Abstract: A semiconductor sensor has piezo resistor elements formed in deformable semiconductor portions for forming a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and a fault detecting circuit is associated with the Wheatstone bridge circuit for producing a warning signal indicative of occurrence of a fault in the Wheatstone bridge circuit, wherein the fault detecting circuit has two pairs of window comparators independently monitoring two output nodes of the Wheatstone bridge circuit to see whether or not the voltage level at each of the output nodes ranges between the upper limit and the lower limit of a normal voltage range so that a destruction of one of the piezo resistor elements is detectable.

Abstract: A biosensing meter receives a biomedical sample strip or a check strip, a sample strip including electrically isolated excitation and sense electrodes. The biosensing meter includes first and second contacts that are positioned to be electrically connected by a sense electrode when a sample strip is inserted into the biosensing meter. An operational amplifier circuit has one input connected to the first contact and a second input connected to a reference potential, the one input manifesting the reference potential as a result of a feedback within the operational amplifier. A processor is coupled to the second contact and determines the presence of the reference potential at the second contact when an inserted sense electrode connects the first and second contacts.

Abstract: A current sensing device enables sensing the current being delivered from a source to a load at a medical implement connected to the distal end of a primary conductor connected between the source and the load in situations wherein distributed capacitance between the primary conductor and a return path to the source prevents a measurement of current at the source end of the primary conductor from being an accurate measurement of the delivered current. The current sensing device includes a reference conductor which is located beside and is preferably twisted together with the primary conductor along the length thereof and which is connected to the medical implement load through a resistor at the load of a value such as to effectively electrically isolate the reference conductor from the load.

Abstract: Conductive measuring electrodes, of a capacitive probe having a grounded rd electrode positioned therebetween shield a probe circuit, provides mutual capacitance measurements which way as a function of changes in impedance of dielectric material being monitored as it undergoes a curing process. The probe is positioned in non-embedded relation to the dielectric material to form a sensitivity region therein through which an electric field extends between the conductive measuring electrodes of the probe to establish said variable mutual capacitance measurements without extraneous influences.

Abstract: A device for determining interconnections between terminal positions at opposite ends of cable includes a test circuit, connectors for connecting the test circuit to the terminal positions of the cable and a connector for interfacing the test circuit with a computer.

Abstract: The residual energy of a battery can accurately be displayed in real time even in electronic equipment which has greatly variable current consumption. A calculator unit in a battery pack measures an electric current supplied from a battery in the battery pack to the main body of a notebook type personal computer. If the measured current value is within a preselected range, it is used to calculate the residual energy of the battery. If the measured current value is out of the preselected range, the present operational mode of the main computer body is determined by mode display data obtained from an operational mode control circuit in the main computer body. A preselected current consumption corresponding to the judged operational mode is read out of a mode table in the battery pack and is used to calculate the residual energy of the battery. The calculated residual power of the battery is supplied to the operational mode control circuit as residual energy data which may be displayed on a sub LCD in real time.

Abstract: A method for detecting extent of cross-linking of a high impedance polymer material during a pre-cure state, the method including: applying a test signal through a sensor to the material and through a reference resistance; determining a voltage difference between the test signal applied to the material and the reference resistance as the reference voltage; and correlating the voltage difference as a relative indicator of the extent of cross-linking which has occurred within the polymer material. Also disclosed is a device for implementing the subject method.

Abstract: A current sensing device enables sensing the current being delivered from a source to a load at a medical implement connected to the distal end of a primary conductor connected between the source and the load in situations wherein distributed capacitance between the primary conductor and a return path to the source prevents a measurement of current at the source end of the primary conductor from being an accurate measurement of the delivered current. The current sensing device comprises a reference conductor which is located beside and twisted together with the primary conductor along the length thereof but which terminates short of, and is not connected to, the medical implement load, and a subtractor for subtracting the current flowing through the reference conductor from the total load current flowing to the medical implement so as to offset the effect of the distributed capacitance and to thereby produce a current measurement corresponding to the delivered current.

Abstract: An electronic probe circuit having ac and dc amplifiers and an input compensation subcircuit is enclosed within a trim housing that replicates the electrical effect of the probe housing. The circuit is laser trimmed through ports in the trim housing. The difference between the voltage at 80 nsec and 1.4 .mu.sec points on a step voltage provides a first calibration factor while the difference between the 3 nsec voltage and the 80 nsec voltage provides a second calibration factor. A resistor in the DC amplifier is trimmed to an absolute voltage with a step scan laser cut. A resistor in the AC amplifier is trimmed with a laser L-cut until the difference between the 80 nsec and 1.4 .mu.sec points of the step voltage equals the first calibration factor. A capacitor in the input compensation subcircuit is trimmed until the voltage difference between the 3 nsec and 80 nsec points equals the second calibration factor.

Abstract: An accurate dielectric breakdown prediction method and a prediction method in which accurate time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) characteristics can be obtained on the basis of dielectric breakdown prediction by a step stress method are provided. In this method, dielectric breakdown is predicted on the basis of a plurality of reference currents in accordance with an applied voltage, or a reference current I.sub.cr is varied as the function of the applied voltage. In the step stress TDDB prediction, a Chen-Holland-Hu model or improved Chen-Holland-Hu model is employed. Since TDDB characteristics can be obtained from only dielectric breakdown prediction, this method is advantageous for early reliability prediction.

Abstract: An improved open circuit detector for testing a thermocouple for an open circuit condition. The detector includes a generator for providing and sourcing a tone signal to the thermocouple, wherein the tone signal has a known frequency and amplitude. A monitor analyzes the amplitude of a particular frequency component of a tone signal across the thermocouple. If the amplitude of the particular frequency component exceeds a predetermined threshold, an output is provided for indicating an open circuit condition for the thermocouple.

Abstract: A capacitive position transducer with reduced sensitivity to particulate and fluid contaminants. The electrodes of the position transducer are provided with a relatively thick coating of dielectric material so that the series impedance of the dielectric coatings is at least equal to the maximum capacitive impedance between the coatings whether or not there are any contaminants positioned therebetween. In one embodiment, the coatings are spaced-apart from each other to create an air gap while in another embodiment the coatings are resiliently biased toward each other so that the coatings slide along each other.

Abstract: The probe is a tubular shaped device held in one hand such as one would hold a hypodermic syringe. An extended L shaped hook acquires and presses an electrical wire to be tested into the apex of a V notched holding block. The hook and holding block, with test wire in between, are held pressed together by spring action. The holding block has a guide and outlet hole centered at the apex of the V notch which receives and guides a needle probe along a radial line towards the central axis of the wire. The needle pressure and position are controlled independently by the operator via a threading mechanism. Proper penetrating pressure can be applied for a range of wire sizes and insulation types. The needle is removable for sharpening or replacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and locating fluid leaks, particularly liquid leaks, and determining whether the leaking liquid being detected is a non-conductive liquid such as a hydrocarbon or a conductive liquid such as water utilizes a composite detection cable having a pair of insulated conductors and a pair of uninsulated conductors. Pulses are applied to the insulated conductors and leaks are detected and located utilizing time domain reflectometry (TDR) techniques. The resistance between the uninsulated conductors is measured to determine whether or not the leak is conductive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of quantitatively evaluating the amount of electrostatic discharge that integrated circuit field effect transistors may endure before material damage results thereto. The system and method utilizes a plurality of test devices, each having certain differences in structure, which are fabricated onto a common integrated circuit substrate for contemporaneous testing of each device under controlled quantitative conditions. The test results may be organized into a "matrix experiment". A matrix experiment comprises a set of experiments where the settings or values of several product or process parameters to be studied are changed from one experiment to another. An orthogonal matrix array may be utilized to enhance the reliability of the data analysis, and may effectively reduce the number of experiments necessary to establish a reliable conclusion from the limited number of tests performed.

Abstract: An improved correlation method that computes E field measurements from voltage measurements produced by a TEM cell. Twelve voltage measurements are taken of radiation emanating from a device under test (DUT) for respective frequencies. The measurements are taken for the six faces of a hypothetical cube enclosing the DUT in both polarizations. Using these 12 measurements, the method identifies the face and polarization of the DUT which produces the highest emanation of radiation at that respective frequency. The method obtains three input voltages from these measurements and determines if the assumption of a dipole gain is adequate. If not, the actual gain is calculated and is used in a 3-input correlation algorithm to obtain more correct data regarding the E field emission of the DUT.

Abstract: An angular position sensor having at least one resistive track which is circular, for example, and at least one cursor. The cursor is adapted to move while in electric contact with the track. The track is closed and continuous and has at least two electric access points. The sensor cooperates with an arrangement for applying separate predetermined electric potentials to the access points and with an arrangement for measuring the resulting electric potential at one of the access points. The cursor is therefore able to rotate through a complete turn without leaving the one resistive track. All angles can be measured and rotation through several turns is possible.

Abstract: An improved capacitance level probe is shown which can be positioned within the return vapor passage of a coaxial vapor recovery refueling system for detecting changes in liquid level within an underground fuel storage tank. The level probe has an outer conductor, a spaced inner conductor, a closed upper end and a lower end with an end opening which allows liquid to enter and leave the interior of the probe as liquid level changes within the underground tank being monitored. A tubular impact vent is located at the upper end of the outer conductor and collects tank vapors from the return vapor passage in order to conduct such vapor pressure to the open interior of the outer conductor above the level of liquid within the outer conductor. This action prevents sudden pressure drops within the outer conductor as the level of fuel changes within the underground storage tank, thereby eliminating inaccuracies in the sensed capacitance of the unit.

Abstract: A faulted circuit sensor is disposed in a releasable and reusable clamp mountable on an electrical conductor. The clamp includes a body for receiving the faulted circuit sensor indicating circuitry, and a pair of hinged fingers which actuate over the conductor to grip the clamp to the conductor and align the fault indicating circuitry with respect to the conductor. The fingers include a triggering arm which causes the arms to engage over the conductor when the conductor is properly aligned in the proximity of the clamp.

Abstract: Measurements are taken perimetrically about power or feeder cables at equidistant spaced locations with one or more vibration transducers feeding an electronic measuring circuit sharply tuned to twice the fundamental frequency of the supply system. A substantially flat response around the cable indicates a deenergized cable, while an energized cable produces vibrations that vary sinusoidally in amplitude as the readings progress around the cable.