Abstract: An exemplary device for classifying an image includes a receiving unit that receives image data. The device also includes a hardware processor including a neural network architecture to extract a plurality of features from the image data, filter each feature extracted from the image data, concatenate the plurality of filtered features to form an image vector, evaluate the plurality of concatenated features in first and second layers of a plurality of fully connected layers of the neural network architecture based on an amount of deviation in the features determined at each fully connected layer, and generate a data signal based on an output of the plurality of fully connected layers. A transmitting unit sends the data signal to a peripheral or remote device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compacted and densified metal material comprising one or more phases formed of an agglomerate of grains, the cohesion of the material being provided by bridges formed between grains, said material having a relative density higher than or equal to 95% and preferably higher than or equal to 98%.

Abstract: An electrically heatable catalytic converter (100, 200, 300, 400) for treating a gas stream, especially of the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine, the electrically heatable catalytic converter (100, 200, 300, 400) has a tubular housing (101, 201, 301, 401), an interior space enclosed by the tubular housing (101, 201, 301, 401), and a porous structure, which is arranged in the interior space of the tubular housing (101, 201, 301, 401) and can be heated by an electric heater, in which the electric heater is a mineral-insulated heater (103, 203, 303, 403) with a heat conductor (104, 204, 304, 404), with at least one front-side connection opening (109, 209, 210, 309, 409) and with at least one outer metal jacket (108, 208, 308, 408), the mineral-insulated heater (103, 203, 303, 403) has at least one section (103, 203a, 203b, 303a), which is passed through a housing wall.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible heater that has a resistive track enclosed in two sheets of electrically insulating plastic material is provided. The resistive track of the flexible heater has electrical connections to which electrical wires are connected.

Abstract: A method for forming an insulated conductor heater includes placing an insulation layer over at least part of an elongated, cylindrical inner electrical conductor. An elongated, cylindrical outer electrical conductor is placed over at least part of the insulation layer to form the insulated conductor heater. One or more cold working/heat treating steps are performed on the insulated conductor heater. The cold working/heat treating steps include: cold working the insulated conductor heater to reduce a cross-sectional area of the insulated conductor heater by at least about 30% and heat treating the insulated conductor heater at a temperature of at least about 870° C. The cross-sectional area of the insulated conductor heater is then reduced by an amount ranging between about 5% and about 20% to a final cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A thermistor based on a composition having the general formula (I): Re2-x-yCraMnbMcEyOz wherein Re is a rare earth metal or a mixture of two or more rare earth metals, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, magnesium and mixtures thereof, E is a metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium, barium and mixtures thereof, x is the sum of a+b+c and is a number between 0.1 and 1, and the relative ratio of the molar fractions a, b and c is in an area bounded by points A, B, C and D in a ternary diagram, wherein point A is, if y<0.006, at (Cr=0.00, Mn=0.93+10?y, M=0.07?10?y), and, if y?0.006, at (Cr=0?00, Mn=0.99, M=0.01), point B is, if y<0.006, at (Cr=0.83, Mn=0.10+10?y, M=0.07?10?y), and, if y?0.006, at (Cr=0.83, Mn=0.16, M=0.01), point C is at (Cr=0.50, Mn=0.10, M=0.40) and point D is at (Cr=0.00, Mn=0.51, M=0.49), y is a number between 0 and 0.5?x, and z is a number between 2.5 and 3.5.

Abstract: A semiconductor ceramic includes a BamTiO3-based composition, as a main component, having a perovskite structure represented by general formula AmBO3. The molar ratio m between the A site and the B site satisfies 1.001?m?1.01. Part of Ba constituting the A site is replaced with Bi, Ca, a rare-earth element, and Na. The molar content of the Ca when the total number of moles of the elements constituting the A site is 1 mole is 0.05 to 0.20 (preferably 0.125 to 0.175). A PTC thermistor includes a component body formed of the semiconductor ceramic. Accordingly, there is provided a lead-free semiconductor ceramic that substantially does not contain lead and that has desired PTC characteristics and high reliability.

Abstract: A semiconductor ceramic includes a BaTiO3-based composition, as a main component, having a perovskite structure represented by general formula AmBO3. Part of the A site Ba is replaced with an alkali metal element, Bi, Ca, Sr, and a rare-earth element. When the molar amounts of Ca and Sr are x and y, respectively, and the total number of moles of the elements constituting the A site is 1 mole, 0.05?x?0.20, 0.02?y?0.12, and 2x+5y?0.7. A PTC thermistor includes a component body formed of the semiconductor ceramic. Even when an alkali metal element and Bi are present, there is provided a lead-free semiconductor ceramic with high reliability in which the surface discoloration is not caused and the degradation of resistance over time can be suppressed even after the application of an electric current for a long time.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor device (10) having a structure in which a stress-sensitive body (1) of which the electric characteristics vary depending upon the application of stress and an insulator (2) having electric insulation are formed being closely adhered together, wherein the stress-sensitive body (1) comprises a thin glass film containing an electrically conductive element that is solidly dissolved therein as atoms, a method of manufacturing the physical quantity sensor device, a piezo-resistive film comprising a thin glass film containing ruthenium that is solidly dissolved therein as atoms, and a method of manufacturing the piezo-resistive film.

Abstract: A switching resistor for an electric switching device having an electrically conductive resistive material. The resistive material is a resistive material on a synthetic material basis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a SrTiO3 series varistor using grain boundary segregation, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a SrTiO3 series varistor by sintering a powdered composition in which acceptors such as Al and Fe are added in powdered form and then sintered under a reducing atmosphere and heat-treated them in the air to selectively form electrical conduction barriers at grain boundaries in a process for manufacturing SrTiO3 series varistor having an excellent non-linear coefficient and a breakdown voltage suitable for use.

Abstract: A switching resistor for an electric switching device having an electrically conductive resistive material. The resistive material is a resistive material on a synthetic material basis.

Abstract: An organic positive temperature coefficient thermistor 10 having at least a pair of electrodes 2 and 3 positioned facing each other and a thermistor element 1 having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance which is positioned between the pair of electrodes 2 and 3, wherein the thermistor element 1 is a molded element consisting of a mixture which contains a polymer matrix and conductive particles having electronic conductivity, and wherein the thermistor element 1 has an amount of oxygen calculated by subtracting the amount of oxygen originally present in the various components of the mixture from the amount of oxygen contained in the thermistor element, which is 1.55 weight percent or less of the mass of the thermistor element.

Abstract: The polymer compound contains a polymer matrix and a filler embedded in the matrix. The filler comprises two filler components with nonlinear current-voltage characteristics deviating from one another. By selection of suitable amounts of these filler components, a polymer compound with a predetermined nonlinear current-voltage characteristic deviating from these two characteristics can be formed in this way.

Abstract: A sensor for chemical species or biological species or radiation presenting to test fluid a polymer composition comprises polymer and conductive filler metal, alloy or reduced metal oxide and having a first level of electrical conductance when quiescent and being convertible to a second level of conductance by change of stress applied by stretching or compression or electric field, in which the polymer composition is characterized by at least one of the features in the form of particles at least 90% w/w held on a 100 mesh sieve; and/or comprising a permeable body extending across a channel of fluid flow; and/or affording in-and-out diffusion of test fluid and/or mechanically coupled to a workpiece of polymer swellable by a constituent of test fluid.

Abstract: A non-linear resistor comprises a sintered body having zinc oxide as a main component, a side-surface high resistance layer arranged at a side-surface of the sintered body, and an electrode arranged at upper and lower surfaces of the sintered body. The side-surface high resistance layer is formed of a specifically selected material. The end-to-end distance between an end portion of the electrode and a nonlinear resistor end portion including the side-surface high resistance layer falls within a range of 0 mm to the thickness of the side-surface high resistance layer+0.01 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction resistor having an improved voltage variable material (“VVM”). More specifically, the present invention provides a polymer VVM that has been formulated with a high percentage loading of conductive and/or semiconductive particles. A known length of the relatively conductive VVM is placed between adjacent electrodes to produce a desired Ohmic normal state resistance. When an electrostatic discharge event occurs, the VVM of the multifunctional resistor becomes highly conductive and dissipates the ESD threat. One application for this “resistor” is the termination of a transmission line, which prevents unwanted reflections and distortion of high frequency signals.

Abstract: A thin film NTC thermistor having a thin film resistive element of a sputtered mixture of metal oxide film, the thin film resistant element having a negative temperature coefficient is disclosed. Another aspect of the present invention includes a product line of negative temperature coefficient thermistors having the same physical size, but varying value of resistances when at the same temperature. Another aspect of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a thin film negative temperature coefficient thermistor using thin film techniques.

Abstract: Conductive polymer current-limiting fuses. when connected in series with conventional mechanical circuit breakers, exhibit extremely low let-through values. Particularly, conductive polymer current-limiting fuses based on conductive elastomeric material are disclosed which exhibit extremely low let-through values, namely less than 5,000 A2s with a switch current of 1.79 kAp, preferably less than 2,500 A2s, most preferably no more than 2,250 A2s.

Abstract: A monolithic varistor which is small and inexpensive and has excellent varistor characteristics includes a layered ceramic body containing ZnO as a primary component and, based on 100 mol % ZnO, an Al component in an amount of about 100-350 ppm calculated as A12O3, a Bi component in an amount of about 1.0-3.0 mol % calculated as Bi2O3, a Co component in an amount of about 0.1-1.5 mol% calculated as Co2O3, an Mn component in an amount of about 0.1-1.0 mol % calculated as MnO, at least one Sb component and/or an Sn component in an amount of about 0.1-2.0 mol % calculated as SbO3/2 or SnO, a Y component in an amount of 0-about 3.0 mol % calculated as Y2O3, an Si component in an amount of about 0.1-1.0 mol % calculated as SiO2, and a B component in an amount of about 0.1-2.0 mol % calculated as B2O3; and an average grain size in a characteristic portion of the varistor is about 0.9-3.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A varistor and a PTC resistor formed from a composite material containing a polymer matrix and a filler. The varistor experiences two nonlinear changes caused by the current due to applied voltage, the varistor comprising a composite material comprising a filler and a polymer matrix, the filler consisting of particles of grained microstructure. The PTC resistor experiences a first nonlinear dependency of resistivity at a first PTC temperature resulting from an interaction of the filler and the polymer matrix and a second nonlinear dependency of resistivity at a second, lower PTC temperature resulting from the filler.

Abstract: Disclosed are a resistive paste that can be fired in a neutral or reducing atmosphere to give a resistor having a high sheet resistivity value and a satisfactory TCR value even on low-temperature-sintering substrates, a resistive material composition that constitutes the resistive paste, and also a resistor that is formed from the resistive paste to realize a high sheet resistivity value and a satisfactory TCR value. A resistive material Ca.sub.x Sr.sub.1-x RuO.sub.3 where x is from about 0.25 to 0.75 is mixed with a characteristic-improving additive of La.sub.y Sr.sub.1-y CoO.sub.3 where y is from about 0.40 to 0.60, and a non-reducible glass frit and an organic vehicle are added thereto to form a resistive paste.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a semiconductor element, particularly for a flue gas detector, wherein two or more different substances, at least one of which is a semiconductor in insoluble powder form, are dispersed in powder form in a solvent, and the heterogenous suspension of the semiconductor material thus obtained is applied in granular form to an insulating substrate with a specific resistivity value of at least 10.sup.12 .OMEGA. cm.

Abstract: An electrical resistance element having a resistance body between two contact terminals. The resistance body has PTC behavior and is composed of a polymer matrix and a filler component embedded in the polymer matrix. The filler component is composed of electrically conducting particles. Although the element is of simple and inexpensive construction, the resistance element is notable for good electrical conductivity in the low-resistance state and for a low response time for the PTC transition from the low-resistance to the high-resistance state. This is achieved as a result of the fact that at least some of the electrically conducting particles are formed as composite bodies having electrically conducting surfaces and/or as hollow or porous bodies composed of electrically conducting material. These particles have a lower specific density and/or lower specific heat capacity than solidly formed particles composed of conductive material.

Abstract: A current-limiting component having an electrical resistance body arranged between two contact terminals. The resistance body contains a first resistance material having PTC behavior. Below a limit temperature, the first resistance material has a low cold resistivity and at least one current-carrying path extending between the two contact terminals. Above the limit temperature, the first resistance material has a high hot resistivity compared with its cold resistivity. The current-limiting component has uniform switching capability and high rated current-carrying capacity despite simple and inexpensive construction. The resistance body additionally contains second resistance material having a resistivity which is between the cold resistivity and the hot resistivity of the first resistance material. The second resistance material is in intimate electrical contact with the first resistance material and forms at least one resistance path connected in parallel with the current-carrying path.

Abstract: A measurement circuit utilizing a thick film sense resistor containing palladium and silver in a weight ratio of about 56/44 to about 60/40 and a specific glass frit composition so that the sense resistor achieves low resistivity and controlled TCR.

Abstract: Varistors and/or resistors that includes doped zinc oxide gel microspheres. The doped zinc oxide gel microspheres preferably have from about 60 to about 95% by weight zinc oxide and from about 5 to about 40% by weight dopants based on the weight of the zinc oxide. The dopants are a plurality of dopants selected from silver salts, boron oxide, silicon oxide and hydrons oxides of aluminum, bismuth, cobalt, chromium, manganese, nickel, and antimony.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device such as hybrid IC, thermal heads, etc., a thick film resistor of the semiconductor device contains a boride particle of a metal dispersed in a glass matrix, the particle having a particles size of 0.005 to 0.1 .mu.m. Generation of a thermal stress can be suppressed and the electroconductive particles themselves form isotropic electroconductive passages by such dispersion, and the semiconductor devices can have a distinguished electroconductivity. Preferable boride of a metal is LaB.sub.6, which gives distinguished resistor characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a zirconia fiber-based or zirconia fiber-reinforced zirconia heating element which can be used in an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An ink for use in forming resistive structures for use in a gas discharge display panel containing mercury vapor to inhibit cathode sputtering, the ink comprising a mixture of silver and nickel with the nickel being controllably oxidized to impart the desired resistivity to the mixture and the final resistive body in the display panel.

Abstract: A device for inclusion in the ignition current circuit of internal combustion engines in which a body of electrically conductive, irregularly shaped metal granules forms a flowpath in the form of a labyrinth between a pair of end terminals. Compaction pressure and, preferably, inclusion of non-electrically conductive granules is employed to adjust the direct current conductivity of the body of granules.

Abstract: A variable impedance device which serves to improve performance and reduce radio frequency emissions in electrically fired internal combustion engines employs a mixture of granulated or powdered bronze, or the constituents of bronze and of silica compacted and continually compressed for connection in series with the ignition wiring of an engine. The proportions of metal and silica are such that an irregular but complete conductive pathway is formed through the mixture. In preferred form the powders or granules are compressed within a fused silica lined sheath of stainless steel.

Abstract: A polyconductor device is connected in series with a pair of current carrying contacts of a relay switch to delay the current surge through the contacts during the closure thereof. The polyconductor device has a negative temperature-resistance characteristic such that its electrical resistance value at temperatures below a predetermined transition temperature is at least several orders of magnitude larger than its resistance value at temperatures above the transition temperature. When the contacts are initially closed, only a small electric current passes through the polyconductor device which is in its high resistance state. After a predetermined time, the current heats the device to a critical temperature at which time polyconductor device switches to its low resistance state and the current flows essentially unimpeded thereby. During the heat-up time the contacts of the relay switch have completed bouncing and are in a stable, closed condition.