Abstract: A system for determining the optimum stop time of an air conditioning system within a building so that energy can be conserved by shutting down the temperature control system an amount of lead time prior to end of occupancy of said building wherein said amount of lead time is arranged to confine space temperature within a comfort range as said space temperature drifts during said amount of lead time, said system including a space temperature sensor for sensing space temperature within the building, an outdoor air temperature sensor for sensing outdoor air temperature external to the building, and a controller connected to the space temperature sensor, the outdoor air temperature sensor and the temperature control system for determining temperature drift rate within the building and for turning off the temperature control system before the end of occupancy of the building by an amount of lead time dependent upon the temperature drift and the outdoor air temperature.

Abstract: A temperature compensation system for semiconductor logic gates where the temperature compensation is accomplished by two depletion mode FET's in electrical series relationship is disclosed. One of the FET's is adapted to operate in its triode region of operation and the other in its saturation region of operation.

Abstract: A drive train system for rotating an axle in an external system about an axis which is perpendicular to a driven shaft. The driven shaft has a drive screw thereon and is rotatable about a fixed axis. A drive nut is located on the drive screw and is movable along the length thereof as the drive screw is rotated. A two-part, slidably interconnected crank arm has one part fixed to the axle and the other part slidably interconnected with the drive nut. A power drive is operably connected to the driven shaft through a friction drive including a driven member mounted on the shaft by means of a slip fit through a center hole and a friction plate rotating with the shaft through a center opening. An annular-ring surface between the driven member and the friction plate creates an interface which limits the frictional drive force developed thereby.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chimney cleaner for cleaning a chimney flue wall. The cleaner comprises a plate having a scraping edge and support apparatus for suspending the plate between a weight and a flexible member.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a depression formed into the first surface of the body. The device further comprises a member comprising a thermal-to-electric transducer or static electric element or electrical-to-thermal element, the member having a predetermined configuration suspended over the depression. The member is connected to the first surface at least at one location, the depression opening to the first surface around at least a portion of the predetermined configuration. The depression provides substantial physical and thermal isolation between the element and the semiconductor body. In this manner, an integrated semiconductor device provides an environment of substantial physical and thermal isolation between the transducer or element and the semiconductor body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for tailoring the shape of a dielectric layer covering a step in a semiconductor device. The method comprises placing a semiconductor device comprising the step into a low pressure ionization chamber comprising a target electrode and a substrate electrode; connecting a sample of the dielectric to the target electrode; placing the semiconductor device comprising the step onto the substrate electrode; powering the target electrode and the substrate electrode with a radio frequency power having an electrical phase angle between the substrate electrode and the target electrode; and adjusting the electrical phase angle to obtain the desired shape of the dielectric layer covering the step.

Abstract: A semiconductor body comprises (100) silicon having a (100) plane and a [110] direction. A depression is formed in a first surface of the semiconductor body which is substantially parallel to the (100) plane. A slotted diaphragm is located over the depression and comprises a layer of thin film material and a resistance film. The depression is bounded at the first surface by four perpendicular boundary edges either in line with or perpendicular to the [110] direction. The slotted diaphragm has first and second slots having a first end located at a maximum width of the depression as measured along the line oriented at substantially 45 degrees to the [110] direction. Each of the first and second slots has a second end located so that each of the first and second slots extends only a portion of the distance across the maximum width of the depression as measured along the line oriented at substantially 45 degrees to the [110] direction.

Abstract: A shield for limiting the radiation received by individual detectors within a detector array of an electromagnetic radiation detection system to the radiation provided to the detectors by the optics of the system. The shield comprises a member of etchable glass having apertures formed therein, the position of the aperture edges being in predetermined relation to the edges of the detectors for shielding the detectors from electromagnetic radiation generated outside the field of view of the optics.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated voltage-isolation power supply comprising a thin film heater, a thin film thermocouple, and a thin film of dielectric. A semiconductor body supports a portion of the thin film of dielectric out of contact with the body. The thin film of dielectric out of contact with the body supports at least a major portion of the heater and the thermocouple. The thermocouple has a hot junction disposed adjacent to the heater but out of electrical contact with the heater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for reaching and maintaining a desired fuel-to-air ratio in a combustion system. The system comprises apparatus for monitoring information related to fuel-to-air ratio. The system further comprises apparatus for waiting to adjust a set point of the fuel-to-air ratio until after the passage of a predetermined period of time following the onset of a particular flame-on period. The apparatus for waiting comprises apparatus for waiting again to adjust the set point of the fuel-to-air ratio as required only after the occurrence of either of the two following events, whichever occurs first: the passage of a predetermined period of time after the previous adjustment of fuel-to-air ratio; or the passage of a predetermined period of time following the onset of the flame-on period occurring subsequent to the flame-on period in which the fuel-to-air ratio was last adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bimetal layer located between two portions of an integrated circuit, the bimetal layer comprising a layer of TiWN and a layer of TiN.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigeration or heat pump system comprising an evaporator coil and apparatus for initiating the defrost cycles of the evaporator coil at a frequency proportional to the difference between a water vapor pressure in air in the evaporator coil environment and a saturation water vapor pressure corresponding to the evaporator coil temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral flow sensor and channel assembly comprising a flow sensor having a sensing element integral to a semiconductor body. The assembly further comprises support structure for supporting the flow sensor, the support structure having a first surface. An enclosed flow channel comprises the first surface formed into a groove running below the sensing element. The flow channel comprises an inlet and an outlet for providing flow across the sensing element. The sensing element is located in the flow channel between the inlet and the outlet. The support structure comprises apparatus for flip-chip mounting the semiconductor body, and the semiconductor body is flip-chip mounted so that the sensing element is positioned over the groove in the support structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel gas control for controlling the delivery of fuel gas. The present gas control comprises an inlet chamber having an inlet for receiving a supply of gas and an outlet chamber having an outlet for providing a supply of gas. The inlet and outlet chambers are connected by a valve opening. A valve is operatively associated with the opening. The valve has a closed position for preventing the flow of gas through the opening and an open position for permitting the flow of gas through the opening. The present control further comprises control chamber means for moving the valve between its open and closed positions in response to pressure variations within the control chamber means. The present control further comprises apparatus for directly connecting the control chamber means to a pressure signal from a power combustion air blower so that the valve is positioned in response to the pressure signal from the combustion air blower.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a piezoelectric material formed in a geometry which provides a piezoelectric output signal when subjected to a pressure. The piezoelectric material also has a pyroelectric output signal. The present sensor further comprises conductive contacts having a geometry for enhancing the piezoelectric output signal and for substantially eliminating the pyroelectric output signal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of forming a thin film dielectric layer on a substrate. The method comprises providing a sputtering chamber having a dielectric target disposed on a target electrode. A substrate to be covered with a thin film dielectric layer is introduced into the sputtering chamber and the substrate is located on a substrate holder electrode spaced from the target electrode. The chamber is then evacuated, and a sputtering atmosphere comprising an inert gas and a gas containing an element of a gettering material is introduced into the chamber. The gas containing an element of a gettering material is transferred into the chamber through a metering valve from a container outside the chamber. An RF potential is applied across the target electrode and the substrate electrode to establish a glow discharge in the region between the electrodes. Finally, a thin film dielectric layer doped with a gettering material is formed by a chemical reaction in the chamber.

Abstract: A flow sensor comprising a pair of thin film heat sensors and a thin film heater is disclosed. A base supports the sensors and heater out of contact with the base with the sensors disposed on opposite sides of the heater and closely adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A flow sensor comprising a pair of thin film heat sensors and a thin film heater is disclosed. The flow sensor further comprises a semiconductor body with a depression therein and structure connecting the heater and the sensors to the body and bridging the depression so that at least a major portion of the heater and the sensors are out of contact with the body. The sensors are disposed on opposite sides of the heater, the structure connecting comprising two thin film members bridging the depression, each member comprising one sensor and a portion of the heater.