Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation, for example to a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection device and layered heaters.

Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltage of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation, for example to a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.

Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation. The radiation dosage may be, for example, a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.

Abstract: Contacts of a multipin connector may be soldered to leads of a board of the like by forming coatings of magnetic materials on each contact and locating the contacts between poles defined by an air gap of the magnetic core, each pole having a separate pair of opposed pole pieces disposed adjacent a pair of contacts whereby upon application of a constant a.c. current to a coil wound about the core the magnetic material is heated to a temperature approaching its Curie temperature whereby temperature regulation occurs.

Abstract: A flexible electrically conducting cloth is described which comprises a plurality of intermingled or interwoven refractory fibers the sheet resistance of which exceeds 1,000 ohms per square inch and a conducting coating encapsulating a majority of the fibers, the coating including at least about 70 atomic percent carbon and being applied in sufficient quantity to render the cloth electrically conducting with a sheet resistance which lies between about 0.1 ohm per square inch and about 1,000 ohms per suqare inch. The cloth is useful as an electrical resistance heater, an electromagnetic shield, an electromagnetic reflector, or as an antenna. It is formulated by contacted substantially the entire surfaces of the intermingled or interwoven fibers with a carbon containing precursor, the fibers being at a temperature between about 700.degree. C. and 1200.degree. C., whereby the fibers are covered with a pyrolyzed coating formed from the precursor in an amount of at least about 0.001 weight percent.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and means for minimizing the adverse effects of carbonaceous dust evolved by the PTC element when it is tripped. An enclosure encloses, but is spaced apart from, the PTC element. In one embodiment at least part of the interior surface of the enclosure is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene, a ceramic or another material which discourages the formation of permanent low resistance paths through carbonaceous material lying on its surface. In another embodiment the enclosure has a large internal surface area compared to the volume of the PTC element. In further embodiments, electrical leads are connected to and pass through the enclosure, and at least one of the leads is insulated along its length and/or the leads pass through opposite ends of the enclosure.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and means for minimizing the adverse effects of carbonaceous dust evolved by the PTC element when it is tripped. An enclosure encloses, but is spaced apart from, the PTC element. In one embodiment at least part of the interior surface of the enclosure is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene, a ceramic or another material which discourages the formation of permanent low resistance paths through carbonaceous material lying on its surface. In another embodiment the enclosure has a large internal surface area compared to the volume of the PTC element. In further embodiments, electrical leads are connected to and pass through the enclosure, and at least one of the leads is insulated along its length and/or the leads pass through opposite ends of the enclosure.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and means for minimizing the adverse effects of carbonaceous dust evolved by the PTC element when it is tripped. An enclosure encloses, but is spaced apart from, the PTC element. In one embodiment at least part of the interior surface of the enclosure is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene, a ceramic or another material which discourages the formation of permanent low resistance paths through carbonaceous material lying on its surface. In another embodiment the enclosure has a large internal surface area compared to the volume of the PTC element. In further embodiments, electrical leads are connected to and pass through the enclosure, and at least one of the leads is insulated along its length and/or the leads pass through opposite ends of the enclosure.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring the occurrence of a plurality of events in a cyclical process. An event transducer detects the occurrence of such events in such process, a progress transducer detects the progress of such process, a search means searches for events by sensing whether respective events occur at expected positions in the progress of such process, and a self-delete means automatically prevents the search means from searching for a prescribed event at its expected position when such prescribed event is not sensed during a predetermined number of cycles of such process. In the preferred form, the monitored process is the cyclical operation of an endless conveyor which is automatically shut down when a rip occurs; the self-delete means reduces unnecessary nuisance shut downs.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and means for minimizing the adverse effects of carbonaceous dust evolved by the PTC element when it is tripped. An enclosure encloses, but is spaced apart from, the PTC element. In one embodiment at least part of the interior surface of the enclosure is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene, a ceramic or another material which discourages the formation of permanent low resistance paths through carbonaceous material lying on its surface. In another embodiment the enclosure has a large internal surface area compared to the volume of the PTC element. In further embodiments, electrical leads are connected to and pass through the enclosure, and at least one of the leads is insulated along its length and/or the leads pass through opposite ends of the enclosure.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices which comprise conductive polymer PTC elements and which will provide repeated protection against sudden increases in current to high levels, e.g. 5 amps or more, in circuits which operate at, or are subject to fault conditions arising from, voltages greater than 100 volts, e.g. mains supply voltages. A particularly valuable use of the devices is in the protection of circuitry in telecommunication apparatus which normally operates at battery voltages, e.g. up to 75 volts, but which can be accidentally subject to voltages above 120 volts.

Abstract: A PTC device is used to protect a power circuit from excessive heat and/or excessive current in an electrical system which comprises a separate control circuit as well as the power circuit. The PTC device is in one of said circuits and is thermally coupled to a resistive element in the other of said circuits. A preferred means for thermally coupling these two components is a metal strap which at least partially encircles the resistive element and extends over at least a portion of the surface of the PTC device.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices which comprise conductive polymer PTC elements and which will provide repeated protection against sudden increases in current to high levels, e.g. 5 amps or more, in circuits which operate at, or are subject to fault conditions arising from, voltages greater than 100 volts, e.g. mains supply voltages. A particularly valuable use of the devices is in the protection of circuitry in telecommunication apparatus which normally operates at battery voltages, e.g. up to 75 volts, but which can be accidentally subject to voltages above 120 volts.

Abstract: A signal control apparatus controls the gain of an amplifier in a proportional stepwise manner to produce in response to an input signal an output signal having a magnitude of relatively accurately controlled value. The amplifier gain is controlled in steps that are proportional to a parameter, such as the magnitude of the output signal itself, thereby providing an automatic gain control function. A method also is disclosed for effecting such signal control. Moreover, such apparatus and method are employed in a system and method for monitoring the occurrence of plural events in a cyclical process, such as the travel of a conveyor belt, the system, then, preferably being a conveyor belt rip detector system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitor system and method for monitoring the occurrence of events in a cyclical process. Whether the successive events occur at their proper positions within the process, position meaning, for example, a physical location and/or a position in time, is accurately monitored, and the process is stopped and a warning issued when an event is missed. Monitoring can be restarted at a point of interruption with resumption of correct checking for successive events. Moreover, if an event is missed, the process and monitoring may be restarted and the missed event selectively automatically deleted from the list of sequential events for which the monitor system looks. The invention is employed, for example, in connection with a conveyor belt system to detect rips in the belt.