Abstract: A temperature probe is provided having a sensor element formed from a ceramic substrate and a platinum thin-film resistor arranged thereon. The platinum thin-film resistor is electrically connected with at least two terminal wires, with the at least two terminal wires each being electrically and mechanically connected with a contact pin in a connection area on their side facing away from the sensor element. The diameter of the terminal wires is smaller than the diameter of the contact pins, and the connection area is covered by a glass bead. Use of the temperature probe in a temperature range of about ?70° C. to +600° C. is ideal.

Abstract: An integrated signal isolator is provided to isolate first and second circuits. First, second, third, and fourth magnetoresistors of the isolator are coupled together so as to form a Wheatstone bridge. The first second, third, and fourth magnetoresistors are arranged so that the Wheatstone bridge is immune to uniform external magnetic fields having any direction. An input strap generates magnetic fields across the first, second, third and fourth magnetoresistors in response to a signal from the first circuit so that the Wheatstone bridge provides an output to the second circuit that is commensurate with the signal from the first circuit.

Abstract: The low resistance value resistor 11 has two electrodes 12,13 of metal strips having a high electrical conductivity. The metal strips are affixed on the resistor body by means of rolling and/or thermal diffusion bonding. A fused solder layer is formed on a surface of each electrode comprised by the metal strip. Thus, sufficient bonding strength and superior current distribution in the resistor body is obtained. Further, a portion of the resistor body is trimmed by removing a portion of the body material along a direction of current flow between the electrodes to adjust a resistance value. Thus, a precise resistor value and superior characteristics of temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) can be obtained.

Abstract: A rotatable variable resistor with a clicking mechanism includes a rotary unit provided with a rotor and a wiper, and a fixed unit provided with a cover, a resistor substrate, and external terminals. The wiper has an arm segment, a clicking projection and a non-clicking projection. The undersurface of the cover is provided with a clicking depression. The distance from the center of rotation of the rotary unit to the top of the clicking projection is different from the distance from the center of rotation to the top of the non-clicking projection. The non-clicking projection may have a flat top portion with a width extending in one direction that is greater than that of the clicking depression such that a sliding track of the top of the clicking projection is located within a sliding track of the non-clicking projection in the radius direction. The clicking depression may alternatively be an aperture.

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: A thick-film resistor component may include a thick film component formed between a thick-film resistor and an electrically conductive sheet, wherein a portion of the sheet is selectively removed to form resistor contacts while exposing a portion of the thick-film component. Electrical terminals to a thick-film resistor may be sized to reduce stress and/or be selectively positioned relative to the resistor to define a desired resistor value. A thick-film resistor may include one or more resistor segments configured to be selectively open-circuited to incrementally adjust the value of the resistor.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a flowable material comprises a core having a passageway formed therein for the communication of the flowable material, and an electric element coiled in multiple turns against the core in a helical pattern. The electric element, in use, heats the core both resistively and inductively. The electric element has no auxiliary cooling capacity. The electric element may be installed against the outside of the core, with an optional ferromagnetic yoke installed over it, or it may be installed against the inside of the core, embedded in a wear-resistant liner. The yoke and liner may be metallic material deposited such as by hot-spray technology and finished smooth.

Abstract: A printed circuit polymer thick film (PTF) resistor includes tolerance control material that substantially surrounds the resistor body and significantly improves the linearity of resistance vs. resistor length, and significantly reduces resistor-to-resistor and board-to-board fabrication variances. In one embodiment, the tolerance control material is the same metallic material as the printed circuit conductors, and is formed in two finger patterns on each side of the resistor body, each finger pattern connected to one terminal pad of the resistor. A layout cell is used for fabricating the PTF resistor. A method is used for fabricating the PTF resistor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a stacked power chip resistor is disclosed. The invention provides for multiple power chip resistors to be stacked, providing for encapsulant such as glass to separate each power chip resistor and a metal barrier such as nickel plating on each end of the stacked power chip resistor to provide for electrical and mechanical connection of each power chip resistor in the stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor resistor comprises a resistor body formed on a semiconductor substrate and first and second conductive terminals electrically connected to the resistor body at opposite ends thereof. The semiconductor resistor further includes at least first and second conductive paths between at least one of the first and second conductive terminals and the resistor body. The at least one conductive terminal is configured such that a resistance of the at least one conductive terminal between the at least first and second conductive paths is substantially matched to a resistance of the resistor body between the at least first and second conductive paths. In this manner, a current distribution between the at least first and second conductive paths is substantially matched.

Abstract: A method modifies friction between an object and ice or snow. The method utilizes a heating element to apply a pulse of thermal energy to an interface between the object and the ice or snow; the first pulse is sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice at the interface. Water forming the interfacial layer refreezes to form a bond between the object and the ice or snow. The steps of the method may be repeated to form a second bond between the object and the ice or snow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction resistor having an improved voltage variable material (“VVM”). More specifically, the present invention provides a polymer VVM that has been formulated with a high percentage loading of conductive and/or semiconductive particles. A known length of the relatively conductive VVM is placed between adjacent electrodes to produce a desired Ohmic normal state resistance. When an electrostatic discharge event occurs, the VVM of the multifunctional resistor becomes highly conductive and dissipates the ESD threat. One application for this “resistor” is the termination of a transmission line, which prevents unwanted reflections and distortion of high frequency signals.

Abstract: A method of producing a heating element made from molybdenum silicide and alloys thereof, and which includes aluminum oxide on its surface. A material is produced that contains substantially Mo(Si1-xAlx)2 and Al2O3 by mixing a mixture of a silicon and molybdenum compound with an aluminum compound. Either of the silicon and molybdenum compounds include Mo(Si1-yAly)2 and are mixed with one or both of an aluminum compound in the form of Al2O3 or Al(OH)3 and optionally the compounds SiO2, Si, and MoO3, or by virtue of the mixture of the silicon and molybdenum compound containing MoO3 and Al and Si and/or SiO2. The input components together have a degree of purity corresponding to at least 98%. The mixture reacts exothermically and/or by being sintered, so that exchange reactions take place to form the compounds Mo(Si1-xAlx)2 and Al2O3, where x lies in the range of 0.4–0.6.

Abstract: A resistor layout and method of forming the resistor are described which achieves improved resistor characteristics, such as resistor stability and voltage coefficient of resistance. A resistor is formed from a conducting material such as doped silicon or polysilicon. The resistor has a rectangular first resistor element, a second resistor element, a third resistor element, a fourth resistor element, and a fifth resistor element. A layer of protective dielectric is then formed over the first, second, and third resistor elements leaving the fourth and fifth resistor elements exposed. The conducting material in the exposed fourth and fifth resistor elements is then changed to a silicide, such as titanium silicide or cobalt silicide, using a silicidation process. The higher conductivity silicide forms low resistance contacts between the second and fourth resistor elements and between the third and fifth resistor elements.

Abstract: A high voltage variable resistor device includes film resistors of fixed divided resistors and a variable divided resistor, fixed resistors, a variable resistor for adjusting focus voltage, and a variable resistor for adjusting screen voltage, which are formed on the surface of an insulation substrate. The fixed divided resistors have a meandering pattern and a high resistance. One end of the fixed divided resistor is connected to a high-voltage input terminal, and the other end is connected to one end of the variable divided resistor. The variable divided resistor has an arc pattern, and its other end is connected to one end of the fixed divided resistor. The other end of the fixed divided resistor is connected to a voltage detection terminal. The fixed divided resistor having a wide width pattern having a low resistance is connected between the voltage detection terminal and a ground terminal.

Abstract: A defroster for a heat exchanger includes a heat transfer plate on the heat exchanger; a thin film heater arranged on the heat transfer plate; and a power supply wire connected to the film heater for supplying power to the film heater. The defroster can be fabricated by forming a masking layer with a certain shape on an electrically resistant substrate; patterning a thin film heater on the substrate based on the shape of the masking layer; adhering the film heater to a heat transfer plate; and connecting a power supply to the film heater. Accordingly, it is possible to improve a defrosting performance of the heat exchanger and use an environment-friendly, alternative refrigerant with the relatively, low temperature defroster of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting vitrifiable materials employs a melting tank for containing a molten bath with an upper surface. The tank has a floor and side walls and channels for discharging molten materials. A crown is situated above the floor and vitrifiable materials are introduced onto the upper surface of the molten bath. A plurality of electrodes having a selected shape and position are situated inside the tank for melting the vitrifiable materials with electric current. The electrodes rest on the floor and extend across the furnace to the opposite wall so as to reduce the head of the molten bath and consequently reduce melting time and energy consumption.

Abstract: So that the parts and connections of a component, particularly a Giant Magneto-Resistor, may withstand external forces, a meander group (13M, 14M) with at least one meander element (13.1, . . . , 13.n, 14.1, . . . , 14.n) is positioned in both connection elements (13, 14) between a component cell (1) and the straight functional connection element (13A, 14A). A capacitor unit (2) is mounted on the meander group (13M) of the first connection element (13) and on the meander group (14M; of the second connection element (14).

Abstract: A heating article including a covering and a thermal warming device for generating heat in the heating article. The covering may be in the form of a blanket or an article of clothing. The covering and the thermal warming device may be separable from each other. The covering may be disposable or reusable. The thermal warming device may be reusable.

Abstract: A multiple-zone power control system for controlling electric heating elements, including a power control unit having multiple control zones, a touch-sensitive function key, and a touch-sensitive on/off key for activating and deactivating one of the control zones. When all of the control zones are deactivated, the touch-sensitive key must be touched for at least a cold start duration in order to activate the designated control zone. Alternatively, the designated control zone is prevented from being activated if the touch-sensitive function key is touched while the touch-sensitive on/off key is being touched. The control system also includes two power controllers connected by a communication bus. When one of the power controllers initiates a lockout condition, the other power controller initiates a corresponding lockout condition. Multiple heating elements can be controlled together using a single set of control keys. A element size key toggles between different combinations of heating elements to control.