed on any outdoor surface, such as a driveway, walkway, or rooftop. The apertures within the lattice serve to increase the flexibility of the mat, thus allowing the mat to fit uneven surfaces. In addition, this flexibility allows the mat to be easily rolled up when not in use, the apparatus therefore only occupying minimal storage space. The heating mat is also constructed to be highly resistant to wear and may be left outdoors for the entire snow season, exposed to both the elements and frequent vehicular traffic without losing its effectiveness. Also included is a controller from which the apparatus can be set to a manual mode, in which the apparatus may be manually activated, or an automatic mode, in which the apparatus is automatically activated by snowfall.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor utilizes single-crystal silicon piezoresistive gage elements dielectrically isolated by silicon oxide from other such elements, and utilizes an etched silicon substrate. P-type implants form p-type piezoresistive gage elements and form p+ interconnections to connect the sensor to external electrical devices. The diaphragm is made from polysilicon and is deposited on top of the gage elements.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machine for machining a workpiece with the application of a voltage to a machining gap formed between an electrode and the workpiece which has a direct-current power supply for supplying a machining current and a current limiting device connected in series with the direct-current power supply for limiting the machining current. A switching device is connected in series with the direct-current power supply and current limiting device and is operative to provide a voltage to the machining gap and to form a direct-current pulse. A series circuit of an inductance and a capacitor is provided in parallel with the machining gap.

Abstract: An automobile control system includes a flexible potentiometer that is connected to a horn control circuit. The flexible potentiometer changes resistance as it is deflected. The flexible potentiometer is adjacent to a steering wheel hub cover. The horn control circuit activates a horn in response to deflection of the flexible potentiometer when a driver presses against the hub cover. The horn control circuit responds to rapid changes in the resistance of the flexible potentiometer, but not to more gradual changes caused by, for example, temperature changes. Additional flexible potentiometers may be used to control other functions such as cruise control.

Abstract: A multipurpose wheel well apparatus is provided for a wheel well in a quarter panel of a motor vehicle which consists of a structure for protecting the wheel well from stone, salt and moisture damage. A mechanism is provided for securing the protecting structure within the wheel well of the motor vehicle, so that the wheel well will resist impacts, stress and corrosion. A second mechanism is provided for supplying light and radiant heat to the wheel well for the purpose of assisting a motorist in changing a flat tire and for the purpose of melting ice and snow in the wheel well and in the tire treads of the vehicle.

Abstract: A thin film layer of primarily platinum is deposited onto a ceramic substrate and electrical connections are applied to the platinum layer to form a heater. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical connections comprise two electrically conductive posts fixed to the ceramic substrate at a first end and electrically contacting the platinum heater layer near this first end. Preferably, the heater layer forms mounds at each post and a thinner region therebetween, resulting in a resistance profile which concentrates heating in the thinner region and reduces undesired heating of the post area. Such heaters can be employed individually or in conjunction with other similar heaters.

Abstract: A heating and ventilating apparatus for a motor vehicle having either an internal combustion engine or an electric propulsion motor, where the heat given off by the engine or motor is insufficient to provide heating requirements for the cabin of the vehicle under all conditions, comprises an air inlet chamber associated with a blower, and an air outlet chamber which feeds at least one outlet duct, leading to the cabin. A heating branch is interposed between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber, with heating means arranged in the air heating branch. The heating means comprise a radiant heater having pure or passive resistance, together with a radiant electric heater having a positive temperature co-efficient resistance, the two heaters being connected electrically in series in a circuit which is supplied by a voltage source.

Abstract: The invention provides a varistor with sputtering terminations. In one aspect, the invention includes a varistor body with electrodes internal to the body except at spaced apart regions of the body, and sputtered terminations on the spaced apart regions of the body. In another aspect of the invention, embodiments include terminations comprised of metals from the from the group consisting of chromium, nickel, palladium, silver, tin, vanadium and mixtures thereof. In another aspect, embodiments of the invention include a passivation layer on outer surfaces of the varistor.

Abstract: An arrangement for relieving stress on a connection between external electrical conductors and at least one electric element such as a heating wire that is contained in a generally sheet-shaped, bendable carrier in a vehicle seat has a holding piece and a cowering piece. The ends of internal conductors leading to the electric element are preferably soldered to flat-pin contacts, which are on the ends of the electrical conductors, and which are located in recesses in the holding piece. The holding piece has pins that extend through holes in the carrier and into mating openings in the covering piece. The carrier, the ends of the internal electrical conductors, and the ends of the external electrical conductors are clamped securely into place by being sandwiched between the holding and covering pieces. Pins extend from the holding piece, through holes in the carrier, and into mating openings in the covering piece. The ends of the pins are then heat-flattened to lock the pieces together.

Abstract: A variable resistor that employs a bumped or dimpled flexprint circuit that rotates relative to an adjacent ceramic substrate having concentric circular resistors formed with printed resistive ink. The ceramic substrate is fused or screened with the resistive ink in a circular arrangement that forms the plurality of concentric printed resistors. The flexprint circuit having bump or dimple contacts is constructed, and the contacts of the flexprint circuit are positioned facing the ceramic substrate so that contact is made between the individual resistors and contacts. As the ceramic substrate rotates relative to the contacts, the values of the resistors change to produce variable resistor values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistor device for controlling a rotational speed of a motor which has no directional property and provides a convenient setting. A resistance unit is positioned which includes at least four connecting points connected to connecting terminals at an upper predetermined position of a housing, and a heat sink having at least four supporting legs is provided to form passing paths open in all directions on the housing. Also, the resistance unit is adhered on the heat sink through an insulating layer, a second heat sink corresponding to the first heat sink is adhered on the resistance unit through the insulating layer, and short-circuit means having a soldered portion to be fused at a predetermined temperature upon an overloading of the motor is provided between the resistance unit and any one terminal.

Abstract: A resistor of SMD (Surface Mounted Device) construction includes a film of a resistive alloy as a resistive track on two electrically separated carrier plate elements of copper, which are constructed as contact elements solderable to the terminals of a printed circuit board to thereby ensure good heat dissipation into a printed circuit board. In order to manufacture such resistors, a resistive film sufficient for a plurality of individual resistors is adhered to but electrically isolated from a large copper plate and the laminate formed thereby is split into the individual resistors after producing the individual resistive tracks and their electrical connections to the copper plate and after producing gaps between the plate elements for each track.

Abstract: A thick film circuit board includes a substrate, a thick film resistor on the substrate and having a trimming region and a protecting element on the substrate for protecting the thick film resistor and having a window through which the trimming region is exposed. The protecting element may be a protective coating disposed on the substrate. Alternatively, the protective element may be a protective frame extending along an external periphery of a region where the thick film resistor is located on the substrate and having a height for protecting the thick film resistor from mechanical damage.

Abstract: An unmanned snow prevention and removal system is provided which prevents or eliminates the accummulation of falling snow in selected ingress and egress passageways on the ground, such as sidewalks and driveways. An array of disposed parallel linear cooperative panels is provided covering such passageways upon which the accumulated falling snow is caught, and is subsequently intermittently and automatically thrown off such panels on wither side of their respective lengths by their sweeping motion through an arc of a circle from an initial near horizontal intersecting position by an electrical motor drive. Removal of accumulated snow from the panel array during their sweeping-throw and return motion as a result of the snow sliding downward of the panels is assisted by the provision of electrical heater elements disposed along the full length thereof and contained within the body of each panel which enables the accumulated snow to slide off the panel more readily.

Abstract: A device and method for melting ice and snow from walkways and steps is described. The device includes a rigid block of heat-conducting plastic suitable for mounting on steps. An electrical heating element provides heat. The heat is distributed to the entire block and melts the snow or ice on the surface.

Abstract: A chip resistor is provided which comprises an insulating chip substrate, a resistor element formed on the chip substrate, a first pair of electrode terminals branching out from one end of the resistor element, and a second pair of electrode terminals branching out from the other end of the resistor element. One of the first pair electrode terminals is a current terminal while the other of the first pair electrode terminals is a voltage terminal. Similarly, one of the second pair electrode terminals is a current terminal, and the other of the second pair electrode terminals is a voltage terminal.

Abstract: A rotary dimmer switch assembly for use with a vehicle push-pull switch controls at least one light dimming function. The rotary switch assembly comprises a stationary cam contact assembly, and a rotating carder assembly which carries a circuit element having an exposed circuit trace surface. The cam contact assembly is fixed to a circuit board and has a plurality of contact arms having one end biased against the circuit element circuit trace surfaces and the other end electrically connected to the circuit board. The cam contact assembly guides the rotation of the carrier assembly about the longitudinal axis of the push-pull switch. The circuit element rotates with the carrier assembly, which is rotated by rotation of a push-pull switching component, and the circuit trace surfaces sweep across the contact arms thereby controlling the light dimming function. A method of assembling the rotary potentiometer assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gripping system for use in uniaxial testing of test specimens at elevated temperatures, typically above 900.degree.-1000.degree. F. The uniaxial mechanical testing is typically tensile testing conducted on high temperature engineering materials which operate under severe conditions at elevated temperatures. The gripping system includes a gripping element having a first section adapted to contact the test specimen wherein a heater is received in the second section for heating the gripping surface. The heater is designed to heat the gripping surface and the test specimen to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A parallel, zone-type heating cable wherein thermally-controlled ferrite reed switches in each zone regulate current flow to heating elements aligned in parallel with each other. Two parallel conductors deliver current to the switches and the heating elements. A dielectric insulation material separates the conductors from each other and the heating elements. The heating cable may further include a component having a particular temperature coefficient of resistance aligned in parallel with the switch to further regulate current flow to a positive but lesser level when the switch is open.