Abstract: A method of providing a variable resistance from a resistive member including a resistive resilient material comprises electrically coupling a first conductor with the resistive member at a first contact location over a first contact area; and electrically coupling a second conductor with the resistive member at a movable second contact location over a second contact area. The second contact location is movable relative to the resistive member to change the second contact location between the second conductor and the resistive member, the first contact location and the movable second contact location being spaced from one another by a distance.

Abstract: A high power resistor includes a resistance element with first and second leads extending out from the opposite ends thereof. A heat sink of dielectric material is in heat conducting relation to the resistance element. The heat conducting relationship of the resistance element and the heat sink render the resistance element capable of operating as a resistor between the temperatures of ?65° C. to +275° C. The heat sink is adhered to the resistance element and a molding compound is molded around the resistance element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusion resistor that is formed in the substrate. A diffusion region is formed within the substrate that contains a first and second contact region. These contact regions extend downward from the surface of the substrate. A third contact is located within the diffusion region between the first and second contacts. This contact also extends downward from the surface of the substrate. These contacts are connected to metal layers. The first and second contacts form the two ends of the diffusion resistor. The third contact forms a Schottky diode such that application of a voltage to this contact forms a depletion region within the diffusion region. The depletion region changes in size depending on the voltage applied to the third contact to change the resistance of the depletion resistor.

Abstract: Battery pack (10) may include rechargeable battery cells (12). Battery charger (20) may include power source circuit (100). Power source circuit (100) may be connected with an external power source and battery cells (12). The external power source may supply power to the power source circuit and then, the power source circuit may supply charging current to battery cells (12). Battery charger (20) may also include voltage detector (32, 33) for detecting the voltage input from the external power source to power source circuit (100). Battery charger (10) may further include processor (40) for controlling power source circuit (32). Processor (40) may determine the amount of charging current supplied to battery cells (12) based upon the external power source voltage detected by the voltage detector (32, 33).

Abstract: Circuit panels are provided with resistors in vias extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the panels. The resistors may be formed by depositing a composite in each via, as by depositing a dispersion of a conductive material and a dielectric or by depositing one or more thin layers of a conductor. The resistors may be disposed at interior locations buried within a multilayer circuit board formed by laminating one or more panels having such resistors with one or more additional elements.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for compression actuation, by means of a rocking key, of electric controls such as switches, change-over switches, selector switches and the like, in which there are provided at least one fixed contact (12) and one movable contact (11), carried by a movable anchor (10), rotatively actuated to bring the movable contact (11) towards or away from the fixed contact (12), through a pin (21) operated by the rocking key (5) and pushed against said movable anchor by a compression spring (22), where the pin acts against the movable anchor (10) by means of an articulated head or joint (38) shaped like a fork, so that the two branches of the fork arrange themselves on corresponding areas (45) of the anchor that are substantially symmetrical with respect to its center (46).

Abstract: A method for determining the wear to a storage battery by monitoring the state of charge of the storage battery includes identifying a plurality of deep discharge events when a state of charge value for the storage battery is less than a minimum state of charge value specified for the storage battery. The method also includes determining the duration of the plurality of deep discharge events and determining a wear variable which characterizes the wear as a function of the total number and the total duration of the plurality of deep discharge events. The wear variable increases as the total number and the total duration of the deep discharge events increases. A monitoring device comprising a measurement unit and an evaluation unit that is configured to use the method may be provided. A computer program having computer program means designed to carry out the method may also be provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated differential isolation loss detector is disclosed that generates a first temperature that is a function of a high side current and a second temperature that is a function of a low side current. A temperature sensor senses the difference between the first and second temperatures and provides an output signal that is indicative of the magnitude and the polarity of the sensed difference. A controller receives the output signal and if the difference is greater than a predetermined magnitude the high side current, the low side current, or both can be disconnected from the load. In another embodiment, an integrated differential isolation loss detector is disclosed that includes a first temperature difference generator that generates first and second temperatures where the difference between the first and second temperatures is a function of the magnitude of the high side current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a protection device for indicating when ground fault protection is not being provided by the protection device. The protection device includes source and load terminals between a conductive path and face terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to be operable between a first state in which the latching mechanism permits electrical contact between the source terminals and the load terminals and a second state in which the contact is broken; an alarm indicator, adapted to provide an indication that the protection device is not providing ground fault protection; and a fuse, adapted to blow when the latching mechanism fails to open during a manual test of the protection device.

Abstract: A built-in battery controller for a personal telecommunication device. The battery controller includes a push switch that is switched on and off by a user, a power control unit that is connected to the push switch and allows a leakage current to flow through the power switch, a battery pack including a protection circuit module (PCM) for turning off the battery when the leakage current flows through the power switch under the control of the power control unit, and a charging circuit for charging the battery pack. The battery controller can be simply operated and can more reliably turn off the battery without affecting the outer appearance of the device.

Abstract: A sensor and method of manufacturing an extended temperature range variable resistance sensor that is cost effective and highly reliable, with stable resistance with an operating range of up to 1700° C. in hostile environments. The sensor is formed of highly stable dispersion hardened materials capable of withstanding mechanical loads and chemical attacks at elevated temperatures while maintaining internal chemical integrity. Electronics are implemented to condition the devices output and convert it to an industry standard.

Abstract: A PTC thermistor 10 comprises, at least, a pair of electrodes 2, 3 and a thermistor body 1, disposed between the electrodes 2, 3, having a positive resistance vs. temperature characteristic. The thermistor body includes, at least, a thermoplastic resin and an electrically conductive particle made of a metal powder. The thermoplastic resin and electrically conductive particle have respective contents and a state of dispersion adjusted so as to yield a magnetization of 4.0×10?5 to 6.0×10?5 Wb·m·kg?1 when a magnetic field of 3.98×105 A·m?1 is applied to the thermistor body.

Abstract: A mechanical reinforcement for an electrical apparatus has at least one electrical element with an outer surface and a reinforcing structure attached to the outer surface. The electrical element may be a monolithic MOV disk or a bonded MOV disk stack. The monolithic element may, for example, have a rating greater than 6 kV. The reinforcing structure may be pre-impregnated fiber matrix that may be, for example, pre-impregnated with resin. The mechanical reinforcement provides improved high current durability to the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A voltage-dependent resistor includes a composite of at least one semiconductive ceramic layer mainly containing ZnO and at least one metal oxide layer containing at least one of strontium and barium, at least one of manganese and cobalt, and at least one rare earth element. The material for the at least one metal oxide layer is represented by the general formula M1-xAxBO3 where M indicates the at least one rare earth element; A indicates the at least one of strontium and barium; B indicates the at least one of manganese and cobalt; and x?0.4. The at least one semiconductive ceramic layer, which is an n-type semiconductor, is doped with a trivalent dopant. The total number of the at least one semiconductive ceramic layer and the at least one metal oxide layer is at least three.

Abstract: A thin film resistor that has a substantially zero TCR is provided as well as a method for fabricating the same. The thin film resistor includes at least two resistor materials located over one another. Each resistor material has a different temperature coefficient of resistivity such that the effective temperature coefficient of resistivity of the thin film resistor is substantially 0 ppm/° C. The thin film resistor may be integrated into a interconnect structure or it may be integrated with a metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIMCAP).

Abstract: A temperature sensor comprises a thermistor element, a metal tube into which the thermistor element is inserted, two electrode wires joined to the thermistor element, two lead wires, which are covered by covering tubes with uncovered portions remaining and joined to the electrode wires, respectively, at the uncovered portions, and a housing having an inner hollow space into which the electrode wires and the lead wires are accommodated together with a resin. The sensor further comprises an insulating case disposed inside the housing and provided with a partition section for separating the joined portions of the electrode wires and the lead wires, the electrode wires and the lead wires from each other, and the inside of the insulating case is filled up with resin in a state that an opened end of the metal tube, the electrode wire and portions of the covered lead wires and uncovered portions thereof are inserted in the insulating case.

Abstract: An electrical component includes a base body that contains dielectric layers. The dielectric layers are superimposed and contain ceramic. The component also includes outer contacts on an exterior of the base body, and a resistor in an interior of the base body located between two of the dielectric layers. The resistor is connected to the outer contacts, and is made from a layer that forms a path between the outer contacts. The path between the outer contacts has multiple bends.

Abstract: An MOV element is physically and electrically connected to a heat sensitive material which changes from a low impedance path to a high impedance path, such as a spark gap, when the temperature of the MOV element rises to a temperature below that at which the MOV will enter into its thermal runaway state. More specifically, the heat sensitive material is located on a surface of the MOV and is electrically connected in series with the MOV. In operation, as the MOV gets hot, it heats the heat sensitive material. As the heat sensitive material gets hot, it starts to separate from the surface of the MOV to form a spark gap which is electrically connected in series with the MOV element to help dissipate excessive voltage.

Abstract: A two-axis magnetic field sensor includes a substrate, a first sensor having at least one magnetoresistive element formed of GMR material on the substrate has a free layer having an easy axis of effective anisotropy field in a first direction. The first sensor is sensitive to magnetic field components perpendicular to the first direction. A current is caused to flow through the first sensor and variations in the resistivity of the first sensor due to the first magnetic field components are sensed. A second sensor having at least one magnetoresistive element formed of GMR material on the substrate has a free layer having an easy axis of effective anisotropy field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The second sensor is sensitive to second magnetic field components perpendicular to its easy axis of effective anisotropy. A current is caused to flow through the second sensor and variations in the resistivity of the second sensor due to second magnetic field components are sensed.

Abstract: A resistor card for a fuel level sensor has improved resistance to corrosion and wear. The resistor card has a substrate with a resistive layer and a conductive layer. A nickel layer covers the conductive layer. A nickel-gold alloy layer covers the nickel layer. The nickel-gold alloy layer protects the conductive layer from sulfur corrosion and improves wear resistance.