Abstract: A terminal for a watthour meter employs an offset portion internal to the watthour meter for disposing contacting surfaces for connection to current-coil conductors at four different transverse locations. Formation of the offset produces an under surface used as one element for capturing and applying compression force to a washer over a terminal gasket. A projection from the opposite surface of the terminal forms a bearing surface as the other element for applying compression force to the washer over the terminal gasket. Two holes, optionally tapped, are provided for connection of a voltage coil lead. One of the two holes remains free for connection even though the other may be covered by the current-coil conductor.

Abstract: Overload protection for the series resistance of an electric motor in which a voltage drop across the electric motor is monitored. During the occurrence of a reduced voltage drop, for example, as a result of a blocking of the motor or of a fan driven by the electric motor, the series resistance is short-circuited by a relay so that the blocking can be overcome by an increased driving torque of the electric motor or a fuse in the load current input line to the motor responds. As a result thereof, an effective overload protection is created which is of simple construction, involves no additional wiring expenditure and requires few additional components and which also permits to dimension the series resistance for normal operating currents and to be able to dispense with a thermal monitoring.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a proximity switch for sensing the position of a piston within a fluid operated, expandable chamber cylinder. The mounting device comprises a block shaped member with at least a first depressed, arcuate surface, the degree of curvature of which is adapted to fit the surface of the cylinder. By first attaching the mounting apparatus to the proximity switch and then positioning the proximity switch with respect to the fluid cylinder, tightening down of fastening devices provided for the proximity switch will cause the arcuate surface to firmly engage the surface of the cylinder, thereby providing a secure, vibration resistant mounting of the proximity switch to the cylinder.

Abstract: A housing consists of modular housing units 1 which can be stacked one above another and beside each other and which are provided with mechanically stable sidewalls 11. Between the sidewalls 11 of vertically adjacent housing units 1, a slot is formed which takes up variations and irregularities in the adjacent sidewall edges and permits mechanically stable connection and simultaneous electrical connections to laterally adjacent housing units 1. The housing does not have a separate frame for the accommodation of the circuit boards. Horizontal locking plates 12 connect the sidewalls 11 and provide both guide rails for the circuit boards and cooling openings.

Abstract: An electrical pressure switch is used on a hydraulic system to indicate the presence of a minimum operating pressure. The hydraulic fluid acts on a piston to move the piston against a force exerted by a calibration spring. Movement of the piston ultimately closes the contacts of a switch, thereby delivering an electrical signal indicative of minimum operating pressure. A check valve moves in concert with the piston and isolates the internal structure of the pressure switch from escalating hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A mounting pedestal adapted to support an electrical meter and power box, and other utility service devices, in a compact and safe arrangement for their provision to a mobile home. A hollow, plastic post is supported in an upright position in the earth, and the power box and meter are attached to an L-shaped mounting bracket on the top of the post. The meter, power box and other devices are connected to a common ground, the common ground being at least partly embedded in the plastic post. In one preferred embodiment, the common ground includes a flat plate extending substantially throughout the length of the plastic post and is embedded therein. In a second preferred embodiment, the common ground includes a plurality of conductors extending through the plastic post, the conductors being connected by a common ground wire extending between them, which is disposed interiorly of the post.

Abstract: A dual compartment magnetic switch interposed between a hand held electrical appliance and its electrical power input. The magnetic switch enables electrical power to be totally insulated from the electrical components within the appliance so that when the appliance is in the off position, user safety is enhanced.

Abstract: An electrical to fiber optic conversion unit for use in a fiber optic transmission link includes a ferrous metal chassis with an open front end for receiving a plurality of conversion modules and power supply or test modules. The conversion module includes circuitry for converting electrical signals to fiber optic signals and is constructed of a multi-layer printed circuit board having top and bottom layers substantially covered with a non-current conducting chassis ground. The several internal layers of the conversion PC board include two signal layers for interconnecting components on the board, with the signal layers being separated by a power distribution layer and an interconnect layer for connecting components on opposite ends of the board. The multi-layer PC construction suppresses RF noise from the conversion module providing that the front panel of the module may be left uncovered while still achieving very low levels of RF emission.

Abstract: A support rail structure which provides cooling air for removing heat from instruments. The support rail structures provide uniform cooling along each support rail regardless of instrument orientation within the instrument panel assembly. A system which includes the combination of instrument panel support rail and cooling mainfold discharges a continuous flow of forced convection air along the base of the support rail. Valves are shown which provide flow-through cooling for cathode ray tube instruments. The instrument panel support rail structures enable a method of supplying conditioned air when concentration of instrument panels dictate that the air conditioning system be integrated within the panels.

Abstract: A spark erosion machine having a machine table fixed to the machine upright and on which can be arranged a working container for the dielectric fluid by joining a vertically movable, cross-sectionally C-shaped component to an L-shaped component in longitudinal section. The L-shaped component comprises a fixed vertical wall element forming the rear wall of the working container and the machine table plate, which is detachably connected to the fixed wall element through a seal. The machine table plate is fixable in the reference plane of the machine table by means of rapid fastening and centering devices.

Abstract: The capability of the microbellows cooling technique to remove heat from multi-chip modules is enhanced with a highly conductive, rigid, heat spreader. The heat spreader has a planar surface urged against a planar surface of the chip by the flexible microbellows. The surface area of the heat spreader is greater than the mating surface area of the chip. The heat spreader is attached to the bottom surface of the microbellows. The surface area of the heat spreader which mates with the surface of the chip is highly polished and coated with a highly conductive soft metal. A jet of coolant is forced into the inner surface of the microbellows.

Abstract: A liquid level indication device including a reed switch activating assembly having a magnet moveable in response to a change in the level of the liquid to effect the closing of the reed switch contact elements when a designated liquid level is reached. The device has a built-in time delay feature to prevent the premature actuation of the reed switch by the magnet should the liquid level in the container only temporarily drop.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing means for use in a tank or the like, adapted to hold a liquid which is partially withdrawn and/or replenished from time-to-time. Disposed within the liquid is a buoyant, upright, hollow reed switch-like float element having a longitudinal axis parallel with the direction of movement of the liquid level within the tank. The switch element is adapted to float upon the surface of the liquid whose level is to be sensed. It is provided with an upper reed and a lower reed, each in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the float element. The upper reed is rigidly secured to the upper end of an envelope of the float element, while the lower reed thereof is spring biasly secured to the lower end of the float element envelope. At a location medially between the upper and lower ends of the float element envelope, there exists an area of overlap between the unsecured ends of the upper and lower reeds respectively.

Abstract: The electronic equipment of a computer system including electronic cards, power supplies, peripheral units, cooling units and internal and external cables are compactly packaged within a small enclosure in a way which permits sufficient airflow from front to rear of the enclosure. The enclosure includes a pair of rail members located at the rear which have a plurality of mounting positions for attaching a corresponding number of modular shelf members which are angled to permit the flow of air through established airflow paths. The rail and shelf members collectively form a bulkhead structure. The rail members are offset from the sides of the frame so as to form vertical channels on each side. The channels are used for retaining external cables which plug into connectors mounted on the shelf members and are distributed so as not to interfere with airflow.

Abstract: In a gas insulated switching apparatus, a pair of buses are made up of coaxially disposed conductors or the like and disconnectors are connected to one of the buses. The buses and the disconnectors are integrally configured in one gas section of a gas tube path having a plurality of sections so as to reduce the size of the apparatus significantly.

Abstract: An improved float-actuated switching assembly, having a pusher (92) linked to a float (14), a movable carrier member (16), preferably a pivotable cam, having upper and lower brackets (78 and 80) between which the pusher moves, first and second stops (18 and 20) to limit carrier movement, a contact member (22) on the carrier positioned to contact the stops, and magnets (88 and 90) to releasably hold the contact against a stop as the pusher moves toward and applies initial force to one of the brackets. Increasing force caused by continuing float movement eventually breaks the magnetic force such that the carrier moves quickly to actuate a switch element (26) preferably through a cam follower (96).

Abstract: A carrier for electronic circuit boards that is configured for placement in a case of a telephone interface device. The carrier includes a backing member and at least two channels disposed at opposite ends thereof. A flange extends from each end of the backing member, whereby the carrier can be placed in the case of the interface device.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for a power semiconductor wafer is provided comprising substantially entirely silicon materials selected to have coefficients of thermal expansion closely matching that of the power semiconductor wafer. A semiconductor wafer such as a power diode comprises a layer of silicon material having first and second device regions on respective sides thereof. An electrically conductive cap and base, each including a layer of silicon material, are disposed in electrical contact with the first and second regions of the semiconductor device, respectively. An electrically insulative sidewall of silicon material surrounds the semiconductor wafer, is spaced from an edge thereof, and is bonded to the cap and base for hermetically sealing the package. An electrical passivant is disposed on an edge of the semiconductor wafer adjoining the first and second device regions for preventing electrical breakdown between the cap and base.

Abstract: An automatic grounding means for a wiring device is provided by a spring clip formed from a single piece of wire in a generally U-shaped configuration, bent upwardly at both ends. The bent end portions are inserted through a pair of openings on opposite sides of the conventional mounting screw slot in the ears on the yoke of the wiring device, and are further bent either toward or away from one another to maintain the clip in firm engagement with the yoke without welding or other such permanent connection. When mounted on the yoke, parallel legs of the clip extend across the screw slot and are spaced by a distance less than the diameter of the mounting screw which thereby contacts the legs, flexing them outwardly, as the mounting screw is passed through the slot and between the clip legs to engage the flush box in which the wiring device is mounted. The engagement of the clip with the yoke assures a low resistance grounding path from the yoke to the clip to the screw to the flush box.

Abstract: An apparatus for stopping an electrically driven watering system in response to rainfall, said apparatus having a float activating a reed switch which is mounted within a rain-catching cylinder, said read switch then activating a relay switch to interrupt the flow of electricity in the system. Also included is a rigid mounting strap and pivot strap permitting the casing of the apparatus to be conveniently removed and the rain-catching system to be emptied by one standing on the ground.