Abstract: A user, touch actuable capacitive switch for changing the level of an output signal to an electrical circuit. The switch includes an external, user touchable capacitive plate formed on a first dielectric panel and two internal capacitive plates formed on a second dielectric panel affixed to the first flexible dielectric panel, the two internal capacitive plates being oppositely disposed from said external capacitive plate on opposite sides of said second dielectric panel. Electrically conductive paths on the second dielectric panel interconnect the internal capacitive plates to the electrical circuit. A trim tab formed on the second dielectric panel permits the adjustment of the change of level of the output signal upon actuation of the capacitive switch.

Abstract: A user, touch actuable switch panel of the capacitive type that includes one or more touch actuable capacitive switches, each switch including at least two capacitive plate elements formed on a dielectric panel. Conductive paths formed on the dielectric panel interconnect the capacitive plate elements to a source for applying signals to the capacitive plate elements forming said capacitive switches and sensing a resulting change in signal level when a selected switch is actuated by the user. Trim tabs formed on the dielectric panel are provided to balance the effect of stray capacitance between the conductive paths and the capacitive plate elements to maintain the level of change of signal at a determined value upon the actuation of each of said one or more capacitive switches.

Abstract: A control system for a heating unit that has controls for comparing a variable electrical signal that has a value in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit and a selected electrical signal that has a value in relation to a selected temperature setting to control the operation of the heating unit to tend to produce an output temperature substantially equal to the selected temperature, the controls including a control device having a rod and tube temperature sensing unit for providing linear motion of a part thereof in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit and having a potentiometer provided with an electrical output producing part operatively interconnected to the movable part of the rod and tube unit so as to produce the variable electrical signal in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telemetric temperature probe for telemetry of temperatures of comestibles which are heated within microwave ovens. The probe includes a temperature responsive circuit for generating a signal responsive to the temperature of the comestible and an electromagnetic wave broadcasting circuit for telemetric transmission of the signal to a remote receiver which can conveniently be incorporated in the microwave oven and coupled to its control circuit. The probe is provided with facilities to derive power necessary for its operation from the microwave energy generated by the oven and includes, for this purpose, an antenna to receive microwave energy, a rectifier circuit for developing direct current power therefrom and a voltage regulation circuit to produce a source of direct current of controlled voltage for operation of the temperature responsive circuit and the broadcasting circuit.

Abstract: The invention is a system for the detection of hot spots, i.e., localized over-heating, in electrical power transformers and the like which utilize one or more telemetric temperature devices that are embedded at preselected locations in the windings of the transformer and that utilize a coil about the windings to obtain an induced voltage power supply that is rectified and drives an oscillator circuit of the device. The oscillator circuit includes a temperature responsive component that varies the frequency of the oscillator output in response to the local, sensed temperature. The output of the oscillator circuit is coupled to a telemetering facility to broadcast by electromagnetic or ultrasonic radiation the temperature-altered signal to a remote receiver, whereby the telemetric temperature device is isolated and "floats" on the voltage potential of the windings at its location.

Abstract: A shock absorber testing apparatus comprising a ramp shaped to excite a particular wheel of an automobile at a frequency bandpass intermediate the fundamental frequency of the automobile spring-mass system and the fundamental frequency of unsprung elements of the suspension, measured by strain gages disposed on the ramp sensing ramp deformation due to the wheel loading as the wheel is passed thereover, and including switch means discriminating between the front and rear wheels selecting alternate storage circuits receiving the respective strain gage reading associated with each passing of the wheel. In one further embodiment, the storage circuits include peak detectors connected to the strain gages on each side of the ramp and means for comparing the peak detector outputs for producing a signal indicative of the difference therebetween.