Abstract: An antenna is disclosed. The antenna may have a slotted conductive reference sheet, a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material. The first dielectric material may reside on a first side of the reference sheet, and the second dielectric material may reside on the second side of the reference sheet. The first dielectric material has a first K-value, and the second dielectric material has a second K-value. The second K-value is larger than the first K-value.

Abstract: A directional coupler having (a) a first coupled microstrip section having a first terminus (T1) and a second terminus (T2), (b) a second coupled microstrip section having a first terminus at T2 and a second terminus (T3), and (c) a first phase-velocity-compensating capacitor connected across the conductors of the microstrip sections at T2 is disclosed. The coupler also may include a second phase-velocity-compensating capacitor connected at T1, and a third phase-velocity compensating capacitor connected across the conductors at T3.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing data regarding the operation of a control system. A Web server module is provided that is electrically connected to a control system controller. The Web server module contains a memory operative to store a non-markup language Web site database that completely defines a Web site for providing information regarding control system. A Web server module configuration application is also provided that receives user input to create the Web site database. The Web site database is transmitted to the Web server module from the Web site configuration application. When a request is received at the Web server module for a Web page, the Web server module utilizes the Web site database to dynamically generate the requested Web page.

Abstract: A micro-controller to perform the FSK (HART) modem functions as well as communications and control functions in an isolated channel implementation is described. In one embodiment, the micro-controller comprises: a processor, an analog-to-digital converter configured to transform received analog signals into digital values at a predetermined digital sample rate; and a memory unit containing a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed on the processor, provide a built-in FSK bi-directional modem function that converts the received digital values into binary signals. The FSK (HART) demodulation function is performed by the micro-controller with the built-in FSK modem function in three sequential phases implemented in computer code: (1) zero crossing and amplitude detection; (2) bit stream and timing generation, and (3) character generation and bit synchronization.

Abstract: An electromagnetic filter, which may include a feed-through conductor. The feed-through conductor may have an integral extension for contacting an electrically conductive clip. The clip may have an extension-engaging portion to contact the extension and a dielectric component-contacting end to contact a dielectric component. The dielectric component may be, for example, a varistor, a chip capacitor, or the like, capable of affecting a signal carried by the feed-through conductor. The dielectric component may be proximate to the feed-through conductor and may be oriented such that a primary dimension of the dielectric component is substantially parallel to the feed-through conductor. Another embodiment may include a bus. The invention may also be embodied as methods for assembling electromagnetic filters.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as a radome having an exterior-facing surface. The exterior-facing surface has a step. The step facilitates the movement of water toward an outer edge of the radome. The radome may be incorporated into an antenna.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as a system or method of controlling DC power distribution using electronic power switches (“EPSs”) are disclosed. Current sensors may be used to monitor the performance of the electronic power switches. Load systems are electrically connected to outputs of the EPSs. An acceptable output current is determined for each EPS, and the EPSs are controlled to provide those acceptable currents. Operating parameters may be provided by a remote user via a network interface. Control power may be conditioned and isolated for proper operation of the DC power management system.

Abstract: An electromagnetic filter, which may include a feed-through conductor. The feed-through conductor may have an integral extension for contacting an electrically conductive clip. The clip may have an extension-engaging portion to contact the extension and a dielectric component-contacting end to contact a dielectric component. The dielectric component may be, for example, a varistor, a chip capacitor, or the like, capable of affecting a signal carried by the feed-through conductor. The dielectric component may be proximate to the feed-through conductor and may be oriented such that a primary dimension of the dielectric component is substantially parallel to the feed-through conductor. Another embodiment may include a bus. The invention may also be embodied as methods for assembling electromagnetic filters.

Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric component, such as a capacitor is disclosed. In such a method, a conductive surface is applied to a dielectric to form a coated dielectric. Then a portion of the conductive surface is removed from the coated dielectric to form at least two electrically isolated conductive areas.

Abstract: A micro-controller to perform the FSK (HART) modem functions as well as communications and control functions in an isolated channel implementation is described. In one embodiment, the micro-controller comprises: a processor, an analog-to-digital converter configured to transform received analog signals into digital values at a predetermined digital sample rate; and a memory unit containing a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed on the processor, provide a built-in FSK bi-directional modem function that converts the received digital values into binary signals. The FSK (HART) demodulation function is performed by the micro-controller with the built-in FSK modem function in three sequential phases implemented in computer code: (1) zero crossing and amplitude detection; (2) bit stream and timing generation, and (3) character generation and bit synchronization.

Abstract: The invention includes an electromagnetic filter for a feedthrough conductor, and a method of making such a filter. At least two dielectric components are supported from a first side of a substrate, such as a housing or a printed circuit board. At least one of the dielectric components is associated with a failsafe link.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in an electromagnetic filter for use with a feedthrough conductor. An inductor having a metallized surface is disposed about the conductor, and a capacitor is joined to the inductor. One set of capacitor plates are electrically connected to a first conductive contact to provide a connection to the metallized surface. Another set of capacitor plates are electrically connected to a second conductive contact to provide a connection to the feedthrough conductor. A method of providing such a filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing data regarding the operation of a control system. A Web server module is provided that is electrically connected to a control system controller. The Web server module contains a memory operative to store a non-markup language Web site database that completely defines a Web site for providing information regarding control system. A Web server module configuration application is also provided that receives user input to create the Web site database. The Web site database is transmitted to the Web server module from the Web site configuration application. When a request is received at the Web server module for a Web page, the Web server module utilizes the Web site database to dynamically generate the requested Web page.

Abstract: A bulkhead mounting plate for EMI filter units formed along three of its edges into alternating fingers. The fingers can grip the inside and outside surfaced of an edge port or a notch in a box. The plate is shaped by a right angle bend of a fourth edge and perforated with precision mounting holes appropriate to any specified application. Fingers on the mounting plate are dimpled to concentrate spring pressure between them and the box to improve the efficiency of electrical contact of the filter to be mounted on the plate.

Abstract: A monolithic multi-layer capacitor having a central capacitively active area and two electrode joining section separated from the active area by sloped sections has dielectric layers about 1 micron thick in the active area which taper gradually to zero thickness in the sloped sections. Electrode layers in the active area have a thickness in the range from 200 to 500 Angstroms and sufficient thickness throughout the sloped sections for adequate current carrying capacity. Various acrylates are used for the dielectric layers, the number of layers ranging from a few to many thousands.Apparatus and methods for the fabrication of such capacitors on a high speed, production scale basis employ techniques for the flash evaporation of highly reactive monomers of acrylate dielectric materials. The vapor is controllably directed to a deposition surface for condensation and subsequent curing by a field enhanced gas discharge electron beam source.

Abstract: A high speed apparatus for forming capacitors includes a vacuum chamber in which is located a carrier defining a continuous surface configured to move at a rate of from about 150 feet per minute to about 600 feet per minute during the forming operation, a metal depositing device, a dielectric depositing device, and a radiation source. The metal depositing device is configured to deposit layers of metal onto the moving surface, and the dielectric depositing device includes (a) a device for atomizing a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylic monomer to form liquid droplets of the monomer, (b) a heated surface on which the atomized monomer droplets impinge and are flash vaporized, and (c) device for thereafter condensing the flash-vaporized monomer on the metal layers to form a monomer coating on successive layers. The radiation source is positioned for curing successive monomer coatings after each such coating has been deposited, to thereby form a polymer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A high speed process for forming a multi layered thin film structure in a vacuum wherein each film is less than about four microns thick and the total layers can reach upwards to 4,000 or more. The polymeric layers are formed of a cross linked component selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional acrylates and mixtures of polyfunctional acrylates and monocrylates with the component having a preferable molecular weight of between 200 and 300 and a vapor pressure preferably in excess of 1.times.10.sup.-2 Torr. The polymeric layers may be interleaved with metal layers.

Abstract: A monolithic multi-layer capacitor is disclosed having a central capacitively active area and two electrode joining sections separated from the active area by sloped sections. The dielectric layers are about 1 micron thick in the active area and taper gradually to zero thickness in the sloped sections. Electrode layers in the active area have a thickness in the range from 200 to 500 Angstroms and sufficient thickness throughout the sloped sections for adequate current carrying capacity. Various acrylates are used for the dielectric layers, the number of layers ranging from a few to many thousands.Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the fabrication of such capacitors on a high speed, production scale basis. Such employ techniques for the flash evaporation of highly reactive monomers of acrylate dielectric materials so as to form a gaseous stream of such materials.

Abstract: A method for continuously supplying a uniform vapor of a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material. A continuous liquid flow of said material is supplied at a temperature below both the decomposition temperature and the polymerization temperature of said material and atomized into a continuous flow of liquid droplets having a particle size from about 1 to about 50 microns. The droplets are continuously vaporized upon contact with a heated surface which is maintained at a temperature at or above the boiling point for said material, but below the temperature at which said droplets would undergo pyrolysis before vaporizing. The vapor may be deposited onto a substrate and subsequently polymerized or cross-linked.

Abstract: An oscillator for producing an oscillating signal with reduced harmonics includes an oscillator stage coupled to an output stage having a relatively fast switching speed yet producing an oscillating signal having relatively slow rise and fall times so that the harmonics output by the oscillator are reduced. In one embodiment, the oscillator includes an output stage having low power Schottky circuitry, and in a second embodiment, the output stage includes a capacitor connected across the output stage of the oscillator to increase the rise and fall times of the oscillator.