Abstract: A passive micromechanical counter for counting and storing a number of mechanical pulses includes at least one memory cell, the memory cell having a cell input, a latching mechanism and an electromechanical coding unit, the cell input being designed to mechanically transmit the mechanical pulse to the latching mechanism, and the latching mechanism being designed to store the number of mechanical pulses transmitted by means of its discrete latching position. It is provided that an electrical digital signal can be generated by applying an electrical voltage to the electromechanical coding unit, the electrical digital signal representing the discrete latching position of the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A getter heating coil assembly producing a focused magnetic field for heating objects in close proximity to the coil assembly. The coil assembly comprises electrical conductors wound on a coil bobbin, the coil bobbin having a central spindle around which the conductors are wound. The wound bobbin is assembled with a magnetic field concentrator, said field concentrator having a central core extending from a base, and a side wall extending from the base to enclose the wound bobbin. The central core of the field concentrator fits within the spindle on the bobbin and extends through it. The coil bobbin remains exposed on one side for emission of focused electromagnetic energy when alternating current is supplied to the coil windings. A button of high magnetic permeability material may be attached to the field concentrator for focusing the emitted electromagnetic energy toward the center of the coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to inductive heating, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for non-contact detection and inductive heating of heat retentive food server warming plates used in institutional food service. The invention provides a non-contact detection and control circuit for an inductive heating apparatus for heating an inductively reactive heat radiating element built into a warming plate. The warming plate employed by the invention has an integral inductively reactive heat radiating element that is brought to a desired heating temperature such as 450.degree. F. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is configured like a conventional industrial cook stove and surface. Underneath the surface is a magnetic inductive coil controlled by the invention for inductively heating a reactive ferromagnetic heat radiating element that is placed on the surface.