Abstract: A temperature measurement system provides improved thermal sensors, including thin film and wire wound RTD's having fast and accurate measurement response times. Thermal sensor housing materials are matched to those of the material being measured, thereby minimizing the use of interface potting materials that would otherwise impose a thermal gradient. A screw-in mounting stabilizes a connection between the housing and the material being measured. Double and triple shielded thermal devices are provided to filter RFI and EMI. Improved surface measurements of high temperatures are obtained by incorporating a thermal mass into thermocouple housing designs. Additionally, a unique stain relief allowing access to sensor leads and wire leads by a side opening, prior to adding doping compound and a conductive outer sheath, is described.

Abstract: A PTC device suitable for attachment to a terminal of a battery. The device contains a PTC component which has a shape with an outer periphery and an inner periphery which defines a first opening in the center of the PTC component. The PTC component is made from a laminar PTC resistive element which is composed of a PTC conductive polymer composition, a first laminar electrode which is attached to a first face of the resistive element, and a second laminar electrode which is attached to a second opposite face of the resistive element. Also part of the device are a first conductive lead which has a first part which is attached to the first electrode, and a second part which extends into the first opening, and a second conductive lead.

Abstract: A variable resistor includes a first housing, a second housing formed of resin and having a connector part and a circuit board whose surface has an electrode and a resistance pattern thereon. A metallic terminal is molded in the second housing as one body and a brush is mounted on a moving member and is disposed in sliding engagement with the resistance pattern. An end of the terminal is in contact with the electrode on the surface of the circuit board and the other end of the terminal is disposed in the connector part.

Abstract: A variable resistance transducer responsive to an applied pressure including a smooth resistive layer on a flexible substrate and deposited thereon by printing or imaging technology, small points of nonconductive or semiconductive material, and resistive interdigitating fingers where in one finger is a wiper so that position on the resistive layer can be sensed.

Abstract: A low insertion loss, wide bandwidth, microwave switch has a superconducting transmission line that can reversibly go from a superconducting state to a normal state by the application of a DC voltage. When in the normal state, the switch is "off" and microwave signals are attenuated. To reduce the voltage necessary to cause switching, the width of the transmission line is decreased. This decrease in voltage is accomplished in a controlled manner so that there are no spurious reflections produced on the line, resulting in a wide operating bandwidth. Previous microwave switches use other means to switch between superconducting and normal and suffer from disadvantages such as relatively slow switching time, complexity or narrow bandwidths as a result.

Abstract: Solderless RF power film resistor and termination assemblies which include a flat film resistor or termination pressed by a nonmetallic clamping plate into thermal contact with a base plate functioning as a heat sink. A substrate such as a BeO ceramic substrate provides an RF power film resistor or termination, and has a flat mounting surface positioned against a flat mounting surface of the base plate. A clamping plate clamps the ceramic substrate securely against the base plate, thereby eliminating a soldered interface connection between the flat mounting surfaces of the ceramic substrate and the base plate. The clamping plate includes at least one lug, and the base plate includes at least one lug hole. The lug is larger than, and is plastically deformed into and through the hole to clamp the flat surface of the ceramic substrate securely against the flat surface of the base plate. The hole in the base plate preferably includes an undercut shoulder through and around which the lug is plastically deformed.

Abstract: A dielectric clip for holding a PTC device is dimensioned and shaped to occupy a three-dimensional space envelope that provides a close fit in a fuse socket.

Abstract: An improved multiturn potentiometer consists of a rotor assembly including a wiper in electrical contact with an output terminal and an annular resistance strip. The annular resistance strip is electrically connected to a source of potential through one or more potentiometric rotary switches which are activated periodically change the magnitude of potential to the annular resistance strip. Movement of the wiper along the annular resistance strip varies the potential to the output terminal. Activation of the rotary switches is effected by rotation of the rotor assembly and increases or decreases the potential to the annular resistance strip depending on the direction of rotation. Each potentiometric rotary switch is capable of multiple variations of potential so that each revolution of the rotor assembly effects movement of the rotary switch to supply a new potential to the annular resistance strip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a colossal magnetoresistant sensor, and in particular a colossal magnetoresistant sensor capable of responding to the low fields emanating from the recording media. The recording media typically emanates a low field on the order of 20 Oe which is insufficient to result in a significant change in resistance in a CMR layer of material. The colossal magnetoresistant sensor is comprised of a first magnetic layer; a colossal magnetoresistant layer and a second magnetic layer, where the colossal magnetoresistant layer is positioned between the first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer. The first and second magnetic layers surrounding the colossal magnetoresistant layer control the field through and therefore the resistance of the CMR layer.

Abstract: A resistance temperature detector (RTD) unit includes an RTD assembly that is removably supported in a central chamber of a support assembly. In a preferred arrangement, the RTD assembly and the central chamber are arc shaped to facilitate removal from the support assembly and to maintain contact surface area. By providing a removable RTD assembly, costs are reduced over current RTD assemblies including two monitoring elements, and the RTD elements can be replaced without dismantling the top bar connections.

Abstract: Laminar electrical devices, in particular circuit protection devices, contain two laminar electrodes, with a PTC element between them, and a cross-conductor which passes through the thickness of the device and contacts one only of the two electrodes. This permits connection to both electrodes from the same side of the device. The device also includes layers of solder on the areas of the device through which connection is made, and separation and/or masking members which (a) reduce the danger of short circuits formed by solder flow during installation of the device and/or (b) provide a site for permanent marking of the device.

Abstract: A resistance thermometer has a measuring resistor in the form of a resistance layer essentially made of a metal of the platinum group, preferably of platinum, laid on an electrically insulating surface of a carrier having a thermal expansion coefficient in the range 8.5 to 10.5 ppm/K range, and is provided with an electrically insulating cover layer. The carrier for the resistance layer can be constructed in the following manner: (a) as a substrate of a material containing a magnesium compound, preferably magnesium titanate; (b) as an intermediate layer mounted on a substrate, wherein the material of the substrate contains at least one magnesium compound; or (c) as an intermediate layer mounted on a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises aluminum oxide. With the resistance thermometer it is possible to attain a high long-term stability in the upper temperature range (above 500.degree. C.).

Abstract: A rail 30, having a long groove 31 on an upper surface thereof, is disposed in a space between an upper surface of cover 28 having an elongated hole 29 and an insulating substrate 21. With this arrangement, water or the like, entering from the upper part of cover 28, falls directly or via a groove 27a formed on an upper surface of a slider 25 and is settled or accumulated in long groove 31 of rail 30. Excellent dust-protective and waterproofing effects are obtained. Furthermore, these entering substances are drained via long groove 31 of rail 30, preventing them from spraying out to uncertain places.

Abstract: A novel arrangement for electrically heating the lower section of an automobile glazing unit is disclosed. An embodiment of the arrangement includes a heating grid pattern employing vertical shorting bars to prevent complete inoperability of individual heating conductors. An alternate embodiment of the arrangement includes heating conductors of varying electrical resistance to achieve greater heat generation at desired locations.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device has an alloy film, including a ferromagnetic substance and a non-magnetic substance which is not soluble in solid phase in the ferromagnetic substance or is in a eutectic relation with the ferromagentic substance. The ferromagnetic substance forms grains in the non-magnetic substance, and the grains preferably have anisotropic shapes. The non-magnetic substance is conducting. The alloy film is composed of a plurality of alloy film stripes. Alternatively the magneto-resistive device includes a non-magnetic layer arranged between first and second magnetic layers, wherein the non-magnetic layer has 10 to 50 weight percent of grains of a magnetic substance dispersed therein.

Abstract: A miniature potentiometer having a housing with a plurality of resistor elements and a coil spring wiper having canted coils affixed to a knob that is rotatably disposed within the housing. The canted coil spring wipers are in conductive contact with the resistor elements of the housing.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient thermistor formed of a principal ingredient comprising barium titanate, lead titanate and calcium titanate, and rare earth elements, being particularly characterized by using calcium titanate as a raw material and having the particle diameter of said calcium titanate among raw material powders made smaller than that of other raw materials. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor formed by the present invention has improved durability in a reducing atmosphere due an increased density of the crystal structure.

Abstract: Use is made of thermoplastic materials in layered configurations as a thermally stable, rigid but not brittle strip of lengths of six inches to ten feet or more. The layered strip contains layers of conductive fibers in a resin matrix, which, through use of appropriate contact mechanisms and wiring, provide an assembly with an infinite potentiometer scale. The strips are especially useful in linear positioning indicators such as pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder and liquid level gauges.

Abstract: An improved resistor and connection region structure in which the geometries of the connection regions for a pair of radial resistors correspond to the connection region geometries for a pair of tangential resistors, thus inherently eliminating the need for varying connection regions to compensate for offset. In particular, the radial resistors are formed by placing two legs in parallel with each other and connecting those legs in series on opposite sides of the membrane, with the connection region on the interior of the membrane. The tangential resistors, on the other hand, are formed on the opposite sides by placing two legs in series with each other and connecting those legs in series, with an interior connection region connecting them.

Abstract: A positive-characteristics thermistor apparatus has an insulating case, positive-characteristics thermistor devices, planar terminals, and spring terminals. Whichever thermistor device has a lower resistance of the two thermistor devices is trimmed to have a higher resistance which is near the resistance of the other thermistor device such that the two thermistor devices have substantially the same resistance (for example, within a difference of .+-.1.OMEGA.). In other words, a part of an electrode of the thermistor device having a lower resistance is removed with a laser beam.