Abstract: A metallized dielectric film (103, 104, 105, 106) is used for manufacturing electrical power capacitors of self-healing type. The metallization (60, 60', 601, 601'), which is obtained by known deposition techniques for zinc, aluminum or zinc-aluminum alloys, has a variable thickness of substantially decreasing profile, such that the resistance, evaluated in ohms/square .OMEGA./.quadrature.), varies from a minimum of 1 .OMEGA./.quadrature. in the contact region (51, 51', 501), to a maximum of 60 .OMEGA./.quadrature. (on the opposite side). The thickness of the metallization (60, 60', 601, 601') is reduced by a continuous variation of for example inverse square type.

Abstract: A capacitive bend sensor includes a first element having a comb-patterned portion of conducting material, and a second element having a comb-patterned portion of conducting material. A dielectric material is disposed between the comb-patterned portion of the first element and the comb-patterned portion of the second element. The first element is bonded to the second element such that the comb-patterned portion of the first element slides relative to the comb-patterned portion of the second element when the first and second elements are bent. Bend angle is measured according to the alignment of the comb-patterned portion of the first element and the comb-patterned portion of the second element. The sensor may be coupled to a human finger to measure bend angle of the finger, or may be coupled to a joint of a human body to measure bend angle of the joint.

Abstract: A ferrite composition comprising ferrite, borosilicate glass, and optionally boron oxide can be fired at a relatively low temperature of up to 950.degree. C. into a sintered body having improved mechanical strength and electromagnetic properties. The sintered ferrite body is used to form a chip inductor. The inductor is combined with a capacitor to form a composite LC part.

Abstract: A position sensor for a valve or the like includes a first electrode disposed about the valve or a member associated therewith in a manner that the interfacial area betwen the valve and the electrode remains constant irrespective of the position of the valve. One or more second electrodes are disposed in a manner that the interfacial area between the valve and the electrode varies with the position of the valve. By sensing the change in electrostatic capacity between the electrodes the position of the valve may be detected. The sensor finds application in a fuel injection pump wherein it permits a very compact solenoid (motor)/sensor arrangement.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a capacitive sensor element which includes a metal plate which is flat and smooth and hard-coated with a dielectric material, such as an oxide. The dielectric surface slidingly contacts a smooth metal plate, such as hardened steel, with the capacitance of the sensor element varying with the area of contact of the two plates. Aluminum oxide provides an excellent dielecric surface. The sensor may be constructed in a number of configurations and can be ruggedly constructed for harsh environments. In a further embodiment, a metal member having a hard-coated dielectric material on the surface thereof is partially immersed in a conductive liquid to form a capacitive liquid level sensing element.

Abstract: A capacitive angle sensor has a rotary capacitor plate mounted between two arallel stationary capacitor plates with groove means being provided for relieving the flow of air between the surfaces of the rotary capacitor plate and the stationary capacitor plates as the rotary capacitor plate is rotated relative to the stationary capacitor plates.

Abstract: A circuit breaker auxiliary device is housed in its own separate enclosed container and is accessible by a drive pin through an opening in the container mounting surface. A drive pin is inserted into an opening in a circuit breaker housing mounting surface. The container is snap-fitted flushly to a side of the circuit breaker housing. The internal trip mechanism of the circuit breaker and the operative mechanism of the auxiliary device communicate via the drive pin cooperatively linked to each mechanism and operating through the aligned openings in the container and the circuit breaker housing.

Abstract: An inclinometer 20 has a sensing unit 40 for providing a varying capacitance signal depending on the orientation of the inclinometer 20. An oscillator circuit unit 82 includes the sensor unit 40 as a capacitive element for providing a signal having a period and a frequency depending on the capacitance of the sensor unit 40. A unit 92 is provided for determining the period of the signal. A look-up table unit 96 stores a predetermined relationship between the period of the signal and the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. A comparison unit 94 then compares the period of the signal to the period stored in the look-up table unit 96 and selects the corresponding angle which is the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. The angle is then displayed on the inclinometer display 25.

Abstract: A tunable capacitor comprises a cylindrical stator having a pair of fixed terminals and a cylindrical rotor telescopically mounted in radial alignment with the stator for rotary positionable adjustments with respect thereto. The stator has a pair of axially spaced, arcuate electrodes connected with the terminals. The rotor has an arcuate electrode that extends axially a distance sufficient to overlap at least portions of the stator electrodes in selected rotary positions with respect thereto.

Abstract: A keyboard-operated tone-producing apparatus having, in combination, keyboard means the keys of which are mounted for downward depression to effect tone production in the apparatus; electronic digital signal processor means; tone-generating means; pressure sensing means responsive to key depression to produce signals corresponding thereto for application to the signal processor means to produce corresponding digital signals applied to generate tones from the tone-generating means; means for causing the pressure sensing means to provide the same signal reference, upon key depression, irrespective of the point of pressure along the path of longitudinal sliding of the key; and means controlled in response to the last-named means and cooperative with the signal processor means as it controls the tone-generating means to produce one or all of variable range bending of the tone, center compensation for differing player techniques of key depression, and second striking of the key while depressed for second tone gene

Abstract: An optical pattern tracing system of the type having a tracing head with a scanner that projects a photocell onto a pattern-line with an improved manual resolver for providing control signals to drive the tracing head in an approach direction toward the pattern-line. The manual resolver is a capacitive resolver constructed of foil elements and an angularly adjustable coupling disc mounted directly on a printed circuit board that also carries much of the other control circuitry for the tracing system.

Abstract: A display pointer is driven back and forth along a predetermined path by a geared-down miniature d.c. servomotor in accordance with a command signal. The path is determined by an elongated printed circuit board base having closely adjacent, elongated, coextensive triangularly shaped plates thereon, constituting stationary capacitor plates of a pair of variable capacitors. The printed circuit board includes a dielectric material which also overlays the triangular plates. A relatively narrow, electrically conductive slider member extends laterally across the triangular plates and is supported by and rides on the printed circuit board and constitutes a common movable capacitor plate for the variable capacitors. The display pointer is attached to and positioned by the slider. The slider in turn is displaced along the printed circuit board by means of a cable and pulley mechanism coupled to the servomotor.

Abstract: A precision linear tuning circuit having particular utility to applications employing superconductors in a supercooled environment. Two capacitors, one fixed and one variable, are connected in parallel by an arrangement of shared, concentric electrodes. The variable capacitor includes one electrode and a movable facing dielectric which are tapered such that displacement of the dielectric results in a linear variation in tuning frequency.

Abstract: A cylindrical capacitive tachometer generator having a rotor and a stator, and a cylindrical air gap between facing cylindrical surfaces of the rotor and stator, each provided with equal numbers of teeth uniformly distributed over the circumference and spaced from each other by tooth gaps, the effective capacitive width of a tooth on one cylinder surface being smaller than the effective capacitive width of a tooth or of a tooth gap on the other cylinder surface.

Abstract: A transducer for providing signals representative of the axial setting of an angularly movable component comprises a member having a first series of zones thereon, said zones having the same circumferential width and axial length and a sensing device having a sensing surface presented to the zones. As the area of the zones in turn presented to the surface of the device varies a fluctuating electrical signal is obtained which varies with the relative axial setting of the member and device. Calibration zones can be located between the zones respectively.

Abstract: A trimmer capacitor has a rotor electrode which slides on two stator electrodes which are on a substrate, one of which is a ground electrode connected to the rotor. To maintain accurate thickness in the trimmer, an insulating plate is applied under the ground stator electrode and on the top surface of the other stator electrode.

Abstract: A variable capacitor includes a container-like cylindrical casing in which a dielectric plate is rigidly placed on the bottom of the casing. A surface of the dielectric plate which is in contact with the bottom of the casing is laminated with a film of conductive material which is in turn connected to a terminal leg extending outwards from a cylindrical wall of the casing. A disc shaped rotator member is rotatably accommodated inside the casing and is enclosed by a cap member applied to the open end of the casing. A spring is provided between the rotator member and the cap member for urging the rotator member towards the dielectric plate. Another terminal leg extends from the cap member for the external connection.

Abstract: A rotary displacement capacitive transducer for indicating the angular position of a shaft comprises first and second cylindrical electrodes each electrode having inner and outer conducting members connected together by insulative adhesive and a part cylindrical screen mounted to the shaft is disposed between the electrodes and rotated with the shaft to vary the capacitance between the electrodes. The surfaces of the conducting members define the capacitance of the transducer.

Abstract: A control for use upon a solid panel, devoid of control shaft apertures, allows data entry by rotational positioning of a human member, such as one's finger, about a pattern of a plurality of interdigitated electrodes formed upon an interior surface of the panel. The position of the member varies the capacitance between adjacent ones of the electrodes, with position-decoding electronics energizing successive ones of the plurality of electrodes with successive phases of a master signal and recovering information relating the phase of the signal returned from the control to the position of the member. A light-emitting display may be positioned behind the panel to indicate the index of the control knob by a variable-length circular bar of light, a digitized display and the like.

Abstract: A disc trimmer capacitor has a rotor plate driven by a shaft, a dielectric layer and a stator. The shaft has a fan shaped flange with at least two protuberances to urge the rotor toward the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A rotatable capacitor of variable capacitance is utilized to produce modulation of a signal, and demodulation of the signal produces a signal usable for determining the state of rotation of a shaft used for rotating the capacitor.

Abstract: The armature of a limited-rotation motor which rotates about an axis relative to a stator is extended axially beyond the stator between arcuate, non-magnetic capacitor plates disposed in a cylindrical array coaxial with the rotation axis. The capacitor plates are connected in a bridge circuit whose output is a selected function of armature displacement. The capacitor plates are installed at the end of the motor stator during assembly of the motor as tines of a unitary slotted bushing that is reamed simultaneously with the motor stator, following which the bushing is circumferentially cut to electrically isolate the bushing tines to form the individual plates.

Abstract: A sealed tunable capacitor in which a capacitor assembly of metallized stator discs having a rotor plate sandwiched therebetween, said rotor plate having a post portion extending upwardly and downwardly for rotative movement thereof within central openings in said discs and said rotor post portion having a recess adapted to receive a tuning tool, is contained within a sealed plastic housing such that said rotor tuning post recess is frictionally fitted within an opening in said housing and is accessible from the exterior of said housing and said housing includes a base member frictionally fitted to retain said capacitor assembly within said housing, the leads of said capacitor assembly sealed within slots in said housing base, by frictional fitting or an adhesive or both and said housing base further sealed by a coating of an epoxy adhesive to prevent the penetration of contaminants into said capacitor assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a variable electrical device, such as a trimmer capacitor, in which the position of one component of the device is linearly adjustable in relation to a second component of the device by means of an adjusting mechanism comprising a spiral-like groove linked to one of said components, the other component being fixed relative to an axis about which the spiral can be rotated. The spiral groove is carried by a third member which is rotatable about the aforementioned axis. A projection which is fixed relative to the first component is slidably received in the spiral groove whereby rotation of the third member causes the projection to move along the groove and hence the first member to be linearly displaced relative to the second.

Abstract: A binary capacitor consists of a piston having a metallized band on its periphery. The piston is movable between first and second positions within a cylinder which carries two spaced metallized bands. One of the positions of the piston defines a position of maximum capacitance, i.e. where the band on the piston overlaps both of the cylinder bands. The second position of the piston defines a position of minimum capacitance; i.e. where the piston band clears at least one of the cylinder bands. The piston is latched in its stable minimum and maximum states by fixed permanent magnets located at the ends of the piston in combination with soft iron slugs at the ends of the cylinder. The piston is moved by appropriately energizing electromagnetic coils wound over the soft iron slugs on the cylinder.

Abstract: A control for use upon a solid panel, devoid of control shaft apertures, allows data entry by rotational positioning of an electrode to vary the capacitance to at least one of a multiplicity of electrodes formed upon an interior surface of the panel. A magnetizable disk is attached to the exterior of the panel, with the control knob having a magnetized member attracted to the disk for maintaining the control knob in proper position while allowing control knob rotational adjustments. A light-emitting display is positioned behind the panel to indicate the index of the control knob by means of a variable-length, circular bar of light.

Abstract: Adjustable capacitors for incorporation with any substrate design, and for other general or specific capacitor uses, comprising a dielectric housing means, having base and sidewall eminating therefrom, a rotatable rotor (within said housing means), constructed from a highly conductive metal, having a cylindrical hub and at least one contoured blade plate emanating from the base of said hub, and a metallic retainer, coaxial with and encompassing said rotor hub, to captivate itself against said sidewall in a convex-concave relation to cover and to seal said capacitor assembly and to abut the inner portions of said blade plates to uniformly distribute plate pressure upon the active surface of said dielectric housing base. Displaced from the rotor blade plate by the dielectric housing base are contoured conductive metallized receptive stator electrode layers deposited upon or within said base for connection with receptive substrate circuitry.

Abstract: An installation for an antenna, particularly advantageous for use in connection with a transceiver in a mobile vehicle, comprising first and second means, each of which includes electrically conductive material, adapted to be fixed, without need for mechanical fasteners, in facing relation and in respective connection with inner and outer surfaces of a portion of a structure capable of providing a dielectric therebetween, the one of said means connecting to said outer surface providing for mount of an antenna in connection with the electrically conductive material thereof which forms one plate of a capacitor, the opposite plate of which is provided by the electrically conductive material of the other of said means which connects to said inner surface, and the said means which connects to said inner surface including means for coupling of the electrically conductive material thereof to conductive means in connection with said transceiver.

Abstract: A variable capacitor is provided wherein a reinforcing plate is utilized in the rotor assembly in order to increase the range of the capacitor. The capacitor includes the stator plate and first electrode, the stator plate supporting a lead pin and a rotor positioning member, the rotor positioning member being rotatably mounted thereon. The rotor positioning member rotatably supports a uniformly thick rotor assembly in rotatable friction contact with the stator plate and first electrode. The rotor assembly includes a dielectric, a second capacitor electrode and a reinforcing plate, the thickenss of the dielectric determining the minimum value of capacitance of the variable capacitor. The rotor assembly also includes a fixed spring secured to the positioning member, the lead pin and fixed spring being adapted to facilitate use of variable capacitor in small-size electronic instrumentation.

Abstract: A variable capacitor has an elastic conductive electrode. The elastic conductive electrode is capable of reversible deformation to vary the capacitance. The deformation is applied by a screwable adjuster device.

Abstract: The armature of a limited-rotation motor which rotates about an axis relative to a stator is extended axially beyond the stator between arcuate, non-magnetic capacitor plates disposed in a cylindrical array coaxial with the rotation axis. The capacitor plates are connected in a bridge circuit whose output is a selected function of armature displacement. The capacitor plates are installed at the end of the motor stator during assembly of the motor as tines of a unitary slotted bushing that is reamed simultaneously with the motor stator, following which the bushing is circumferentially cut to electrically isolate the bushing tines to form the individual plates.