Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensitive electro-conductive material which can be utilized as a pressure sensitive electro-conductive switch or as a variable resistor. The switch comprises two electrodes with a deformable pressure sensitive electro-conductive material sandwiched between the electrodes. The electro-conductive material comprises a deformable elastomeric material impregnated with a plurality of electro-conductive micro-agglomerates of unbound finely divided electro-conductive carbon particles enclosed by a matrix of the elastomeric material and finely divided electro-conductive carbon particles bound together by the elastomeric material.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a mist of negatively charged liquid particles comprises a liquid container, a capillary tube in fluid communication with the container, an electrode at least partially within the passage of the capillary tube and a DC power supply providing a negative potential of at least 5,000 Volts to said electrode. The liquid may be water or other fluids as long as the resistivity of the liquid is in the range of 1.6.times.10.sup.3 to 4.0.times.10.sup.5 Ohms-centimeters. A preferred embodiment utilizes a negative potential of between 5,000 and 8,000 Volts DC and a liquid having a resistivity in the range of 2.times.10.sup.4 to 15.times.10.sup.4 Ohms-centimeters.

Abstract: A variable force push button is used as an input device for a control system. Specifically, a bi-directional storage device produces a command that is applied to an element to be controlled. A signal is generated having a characteristic representative of the force applied to the push button. A representation of the characteristic is integrated by the storage device. In addition to changing the characteristic by varying the force applied to the push button, the user can change the direction of the integration, thereby increasing and decreasing the value of the command. The push button comprises a pressure sensitive element sandwiched between electrically conductive contacts one of which is actuated by the user. The pressure sensitive element is constructed of conductive particles in an elastomeric matrix. Preferably, electrically conductive micro-agglomerates of unbound finely divided electro-conductive carbon particles having a maximum dimension of between about 0.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive electro-conductive material which can be utilized as a pressure sensitive electro-conductive switch or as a variable resistor. The switch comprises two electrodes with a deformable pressure sensitive electro-conductive material sandwiched between the electrodes. The electro-conductive material comprises a deformable elastomeric material impregnated with a plurality of electro-conductive micro-agglomerates of unbound finely divided electro-conductive carbon particles enclosed by a matrix of the elastomeric material and finely divided electro-conductive carbon particles bound together by the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive resistance material and process for making the same is described which is of the type comprising an elastomeric matrix with conducting metal particles dispersed therein. Improved performance and improved ranges of conductivity between the no pressure and pressure ranges are obtained by coating the metallic conducting particles with semi-conducting material and further improved results are obtained when the semi-conducting material comprises a reaction product of an organic metal compound with an aryl peroxide of similar aryl compound. The material may be made available as a coating material or as a shaped product.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive resistance material and process for making the same is described which is of the type comprising an elastomeric matrix with conducting metal particles dispersed therein. Improved performance and improved ranges of conductivity between the no pressure and pressure ranges are obtained by coating the metallic conducting particles with semi-conducting material and further improved results are obtained when the semi-conducting material comprises a reaction product of an organic metal compound with an aryl peroxide of similar aryl compound. The material may be made available as a coating material or as a shaped product.