Abstract: A platinum temperature sensor comprises a ceramic substrate (4) and a platinum thin-film resistor (2) applied to a main surface of said ceramic substrate. A protective intermediate layer (14, 16) comprises a ceramic layer (14) which, at least in the area of the platinum thin-film resistor (2), is evaporated on the main surface of the ceramic substrate (4) over the full area thereof, and a sintered ceramic paste layer (16) which is applied to the evaporated ceramic layer (14). A protective glaze (18) applied to the protective intermediate layer (14, 16).

Abstract: Disclosed is a multidirectional input device having a reduction in thickness and in which the inclination of the operating shaft can be smoothly effected. The device comprise first and second interlock members that are supported at both ends by support portions connected to the inside of the frame body, wherein the second interlock member has between the support portions a connecting portion having a second elongated hole, and wherein the connecting portion is arranged below the first interlock member so as to be astride the first interlock member, the connecting portion being positioned in the inner peripheral portion of a coil spring.

Abstract: An optical potentiometer comprised of a specialized circuit board and a movable reflector device capable of traveling left and right stably on the specialized circuit board. The movable reflector device has a reflecting mirror suitably disposed in alignment with a light wave transmitter on the specialized circuit board that enables the reflection of light waves emitted by the light wave transmitter to the area of a point detecting light wave receiver. The light waves are thereafter amplified and filtered to predetermined settings by an amplifier and a filter on the specialized circuit board and, furthermore, stored in an memory bank as reference values that facilitate a controller to calculate the actual distance traveled by the movable reflector device through a comparison of the predetermined settings with the standard excursion range in the controller, which then drives an digital variable resistor to output a resistance value that corresponds to the distance traveled.

Abstract: An inexpensive positive temperature coefficient thermistor has metal terminals which have been miniaturized without deteriorating the characteristics or sacrificing the reliability of the device. The metal terminals include supporting members and springs constructed such that a total width of the supporting members is smaller than a total width of the springs. In addition, connecting portions at the upper ends of the metal terminals engage with a case main body or a covering member to be retained at predetermined positions.

Abstract: A high-performance strain gauge has a high gauge factor and a decreased temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). The strain gauge has a laminated structure that includes a first layer formed of a positive TCR material and a second layer formed of a negative TCR material.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a switch having a movable arm to connect first and second conductive terminals with a rocker arm pivotally attached to the switch. The rocker arm is operable by an actuator button and a de-actuator button which are user engageable. Depending upon which of the de-actuator and actuator buttons are depressed, the rocker arm assumes a given position relative to the switch, which in turn results in an on or off position for the switch. An automatic shut-off assembly is operable in conjunction with the switch assembly to turn the switch to an off position in the event that the level of liquid within the tank rises beyond an acceptable level. The switch assembly enables the operator to manually override the automatic shut-off assembly.

Abstract: A varistor includes a voltage-nonlinear resistor and varistor electrodes provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the voltage-nonlinear resistor. The voltage-nonlinear resistor is primarily composed of SiC (silicon carbide) particles which are doped with at least one dopant such as N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus). The varistor electrodes are composed of a metal, e.g., Ag, Pd, Pt, Al, Ni or Cu. The SiC particles of the voltage-nonlinear resistor further contain at least one element of Al (aluminum) and B (boron) in an amount of about 0.01 to 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the SiC particles.

Abstract: The power tool includes a body, a trigger mechanism and a manually operated locking member. The trigger mechanism is mounted to the body for rotation about an axis between an actuated position and a non-actuated position. The manually operable locking member is translationally mounted to the body for movement between a first position and a second position. The locking member cooperates with the trigger mechanism to provide first, second and third modes of operation. In the first mode, the locking member is in the first position and articulation of the trigger mechanism from the non-actuated position to the actuated position is precluded. In the second mode, the locking member is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions and the trigger mechanism is freely allowed to articulate between the actuated and non-actuated positions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a low-capacitance multi-layer varistor having a ceramic body and two terminals that are applied on the ceramic body spaced from one another. The ceramic body is constructed in film technology with multi-layer structure and preferably comprises inner electrodes whose ends lie opposite one another with a gap.

Abstract: A composite circuit protection device includes a laminar insulating member and first and second laminar circuit protection devices.

Abstract: A pressure switch is provided for opening and closing an electrical switch based on a pressure set point. The pressure switch includes a housing having walls defining a fluid chamber adapted to receive a fluid. The pressure switch also includes a snap disc having a front surface in pressure communication with the fluid chamber and responsive to switch states between first and second shapes. The pressure switch further includes a circuit board having printed circuitry and first and second electrical terminals. The snap disc has a rear conductive surface that forms a closed circuit between the first and second terminals when in the first shape and forms an open circuit when in the second shape.

Abstract: A laminar sensor (1) for detecting changes on a laminar substrate (35). The sensor includes a laminar sheet (3) which has a first surface (5) and a second opposite surface (7), and is made from a conductive polymer composition which exhibits temperature dependent resistance behavior, preferably PTC behavior. A plurality of sensing elements (12) are electrically connected, preferably in series, on the sensor. Each sensing element is formed as an electrode pair containing a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes (9, 11) may be on the same surface of the laminar sheet or on opposite surfaces of the sheet. Two electrical leads (17, 19) are present for connecting the sensing elements into a circuit, which may be used to detect changes in resistance which occur when a sensing element is exposed to an elevated temperature, a change in pressure, or a solvent.

Abstract: An electrical device in which an element composed of a conductive polymer composition is positioned in contact with the first surface of a metal electrode, the first surface having a center line average roughness Ra and a reflection density RD, the product Ra times RD being 0.5 to 1.6 &mgr;m. The conductive polymer composition preferably exhibits PTC behavior. In a second embodiment an electrical device has an element composed of a conductive polymer composition in contact with the first surface of a metal electrode produced by providing a base metal foil having an Ra of at most 0.45 &mgr;m and depositing material onto the base metal foil to form a first surface having a product of Ra times RD of at least 0.14 &mgr;m. Other embodiments include electrical devices with metal electrodes made by pulse plating processes, and metal electrodes made by electrodeposition under diffusion-limited conditions. The electrical devices may be circuit protection devices and have improved electrical and physical properties.

Abstract: A chip PTC thermistor comprising a conductive polymer having PTC properties, a first outer electrode, a second outer electrode, one or more inner electrodes sandwiched between the conductive polymer, a first electrode electrically directly coupled with the first outer electrode, and a second electrode. The odd-numbered inner electrode among the one-or-more inner electrodes is directly coupled with the second electrode, while the even-numbered inner electrode, with the first electrode. When total number of the inner electrodes is an odd number the second outer electrode makes direct electrical contact with the first electrode, when it is an even number the second outer electrode makes direct electrical contact with the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a structure for composite materials of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor and a method of making the same. A carbon black is electroplated onto a surface of the metal electrodes of a metal laminated material to form a continuous porous structure having carbon black. Then a thermal laminating process is used to laminate the metal laminated material and a conductive crystallized polymeric composite material plaque filled with carbon black, to form a fine point between surfaces of the metal electrodes of metal laminated material and the conductive crystallized polymeric composite material plaque filled with carbon black. In the meantime, it can also lower down interfacial resistance by allowing carbon black particles of conductive crystallized polymeric composite material filled with carbon black to fully contact with the surface electroplated layer of the metal electrodes.

Abstract: An acceleration switch that improves detection sensitivity without being enlarged. The acceleration switch includes a switch body, a fixed electrode arranged in the switch body, and a movable weight arranged in the switch body. The movable weight is displaced when subjected to acceleration. The movable weight includes a movable electrode that contacts the fixed electrode when the movable weight is displaced, and a pair of beams connecting the movable weight and the switch body. The beams pivotally support the movable weight and extend into recesses formed in the movable weight.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes a circuit section contained in an insulating casing, a snap-in terminal inserted in a terminal base portion of the casing and connected to an output portion of the circuit section, and an output connecting electrode inserted in the terminal base portion from a direction orthogonal to the snap-in terminal and press-fitted in and connected to the snap-in terminal. The terminal base portion of the casing has an insertion groove for guiding and inserting the snap-in terminal, an insertion hole for guiding and inserting the output connecting electrode, and a relief groove formed on a side face of the insertion groove intersecting the insertion hole. The insertion groove, the insertion hole, and the relief groove are simultaneously formed by a metal mold of the structure to be pierced.

Abstract: A cam-operated timer 10 for a household appliance includes an interval type delay drive system to provide variable delay speeds to the rotation of a program cam. The timer 10 includes a rotatable cam-carrying member 16 having a control profile 60 of teeth and plateaus. A rotatable delay wheel 18 also includes a series of delay teeth 73 with at least one tooth 76 being of substantially greater depth than the remaining standard delay teeth 74. A delay pawl 22 is operatively connected to the drive mechanism of the timer 10 and includes at least first and second prongs 80, 82 spaced approximately the distance between the cam-carrying member 16 and the delay wheel 18, with the first prong 80 being substantially shorter than the second prong 82.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manual control apparatus, such as a control pedal for a drive-by-wire control systems, and similar applications. According to an aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises a hysteresis mechanism that provides more precise and controllable hysteresis than previous mechanism. According to a further aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises an angular position sensor, and the angular position sensor may comprise abutments that reduce variation in the sensor. According to a still further aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises a stop pin that regulates the position of a rotatable member relative to the position sensor with less variation. The stop pin may also be used as a single fastener the holds the manual control apparatus together.

Abstract: An array resistor network that has a high density of resistors per unit area. The array resistor network includes a ceramic substrate having a top and bottom surface. Apertures extend through the substrate between the top and bottom surfaces. Recesses are located on opposite edges of the substrate. Resistors are located on the top surface. Each resistor is located between a recess and an apertures. Inner conductors are connected to one end of the resistors. The Inner conductors are located on the top surface and extend through the aperture onto the bottom surface. Outer conductors are connected to another end of the resistors. The outer conductors are located on the top surface and extend along the recess onto the second surface.