Patents Examined by Christopher N. Sears
  • Patent number: 4481499
    Abstract: A gas detector with a layer of gas sensing material comprising an oxide semiconductor, wherein at least one coating layer each of a p-type oxide semiconductor and an n-type oxide semiconductor is provided in a multi-layer arrangement on the surface of said layer of gas sensing material that contacts the gas. The gas detector can selectively identify only specific gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Arima, Masayoshi Kaneyasu, Mitsuko Ito
  • Patent number: 4477793
    Abstract: A voltage non-linear resistor in the form of a sintered body is disclosed. The sintered body is comprised of 0.08 to 5.0 atomic % of a rare earth element, 0.1. to 10 atomic % of cobalt, 5.times.10.sup.-4 to 1.times.10.sup.-1 atomic % of boron and an additional component which may be 0.01 to 5.0 atomic % of magnesium or calcium and/or 1.times.10.sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup.-2 atomic % of aluminum, gallium or indium. The remainder of the sintered body is comprised of zinc oxide. The sintered body provides a small voltage non-linear resistor with high discharge current withstand capability and good life performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignees: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., Fuji Electric Corporate Research and Development, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Mukae, Satoshi Maruyama, Koichi Tsuda, Ikuo Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 4477794
    Abstract: The invention provides a magnetoresistive element which magnetostatically has magnetic anisotropy to control a domain structure and which eliminates Barkhousen noise that will cause abrupt movement of domain walls and irregular magnetization due to a change in the signal magnetic field, wherein a grating pattern is formed on at least one surface of a magnetoresistive film by a process in which a grating pattern is unidirectionally formed on the surface of a substrate and the magnetoresistive film of a ferromagnetic body is deposited thereon. Further, various magnetoresistive elements to which a novel bias method is applied are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Nomura, Kenji Kanai, Nobuyuki Kaminaka, Yuji Omata
  • Patent number: 4473814
    Abstract: A linear potentiometer, having a longitudinal housing with a resistance path and with a wiper guided by a push rod sliding therein. The push rod is supported at its entry into the housing of the potentiometer via a slide bearing which contains an elastic ring element, preferably an O-ring. This ring element embodies the sole connection between a stationary outer bearing and an inner bearing which is movable in a swinging manner relative to the outer bearing because of the elastic connection. The push rod slides in the inner bearing. The inner and outer bearings, by means of opposing annular grooves, receive the elastic ring element connecting them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Novotechnik KG Offterdinger GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Fritz Blessing
  • Patent number: 4473813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a humidity sensor of electric resistance type whose electric resistance changes in accordance with an ambient humidity, characterized by a protective film of silicone resin provided on the surface of a humidity-sensitive material, and to a method for preparing the same. The protective film of silicone resin is formed by applying a varnish of siloxanes to the humidity-sensitive material and subjecting the varnish to reaction. The varnish can be of one-part curing system or two-part curing system, and desirably the reaction of siloxanes is a cross-linking reaction. The formed protective film is not influenced by swelling or shrinking of the humidity-sensitive material, and is prevented from flowing off due to a temperature rise, or from deposition of dusts, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kinjo, Shuichi Ohara, Toru Sugawara, Shigeki Tsuchitani
  • Patent number: 4473812
    Abstract: A voltage-dependent nonlinear resistor containing ZnO as a main component and six auxiliary components, i.e., (1) a rare earth element; (2) Co; (3) at least one of Mg and Ca; (4) at least one of K, Rb and Cs, (5) as well as Cr; and (6) B which may be combined with at least one of Al, Ga and In. Alternatively, the auxiliary components may be (1) a rare earth element; (2) Co; (3) at least one of K, Rb and Cs; (4) Cr; (5) B; and (6) at least one of Al, Ga and In. The voltage-dependent nonlinear resistor of the present invention has high resistance to both long and short wave-tail surge currents and has an extended service life without sacrificing good nonlinearity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignees: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., Fuji Electric Corporate Research & Development
    Inventors: Satoshi Maruyama, Koichi Tsuda, Kazuo Mukae, Ikuo Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 4467310
    Abstract: Battery feed resistors are constituted by thick film resistors on a substrate, electrically in series with switching type positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistors which are closely thermally coupled to the thick film resistors by being mounted on the substrate behind the thick film resistors or on insulating layers over the thick film resistors. Precise battery feed resistances and matching of pairs of battery feed resistors are achieved by trimming the thick film resistors. The PTC resistors prevent excessively high temperatures being reached in the event that external high voltages are applied to a telephone subscriber line to which the battery feed resistors are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Gyula Jakab
  • Patent number: 4467309
    Abstract: A high-temperature thermistor comprising, a polycrystalline sintered body consisting essentially of 0.1-8 weight percents of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Be, BeO, Be.sub.2 C, B, BN, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and B.sub.4 C which weight percents are calculated as the amount of only Be or B single substance from net amount, the balance SiC, and the inevitable impurities having not more than 2 weight percents of SiO.sub.2, not more than 0.1 weight percent of Al, not more than 0.2 weight percents of Fe, not more than 1 weight percent of Si, and not more than 0.4 weights percents of free carbon, a pair of electrode provided on the surfaces of the sintered body, and lead wires each connected to the respective electrodes, and a method of producing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Matsushita, Kousuke Nakamura, Mitsuru Ura
  • Patent number: 4464647
    Abstract: A sintered body for a humidity sensor is formed by baking a blend at 1,000.degree. to 1,400.degree. C., the blend comprising ZnO, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, V.sub.2 O.sub.5 and M.sub.2 O where M.sub.2 O is at least one metal oxide selected from Li.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O. A pair of electrodes are each attached to the corresponding surface of the sintered body to obtain a humidity sensor of metal oxide which is relatively low in its resistive value and stable in its aging characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignees: Marcon Electronics Co. Ltd., Japan Electronic Industry Development Association
    Inventors: Yuji Yokomizo, Keiji Yuuki, Naoe Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4464646
    Abstract: To form a temperature sensor, for example suitable in an automotive vehicle, to determine ambient temperatures, or to provide a temperature compensated thin-film circuit, for example for incorporation with an oscillator circuit, two stable thin-film layers are applied to a non-conductive substrate, the layers being capable of being etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Burger, Heinz Friedrich, Heiko Gruner, Karl-Otto Linn, Erich Zabler
  • Patent number: 4463337
    Abstract: Methods for adjusting the resistance of temperature measuring sensors are disclosed, including measuring the resistance for a first heat-sensitive portion of the sensor at a first predetermined temperature, measuring the resistance for a second heat-sensitive portion of the temperature measuring sensor at a second predetermined temperature, determining the overall resistance for the temperature measuring sensor from these measured values, and adjusting the resistance of the second heat-sensitive portion so that the overall resistance for the temperature measuring sensor substantially corresponds to the predetermined resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Crafon Medical AB
    Inventor: Bo H. Hakanson
  • Patent number: 4462018
    Abstract: A transducer operating on the strain gauge principle having integral temperature compensation and calibration resistors is disclosed. In the presently preferred embodiment, a silicon dioxide layer is disposed on a silicon substrate. Platinum alloy strain gauge resistors are disposed on the silicon dioxide layer and form a Wheatstone bridge circuit configuration. Laser trimable chromium nitride, platinum alloy and gold temperature compensation and calibration resistors are formed on the silicon dioxide layer from the same films used to form the strain gauge, adhesion layers, conductors and bonding pads, to permit the transducer to be calibrated such that its electrical characteristics are in conformance to specified tolerances when the transducer is subjected to temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Gulton Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Yang, Carlyle A. Mounteer
  • Patent number: 4459577
    Abstract: A combustion gas sensor and material therefore responsive to changes in the composition of ambient atmospheres wherein the sensing element includes SnO.sub.2 crystals having a means d of approximately 500-3200 .ANG. and having a surface area to mass ratio S of 1-8 m.sup.2 /g a process for making same. Preferably, the standard deviation of crystal size distribution is 0.2d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Figaro Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Murakami, Katsuyuki Tanaka, Kousuke Ihokura
  • Patent number: 4459578
    Abstract: Hall effect elements are placed in proximity to magnets in such a way that the position of the magnets relative to the Hall elements is a function of the position of a joystick controller. In this way, the position of the joystick can be "read" by a machine by reference to the Hall effect voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Atari, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Sava, Roy J. Machamer
  • Patent number: 4458233
    Abstract: A gas sensing element made of a gas sensing material composed of a composite oxide of titanium and niobium as the principal constituent, which is capable of measuring with high sensitivity and selectivity those gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, etc. issuing offensive odor, and alcohol, due to variations in electrical resistance of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Komine, Takao Sawada
  • Patent number: 4455547
    Abstract: A resistive element which is formed in a semiconductor substrate comprises a first semiconductor region which is formed in the semiconductor substrate and in which an impurity is diffused at a first concentration; a second semiconductor region which is connected to the first semiconductor region at one end and in which an impurity is diffused at a second concentration higher than the first impurity concentration; a third semiconductor region which is connected to the first semiconductor region at the other end and in which an impurity is diffused at a third concentration higher than the first impurity concentration; and the second and third semiconductor regions respectively including a portion whose cross section has a smaller area than the area of a boundary defined by the second and third semiconductor region with the first semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Murakami, Seiji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4453151
    Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor for use in equipment for detecting small amounts of H.sub.2 S. The method of sensor fabrication comprises spray deposition of a mixture of metal oxides mixed together with various metal and non-metal materials which serve in the finished product as activators, dopants, and/or film binder materials, and including in suspension a molecular sieve material, for enhancing and defining porosity on a scale of molecular dimensions in the finished sensor. All of the foregoing materials are suspended in a suitable solution and preferably sprayed onto a heated insulating substrate to form the finished product. The example sensor, capable of selective detection of H.sub.2 S in air and a sensitivity of less than 1 PPM (part per million), is comprised of a platinum activated alumina, tin oxide, and zeolite molecular sieve material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventors: David J. Leary, James O. Barnes
  • Patent number: 4450429
    Abstract: A humidity sensitive resistance device, including opposing electrodes (102, 103) formed on an insulating substrate (101), and a humidity sensitive resistance film (104) formed on the surface of the insulating substrate (101) and at least between the opposing electrodes (102, 103). The resistivity of the humidity sensitive resistance film (104) increases with an increase of an ambient relative humidity. The humidity sensitive resistance film (104) comprises a hydrophilic polymer and a conductive powder, and has a zirconium compound unevenly distributed on the side of surface thereof. The surface of the humidity sensitive resistance film (104) is dehydrated by contact with an alkaline solution or by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihiro Murata
  • Patent number: 4449112
    Abstract: This pressure sender or transducer comprises a metal housing having a steel cover and containing a rolling diaphragm which is secured over a cavity in the housing to communicate at one side with fluid under pressure, such as the oil in the crankcase of an automobile. Mounted centrally in the opposite side of the diaphragm is a rigid cup, which rotatably supports one end of a reciprocable plunger which in one embodiment carries two sets of equi-angularly spaced, resilient metal wipers or contacts, four of which are slidably engaged with the cylindrical operating surface of a printed resistor, which is mounted in the closed end of the cover, and four others of which are slidably engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the cover itself. The resistor comprises a steel can having a thin layer of porcelain baked on its outer peripheral surface, and a thin, cylindrical layer of resistance material printed and baked onto the porcelain layer with one end in electrical contact with the steel can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Fasco Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Gould
  • Patent number: 4449113
    Abstract: The housing has a flexible diaphragm secured over a fluid pressure inlet port in one end thereof, and a cover secured over an opening in the opposite end thereof. A plunger is mounted to reciprocate in the housing between said diaphragm and said cover in response to changes in fluid pressure at the inlet. Secured in the housing beneath the cover is a ceramic chip or substrate, which has a plane surface that extends normal to the axis of the plunger. A spirally shaped resistor element is printed or otherwise formed on the face of the chip, and a conically coiled compression spring is located in the housing between the resistor element and the plunger, and in such manner that its outer convolution at the larger end thereof is engaged with the outer convolution of the spirally shaped resistor element. The smaller end of the spring is connected to the plunger to be reciprocated thereby toward and away from the resistor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Fasco Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Gould, William P. Page