Abstract: An improved variable resistor at least partially compensates for non-linearities in an electrical circuit containing a heating element, for example, a thin-film heating element. A controllable heater includes a heating element, a voltage source (for example, a standard AC electrical outlet) coupled to the heating element, and a variable resistor coupled to the heating element and voltage source. The variable resistor includes a fixed resistive element (for example, one or more thin-film resistors) and a moveable element such as a slider control. The moveable element adjustably contacts the fixed resistive element at a contact point associated with the position such that the variable resistor has a resistance that is at least partially non-linearly related to the position, but wherein the heating element has a dissipated power that is at least partially linearly related to the position of the variable resistor.

Abstract: A strip conductor comprises a first layer with at least one curved section. At least one region of the curved section provided with an additional layer having a smaller resistivity than the first layer. The at least one region is constructed such that resistance on tracks of different radii of curvature is approximately equalized.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a linear region (variable region) in which the output voltage is changed in proportion to the accelerator opening degree, and a stepped region (invariable region) in which the output voltage is not changed with respect to the accelerator opening degree. A resistor electrode for constructing the sensor is formed by laminating a resistor composed of a resistance substance on a base plate in a linear section corresponding to the linear region. In a stepped section corresponding to the stepped region, the resistor electrode is formed by laminating the resistor on a conductive layer composed of a conductive substance formed on the base plate.

Abstract: A push button variable resistor device includes a hollow push button seat member confining a receiving space, and at least one resistor piece fixed inside the seat member. The resistor piece has a contact portion and at least one leg portion projecting outward through a base portion of the seat member. A spiral spring resistor is disposed inside the receiving space of the seat member above the resistor piece. The spring resistor has a plurality of concentric turns of varying diameters. A push button is slidably fitted through a button opening of the seat member. The spring resistor hs a topmost turn cooperatively associated with the push button. The push button is externally pushed to compress the spring resistor to cause the concentric turns to contact the resistor piece. The contact area between the spring resistor and the resistor piece varies according to the degree of depression of the push button to correspondingly vary the output resistance of the variable resistor device.

Abstract: An amplifying system comprises an amplifier having a certain constant gain, a first variable attenuator through which an input signal for this system is inputted to the amplifier, and a second variable attenuator through which the output signal of the amplifier is delivered. The over-all gain of the system is variable from the minimum gain to the maximum gain by gang-operating the two variable attenuators. The two variable attenuators are of such a construction that the attenuation factor of the first attenuator is substantially variable in the operation range near the middle of the variable gain whereas that of the second attenuator is substantially variable in the operation ranges near the minimum and maximum of the variable gain. When the input signal level is low, the second attenuator functions in the near-maximum range, and when high, the first attenuator functions in the middle range, thus delivering an output signal at the rated level.