Abstract: A circuit comprises P-channel and N-channel field effect transistors. A conduction electrode, such as a drain, of one of the transistors is coupled to a conduction electrode of the other transistor. Means are provided for ensuring that the currents in the transistors when changing state, and hence the rise and fall times of an output signal of the transistors, are substantially equal. Preferably, the ensuring means comprises the channel length of the P-channel transistor being smaller than that of the N-channel device. Alternately, either the doping level or the width of the P-channel device can be greater than that of the N-channel device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a read and clear readout circuit and a method of operation of an IR sensing array. The invention eliminates "readout circuit lag" which reduces transient response for an individual sensor, and reduces angular resolution of an array. "Readout circuit lag" also emphasizes longer duration IR background causing unwanted saturation and restriction of the dynamic range. Readout circuit lag arises from the capacitance of the sensor elements and the capacitance of the readout circuit at a node to which the sensor elements are periodically coupled for readout, the IR induced charge being partitioned between these capacitances, with that attributable to the sensor capacitance not being injected, causing readout circuit lag. Elimination of such lag is achieved by following each readout step, with a clear or clear and skim step that removes charge to the clear level or to the skim level, precluding the lag earlier described.

Abstract: This application describes a number of novel advanced piezoelectric ceramic power switching devices which are mounted within protective gastight enclosures that are either evacuated to a high degree of vacuum or filled with an inert gas protective atmosphere. The devices thus constructed are capable of operating over a range of load voltages extending from about 100 volts to 5000 volts or more with corresponding currents of from a few amperes to hundreds of amperes and wherein it is possible to provide a number of such structures in a single common protective gastight enclosure. For certain circuit applications the devices thus constructed have unpoled portions on which are mounted either passive circuit components such as resistors, capacitors and the like or active semiconductor devices all interconnected in circuit relationship with each other and the switching devices by using printed circuit or integrated circuit fabrication techniques.

Abstract: An electrical load controller includes a combination of switches for selecting a desired load output level, an electronic custom gate array for converting the switch signals to a parallel binary number, a parallel to serial data encoder for converting the multi-bit parallel data signal into a multi-bit serial data signal, a frequency shift key connected to a resonant circuit generating a controllable high frequency signal and for shifting the high frequency either up or down from the center frequency coupled to a power line to transmit the binary serial data onto the power line. The system also includes a fail-safe construction so that, should the control system fail, the load will be operable. The system provides continuous communication from the controller to the power line, so that should noise interfere with one data transmission, subsequent data transmission will provide correct data to the load, thereby making load control nearly immune to extraneous noise on the power line.

Abstract: An electronically driven trip actuator for multipole industrial rated molded case circuit breakers is installed within a common housing with the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The trip actuator consists of a mechanical actuator cooperatively connected with a magnetic latch. The magentic latch arrangement holds the trip actuator against an actuating spring bias. Upon receiving an appropriate signal response, the magnetic latch releases, allowing the mechanical actuator to move into contact with the circuit breaker latch under the influence of the actuator spring. The arrangement of the mechanical actuator and actuator spring provides a low latching force to the magnetic latch, while providing a large trip force to the circuit breaker latch.

Abstract: A decorative string set used for Christmas lighting is disclosed. The string set comprises various embodiments of clamping means which provide positive retention of incandescent lamps to their respective electrical sockets.

Abstract: A novel metal core printed circuit board and a method of making it are described. The circuit board comprises a metal substrate, a patternable metal foil, and an insulating layer of thermoplastic resin whose glass transition temperature is exceeded during assembly under pressure to bond the resin to the metal substrate and to the foil by high temperature wetting. The circuit board also provides holes whose interior is lined with a resin united fusing to the resin in the insulating layer by high temperature wetting accompanied by pressure. The thermoplastic resin is a polyetherimide engineering plastic. The layers of the printed circuit board described above, including any additional layers of insulating resin and foil, may be bonded in a single step in a laminating press.

Abstract: Improved piezoelectric ceramic switching devices are described along with their method of fabrication. In addition to the devices themselves, novel electric circuits are described for the energization as well as the use of such devices as switching elements in electrical systems. Parts of both the energization circuits and/or utilization circuits employing the piezo ceramic switching device are physically mounted on and supported by non-polarized parts of the piezoelectric ceramic plate elements comprising the switching devices so that lightweight compact construction is achieved along with substantial reduction of stray inductance intercoupling.

Abstract: A circuit breaker panelboard modular assembly employs a plurality of interdependent molded plastic and metal parts to multifunctionally adapt breakers of different ratings for electrical connection within the panelboard enclosure. Anti-turn connector connects the line strap terminal. Captive bolts or plug-in connections are employed to attach the breakers to the power bus. A novel concealed hinge construction is used to connect the panelboard door to the panelboard housing and the breakers are individually identified within the housing by extruded plastic circuit markers.

Abstract: A method of exposing only the top surface of a narrow mesa is disclosed wherein a protective layer may be very precisely formed on a very narrow mesa for subsequent doping of areas adjacent the mesa without doping the mesa itself. A variation of the invention includes forming an opening directly over the narrow mesa so that a contact may be made at only the top surface of the mesa or the upper portion of the mesa may be doped independent of surfaces adjacent the mesa.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for remote ultrasonic temperature measurement. The arrangement employs a sensor, which in turn comprises an electromechanical transducer, a sensing element, and a hollow ultrasonic waveguide for coupling the sensing element to the transducer. The transducer is designed to propagate surface waves of a torsional or a radial shear mode upon the internal surface of the waveguide. The walls of the waveguide are made sufficiently thick, such that supporting clamps applied to the exterior of the waveguide have no adverse affect on interior wave propagation. The sensing element may be of either a hollow construction using internal surface wave propagation for protection of the active interior surface of the sensing element or of a solid construction in which the active outer surface of the sensing element may be exposed to the environment.

Abstract: A glass composition specially useful in the glass envelope of TV receiver tubes and which is of the lead silicate type is disclosed comprising in weight percent 30-65% SiO.sub.2, 20-40% PbO, 5-20% alkali metal oxides, 0-2% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-10% alkaline earth metal oxides, 0.2-2% Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 0.1-0.5% CeO.sub.2. The improvement resides in employment of a novel refining system when the glass is formed which employs Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3, niter and CeO.sub.2 as the refining agents in particular weight proportions to reduce the seed count in the molten glass while also reducing thermal shock breakage when the solid glass product is thereafter thermally reworked.

Abstract: A selectable rating plug allows a standard molded case circuit breaker design to be used over a wide range of ampere ratings. The rating plug is used to control the thermal load on the thermally responsive trip element within the breaker. Movement of the thermally responsive element articulates the breaker trip mechanism in response to predetermined overload conditions to interrupt circuit current.

Abstract: A compact electric safety switch including a rotatably mounted double contact assembly. Heavy duty compression springs are positioned under the blade assembly for rapid make and break connection between a pair of contact stabs. The series arrangement between the pair of contact stabs generates a corresponding pair of electrical arcs during the make and break occurrence which is less intense and of shorter duration than standard single contact arrangements. The pair of less intense arcs of short duration allow for a corresponding pair of arc chutes of smaller size than standard single arc chute arrangements. The contact stabs that receive the double contact blade are staggered to reduce electromagnetic attraction between the contact and the stabs.

Abstract: The AC power line to a street luminaire carries a 200 KHz carrier signal for operating a switching relay that connects a dimming reactor in series with the discharge lamp. A pick-off transformer has a primary winding connected in series with the ballasting means for the lamp, and a secondary winding connected to a carrier signal detector operating the switching relay. A capacitor connected across the primary has a value resonating the primary magnetizing reactance of the transformer at the carrier frequency. A resistor substantially higher in value than the characteristic impedance of the line but not several orders of magnitude higher, is preferably connected across the primary winding to serve as a terminating impedance.

Abstract: A control circuit combined with a magnetically bistable solenoid armature provides a bistable undervoltage release function to a circuit breaker. The solenoid is fabricated from a material having high magnetic remnance and low coercivity. A first signal to the solenoid coil develops a high remnance flux to hold the armature against a spring force. A second signal, of opposite polarity and predetermined voltage, produces an opposing magnetic flux to cancel that retained by the solenoid. The armature then becomes extended under the influence of a charged spring to trip the breaker.

Abstract: A three-piece molded plastic enclosure for disconnect switches consisting of a base, cover, and door individually fabricated by means of an injection molding process. The base has integrally molded extension tabs cooperating with an integrally molded hasp on the door for allowing the enclosure to be padlocked. A two-part hinge wherein part of the hinge is integrally formed with the cover and the remaining part is integrally formed with the door allowing the door to be assembled to the cover in a hinge-like fashion. Electrical components are attached to the interior of the base and the base is secured to the cover by means of a screw. The screw is only accessible from behind the door when the compartment is unlocked. Besides providing a disconnect switch that is tamper-proof behind a locked door, the molded plastic enclosure is water-tight and environmentally secure.

Abstract: An improved plastic reflector member for a parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) lamp is disclosed and, in particular, the use of said improved plastic reflector member for an all plastic PAR lamp or a PAR lamp which uses said improved reflector member. Said improved plastic reflector member utilizes a variable thickness wall member to form the parabolic shaped cavity wherein the wall thickness of its planar walls is sufficiently greater in the rim sealing region than in the adjoining wall region of said parabolic cavity to avoid mechanical and heat distortion.

Abstract: Circuit protection and protective relay functions are provided by common circuit elements under the control of a single processor unit. Voltage and current values are obtained on a continuous basis and these values are continuously monitored within the processor to determine the electrical status of a protected power distribution system. Upon the occurrence of an overcurrent or undervoltage condition, the circuit is interrupted by operation of a circuit breaker trip solenoid causing the breaker contacts to open. When the overcurrent or undervoltage condition ceases to exist, the circuit breaker contacts could be closed by operation of a controlled relay. The ROM and RAM storage elements within the processor unit are continuously tested and the circuit breaker contacts are opened upon indication that the ROM or RAM element is nonfunctional.

Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers having rear mounted line connectors are provided with retainer clips and plates to prevent easy removal of the breakers from electric panel box load stab connectors. The breakers can be removed for replacement however, without disassembling the entire electrical panel box.