Abstract: A metal alloy which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface oxide layer. Alloy compositions such as, but not limited to, Ti—Nb, Ti—Ta, La—Sr—Cr, and La—Sr—Co are known to form oxide passivation layers which are highly conductive. Such alloys are useful in electrical contact apparatus. An electrical contact element formed of the alloy has a contact surface which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface layer, thus maintaining electrical conductivity and continuity through the element. The oxide layer may be formed in situ after assembly of the electrical contact or may be provided in an oxidative step during manufacture. The electrical contact may be formed entirely of one or more of such alloys; or may be formed of an inexpensive substrate base metal, such as steel, having one or more of the alloys coated thereupon; or may be formed of a mixture of the base metal and the alloy.

Abstract: Described is a method of reducing corrosion of a silver-containing surface comprising electro-depositing a layer of an iodine-containing material on the silver-containing surface at a charge density of about 80 mA*s (milliamps second)/cm2 or less. Also described is an electrical contact also produced by the method.

Abstract: A contact structure for a sliding switch includes a conductive stationary contact disposed on a base and a conductive movable contact for electrically contacting the stationary contact. The movable contact is movable along a path between a non-contact position and a make-contact position with respect to the stationary contact, and at least one of the contacts has a protruding portion that provides an electrical interface for discharge of arcing as the movable contact breaks from the stationary contact. As a result, the invention prevents or substantially reduces degradation in switch performance which might otherwise be caused by debris accumulation associated with arcing.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor (30) for use with a automotive vehicle (200) having a power sliding door (202) has a flexible housing (44). The housing (44) has a first set of electrodes (12) and a second set of electrodes (14) interdigitally spaced from each other and a ground electrode (15) made from a flexible metallic braid.

Abstract: A metal alloy which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface oxide layer. Alloy compositions such as, but not limited to, Ti—Nb, Ti—Ta, La—Sr—Cr, and La—Sr—Co are known to form oxide passivation layers which are highly conductive. Such alloys are useful in electrical contact apparatus. An electrical contact element formed of the alloy has a contact surface which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface layer, thus maintaining electrical conductivity and continuity through the element. The oxide layer may be formed in situ after assembly of the electrical contact or may be provided in an oxidative step during manufacture. The electrical contact may be formed entirely of one or more of such alloys; or may be formed of an inexpensive substrate base metal, such as steel, having one or more of the alloys coated thereupon; or may be formed of a mixture of the base metal and the alloy.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor (30) for use with a automotive vehicle (200) having a power sliding door (202) has a flexible housing (44). The housing (44) has a first set of electrodes (12) and a second set of electrodes (14) interdigitally spaced from each other and a ground electrode (15) made from a flexible metallic braid.

Abstract: This invention describes a contact lubricant composition for protecting electrical contacts from failure by fretting damage. This lubricant composition is also able to restore and rejuvenate electrical contacts that have failed in service by fretting damage, allowing such contacts to be returned to service. This contact lubricant consists of an optimum mixture of fifty volume percent polyphenyl ether and fifty volume percent polypropylene monobutyl ether. This combination of materials in a lubricant mixture is still effective at volume percentages of polyphenyl ether as low as ten volume percent. This contact lubricant composition was developed and demonstrated to be effective by extensive laboratory fretting tests on various common electrical contact materials and configurations.