Patents Assigned to Sensors, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4463051
    Abstract: There is disclosed these and other objects of the present invention are achieved by coating a substrate with a temperature-response composition comprised of a colloidal suspension of inorganic compounds of a particle size less than 20 microns and greater than 5 microns and of a desired melting temperature suspended in a water-based solution of a water soluble organic compound wherein the temperature-responsive composition is formed by blending of from 30 to 70 parts of the inorganic compound from 70 to 30 parts of the water-based solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: TRP Energy Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter R. Berndt
  • Patent number: 4456911
    Abstract: A frequency modulated continuous wave altimeter and method of detecting the presence of an object in a predetermined area. The altimeter is generally comprised of an antenna for receiving and radiating microwave energy, a transmitter for generating frequency modulated microwave energy, a mixer for generating a sinusoidal resulting signal from the communication of transmitted and reflected microwave energy, and a receiver for processing the resulting signal and generating an output signal indicative of distance. The transmitter includes a Gunn diode for generating a carrier signal, modulating means for varying the frequency of the carrier signal, and a high frequency oscillator for impressing a tone on the modulating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Microwave Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: C. F. Augustine
  • Patent number: 4447164
    Abstract: There is disclosed a temperature responsive pacifier assembly comprised of a liquid crystal material in a liquid and responsive to a temperature above about 100.degree. F., whereby the liquid crystal material changes color to visuably indicate an abnormal temperature condition of an individual utilizing the pacifier assembly, as well as a process for manufacture same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: TRP Energy Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter R. Berndt
  • Patent number: 4370553
    Abstract: A gas analyzer for performing gas analysis on a sample gas containing contaminants which normally interfere with the operation of the analyzer is disclosed comprising a source of radiant energy; means for directing radiant energy through a sample gas; a disposable gas cell; a detector for receiving radiant energy; and a circuit for analyzing the output of the detector and indicating the concentration of predetermined constituents in the sample gas. The gas cell comprises a disposable sample gas cell having a sample enclosure for containing a sample gas volume; sample windows defining a portion of a sample gas optical path extending from the source of radiant energy through the sample gas volume to the detector; an inlet for supplying sample gas to the sample gas volume and an outlet for exhausting sample gas from the sample gas volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy A. Waycaster, William T. Baker, Jerry D. Bidle
  • Patent number: 4367452
    Abstract: A bimetallic, disc-actuated, thermostatic switch comprising a resiliently deformable actuator disc having an integrally struck actuator arm which extends radially inwardly to a point adjacent to a fixed contact. When the bimetallic disc is flexed in response to a predetermined temperature change, it applies pressure to the edge of the actuator disc proximal to the stem of the actuator arm causing the actuator disc to be resiliently deformed and causing the arm to be pivoted on a fulcrum in the switch, thereby causing the terminal end of the arm to move relative to the fixed contact to either open or close the switch. Since the arrangement is such that the edge of the bimetallic disc exerts pressure on the actuator disc, maximum deformation is imparted to the actuator disc thereby achieving maximum movement of the actuator arm for a given size bimetallic disc, thus permitting relatively small discs to be successfully utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Elmwood Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4339738
    Abstract: A construction for a single pole double throw thermostatic switch of the type having a bimetallic disc which communicates with a resilient contact arm to alternatively effect electrical continuity between the arm and a pair of fixed contacts, and a method of assembling and adjusting the same. One of the fixed contacts comprises a bendable arm so that the gap between the fixed contacts is adjustable by bending the arm prior to final assembly of the switch. Because the gap is set prior to the final assembly of the switch, substantial increases in precision and reliability are realized since the contacts may be observed during setting thereof. Furthermore, the necessity for an external gap setting adjustment screw on the switch is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Elmwood Sensors Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Colavecchio
  • Patent number: 4317098
    Abstract: A grounded thermostat comprising a housing of non-conductive material, a cap of conductive material constituting a fixed grounded contact, a live movable contact supported in the housing in spring-biased engagement with the fixed grounded contact, a non-conductive transfer pin mounted with an end in the housing in engagement with the movable contact and with its other end protruding through the cap, and a bimetallic element secured to the cap in a position to engage the protruding end of the transfer pin responsive to predetermined thermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Elmwood Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Colavecchio
  • Patent number: 4300094
    Abstract: The amount of electrically conductive finish that has been applied to a filament is determined by measuring the conductance of a length of the filament. The measurements are made independently of any difference in conductivity of finish mediums by means of a reference cell containing a sample of the particular finish medium used. An electric measurement circuit provides an indication of the amount of finish medium on the filament by determining the ratio of the conductance of the length of filament to the conductance of the reference cell. In one circuit embodiment, two operational amplifiers are placed in series. The reference cell takes the place of the feedback resistor of one operational amplifier and the length of filament takes the place of the input resistance of the other amplifier. The resulting output of the series circuit is a scaled ratio of the conductances of the finish along the length of filament and in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Micro Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Piso, James K. Roberge
  • Patent number: 4208625
    Abstract: In a device for continuously monitoring the characteristics of a moving filament, such as the denier of an extended synthetic yarn, by passing the filament through a capacitive sensor to develop an electrical signal representing an absolute measurement of the filament with reference to a prescribed datum, the problem of measurement signal drift arising from contamination of the capacitive sensor is obviated by developing compensating signals to be combined with the filament measurement signal. The compensating signals are digitally formed and stored, thereby eliminating drift in the compensating signals themselves. The compensating signals are developed in an auto-calibration circuit, including an auto-zero circuit and an auto-gain circuit, which receives the measurement signal from the capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: Micro Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Piso
  • Patent number: 4101767
    Abstract: A discriminating fire sensor includes detecting means which discriminates between hydrocarbon fires desired to be detected and high-energy exploding rounds of ammunition without causing a hydrocarbon fire. Also, the system distinguishes between a hydrocarbon fire desired to be detected and ambient radiation in order to prevent false alarms. Circuit means coupled to the detecting means provide an output control signal for the activation of a fire suppressant only when a hydrocarbon fire is detected having predetermined properties to exclude false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Lennington, Donald M. Szeles
  • Patent number: 4058368
    Abstract: A device for the detection of hydrogen comprising a semiconductor, a metal electrode and an insulator situated between the semiconductor and the electrode. The metal electrode is made of palladium, nickel, platinum or an alloy containing at least 20% palladium by atomic weight. In one embodiment, the device is a field-effect transistor. Means are also provided for heating the device for improving its response time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1977
    Assignee: Semiconductor Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Christer Martinus Svensson, Leif Sigurd Lundkvist, Kurt Ingemar Lundstrom, Madurai Somanathan Shivaraman
  • Patent number: 4039991
    Abstract: A trip free miniature thermostatic switch having a bimetallic disc located therein is responsive to temperature for localized control of an electrical circuit. A reset mechanism in said switch provides for closing of the circuit therein, but only after the temperature has returned the bimetallic disc to the switch closed position. For example, a bimetallic member may move a switch component to the open position where it is releasably retained until the temperature change has reversed and the release mechanism is positively operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: Elmwood Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry C. Bucheister
  • Patent number: 4008394
    Abstract: Dual-beam comparison of gas absorption characteristics in which a single source and single detector of radiant energy and single chopper disc are used in sample gas and reference gas paths. Ambient atmosphere or gas directed through a sample gas chamber can be analyzed. Multiple gas analyses, of a plurality of gases or a plurality of constituents of a gas, can be performed simultaneously utilizing the single chopper disc with a plurality of optical gas assemblies. Each such assembly includes a single source of radiant energy, means for directing the radiant energy along sample and reference gas paths to a single detector for such radiant energy. The multiple units are mounted so that the single chopper disc cyclically interrupts radiant energy in the respective sample and reference gas paths in predetermined phase relationship. The combined sample gas and reference gas path response of the single detector for each gas analyzing unit is directed to phase-sensitive signal-separation circuit means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Ojars Risgin, Charles B. Arnold
  • Patent number: D266084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Elmwood Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Colavecchio