Abstract: A pressure responsive electrical switch (10) has a base (12) formed with a bottom wall (12a) having a top surface (12b) formed with a generally disc seat (12c). A recess (12d) is formed in the bottom wall through the top surface within the area defined by the disc seat and with first and second bores (12e) formed through the bottom wall aligned with the recess. Integrally formed combination terminal and movable contact arm members (14) each have a first portion (14a) serving as a respective terminal and a second, movable contact arm portion (14b) swaged to an attenuated thickness. The movable contact arm portions extend side by side transversely across the bottom surface of the recess in generally opposite directions and with a free distal contact end portion (14d) extending slightly above a disc seat formed on the top surface.

Abstract: In a receiver circuit module (22) having a microcontroller (U1), an output line (FILTER_LED) connectable to a source circuit module (20) is also used as an input. A switch (SW2) disposed in the source circuit module is closed to change the wave form which is read by the microcontroller as an input signal to drive a 5V signal to the gate of a solid state switch (Q1) turning it on to thereby energize an output device in the source circuit module via the same output line (FILTER_LED). By means of the dual function of the output line the control can notify a user of an HVAC system, for example, of system problems with a blinking light and/or an audible alarm as well as serving to notify the user at a remote location that selected maintenance is due, such as a need to change filters without additional control lines. The source circuit module can be mounted near the thermostat of the HVAC system or on the central heating and cooling unit.

Abstract: An optical matrix switch station (1) is shown mounting a plurality of optical switch units (15, 17), each of which includes a mirror (29), moveable in two axes, for purpose of switching optical beams from one optical fiber to another. A mirror assembly (41) includes a single body of silicon comprising a frame portion (43), gimbals (45), mirror portion (47), and related hinges (55). Magnets (53, 54) and air coils (89) are utilized to position the central mirror surface (29) to a selected orientation. The moveable mirror and associated magnets along with control LED's (71) are hermetically packaged in a header (81) and mounted with the air coils on mounting bracket (85) to form a micromirror assembly package (99) mounted in each optical switch unit.

Abstract: A socket (1) includes a body (1a) and a cover (3). Body (1a) has a base (2) having a horizontally movable slide (4) thereon on which a BGA package can be mounted and a plurality of contact members (6) arranged on base (2) corresponding to a pattern of solder balls of the BGA package. Each of contact members (6) has a pair of spring arms (6a, 6b) which can be opened and closed in response to movement of slide (4). In one embodiment, a cover (3) is vertically movable relative to body (1a). The cover (3) has motion transfer portions (31) having a wedge shape which are engageable with tapered force receiving portions (43) of slide(4). As cover (3) is pushed down, engagement surfaces (31) of motion transfer portions (30) engage force receiving surfaces (43) of slide (4) and slide (4) moves so that arms (6a, 6b) of contact members (6) are opened. In another embodiment, the motion transfer parts (31) are provided on a head (11) which has an air suction holder for a BGA package.

Abstract: An electric apparatus (10) according to the present invention comprises electrically separated first and second terminals (14, 13), a first contact (16) that is connected electrically to the first terminal (14) within a casing (11), a second contact (15) that is connected electrically to the second terminal (13) within the casing and an operating member (20) for moving the first and second contacts relative to one another. In the present invention, at least the first contact (16) comprises a first conductive layer (41) with a given thickness including a face that is engageable with the second contact, a second conductive layer (42) that is connected to the first terminal (14), and insulating fiber (43) that is interposed between the first and second layers so that the above-mentioned second contact is engaged in the closing contacts movement by the insulating fiber when it is exposed by wear of the first layer (41) due to opening and closing movements of above mentioned contacts.

Abstract: A socket (10) having a base (12), an adapter (24) which has a mounting seat for a semiconductor device (100) and which is installed on the base, and a plurality of contact members (14) which are caused to engage respective terminals of the semiconductor device that has been placed on the mounting seat of the adapter. Each contact member (14) has a pair of arms (90, 130, 144) provided by the bifurcation of one end, with the other end being fixed to the base. Each contact member is caused to nip a respective terminal (102) of the semiconductor device arranged on the mounting seat at the tip portion of the pair of arms and has butting surfaces (92, 131, 148) that determine the minimum spacing distance of the tip portions of the arms on the opposing sides of each pair of arms.

Abstract: A terminal connector (10, 60, 80, 100, 120, 142) for connecting a lead wire to a terminal which is a component of a current path so that the current path will be established. The terminal connector has a lead wire attachment portion (12, 62, 82, 102, 122, 144) which is fixed to the terminal connector with continuity maintained with respect to the lead wire, a terminal mounting portion (13, 63, 83, 103, 123, 143) mounted on the terminal, a fuse portion (14, 64, 84, 104, 124, 145) which electrically connects the lead wire fixing portion and the terminal mounting portion to each other and which melts at a predetermined overcurrent, and a reinforcement portion (15, 85, 105, 125, 146) which protects the fuse portion against external forces.

Abstract: A capacitive fluid pressure sensor (10, 10′, 10″) particularly adapted for use with fluids which are incompatible with conventional elastomeric fluid seals is shown in which a thin, relatively flexible metal diaphragm (18, 18′, 18″) is disposed over a fluid pressure receiving recess (16d, 16d′) formed in a bottom wall of a hexport housing (16, 16′) and hermetically attached thereto. A capacitive sensor element (12) having a pressure sensitive surface (12b) is disposed in the housing with the pressure sensitive surface placed against the metal diaphragm with a plastic intermediate layer (20, 20′, 20″, 20′″) disposed between the metal diaphragm and the sensor element to minimize hysteresis and output error. The metal diaphragm and plastic layers are shown to be flat members in certain embodiments (18, 18′ and 20, 20″) and corrugated in another embodiment (18″, 20″).

Abstract: A potentiometric digital to analog converter includes switches to electrically connect a string of n resistors between two voltage supplies to charge a first capacitor (C1) through a first tap and store the charge and then to reverse the electrical connections of the string to the two power supplies to charge a second capacitor (C2) through a second tap connected at an inverse location symmetrical about the average voltage of the voltages at the supply connectivity switches and store the charge of the second capacitor. The voltage (VA, VB) on the two capacitors is then averaged to provide a ratiometric output voltage which is insensitive to the drift of values of the string of resistors.

Abstract: A gas furnace control for two stage gas furnaces which can be used with either a single stage or a two stage room thermostat monitors the length of time the first, low combustion, stage is energized and upon exceeding a selected period of time, e.g., 10 minutes, energizes the second, high combustion stage. Energization of the second stage signal (W2) also energizes the second stage without regard to timing of the first stage.

Abstract: A microprocessor based control for monitoring oil pressure of compressors can use a normally open or a normally closed pressure switch (S1, S2) and LED indicator (LED1) having a diode isolated power supply (VDD−SENSOR) separate from the power supply (VDD) of the microprocessor (U1). Timing of the microprocessor is derived from the frequency of the line (60 Hz). The microprocessor is normally in a sleep mode and is awakened by each 60 Hz interrupt to check the condition of the pressure switch, the accumulated time that inadequate pressure has occurred and whether the relay needs to be energized and then returns to the sleep mode. The resulting reduced power requirement enables extended retention of accumulated “bad” oil time.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) is shown having a movable electrical contact (36) adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary electrical contact (38, 40). A current carrying thermostatic trip member (42) has a portion movable in response to changes in temperature with a motion transfer member (46) transferring the motion to latch/catch mechanism (20, 24, 30, 32). The catch portion (30, 32) comprises a generally U-shaped adjustment element (30) formed of thermostatic material whose legs are fixed to the base (32a) of a catch member (32) which in turn is pivotably mounted in the casing of the circuit breaker. The bight (30c) of the adjustment element is free to move in response to temperature changes relative to the catch member. Overcurrent will cause the thermostatic trip member to transfer motion to the bight of the adjustment element causing the adjustment element and catch member to pivot and release a latch to thereby open the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A fluid pressure sensor (10) includes a capacitive pressure sensing element (12) having a thin, relatively flexible ceramic diaphragm (14) mounted in closely spaced apart relation to a rigid ceramic substrate (16) by a glass annulus (18) mounted in a housing (28) having a port (28a) for fluid whose pressure is to be sensed by being received on an outer face (12a) of the diaphragm. An electronic circuit (36) is mounted in a chamber (20a) formed between a connector (20) and an outer face (12b) of the substrate. An electrically conductive coating (14b) is placed on the outer face (12a) of the diaphragm and an annular electrically conductive gasket (30) is disposed between the diaphragm and the bottom floor (28c) of the housing surrounding a fluid inlet (28a) in order to effect an electrical path between the conductive layer on the diaphragm and the housing.

Abstract: A low cost, microprocessor (U1) based motor controller (10) for driving a half-wave, multiple speed, reversible, DC brushless motor (30) directly from standard AC 50/60 Hz power. A large number of different speed and rotation direction combinations may be chosen before or after the motor is installed using configuration resistors (Rcol1, Rrow1). SIDACs (TS2, TS3) each serially connected to a diode (D6, D5) are connected across respective coils (COIL—1, COIL—2) to clamp the flyback energy in the windings to a few volts when triggered and allow Vemf to float when not triggered. The control adjusts the relative phase timing of commutation during start-up and during running to enhance efficiency. Locked rotor protection is provided by limiting start-up time to a selected period which is followed by a selected cool-off time.

Abstract: An integrated heat pump and electrical heat control (12) has thermostat signal inputs (O, W1, W2, G, Y) along with a defrost sensor input (DF_IN). The defrost sensor (22) is located in an outdoor unit (4) which also includes a compressor contactor (CC), condenser fan (16) and reversing valve (18) relays (K4, K3, K2) controlled by micro-controller (U1). The normally closed condenser fan relay (K3) is energized through the defrost sensor forming a hardware lock-out in which the defrost sensor contacts must be closed for relay (K3) to be actuated de-energizing the condenser fan. The compressor contactor (CC) is energized through a low pressure switch (24) and high pressure switch (26) forming another hardware interlock. The evaporator fan is energized by relay (K1) controlled by micro-controller (U1) and matched to the compressor for improved efficiency and comfort.

Abstract: A fluid pressure transducer assembly (10) includes an exemplary silicon or ceramic capacitive transducer (22) having a relatively flexible diaphragm portion (22e) mounted on a ceramic substrate or circuit board (18) over a bore (18a) so that the diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressure from a port (12m) received through the bore. The circuit board is received in a plastic housing (12) laterally positioned by guides (12e, 12f) on three height control pins (12d) to vertically position the circuit board a defined, precise distance above a platform (12b) on which a bead of adhesive sealing material has previously been placed, the sealing material having a height greater than the distance between a plane in which the free end of the height control pins lie and a plane in which the top surface of the platform lies. As a result, the circuit board is sealed to the plastic housing through a bead having a uniform, precise height all around its circumference to isolate temperature expansion stresses.

Abstract: End cap apparatus (2) is received in the open end of an electrochemical cell casing (6) and is particularly adapted to be crimped thereto electrically separated from the casing by a gasket (4). The end cap apparatus incorporates current interrupt safety protection features including high rate overcharge protection through an over-temperature and/or low pressure switch (22, 12d-18, 18′, 18″, 118a), low rate overcharge and overdischarge protection through a low pressure switch (12d-18, 18′, 18″, 118a), extended short circuit protection through an over-temperature switch driven by l2r heating of internal components (20, 22, 16, 12, 12′, 16′, 16″, 16′″, 12v, 102, 122, 120), and pressure venting through a frangible portion (12e) of a diaphragm. The diaphragm can be integrally formed with a header (12, 12″, 12′″, 12iv) or can be a separate element (32, 82, 92, 108, 112, 112′ 112″, 112′″).

Abstract: A pressure actuated current interrupt device particularly useful for prismatic electrochemical cells has a cup-shaped member (12, 12′, 12″, 12′″, 12IV, 12V, 12VI) mounted on the cover of the cell and arranged to protrude into the interior of the cell. The cup-shaped member can be formed either as a separate member or as a portion of a layer of a composite cover. The cup-shaped member has a side wall (12b) in which stress is created by pressure generated in the cell which acts on the generally flat end wall (12a) of the cup-shaped member. A selected amount of pressure causes the side wall to catastrophically collapse with the configuration of the cup-shaped member being inverted to permanently break the electric current path with a cover mounted terminal. A composite cover (8iv, 8v) includes a membrane layer in which the cup-shaped member is formed and which can also include a pressure vent (12g).

Abstract: An electrical switch (10) has a contact system in which first and second contact protrusions (22a, 22b; 22a′, 22b′; 22a″, 22b″) are offset from the center line of the long axis of a twistable movable contact arm. In a preferred embodiment the movable contact (22) is formed with a groove (22e, 22e′) formed through the contact running generally along the center line to form first and second generally wedge shaped contacts on either side of the center line. In one preferred embodiment, converging surfaces (22f, 22g) form a groove with an angle alpha of approximately 125° and approximately 158° in another preferred embodiment. In another preferred embodiment the protrusions (22a″, 22b″) are generally hemispherical.

Abstract: A switching element (40, 40′) for use in a snap-acting electrical switch (10) has a pair of outer legs (40a, 40b; 40a′, 40b′) and a center leg (40c) extending in substantially the same direction from a junction portion. The outer legs have a semi-annular band portion which blend together at the junction portion and a center leg at one end of the band portion. A mounting portion extends from the other end of the semi-annular band portion and is provided with mounting apertures (40k, 40l) for placement on mounting posts (18, 20) in a warped, stressed condition. A strengthening portion (40n, 40r) is formed in each semi-annular band portion, preferably along the outer portion thereof, i.e., the outer portion being away from the junction portion. An electrical contact (32) is mounted on the distal free end of the center leg for snap-movement between a pair of stationary electrical contacts (28b, 30b).