Abstract: An analog conductive liquid level sensor for conductive liquids having three probes. The invention provides an analog output in proportion to the level or volume of the fluid. Triangular shaped probes are closer together at the top than at the bottom with the respective triangular apexes at the bottom resulting in a nearly linear output voltage in accordance with the fluid level. The shape of the probes can be changed to proportion the voltage output to the fluid volume of an irregular shaped container. A driver probe near the bottom of the container provides a constant area exposed to the conductive liquid. This probe provides compensation for the variations in fluid conductivity which could introduce errors in the level indication in the container as found with two probe systems.

Abstract: An electronic sensor for determining if a metal hose connector is fully snapped into its mating plastic connector. This sensor detects the metal hose in position by having a coil in position over the plastic connector and at the end of the metal hose when it is in correct position. The metal of the hose interacts with the magnetic field of the coil to both increase the inductance and greatly reduce the ‘Q’ because of the “shorted turn” effect of the round metal hose. The sensor inherently detects faults in its own circuit because of the comparator voltage window. Faults such as an open coil, oscillator or rectifier failure will appear at the output as “hose disconnected” which is the desirable failure mode. The invention also detects external faults because of the two non-zero, non-line voltages seen during normal operation.

Abstract: An electronic sensor for determining if a metal hose connector is fully snapped into its mating plastic connector. This sensor detects the metal hose in position by having a coil in position over the plastic connector and at the end of the metal hose when it is in correct position. The metal of the hose interacts with the magnetic field of the coil to both increase the inductance and greatly reduce the ‘Q’ because of the “shorted turn” effect of the round metal hose. The sensor inherently detects faults in its own circuit because of the comparator voltage window. Faults such as an open coil, oscillator or rectifier failure will appear at the output as “hose disconnected” which is the desirable failure mode. The invention also detects external faults because of the two non-zero, non-line voltages seen during normal operation.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for conductive liquids having a virtual bias ring to prevent false “full” indications. The sensor is an inexpensive conductive probe that can be installed in any tank or container used to contain a conductive liquid. The build up of residue such as conductive fluid that fails to drain on the inside of the container wall and probe pieces can cause a short between the probe and ground. This situation will result in falsely showing that the level of the liquid being measured is at least at the minimum predetermined requirement even though the actual level may be far less than that amount. The bias ring is a virtual “ring” that is provided around the insulating base of the sensing probe between the probe tip and the top inside of the tank. The probe is then given a charge (positive for negative ground systems) which interrupts the current path between the sensing tip of the probe and ground via the conducting residue.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for standard bottles containing highly viscous materials such as gels so that the bottles may be inserted into an appliance to alert a user when the bottle is empty. The holder conveniently locates the bottle in the holder which includes insert molded contacts, wire harness and seal piercing mechanism. The bottle holder will universally fits into most appliances and machines. The invention enables the use of standard bottles are liquid reservoirs such that the bottle can be discarded when empty.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for conductive liquids having a virtual bias ring to prevent false “full” indications. The sensor is an inexpensive conductive probe that can be installed in any tank or container used to contain a conductive liquid. The build up of residue such as conductive fluid that fails to drain on the inside of the container wall and probe pieces can cause a short between the probe and ground. This situation will result in falsely showing that the level of the liquid being measured is at least at the minimum predetermined requirement even though the actual level may be far less than that amount. The bias ring is a virtual “ring” that is provided around the insulating base of the sensing probe between the probe tip and the top inside of the tank. The probe is then given a charge (positive for negative ground systems) which interrupts the current path between the sensing tip of the probe and ground via the conducting residue.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor apparatus and a method of using thereof for determining the level of a conductive liquid held within a container, wherein the container is subject to the accumulation of residue as a consequence of the conductive liquid contained therein. The liquid level sensor includes a sensor part which has a voltage; a ground connection having an electrical polarity; a circumferential ring having a bias voltage opposite in polarity to the ground connection and a voltage corresponding to that of the sensor attached around the sensor; a float which is buoyant on the conductive liquid; and a conductive tip attached to the top of the float, the conductive tip being conductive with the sensor end when in at least one predetermined position.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor apparatus and a method of using thereof for determining the level of a conductive liquid held within a container, wherein the container is subject to the accumulation of residue as a consequence of the conductive liquid contained therein. The liquid level sensor includes a sensor part which has a voltage; a ground connection having an electrical polarity; a circumferential ring having a bias voltage opposite in polarity to the ground connection and a voltage corresponding to that of the sensor attached around the sensor; a float which is buoyant on the conductive liquid; and a conductive tip attached to the top of the float, the conductive tip being conductive with the sensor end when in at least one predetermined position.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for conductive liquids having a bias ring to prevent false “full” indications. The sensor is an inexpensive conductive probe that can be installed in any tank or container used to contain a conductive liquid. The build up of residue such as sludge on the inside of the container wall and probe pieces can cause a short between the probe and ground. This situation will result in falsely showing that the level of the liquid being measured is at least at the minimum predetermined requirement even though the actual level may be far less than that amount. The bias ring is a metal ring that is placed around the insulating base of the sensing probe between the probe tip and the top inside of the tank. The probe is then given a charge (positive for negative ground systems) which interrupts the current path between the sensing tip of the probe and ground via the conducting residue. Consequently, the sensor will read correctly despite the conductive residue that may be present.

Abstract: A washing machine (10) includes a one part sensor (60, 70) mounted to detect passage of a component normally associated with, and rotatable with, the drive shaft (25) of the machine (10) to detect speed of rotation of the shaft (25) and, in turn, speed of rotation of the clothes basket (22) without the need for a second, additional component not normally required for proper rotational operation of basket (22).

Abstract: A washing machine (10) includes a motor cut-off circuit (70) which includes a fuse (100) and a blow switch (110) responsive to a brake failure signal (BFS) to blow the fuse (100) and prevent the motor (40) from thereafter being energized until the fuse (100) is reset or replaced.

Abstract: A capacitive liquid level sensor utilizes capacitive principles to sense the level of a liquid contained within a receptacle. As a liquid rises and falls in the container, the dielectric effect of the liquid changes the effective capacitance of a sensing capacitor which is detected by electronic circuitry coupled to the sensor. One plate of the sensor capacitor is a probe disposed within a receptacle while a grounded conductive portion of the receptacle is a second plate of the capacitor. The liquid within the receptacle acts as a dielectric between the plates.

Abstract: A miniature inductor having strips of printed circuitboard material forming contact elements for surface mounting the inductor to a printed circuitboard.

Abstract: A microcoil having a winding on a composite core made up of a portion of substantially magnetic material and a portion of substantially non-magnetic material. The winding is split so that a part of the magnetic material core portion is exposed, and a laser is used to remove material from the exposed part of the magnetic core portion. The inductance of the coil is measured during the removal of the magnetic material, and the inductance of the coil is trimmed to a desired value through the removal of an appropriate amount of magnetic material. The non-magnetic core portion serves as a support structure for the portions of the winding on the core even if a substantial portion of the magnetic material is removed.

Abstract: For use in the deflection circuitry of a cathode ray tube, such as with a television receiver picture tube, a single pincushion correction transformer providing both vertical and horizontal correction. The transformer includes an E core having a control winding provided around the central leg, a horizontal correction winding provided on one outer leg and a pair of phase opposed windings on the other leg to minimize cross modulation and sensitivity to stray magnetic fields.