Abstract: An acoustic wave ladder filter (55) incorporating split resonators (50) in place of single, small static capacitance resonators in legs of the ladder filter (55). The split resonators (50) have approximately the same frequency but less than twice the static capacitance as the single resonator they replace. The decrease in static capacitance results in a lower capacitance ratio, r. In addition, the Q of the split resonators is higher than the single resonator they replace. Therefore, the average Q/r ratio for the filter (55) increases providing higher performance in terms of insertion loss and ultimate rejection. The basic filter configuration remains relatively unchanged and thus matched to the proper impedances.

Abstract: A device that allows for simple cost effective connections to flexible multilayered circuits and flexible membrane switches. The invention provides a connecting device that includes a housing that has a base and a closeable lid. At least one contact is attached to the housing. One end of the contact(s) extends beyond the housing and is suitable for making a connection to an electrical circuit. The other end of the contact(s) is positioned inside the housing for connecting to the flexible circuit board or flexible membrane. The lid can be fixed in the closed position whereby the end of the contact(s) inside the housing is compressed with the flexible circuit. The lid can be attached to the base with a hinge, and when the lid is closed it snap locks in place so that the contact(s) are firmly held to the conductive pads of flexible circuit.

Abstract: A detachable fiber optic connector has an improved nose block (800) which enhances cooling of power dissipating components, simplifies assembly, improves yield and reduces cost. The improved nose block (800) includes an upper tray (802) and lower tray (804) which slidingly receive an improved aluminum nitride optical subassembly (700). The subassembly (700) and nose block (800) are held together, properly aligned, and then fixated. The nose block (800) also has symmetrical protrusions (850) which allow the nose block (800) to be placed easily and precisely into mating protrusions (230, 240) in a seal ring (200). The nose block (800) provides a direct thermal pathway between power dissipating components, such as an opto-electronic component (750) and optical driver IC (730), and an aluminum package base (400). Various alternative nose blocks (810, 820, 830) are illustrated, and an alternative base (410) is also shown.

Abstract: A combustible gas detector or sensors having a multi-level sensitivity circuitry. The gas detector has a bridge circuit for outputing voltages indicative of gas concentrations contacting the bridge circuit. There is a power supply node electrically coupled to one end of the bridge circuit. There is also a voltage control circuit, coupled between the bridge circuit and the power supply node, for controlling when at least a low and high input voltage level is supplied to the bridge circuit so that the bridge circuit has at least two levels of gas concentration discernability. The bridge circuit outputs distinguishable voltage levels for high gas concentrations in response to receiving the low voltage level. Additionally, the bridge circuit outputs distinguishable voltage levels for low gas concentrations in response to receiving the high voltage level.

Abstract: The rotor of a rotary position sensor mounts directly upon the rotary shaft to be sensed. The rotor prior to installation is retained in position by a pair of small protrusions extending from the rotor that cooperatively engage a pair of small indentations formed in a pair of supporting arms. During the installation process, the rotor is slipped onto the shaft and the protrusions are released from the engaged position. During operation of the position sensor, the rotor is free from direct contact with either the supporting arms or any other stationary part of the position sensor. Only the contactors engage the stationary components. This design eliminates the need for bearings and return springs prevalent in the prior art.

Abstract: A pointing device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, there is a pointing stick assembly using resistive material strain gages mounted on the sides of a shaft or stick for sensing when the stick is experiencing stresses and strains therein because of an applied force to the stick. The pointing stick has a stick supporting collar securely attached to a substrate. The collar extends from the substrate to approximately around the location of the strain gages. The collar may have a beveled surface located between opposing surfaces of the collar and shaft.

Abstract: A gas sensor for being placed into a gas stream such that the gas sensor is insensitive to any specific rotational orientation about a longitudinal axis of the sensor within the gas stream. The sensor includes 1) a base having an axis that is perpendicular to the gas stream, 2) a sensor element on the base, 3) a catalyzed sensor element on the base proximate the sensor element, for creating an exothermic reaction upon contacting the gas stream thereby forming a heated gas stream portion, and 4) the catalyzed sensor element and the sensor element are positioned on the base with a sufficient axial separation therebetween so that as the base rotates about the axis, the heated gas stream portion will not contact the sensor element. In particular, the base has a second axis being perpendicular to the axis and separating the sensor element from the catalyzed sensor element.

Abstract: An illuminated controller having a membrane potentiometer for use as a light dimmer or other voltage controlling device. The controller has a backplate that acts as a sturdy base, and a cover, having sidewalls and a top wall with a central opening. The cover is mounted on the backplate and a layered structure is interposed between the cover and backplate. The layered structure includes a membrane potentiometer for varying voltage, and an electroluminescent panel, for generating light to illuminate the controller.

Abstract: A volume control for in-wall building stereo systems. Specifically, there is a sliding switch coupled between a mounting bracket and a printed circuit board that has components mounted thereon including two multi-tap inductors or transformers. The in-wall mounted speaker volume control slide selector switch assembly. Specifically, the assembly has a sliding selector switch, for housing electrical components, having a shaft extending from the sliding selector switch, for sliding in a linear direction to control volume of the in-wall mounted speaker. Additionally, there is a transformer, for supplying power to the in-wall mounted speaker, having a plurality of transformer taps. Further, there is a printed circuit board, for electrically connecting and physically mounting the transformers and the sliding selector switch thereto. Also, there is a mounting bracket, for supporting the printed circuit board and the transformer and sliding selector switch.

Abstract: An IC package design and method of making the package design that provides anti-bridging between metal leads. The anti-bridge IC package design extends bottom covercoat material out onto the leads a sufficient distance to prevent solder bridging that typically takes place in cup regions of gull wing shaped leads. A further feature of the invention is to provide a method of applying covercoat material to the IC and the leads in the same process step. A resilient material wheel and related manufacturing equipment is used to apply a single covercoat material, like epoxy, in a single step that serves as both the bottom covercoat and lead anti-bridge coat for the IC.

Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing a valve with less resistance. The actuator includes a rotor, a stator, a valve and a shaft. The shaft having a first and second end, and an axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The stator, having an electromagnet mounted thereon, and circumferentially mounted around the shaft that extends therethrough. The rotor, fixedly mounted circumferentially around the first end, and having a permanent magnet mounted adjacent to the electromagnet and spaced a first distance therefrom. The valve including a rotary valve and valve seat. The rotary valve, mounted circumferentially around and near the second end, having a valve opening therein. The valve seat, mounted adjacent the rotary valve, having a seat valve opening therein, and fixedly attached to the stator.

Abstract: A combustible gas detector or sensor having catalytic coated resistance sensing elements that uses a wheatstone bridge to sense the presence and concentration of any combustible gases in a gas stream that chemically react with such catalytic coatings. Wherein there is a power supply node electrically coupling one end of a first and second bridge of the wheatstone bridge. There is a ground node electrically coupling the first and second bridge at another end. There is a first and second metered node located on the first and second bridge respectively. There is a first catalytic sensor element, located on the first bridge between the power node and first metered node. There is a second catalytic sensor element, located on the second bridge between the ground node and second metered node. There is a first reference sensor element, located on the first bridge and in series with the first catalytic sensor element, and coupled between the first metered node and the ground node.

Abstract: A position sensor, in particular, a position sensor that has a modular design for easily coupling to another modular device, like a gas peddle of a vehicle. The sensor unit eliminates the use of permanently attached electrical leads or pins attached to, for example, the output pads on flexible films coupled to a rotor. In another embodiment, the sensor unit is separate from a connector unit so different connector units can each be coupled to a standard sensor unit, or the sensor unit can be coupled directly to another device, like a gas pedal, without the use of an intermediate connector unit.

Abstract: A motor and a rotatable single phase electromagnetic actuator that has a self aligning shaft that allows for misalignment of actuator parts that would lead to excessive bearing surface wearing. Additionally, the actuator has a rotor, having a first rotor surface; a stator, having a slanted bearing surface opposed the first rotor surface; and a bearing device, mounted on and between the first rotor surface and the slanted bearing surface, positioned and shaped to separate the rotor from the stator and to self align on the slanted bearing surface in a position that substantially evenly distributes bearing loading on the bearing device.

Abstract: A pressure switch is illustrated that includes only three piece parts--two dimpled covers and a spacer. By selecting both the type and thickness of cover materials, switching pressure ranges can be selected to accommodate a very wide range of operating pressures. Fine adjustment of the switching pressure may be made by modifying the cover dimples. Reliability and a hermetic seal is attained through the use of appropriate materials for the covers and spacer, together with active metal braze seals which provide high temperature, moisture and chemical resistance. A vacuum port is added for providing the ability to modify the air pressure within the pressure switch.

Abstract: A rotatable axial thrust bearing having an upper race upper race flat region and an upper race rounded ball bearing retainer section; a lower race having a lower race flat region and a lower race rounded ball bearing retainer section; an annular retainer for retaining the ball bearing and the lower and upper race without interfering with the lower race when the lower race is placed on a sloped surface. The annular retainer is made up of an upper race retainer lock portion and an outer ball bearing retainer portion positioned on an outer periphery of the thrust bearing. The annular retainer additionally consists of a lower race retainer lock, and an inner ball bearing retainer portion positioned on an inner periphery of the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A high-capacity container has a receiving bracket for a hook, adjustable support rollers, upper straps which form forklift pockets, wherein slide rails are located under a container floor and connected to receptacle supports, support rollers are located in corner areas below the container floor to be pivoted-in and pivoted-out to be positioned in the container and in a plane below the corners, while the forklift pocket includes upper and lower straps, and a reinforcement is provided between and in the slide rails and a frame profile in the area of the forklift pockets.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a dual magnet structure interconnected by a pole piece forming a varying dimension air gap. The magnets, the pole piece and the air gap between the magnets define a closed magnetic circuit. A Hall effect sensor is fixedly mounted in the air gap and is exposed to a well defined but varying magnetic field coupled between the magnets. Through the use of specific magnetic materials and sloping, curved surfaces, a precise yet tolerance friendly magnetic circuit is produced so that the sensor produces signals as a function of the angular positions of the magnets.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride housing is molded which includes open holes that pass through the walls. A lead frame is formed by machining or chemically milling individual leads and details therein to form desired circuitry patterns. The lead frame is inserted through the open holes in the aluminum nitride housing and chemically and mechanically bonded thereto using active braze The active braze attaches the lead frame not only to the open holes in the package, but also to the wall of the housing over a larger area. Active braze forms a strong bond between the aluminum nitride and the lead frame, and also forms an excellent and highly reliable thermal junction therebetween. Several different package constructions are illustrated. In one design the aluminum nitride takes on a bathtub configuration onto which a flat cover may be attached.

Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting the presence of gases in air. In particular, sensors are described that have a compound catalytic support structure and are suitable for sensing hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. The device features a ceramic substrate having a temperature sensitive resistor on one surface. A mixture of ceramic particles and glass powder are applied over the substrate and resistor and fired so that the glass flows and adheres the ceramic particles to the substrate. A catalyst layer of either platinum or rhodium is deposited on the catalyst support and a thermally sensitive resistor element detects reactions of hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxides on the corresponding catalyst. The invention is suitable for sensing gases in the harsh environment of an automobile exhaust system.