Abstract: A burner cover for a gas burner includes a disk-shaped base segment, and an annular gas distribution segment which is connected to the base segment. The gas distribution segment has first gas distribution channels, which extend radially from an inner surface of the gas distribution segment toward an outer edge of the base segment. Each first gas distribution channel extends through the gas distribution segment and has a T-shaped cross-sectional geometry, which is open in a direction pointing away from the base segment.

Abstract: A gas control valve for a hob includes a valve housing, and a valve body accommodated in the valve housing. The valve body is rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation from a closed position, in which the gas control valve is closed, into an open position, in which the gas control valve is open. The valve body is rotatable in the predetermined direction of rotation beyond the open position into a low-flame position when the valve body is rotated from the open position into the low-flame position for controlling a flow volume of combustion gas flowing through the gas control valve/ The valve body is rotatable in opposition to the predetermined direction of rotation from the open position into a booster position, in which the flow volume of combustion gas is greater than the flow volume of combustion gas in the open position.

Abstract: A two-dimensional SQIF array and methods for manufacture can include at least two bi-SQUIDs that share an inductance. The bi-SQUIDs can be combined to establish a diamond-shaped cell. A plurality of the diamond shaped cells can be packed tightly together so that each cell shares at least three cell junctions with adjacent cells to establish the SQIF array. Because of the close proximity of the cells, the effect that the mutual inductances each cell has on adjacent cells can be accounted for, as well as the SQIF array boundary conditions along the array edges. To do this, a matrix of differential equations can be solved to provide for the recommended inductance of each bi-SQUID in the SQIF array. Each bi-SQUID can be manufactured with the recommended inductance to result in a SQIF having an increased strength of anti-peak response, but without sacrificing the linearity of the response.

Abstract: A gas burner arrangement for a hotplate includes at least two gas burners, each gas burner having operably connected thereto a gas valve for regulating a combustion gas flow to the gas burners, and a thermoelement for monitoring a flame of the gas burners. The thermoelement is coupled to the gas valve by an electrical circuit, such that when the flame of the associated gas burner is extinguished, the combustion gas flow to the gas burner is interrupted with the aid of the gas valve. Each electrical circuit includes a mechanically actuatable switch configured to couple or decouple the electrical circuit between the associated thermoelement and the associated gas valve. The mechanically actuatable switch includes a contact element having a noble metal. A shared actuation element controls the mechanically actuatable switches of the electric circuits.

Abstract: A gas burner for a cooktop includes a contact surface configured to come into surface contact with a cooktop plate of the cooktop. A holding device has a thermal element receiving slot which is adapted to allow a thermal element to be pushed into the thermal element receiving slot laterally parallel to the contact surface.

Abstract: An amplifier and method for improving linear response includes a plurality of N bi-SQUIDs. Each bi-SQUID has a non-uniform bi-SQUID parameter ?i, described by ?i=2?LiIci?0 can be defined for each bi-SQUIDs from i=1 to N, where Li is the loop inductance, ic is the critical current, and ?0 is a flux quantum for each bi-SQUID. The non-uniform bi-SQUIDs can be connected in series or in parallel to establish a Superconducting Quantum Interference Filter (SQIF) array of bi-SQUIDs. Once connected, a mutual inductance between the connected bi-SQUIDs can be established. If the mutual inductance between connected bi-SQUIDs is accounted for, careful manipulation of the critical current or the loop size, or both, of each bi-SQUID can result in extremely uniform behavior (linear response) of the SQIF when considered as a whole, even though the behavior of the element bi-SQUIDs is non-uniform (different ?i, parameters).

Abstract: A burner for a gas-heated cooking appliance includes a pipe for mixing burnable gas with primary air, and a deflecting element which is arranged in an interior space which is bounded by the pipe. The pipe has one end which points toward a nozzle of the burner and another end which points toward a cover of the burner. The deflecting element is arranged in the interior space between a center of the pipe in respect of a longitudinal direction thereof and the one end of the pipe.

Abstract: A cascaded oscillator array includes a first oscillator array and a second oscillator array. The first oscillator array includes at least three oscillator elements coupled unidirectionally in a first ring such that the first oscillator array outputs a first oscillating signal. Each of the at least three oscillator elements is coupled to receive a signal from a sensing element. The second oscillator array includes at least three oscillator elements coupled unidirectionally in a second ring such that the second oscillator array outputs a second oscillating signal. A first number of the at least three oscillator elements of the first oscillator array is the same as a second number of the at least three oscillator elements of the second oscillator. Each oscillator element of the at least three oscillator elements of the second oscillator array is coupled to receive an output signal from a single oscillator element of the at least three oscillator elements of the first oscillator.

Abstract: A cascaded oscillator array includes a first oscillator array and a second oscillator array. The first oscillator array includes at least three oscillator elements coupled unidirectionally in a first ring such that the first oscillator array outputs a first oscillating signal. Each of the at least three oscillator elements is coupled to receive a signal from a sensing element. The second oscillator array includes at least three oscillator elements coupled unidirectionally in a second ring such that the second oscillator array outputs a second oscillating signal. A first number of the at least three oscillator elements of the first oscillator array is the same as a second number of the at least three oscillator elements of the second oscillator. Each oscillator element of the at least three oscillator elements of the second oscillator array is coupled to receive an output signal from a single oscillator element of the at least three oscillator elements of the first oscillator.

Abstract: A flame ignition device for a gas burner is described, comprising at least one ignition circuit and electric switching means that are associated with the gas tap for the respective burner. The electric switching means include at least one electric contact member (50) which is integral, at least in translation, with the control rod of said gas tap.

Abstract: An ambient electric field detector comprising: a collection mechanism disposed to generate a current signal in response to the ambient electric field; an input current mirror operatively coupled to the collection mechanism and disposed to amplify and duplicate the current signal to generate a duplicate signal; and an odd number (i) of at least three nonlinear, over-damped, bi-stable elements coupled uni-directionally in a ring such that the ring of elements oscillates, wherein at least one of the elements has a different initial state than the other elements and each element is disposed to receive the duplicate signal.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus for detecting electric fields is disclosed that includes an array of non-linear elements configured into an oscillator with each coupled to one or more electric-field sensing plates. In various embodiments, an output of the array produces a frequency that varies as a function of an electric field sensed by the one or more electric-field sensing plates.

Abstract: An electrical/magnetic current sensing system includes a first collection mechanism configured to convert an electric field into surface charge, a second collection mechanism comprising a magnetic reactive material, and a sensor coupled to the first and second collection mechanisms. The sensor comprises an odd number, greater than or equal to three, of unidirectionally-coupled non-linear over-damped bi-stable elements. Each element comprises a resistive load, an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with a bipolar junction transistor differential pair, a cross-coupled OTA, and a non-linear OTA. Each element may comprise fully differential inputs and outputs. The sensor may be contained in a microchip or on a printed circuit board. A resident time difference readout device may be connected to the sensor, and may be configured to perform a power spectral density calculation. The sensor may include a resistance to voltage circuit connected between the second collection mechanism and the elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing and processing a magnetic flux signal comprising: an odd number of at least three fluxgate modules, a summer, and a processor. Each fluxgate module is configured to generate a module response signal upon receiving the magnetic flux signal. The fluxgate modules are circularly coupled to each other such that only one-way signal flow is allowed between them. The summer is configured to sum the response signals from each fluxgate module into a summed signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the summed signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing and processing a magnetic flux signal comprising: an odd number of at least three fluxgate modules, a summer, and a processor. Each fluxgate module is configured to generate a module response signal upon receiving the magnetic flux signal. The fluxgate modules are circularly coupled to each other such that only one-way signal flow is allowed between them. The summer is configured to sum the response signals from each fluxgate module into a summed signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the summed signal.

Abstract: A coupled non-linear sensor system is provided for sensing a non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal. The system comprises an odd number, other than one, of interconnected oscillatory sensors for sensing time-dependent changes in an external magnetic flux generated by the non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal, the sensors coupled to each other by a coupling parameter characterized by a threshold value, so that each of the sensors oscillates in the presence of the non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal as the coupling parameter exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A flame ignition device for a gas burner is described, comprising at least one ignition circuit and electric switching means that are associated with the gas tap for the respective burner. The electric switching means include at least one electric contact member (50) which is integral, at least in translation, with the control rod of said gas tap.

Abstract: A sensor system employing a plurality of nonlinear sensors utilizes a coupling network to interconnect the sensors wherein the coupling network inherently induces oscillations in the sensor system. This approach removes the need to provide bias signal generation either onboard the sensors or via a source external to the sensor.

Abstract: Certain spatio-temporal symmetries induce one array of a two-array coupled network of oscillators to oscillate at N times the frequency of the other array, where N is the number of oscillators in each array.