Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to integrated circuit devices with wear out monitoring capability. An integrated circuit device includes a wear-out monitor device configured to record an indication of wear-out of a core circuit separated from the wear-out monitor device, wherein the indication is associated with localized diffusion of a diffusant within the wear-out monitor device in response to a wear-out stress that causes the wear-out of the core circuit.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed. Parallel configurations of back-to-back MEMS switches are disclosed in some embodiments. An isolation connection of constant electrical potential may be made to a midpoint of the back-to-back switches. In some embodiments, a separate MEMS switch is provided as a shunt switch for the main MEMS switch. MEMS switch device configurations having multiple switchable signal paths each coupling a common input electrode to a respective output electrode are also disclosed. The MEMS switch device includes shunt switches each coupling a respective output electrode to a reference potential. The presence of a shunt switch coupled to an output electrode enhances the isolation of the signal path corresponding to that output electrode when the path is open.

Abstract: The present invention relates micro resistance welding apparatus and to a method of welding. In particular, the present invention relates to small scale or micro welding apparatus and to a method of micro resistance welding using a controlled sequence of current, voltage and/or power signal profile for an electric arc. The invention provides a welding apparatus comprising: a controller supplying a controlled drive current to a weld head circuit in which the controller supplies said controlled drive current in dependence upon electrical feedback from the weld head circuit and in which the controlled drive current is defined by a sequence of segments and for each segment the welding apparatus operates in a mode defined by setting one of a predetermined current target, a predetermined voltage target or a predetermined power target; and at least two of the segments are operated in a different mode from one another. The invention also provide a method of operating such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates micro resistance welding apparatus and to a method of welding. In particular, the present invention relates to small scale or micro welding apparatus and to a method of micro resistance welding using a controlled sequence of current, voltage and/or power signal profile for an electric arc. The invention provides a welding apparatus comprising: a controller supplying a controlled drive current to a weld head circuit in which the controller supplies said controlled drive current in dependence upon electrical feedback from the weld head circuit and in which the controlled drive current is defined by a sequence of segments and for each segment the welding apparatus operates in a mode defined by setting one of a predetermined current target, a predetermined voltage target or a predetermined power target; and at least two of the segments are operated in a different mode from one another. The invention also provide a method of operating such an apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for use in welding, in particular in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. The invention provides a touch retract welding torch (10) comprising: an electrode (27); a nozzle (28) surrounding the electrode (27); a mechanical retraction mechanism (21) comprising a gripper (13) for clamping the electrode and arranged in operation to engage the gripper and retract the electrode (27) away from a weld site by a predetermined distance; activating means (24) arranged in operation to trigger said retraction mechanism while providing the basis by which an arc maybe drawn from an initial contact point and maintained consistently over a significant number of operational cycles.

Abstract: A photographic flash power control unit has two controls for adjusting the light output in F stops. One control increments the output in whole F stops and the other increments the output in tenths of F stops.