Abstract: There is provided terminal electrodes and methods of manufacture thereof which overcome the drawbacks of the prior art multilayer ceramic capacitor, namely, thickened terminal electrodes and size variation (low size precision) thereof. A ceramic main body (11) is provided with internal electrodes (12) therein, and terminal electrodes (13) on a front and a rear sides, and at least one of adjacent four sides. The terminal electrode (13) is formed as a three-layer structure consisting of a first external electrode layer (14) of metal highly adhesive to ceramic, a second external electrode layer (15) of metal having solderability, and a third external electrode layer (16) of metal having solder wettability. The three-layer structure of the terminal electrode is approximately 1 to 3 .mu.m thick.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for creating a packaging architecture for a highly parallel multiprocessor system. The packaging architecture of the present invention can provide for distribution of power, cooling and interconnections at all levels of components in a highly parallel multiprocessor system, while maximizing the number of circuits per unit time within certain operational constraints of such a multiprocessor system.

Abstract: The apparatus is comprised of two sensors of the thermal type (11a, 11b) made of materials resisting without any alteration to a temperature of 650.degree. C. Probes (15a, 15b) are controlled by a microprocessor (16) to come periodically and momentarily in contact with the sensors in order to calculate (through microprocessor (16)) the thermal time constant of the sensors presenting a deposition layer of environmental polutants. The microprocessor (16) compares the value of the time constant with an order value that commands the closure of a shunt switch (17) of a resistance (18) which, when short-circuited, determines a reinforced heating of the sensors to bring them to a temperature of incineration of organic materials originating from the pollution of the ambient medium and deposited on said sensors. Thus, the sensors are maintained in the cleanliness conditions of their surface, thereby providing for the accuracy of information supplied by the sensors outside cleaning periods.

Abstract: An electrical heater comprising a heating element, a tubular metal sheath surrounding the heating element and spaced therefrom, insulation inside the sheath for electrically insulating the heating element from the sheath, and a closure closing one end of the sheath. A passaging extends through the closure in a direction generally lengthwise of the sheath. At least one power lead adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy extends through the passaging for conducting electrical energy to the heating element. The power lead includes an electrical conductor, a metallic sleeve surrounding the conductor, and insulation for electrically insulating the conductor from the sleeve. The conductor has a terminal portion electrically connected to the heating element. A seal between the closure and the sheath around the one end of the sheath seals against the passage of contaminants between the closure and the sheath.

Abstract: Tantalum electrode material is produced which has extremely low tortuosity, exceptionally low ESL and ESR, potentially extended high frequency performance, very high volumetric efficiency, and reduced tantalum consumption per electrode. The electrode material is characterized by having a cross-section composed of plates of tantalum separated by spaced gaps resulting in a highly dense (volumetric efficiency) electrode. The plates are electrically interconnected which also adds to the structural stability of the article. This is made possible by being able to carefully control the geometry of the tantalum material during processing. A method for producing such material includes extruding a billet filled with a (preferentially geometrically uniform) mixture of rods of tantalum and an extrudable metal. When the billet has been sufficiently reduced in size and severed, the extrudable metal is removed by selectively dissolving with acid.

Abstract: An electric heater comprises a braid construction of a plurality of strands having electric resistance, thereby the strands are heated due to a Joule heat when a current flows therethrough. The strands are braided with a core wire of tube or without cores. These strands are placed in two core wires dielectrically insulated, which core wires have exposed portions formed therein in a shape of semi-circle or arc-like at a regular interval mutually. The core wires are covered with an insulator laid thereon and an electric heating element is wound around the insulator covering in a large spiral. A C-shaped fixing piece made of metal is used to be adapted on the exposed portions of the core wires. Then the opening of the C shape of the fixing piece is pressed toward each other to close it. Claws, formed on the inner face of the fixing piece, grip firmly the strands of the heater element to the core wires.

Abstract: A heat pipe roller includes a rotatable outer tube having a primary internal chamber for containing a fluid, a heater operable to heat the fluid and hence the tube, and a sensor. The sensor has a movable member which communicates with the primary chamber and is mounted on the tube for rotation therewith, and a fixed member situated in the region of the axis of rotation of the tube and so mounted relative to the tube that rotation of the tube does not rotate the fixed member. The fixed member is adapted to be connected to equipment for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor. The arrangement is such that, in use, the movable member moves in response to a temperature change or temperature related physical change in the primary chamber, thereby causing a corresponding change in the electrical characteristic of the sensor.

Abstract: Manufacturing hinged diaphragms for semiconductor sensors (e.g., accelerometers, pressure transducers, etc.), from a SIMOX wafer (W, FIG. 3 A), in which the internal, insulating, silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) layer (3) is used as an etch stop in removing silicon from the underside of the wafer by etching with an appropriately selective etch, producing the reduced thickness, peripheral "hinge" areas (9; FIG. 3 A to FIG. 3 B), with the exposed part of the silicon dioxide layer being removed in a subsequent etching step (FIG. 3 B to FIG. 3C) using a different, selective etch. This produces a single layer, single-crystal, silicon "hinge" (9'; FIG. 3C) of uniform, continuous material, enhancing the linearity of diaphragm movement during use and the sensor's sensitivity and accuracy. (See FIG. 4 for methodological steps.

Abstract: A cook-top (10) is provided which includes at least one cooking section (12a) heated by at least one heating element which is activated by function controls (9). It includes at least one detector (20) which detects the presence of a cooking utensil on at least one cooking section (12a), the detector actuating a timing means (22) (24) in order to turn off or to reduce the heating of the cooking section when the utensil has been removed, and to turn on the heating of the cooking section when the utensil is put back on the cooking surface if the absence time has been shorter than a given time.The detector may be responsive (20) (26) to the weight of the utensil and/or the temperature of the heating surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a hermetic coaxial feedthrough device wherein a pin is substantially centered within the device. The pin can be electrically connected to the outer portion of the device via a bridge wire to form a header that is particularly useful for igniting a gas-generating composition in an air bag device. The invention also provides an eyelet useful in the process and an improved header device having a substantially smooth surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a transport pipeline by inductive heating. The transport pipeline has a thermal insulator mounted on an outside surface thereof. A pair of parallel extending electric wires without metallic protection, are mounted on an outside surface of the thermal insulator.

Abstract: A fusing roller is provided that has multiple pattern groupings of heat elements of different heating capacities located adjacent heat sensors within the fusing roller. The individual heat elements of the same grouping are of the same heating capacity, while individual heat elements not of the same grouping are of different heating capacity. The difference in heating capacity is due to the differences in coil length of the various heat elements. By controlling the flow of current to any one or more groupings of heat elements, a specific fusing temperature range can be applied to designated areas about the peripheral surface of the fuser roller, thereby maintaining these areas of the fusing roller at a desired fusing temperature.

Abstract: An electric heating device is provided by the use of an electrical conductor or resistance element which is formed in the shape of a cable harness and encased in a polymer cement block. The conductor can be metal, alloy, or carbon fibre and the cement block, which has good electrical insulating and good heat conducting properties, is composed of approximately 75%-95% by weight of inorganic or mineral filler and 5%-25% of a polymer or plastics material. The electrical element is wound in harness form so that the required wattage is dissipated within the block without the requirement of any type of thermostatic control. Further by the selection of pigments and various combinations of mineral or inorganic material, heating devices can be produced having any desired size, shape or decorative texture.

Abstract: A heating element for a plastic film laminator has a cylindrical base member. A heating layer of conductive resin such as conductive silicone is molded to the base member. An outer layer of dielectric material may cover the heating layer. Resistive electrical contacts are connected to the heating layer. An electrical power supply is connectable to the contacts. The resistive contacts create a voltage drop within the contact along the axis of current flow. This lowers the current density at the interfaces of the contacts and heating layer to prevent localized overheating of the conductive resin.

Abstract: The resistive elements are made up of strips of carbon/carbon composite material that are interconnected by connection pieces that are likewise made of carbon/carbon composite material and that serve both for making electrical connections and for making mechanical connections between the strips. The strips and the connection pieces are assembled together at least in part by means of their shapes. The resistive elements may be coated in a layer of pyrocarbon.

Abstract: A ceramic heater comprising a ceramic sintered body of silicon nitride matrix and a heating resistor of an inorganic conductor embedded in the sintered body, characterized in that the ceramic sintered body of silicon nitride matrix comprises 8 to 19 weight % of a rare earth element when calculated by conversion in terms of the amount of oxide, 2 to 7 weight % of silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) and 7 to 20 weight % of molybdenum silicide or titanium nitride, and that electrode clamps holding lead wires are brazed to the side surfaces of the ceramic heater respectively via metalized layers so that the heating resistor is electrically connected to the lead wires via the electrode clamps.

Abstract: A flexible heating element is constructed by securing a flexible layer of conductive material constituting an electric heater to a flexible sheet. The layer of conductive material is connected to an electrical supply means by at least one electrode which has an embossed surface with protuberances that make direct contact with the layer of conductive material. A thermoplastic polymeric based adhesive at the interface between the embossed surface and the conductive layer secures the latter to the electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-welding element for interconnecting two pieces made of plastic, the electro-welding element being made of conductive plastic, either an intrinsically conductive plastic or an extrinsically conductive plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the electro-welding element includes an electro-welding portion constituted by two cylindrical sleeves and a thermoregulation portion constituted by a central portion interconnecting the two sleeves. An electro-welding coupling for interconnecting two tubes made of plastic may be formed by overmolding a plastic sleeve onto the electro-welding element, the sleeve being provided with power supply terminals.

Abstract: A variable electronic component in the nature of a trimmer capacitor has greatly increased voltage rating and capacitance range, while eliminating possible failure modes. An annular opening formed in a stationary electrode is surrounded by plastic dielectric material so as to receive in interference fit a circular sleeve of an opposing impedance varying electrode. By filling the air gap with plastic dielectric material, no air contributes to the effective dielectric, while at the same time, preventing shorting as a result of loose metallic particles which might be present.

Abstract: This invention comprises a surface heating blanket assembly useful for soil remediation. The assembly principally comprises a metallic furnace belt with tubular electric heating elements inserted between the rungs thereof and making low resistance contact therewith. The furnace belt heater is capable of being rolled and dragged, and flexibly conforms to the earth's surface for maximum heat transfer to the soil. A layer of permeable insulation and an impermeable sheet may be placed on top of the heater. A vacuum may be pulled under the impermeable layer by means of a hole therethrough connected to a vacuum pump.