Abstract: A current limiting device having an electrical superconductor for attachment in an electrical circuit, the superconductor being made of material having a critical current density which varies with applied magnetic field. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field to which the superconductor is exposed. Under normal working conditions a magnetic field applied causes the critical current density to be less than a maximum critical current density. A controller adjusts the critical current density such that after a current carried by the superconductor exceeds the critical current density so that the superconductor transforms to a resistive state, the controller can be activated to increase the critical current density causing the superconductor to return the superconducting condition without terminating the flow of current through the superconductor.

Abstract: A mounting clip for a rotary potentiometer. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting clip comprises front and back generally vertical opposing side segments elastically deformable relative to each other between a naturally biased position and an outward flexed position. The back side segment defines a pair of legs sized to accommodate a shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting clip is useful for mounting the rotary potentiometer relative to a support wall of a joystick assembly in a position wherein a body portion of the potentiometer is adjacent to the support wall and the shaft of the potentiometer projects through an opening in the support wall. When the potentiometer is so positioned, the mounting clip may be slid downward over the potentiometer and support wall such that the front side segment overlies an outer flat surface of the potentiometer and the legs straddle the shaft of the potentiometer on the other side of the support wall.

Abstract: A potentiometer is disclosed that provides a user with tactile feel while making adjustments. The potentiometer includes a housing having a central bore with a rotor extending therein. A knob having a protrusion is operably connected to the rotor along with a wiper. A detent member having a lobe attachment segment and a fixed segment is operably connected to the housing. The lobe is deflected by the knob protrusion while the ring is compressed by forcing the lobe attachment segment towards said fixed segment. Furthermore, attached to the housing is a base plate carrying a resistive strip engaged by the wiper.

Abstract: A conductive polymer PTC device includes upper, lower, and center electrodes, with a first PTC conductive polymer layer between the upper and center electrodes, and a second PTC conductive polymer layer between the center and lower electrodes. Each of the upper and lower electrodes is separated into an isolated portion and a main portion. The isolated portions of the upper and lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other and to the center electrode by an input terminal. Upper and lower output terminals are provided, respectively, on the main portions of the upper and lower electrodes and are electrically connected to each other. The resulting device is, effectively, two PTC devices connected in parallel, thereby providing an increased effective cross-sectional area for the current flow path, and thus a larger hold current, for a given footprint.

Abstract: A thermistor with positive resistance-to-temperature characteristic used in a overcurrent protection circuit has electrodes on mutually opposite main surfaces and is mounted to a substrate having electrically conductive members such that deterioration of its voltage resistance due to heat emission can be controlled. A spacer with smaller thermal conductivity than the substrate and penetrated by a conductor piece with a small cross-sectional area is inserted between solder materials connecting to one of the thermistor electrodes. The other electrode is contacted by an elongated connecting member through its sectional surface transverse to its longitudinal direction such that the cross-sectional area of electrical conduction is reduced.

Abstract: A motion transducer having a user moveable plunger which compresses a spring for generating a force proportional to plunger displacement and applying the generated force to an actuator telescoped onto the plunger. The actuator has an elastomeric pad on the surface which contacts and reacts the generated force onto a force/pressure sensitive resistive strip which varies its resistance with the changing force applied by the elastomeric pad. The changes in resistance may be electrically detected to give an indication of plunger travel.

Abstract: A temperature sensor element for measuring the temperature of exhaust gas from car engines comprises a metallic support having a shape of a flat board, a first electric-insulating film existing on the support, a first temperature sensitive film existing on the first electric-insulating film and having a pair of electrodes, and a second electric-insulating film existing on the temperature sensitive film. The element is superior in thermal shock resistance. The element needs no heat-resistant cap. The element is superior in heat-response since the element has a small heat capacity.

Abstract: A voltage-dependent non-linear resistor member, a method for producing the same, and an arrester equipped with the same. The member is produced by a process comprising the addition of at least one oxide of a rare earth element selected from Y, Ho, Er and Yb in an amount of 0.05-1.0 mol % in terms of R.sub.2 O.sub.3 to a composition which principally consists of zinc oxide and contains bismuth oxide. The member has excellent non-linearity and a high varistor valtage. Further, the arrester has very small size and improved protective properties.

Abstract: A rotary operation type variable resistor including a resistor base and a holder, on which a sliding-element supporting member is rotatably retained, are placed in a case provided with only one opening for component insertion. An operating lever is fixedly connected to a shaft portion of the sliding-element supporting member using a speed nut. A resistor pattern is formed by printing on the resistor base in a positional relationship determined by positioning reference portions formed on the resistor base. Positioning reference portions are also formed on the holder, and positioning portions are formed in the case. A resilient-contact member for bringing the positioning reference portions of each of the resistor base and the holder into contact with the positioning portions of the case is also provided on the case.

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 is disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor having a housing; two highly conductive elements fixed in-part within the housing and in-part exposed external of the housing; the conductive elements separated from one another within the housing in a normally open arrangement. A resilient dome-cap is positioned within the housing, and in some embodiments is conductive and in constant contact with one of the conductive elements, and in other embodiments the dome-cap need not be conductive. A depressible actuator is movably retained by the housing with a portion thereof external of the housing to be accessible for depressive force to be applied thereto by a mechanical device or human finger/thumb. The actuator also includes a portion positioned to allow depressive force applied thereto to be applied to the dome-cap. Pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material is contained within the housing and electrically positioned as a variably conductive element in a current flow path between the two conductive elements.

Abstract: A frequency dependent resistor in which the length of the current path across the resistor varies as a function of the frequency of the electrical signals being passed therethrough. The resistor uses the principal known as skin effect to direct relatively higher frequency signals through a longer path through the resistor than is experienced by signals having a relatively low frequency.

Abstract: A metal alloy having an intrinsically low TCR, and which preferably comprises a metal oxide and forms part of the resistance material in a quantity of 15-60 vol. %. The best results are achieved with a resistance material which comprises an alloy of CuNi as the metal alloy and SiO.sub.2 as the high-ohmic component. The resistors exhibit a relatively high resistance value as well as a relatively low TCR value.

Abstract: A thermistor for surface mounting includes a first conductive terminal member, a case having a top opening, a planar thermistor element having electrodes on mutually opposite main surfaces thereof, and a second conductive terminal member having at one end thereof a planar cover part which is attached to the top part of the case. One end of the first terminal member is positioned inside the case and above its bottom member. The other ends of the first and second terminal members are positioned on the bottom surface of the case.

Abstract: The current-limiting resistor has two connection electrodes (1, 2) which are arranged parallel to one another, a resistance body (3) which has PTC behavior and with which large-area contact is made by the connection electrodes (1, 2) and at least one varistor (4) which is in electrically conductive contact with the resistance body (3). The varistor (4) is of pillar-shaped design and has at least two first portions (4a) routed predominantly perpendicularly to the varistor axis and, arranged between said portions, a second portion (4b) having a reduced cross section compared with each of the first portions (4a). The material of the resistance body (3) fills an interspace (6), which is formed by the at least two first portions (4a) and the second portion (4b), and encloses the outwardly pointing edges (4c) of the at least two portions.This resistor can be operated at high voltages, for example 5 or 10 kV, and advantageously has a single resistance body 3 and a single varistor.

Abstract: An organic positive temperature coefficient thermistor contains polyethylene oxide where Mw>2,000,000 and conductive particles each having spiky protuberances. Preferably, the thermistor is prepared by blending the polyethylene oxide with the conductive particles interconnected in a chain form. The thermistor is operated at a temperature of 60 to 70.degree. C. little harmful to the human body, and has low initial resistance in its non-operating state (at room temperature), a large rate of resistance change upon transition from its non-operating state to operating state, a sharp resistance rise upon operation, and stable performance even upon repetitive operation.

Abstract: A current limiting device utilizes an electrically conductive composite material and an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance structure. The current limiting device has a conducting filler and at least two electrodes, where at least one of the electrodes comprises a grooved electrode structure. The grooved electrode structure maintains contact between the electrodes and the composite material, even with consumption of the composite material and production of residue during a high current condition.

Abstract: A polymer high voltage current limiter comprising, per phase, a fast circuit-breaker pole, a semi-fast protection circuit-breaker pole, and a set of polymer-based elements having very low resistivity, filled with carbon black, and connected in series and in parallel, wherein each element comprises a carbon-filled polymer matrix of elongate shape and including in its interior two parallel metal conductors.

Abstract: A composition material for use in manufacturing a varistor consists of the following constituents:a) zinc oxide,b) ceramic structure influencing additives selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxide, boric acid, chromium oxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide and tin oxide,c) a grain growth influencing additive selected from the group consisting of antimony oxide, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide,d) an organic solvent carrier,e) an organic viscosity influencing additive, andf) an organic binder.The composition may serve as a ceramic ink for use in the manufacture of multilayer varistors, especially using a screen printing process.A multilayer varistor with pin receiving apertures has a plurality of electrode segments coplanar to each other surrounding the apertures.

Abstract: A positive thermistor device includes a positive thermistor element having a pair of opposed electrodes, each of which receives compressive force elastically applied from a corresponding one of spring contact members to hold the thermistor element at a predefined position in the device. When the thermistor device is destroyed, the element breaks into fragments, some of which remain in contact with the spring contact members. The remaining fragments deviate in position to ensure that they do not conduct electricity, resulting in an open state, wherein any current flow is inhibited through such fragments. More specifically, a positive thermistor disk is held within the device so that it is interposed between conductive spring contact pieces and insulative position-alignment projections, which are cross-diagonally situated with respect to each other.