Abstract: A modular connector includes a set of pairs of modular inserts configured to mate with each other to convey electrical signals or power in a structure such as a vehicle. Each pair of modular inserts are coupled to their respective wiring lines and supported by their respective structures. One of each pair of modular inserts is supported by a receptacle shell, while the other is supported by a plug shell. The modular inserts are characterized with removable characterized buttons for cooperation respectively with characterizations slots provided in the receptacle shell and plug shell. The characterization scheme ensures that incorrect modular inserts are not loaded onto the wrong position of the receptacle shell and plug shell. The shields of the wiring lines are grounded to grounding contacts provided in the corresponding modular inserts. The receptacle shell is coupled to a grounding shell supported by the vehicle with the corresponding grounding contacts contacting the grounding shell for grounding.

Abstract: An optical projection system has a display cell that is configured to project a display image in response to light striking the display cell. The system has a light source that is configured to project a beam of light and a lens array that is positioned to intercept the beam and generate multiple beamlets of the beam. An aperture assembly is positioned to intercept the beamlets and is configured to selectively control which portions of the images contained in the beamlets strike the display cell.

Abstract: An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable such as an electrical heating cable to an electrical power outlet. Contained within the housing of the plug are first and second contact members which comprise a first prong and a second prong, respectively, each prong being suitable for insertion into a socket of an electrical power outlet. A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks from buried pipes which transport fluids other than water. The system includes a pipe for transporting the fluid, a fluid-wicking member which lies beneath the pipe, is wetted by the fluid when the fluid leaks from the pipe, and is permeable to water, and a fluid sensor which contacts the fluid-wicking member and is capable of detecting the fluid.

Abstract: A system for use with a subscriber line carrier such as a SLC-96. The system provides a multiplex channel unit 10 that inputs T1 line signals, and outputs multiple telephone line signals in a format such as 2B1Q over a twisted pair 13 to an RT 35. The RT 35 converts the full duplex multiplexed signals to analog service for a subscriber 12.

Abstract: A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members of an electrical plug. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members. The cutting element comprises a cutting wedge which has (a) a convex arcuate outer surface which complements the inner surface of the wall of the cutting module, and (b) piercing means suitable for penetrating the polymer.

Abstract: A housing contains a PTC element which can be easily inserted and removed. Conductive metal retaining elements of the housing are secured to the base of the housing, and retain the PTC element with a generally planar portion parallel to the electrodes of the PTC component. The retaining elements also have slidable contact between the elements and the top of the housing so as to modify the elastic deformation of the element and allow for insertion and removal of the PTC element.

Abstract: Novel polyester compositions, particularly suitable for the insulation of wires, contain an aromatic polyester, especially polybutylene terephthalate. The presence of certain tin (II) compounds, for example tin (II) oxide, oxalate, phthalate, pyromellitate, or phosphite, reduces the flammability and smoke generation of such compositions. The presence of an aliphatic polyester, and optionally a thermoplastic elastomer, can also improve the properties of such compositions.

Abstract: A silicone gel formulation is described having a Voland hardness of from about 6 to 20 grams, a tack of from about 17 to 35 grams, and a stress relaxation greater than 50%. The material is especially suitable for sealing the back end of connectors containing a multiple fine wires with gauges between about 14 gauge and 28 gauge. It is particularly suitable to seal the back end of an automotive connector subjected to a wide variety of harsh environmental conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for irradiating a substrate is compact, transportable, rugged, high powered, and highly efficient. It includes an improved high voltage inductor (1-230), an improved power transfer apparatus (230-294), an improved voltage multiplication apparatus (500-575), an improved auxiliary power supply (600-619) for the voltage multiplication apparatus, improved accessibility self-shielding (700), and improved methods for radiation processing of solid or liquid materials.

Abstract: A touch sensor system, including a substrate, capable of propagating surface acoustic waves; and a reflective array formed on said substrate, said reflective array having a plurality of reflective elements, each reflective element reflecting a portion of an incident surface acoustic wave. The reflective array is formed of an organic matrix. The organic matrix is preferably chemically bonded to the substrate, and is preferably a thermoset resin. The resulting reflective arrays are preferably stable under changes in moisture between 0% and 60% RH at temperatures between about 0.degree.-50.degree. C. The organic matrix can also be used in a humidity or chemical sensor.

Abstract: A single turn induction heating coil provides a varied magnetic flux density for heating a portion of a load having a thermally and magnetically responsive sealant and tubing. The varied interior diameter of the cylindrical coil structure increases the magnetic flux density at the open ends of the coil or wherever desired, causing the ends of the magnetically responsive materials contained within the coil to be heated at a rate comparable to the middle portion of the coil. Consequently, the sealant and tubing recover faster and more uniformly avoiding the high incidence of tubing "flare up" or "flip back" common with typical single or multi-turn induction coil heaters. In the preferred application, heating produces a complete fluid block in a cable load section within the coil without overheating or damaging the load.

Abstract: An electrical device (1) in which an element (7) composed of a conductive polymer is positioned in contact with the surface layer of one or more metal electrodes (3,5). The metal electrode contains a base layer (9) which comprises a first metal, an intermediate metal layer (15) which comprises a metal that is different from the first metal, and a surface layer (17) which (i) comprises a second metal, (ii) has a center line average roughness R.sub.a of at least 1.3, and (iii) has a reflection density R.sub.d of at least 0.60. The conductive polymer composition preferably exhibits PTC behavior. The electrical devices, which may be, for example, circuit protection devices or heaters, have improved thermal and electrical performance over devices prepared with electrodes which do not meet the center line average roughness and reflection density requirements.

Abstract: An inexpensive coaxial cable connector, and an inexpensive contact which is suitable for use in an such an inexpensive coaxial cable connector, the connector and the contact being capable of passing electrical signals from low frequency power up to and including telecommunications signals in the range of 1 GHz or more. The connector comprises an elongate, hollow, conductive, cylindrical barrel having an inner radius, R.sub.BARREL, and a first longitudinal axis; and an elongate, conductive contact. The contact has a first end and a second end which define a length therebetween, a second longitudinal axis, and comprises a cylindrical section. The cylindrical section has an outer radius, R.sub.CONTACT, which is less than R.sub.BARREL.

Abstract: Electrical circuit protection arrangements with PTC devices and mechanical switches. The combinations of this invention permit the use of mechanical switches and PTC devices to switch voltages and currents in normal circuit operations, wherein the voltage and/or current ratings of the mechanical switches and PTC devices are much less than the normal operating voltages and currents of the circuits. This feature permits the use of smaller and less expensive mechanical switches and PTC device than would otherwise be required in such circuits. The arrangements of switches and PTC devices also permit the PTC devices to limit the magnitude of the fault current passed to the circuit.

Abstract: Electrical devices, particularly circuit protection devices, contain conductive polymer elements whose edges are formed by breaking the conductive polymer element, along a desired path, without the introduction of any solid body into the element. The resulting cohesive failure of the conductive polymer produces a distinctive fractured surface. One method of preparing such devices involves etching fracture channels in the electrodes of a plaque containing a PTC conductive polymer element sandwiched between metal foil electrodes, and then snapping the plaque along the fracture channels to form individual devices.

Abstract: Calcined ceramic powder is made by blending a precursor powder with a form of carbon such as carbon black and heating the blend in an oxygenated atmosphere. The carbon acts as a separator, preventing coalescence of the percursor powder during the calcining process. The blend is characterized by the presence of interstitial spacing between the particles of the carbon powder and the precursor powder. The carbon is eventually oxidized to carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide and volatilizes as such, leaving behind the calcined ceramic powder. In a preferred embodiment, the heating is effected by microwave radiation. The carbon absorbs the microwave radiation, heating up the precursor powder and calcining it to form the ceramic powder. Once all the carbon has been oxidized, no more microwave radiation is absorbed, and the heating stops, making the process self-limiting.

Abstract: Insulation displacing connectors of an "inverted" type extend upwardly from a base of the terminal block into connector chambers of driver modules movable relative to the base between upper and lower positions. Passageways within the modules direct service wires moved through the passageways into the connector chambers and into entrance openings underlying upper edge portions of the insulation displacing connectors within the chambers. Movement of the module from its upper position to its lower position drives the service wires downwardly from the entrance openings of the connectors into and through slots underlying the entrance openings, to establish electrical contact with the service.

Abstract: A sealed F-connector, with a threaded section and a recessed section adjacent the threaded section, has a ring-shaped elastomeric sealing member formed within the recessed section and affixed to the surface of the recessed section. When a connector shell from a mating connector is screwed on, the sealing member deforms as the connector shell screws on over the sealing member, thereby lining at least a portion of the internal thread of the connector shell and at least a portion of the recessed section of the F-connector. The deformed sealing member thereby establishes a barrier to the penetration of moisture between the F-connector and the mating connector.

Abstract: A PTC device suitable for attachment to a terminal of a battery. The device contains a PTC component which has a shape with an outer periphery and an inner periphery which defines a first opening in the center of the PTC component. The PTC component is made from a laminar PTC resistive element which is composed of a PTC conductive polymer composition, a first laminar electrode which is attached to a first face of the resistive element, and a second laminar electrode which is attached to a second opposite face of the resistive element. Also part of the device are a first conductive lead which has a first part which is attached to the first electrode, and a second part which extends into the first opening, and a second conductive lead.