Abstract: The method of measuring the state-of-charge of a battery by using multilevel Peukert's equation which is different from conventional Peukert's equation in such a way that the conventional Peukert's equation uses only two reference points to obtain Peukert's constants whereas the multilevel Peukert's equation uses a third reference point to obtain two sets of Peukert's constants. By doing so, the state-of-charge of a battery can be measured more precisely and the reliability of a battery powered product can be enhanced.

Abstract: An inductive pickup sensor employing an isolation transformer to achieve substantially improved immunity to capacitively-induced cross-talk signals is provided. A magnetic pickup coil is coupled to a spark plug wire to receive a spark signal. The spark signal developed across the magnetic pickup coil is then coupled to via a sensor cable to the primary winding of an isolation transformer which is configured to provide a relatively low interwinding capacitance level to substantially reduce the cross-talk signal amplitude relative to the spark signal at a detector circuit. The detector turns the spark signal into a trigger signal at a pair of output terminals.

Abstract: A method calibrates a network analyzer having two test ports and at least four measuring locations by successive measurement of the transmission and reflection parameters at three calibration standards successively connected in arbitrary sequence between the two test ports according to the seven-term principle. A first calibration measurement is implemented at an electrical line whose characteristic impedance is known and whose electrical propagation constant may be unknown and complex. Second and third calibration measurements are then respectively implemented at a two-port that is connected between the test ports and is constructed of concentrated components. The electrical propagation constant of the line and correction values that are taken into consideration in following object measurements are calculated from these measured values.

Abstract: A controller of a card radio modem connectable to a data terminal measures two kinds of a battery voltage under a different load condition of the card radio modem. The controller determines the kind of battery and detects the remaining time of accuracy, based on the kind of the battery. In addition, the controller calculates an available capacity of a file data to be transmitted and received during the remaining time. When the available capacity is smaller than a capacity which is necessary to transmit and receive, the controller generates an alarm to inform an operator. The controller displays the available capacity or remaining time on a display.

Abstract: An improved substrate processing system. The system may be used for double sided scrubbing of a semiconductor substrate. The wet stations of the system has covers which prevent accumulated liquid from dripping outside of the station and which minimize dripping on the substrates. Transport tunnels are provided between modules to prevent leakage between the modules. A substrate transport mechanism which is moveable along a rail is provided with the stabilizer to provide for stable substrate transfer. The processing system has two brush stations which are placed within a single enclosure. The sensors located throughout the system, which sense the presence of a wafer, are fixedly mounted in a frame so that they are self-aligned to one another. In the sender station, two sensors are used, with the system requiring both sensors to sense the presence of a wafer to increase the reliability. In the dry station, the heating lamp is shielded from the substrate to reduce particulate contamination.

Abstract: An auxiliary plug-and-socket assembly (28) has a plurality of pins (29) at one end which plug into a socket (30) at the rear end of a tractor vehicle (31) and sockets (32) at the other end which receive a plug (33) from a trailer vehicle. The auxiliary assembly (28) also has conductors (38) which extend between corresponding pins (29) and sockets (32), light emitting diodes (20-25) in respective circuits between conductors (38) and a common ground pin and socket, a gating diode (37), and an energizer (17) and switch (34) bridging the gating diode (37).

Abstract: A device for finding an inoperative bulb in a series string of lights, such as a string of Christmas tree lights having a plug, a pair of electrically conductive leads connected to the plug and having their ends terminating within a casing of the device, a polarity switch having first and second terminals each connected to a lead of the pair of leads connected to the plug, a probe for insertion into and contact with the wire of the socket of the light string, and an indicator circuit for determining whether an electric current is passing through the series string thus indicating the presence or lack of an inoperative bulb. The indicator circuit is located between the polarity switch and the probe and a protective sheath is provided to prevent any part of the probe from being exposed to avoid a user from being shocked, the protective sheath being continuously biased to cover the probe.

Abstract: A device for checking the weights of individual capsules in a stream of capsules by passing the stream of capsules past a capacitance sensor which measures the capacitance of each capsule as representative of the capsule weight, and passing the stream of capsules past a velocity sensor which measures the velocity of each capsule as representative of the capsule weight. The measured capacitance and measured velocity values are each compared against preset ranges of values, and a capsule is mechanically deflected from the moving stream if the comparison shows either measured value to be outside the respective preset range of values.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the characteristics of a particular ionization chamber by measuring the capacitance of the chamber and using that capacitance to identify the particular type of chamber being used to measure the ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the possibility of transfer of material through a protective barrier between a worker and an external object and warning the worker of that possibility is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic leak alarm module is electrically connected to the worker and to the external object. In another embodiment, the module is connected to the worker and a conductive layer on or within the protective barrier.

Abstract: Surface potential is detected with high precision by removing induction noise generated by a drive circuit and transmitted to a detection electrode. Induction noise imparted by a drive circuit to an A.C. voltage signal is cancelled out by supplying an output of a pre-amplifier for amplifying the A.C. voltage signal derived from a detection electrode and an output of the drive circuit for applying a drive signal to a chopper portion to a differential amplifier and differentially amplifying them. Particularly, an attenuator for making a level of the amplified A.C. voltage signal substantially coincident with a level of a signal from the drive circuit and an inverter/amplifier for making phase deviation coincident are provided in an output portion of the pre-amplifier circuit.

Abstract: The reliability of thin film insulators is determined with noise measurements which find the barrier height mean and standard deviation. A constant voltage source is applied across the thin film insulator. A low noise amplifier is connected across a resistor which is in series with the insulator. A spectrum analyzer is connected to the low noise amplifier. The power density is obtained by observing the output of a spectrum analyzer. The current spectral density is compared to a predetermined reference to detect the presence of defects in the insulator.

Abstract: The apparatus for testing electrical switch matrices includes a potential selector (30) for receiving and applying a voltage (28) to a predetermined input (101-106) of each of the plurality of electrical switches (12), a controller (15) for receiving and applying signals to the plurality of electrical switches (12), and a combiner (36) responsive to an output (22) of each of the plurality of electrical switches (12). The controller (15) selects electrical paths (16) associated with each of the switches (12) which are in communication with the predetermined inputs (101-106) of each of the switches. The output (38) of the combiner (36) indicates whether at least one of the selected electrical paths (16) failed.

Abstract: A pulsed discharge photoinoization detector is set forth which comprises a plurality of closed chambers for receiving different types of carrier gas flowing there through between inlets and outlets. The carrier gases are exposed to a pair of electrodes forming a spark across each chamber and through each carrier gas. At least one component of each type of carrier gas is excited within each chamber by the spark discharges, and the resonance energies of each type of carrier gas are different. The sample to be analyzed is split and a portion is injected into each of the closed chambers where it is exposed to the excited carrier gases. Carrier gases, upon decay, serve as sources of ionizing radiation of differing energy which react with compounds within the sample gas producing ionization currents which are a function of the types of sample gas compounds and the types of carrier gases.

Abstract: To carry out a non-destructive test for testing insulation of a small-size electric machine having a coil, a surge voltage is applied to the coil of the electric machine mounted in a decompression tank whose inner pressure is kept from 15 to 25 [Torr] so as to generate glow discharge in case there exists a flaw in the coil.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the battery discharge characteristics and estimating the remaining battery capacity easily by a simple mechanism even if time elapses. A discharge characteristics calculation section reads voltage, current, and temperature from a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor, respectively, and determines the approximated discharge characteristics at a given time based on a position relationship of the discharge characteristics curved surface function V=a.multidot.log(H.sub.0 -H)+b.multidot.H+c to voltage-temperature-duration of discharge axes. A duration of discharge characteristics calculation section determines the duration of discharge from a fully charged state to the present based on the approximated discharge characteristics. A remaining capacity calculation section determines the remaining capacity based on the approximated discharge characteristics.

Abstract: A load open state detection circuit includes a driver having X and Y terminals between which an inductive load is connected and which receive drive signals, a first transistor whose base is connected to the X terminal and whose collector is connected to a terminal supplied with a predetermined voltage, a second transistor whose base is connected to the Y terminal and whose collector is connected to the terminal supplied with a predetermined voltage and third and fourth transistors having bases thereof connected to input terminals supplied with respective drive signals. A fifth transistor has a base connected to the base of the first transistor, a collector connected to a resistor which is in turn connected to the collector of the first transistor, and an emitter connected to a second resistor which is connected to the emitter of the first transistor.

Abstract: This electrostatic selector of aerosol particles of an atmosphere has a first (18) and a second (20) parallel, spaced, coaxial conductive disks, between which is established an electric field, an annular slot (22) made in the first disk for communicating with the atmosphere to be examined, a central intake (26) for bringing about a circulation from the periphery of the disks of a stable, centripetal, laminar filtered air flow, an annular or circular opening (28) made in the second disk, a third disk (32) facing the second disk, means for injecting between the second and third disk, from the periphery thereof, a radial, laminar, filtered air flow, a central pipe fixed to the third disk by which the particles having the requisite electrical mobility (or the requisite dimension if the electric charge is known) are brought to the outside of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus measures a repetitive signal in a coherent manner, including a signal generating circuit to output the repetitive signal in accordance with first clock signals which are generated by a first clock circuit. A sampling circuit samples the repetitive signal in accordance with second clock signals to output a sampled signal, the second dock signals are output by a second clock circuit. An output circuit stores the sampled signals and outputs a reconstructed signal based on said sampled signal.

Abstract: An indicating device for electric control units has a light-emitting diode together with at least two resistors placed between a supply voltage and ground. A control line extends from the control unit and is connected between the two resistors. The control unit controls the potential on the control line in such a manner that when a defect is recognized an indication is provided. An indication is also provided in the event of a short circuit between the control line and the supply voltage, as well as upon an interruption in the control line.