Abstract: A separable and reconnectable connection for electrical equipment is provided that is suitable for miniaturization in which vertical interdigitating members integrally attached and protruding from a planar portion are accommodated in control of damage in lateral displacement that occurs on mating with an opposite similar contact. Displacement damage is averted through accommodating lateral stresses by providing one or more of a conformal opposing contact, by strengthening through coating and base reinforcement and a deformable coating. The contacts are fabricated by physical and chemical processes including sputtering, normal and pulse electroplating and chemical vapor deposition. The contacts on completion are provided with a surrounding immobilizing material that enhances rigidity.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker movable contact arm electrically connects with the circuit breaker load terminal requiring only a small diameter auxiliary electrical conducting braid by pivotally arranging the contact arm within its support. The contact arm is nickel-plated prior to attachment of the contact to insure high current circuit interruption withtout damage to the contact or the contact arm.

Abstract: An electrical contact is provided for use in an electromagnetic relay. The electrical contact includes an outer coating containing an element of the VA Group such as antimony, arsenic, phosphorus or bismuth. Thus, the electrical contact does not serve as a catalyst for oxidizing any organic gases which may be produced during the operation of the electromagnetic relay. Accordingly, oxidation of the gases is reduced, carbon generation is suppressed and high reliability of the contact can be achieved.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is made with a braided electrical conductor having a densified end which has reduced porosity from the braided wire. Preferably, the densified end is formed by squeezing copper wires with a solder matrix to reduce the air in the densified end so that it has over 95% solids. A solder layer is formed between the densified end and the switch element, preferably by using a foil of silver braze which is melted between the densified end and the switch element. In the preferred method of forming the densified end, the solder and copper are heated and squeezed at pressures in the range of 500-750 pounds under a liquid blanket of material to limit copper oxidation.

Abstract: An impact detection apparatus (10) includes a device that utilizes multiple sensor elements (11) to determine whether or not a ball lands in or out on a tennis court (12). The sensor positions (13-134) are adjacent to the various boundary lines of the tennis court (12). The sensor elements (11) are layered devices which, when compressed, generate an electrical impulse. The impulse is then analyzed through various signal processing means so that an impact caused a sensor (11) to be compressed may be characterized as being a ball, a footstep, or some other object. In this way, near-simultaneous impacts of a ball and a footstep can be distinguished. If the impact is characterized as a ball that has landed out, a control console (206) will give a visual and/or audible signal so that players, and officials if present, are informed that the ball was out.

Abstract: Electrical contacts especially for use with electric breakers, consisting of (1) a base made from a silver-tin system alloy containing In, and (2) a clad over the base made from a silver-cadmium system alloy, the alloys having been internally oxidized. The clad (2) stands by to initial tests provided for electric breakers, and the base (1) stands by to the tests thereafter. The base has no segregation of tin oxides on account of internal oxidation of the base screened by the clad (2).

Abstract: A rubber structure contact connector includes a support upon which is placed an electrical contact. An insulating material, such as rubber, is applied over the contact and overlies the support and it has a portion which is formed as a raised dome-shaped resilient compressible portion or actuating key. On the interior of the dome-shaped, resilient compressible portion, there is a surface which has an oil-resistant layer thereon and a conductive portion which overlies the oil-resistant layer. The conductive portion is aligned over the electrical contact. In another embodiment, instead of the covering on the interior surface of the key which includes only an oil-resistant layer and an electrical conductive part, there is an electro-conductive part on the interior surface followed by an oil-resistant layer and another electrical conductive part.

Abstract: An improved connector assembly includes a resistor coated guide pin to facilitate coupling or decoupling a circuit card to a circuit board. A first embodiment of the pin configuration comprises a single taper pin for eliminating current surges during insertion of the pin into its associated plug. A second embodiment of the pin configuration comprises a dual taper pin having two zones of resistance for also eliminating the spark and associated high frequency noise resulting from pin insertion into or removal from the connector assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminated material for electrical contacts having a support of base metal or of a base metal alloy, a contact layer of titanium nitride which in turn is covered with a mixed layer of titanium nitride and at least one noble metal. Also disclosed is a method for making the laminated material in a single step in a vacuum apparatus with reactive formation of the titanium nitride.

Abstract: An electric connection terminal arranged at a rear end of a sensor element and capable of affording quick and easy connection of the sensor element with a contacting element connected to a lead wire extending into a connector socket or connector insulator accommodating the contacting element for transmitting a signal detected at the front end of the sensor element, is composed of at least two conductive layers, and at least the lowermost layer of the conductive layers is composed of a mixture of a conductive metal and ceramics and/or glass, so that the layers bond firmly with each other and the lowermost layer bonds most firmly to the sensor element, whereby peeling-off of the connection terminal from the sensor element due to friction thereof against the contacting element and repetition of heating and cooling of the sensor element is eliminated.

Abstract: An ignition distributor having a radio wave noise suppressing function has a rotor electrode and counter electrodes. At least the cathodic one of the rotor electrode and the counter electrodes is provided at its end with a coating layer of a material which is a mixture of a metal oxide having a high electric resistance and a metal oxide which constitutes a dielectric body stable in a high-temperature atmosphere. The metal oxide having high electric resistance consists essentially of 10 to 50 wt % of Cu.sub.2 O and 90 to 50 wt % of CuO, while the metal oxide constituting the dielectric body essentially consists of 70 to 90 wt % of alumina with respect to the weight of the metal oxide having high electric resistance.

Abstract: A pair of contacts are mounted on structural members. Each contact includes body made of conductive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium and zirconium. At least one of the contact body surfaces has a layer of titanium nitride or zirconium nitride in intimate and direct contact with the metallic surface of the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical devices in which the electrical contact areas are plated with a nickel/indium alloy comprising 0.1-9 percent indium, balance nickel. The nickel/indium alloy layer may be coated with a precious metal such as gold.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the ductility and reducing the porosity and cracking tendency of a palladium or palladium-silver electrodeposit which comprises providing an underlayer of a palladium/nickel or palladium/cobalt alloy electrodeposit. Also dual layer composite electroplated deposits and their use in electrical contacts or connectors.

Abstract: An electrical contact formed of a mixture of finely divided electrically conductive metal doped with graphite or cadmium oxide. A thin coating of the electrically conductive metal is disposed upon the side of the contact which is adapted to be welded or brazed to an electrically conductive support. The electrical contact is made by mixing the finely divided cadmium oxide and pressing the mixture into a desired shape. A slurry of conductive metal is then sprayed on one side of the contact. After coating, the contact is sintered at a temperature less than the melting point of the electrically conductive material, whereby the contact is formed and the coating is firmly attached to it. The invention is particularly useful with silver or copper-based electrical contacts.

Abstract: An electrical contact structure of a vacuum interrupter wherein a pair of electrical contacts 2 are provided within a vacuum vessel 1 through a pair of contact rods 14 so that one is in contact with the other or away therefrom. The electrical contact 2 comprises a substantially disk-shaped contact body 2b made of high electric conducting metal portions and metallic pipes having a low electric conductivity, and a plurality of major current flowing sections 22 made of metal having a high electric conductivity, penetrated in the contact body 2b in a manner to be penetrated in the direction of the thickness of the contact body 2b and separated from each other.

Abstract: An electrical contact member and method of fabrication which facilitates braze connection of the electrical contact member to the conductive support stem of a vacuum interrupter structure. A high density slug of the contact material is performed. The high density slug is disposed in a powder mass of the contact material which is sintered to form the contact member. A high conductivity component is then infiltrated in the electrical contact member to produce the desired conductivity for the contact member, with the high density portion being easily brazed to a conductive support stem.

Abstract: Electrical contact materials are provided which belong to the general category of copper that is overplated with a noble metal, usually gold. The improvement resides in the provision of an electroless nickel deposit laid down over the copper layer and under the gold layer, which electroless nickel deposit is laid down from a particular class of nickel-boron or nickel-phosphorus baths.

Abstract: Electrical contact tape having a base portion of nickel, copper or nickel-copper alloy and an overlay of metallic material on said base portion is improved by utilizing for such overlay a gold-nickel alloy of which the precentage by weight of nickel is in the range of from about 1.8% to 2.3%, the balance of the alloy being gold with or without one or more other metals other than nickel in trace amounts insufficient to produce precipitation thereof out of solution in the gold. Nibs of such tape are bonded to a leaf spring to form an electromechanical junction therewith, the gold-nickel alloy overlay of the nib being on its side away from the spring to provide an improved electrical contact surface for the spring contact assembly formed by such nib and spring.

Abstract: Gold-plated electronic components are disclosed, as well as a process for producing the same, wherein an alloy of nickel and cobalt or an alloy containing these elements as essential ingredients is used as an undercoat for the gold-plated layer.

Abstract: A two-layer contact having a silver backing and a silver cadmium oxide body which backing is relatively free of warpage and macroscopic voids is produced from a mixture of silver oxide, silver acetate and silver.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement comprises a first element adapted to be in contact for substantial periods of time with a second element. The first element comprises a first metal substrate having an outer layer of a copper base alloy comprising from about 2 to about 12% aluminum, about 0.001 to about 3% silicon, and the balance essentially copper. The second element comprises a second metal substrate having a gold or gold base alloy contact surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to elements of aluminum, such as bars, sections or apparatus components for forming electrical contacts capable of withstanding mechanical and thermal stressing.The method by which these elements are produced consists in depositing a firmly adhering layer of nickel to the aluminum substrate at least in the contact zone. The quality of the contact is further improved when the nickel-plated element is in contact with a silver-plated element.The elements according to the invention may be used for the production of pin-type contacts and any other devices for making or breaking electrical circuits, such as isolators, circuit breakers and contactors.

Abstract: A flexible multilayered membrane switch having electrically conducting contacts comprising Ti.sub.2-x N or Ta.sub.2-x N, to reduce oxidation of the surfaces of the contacts.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge device includes a reactive element which will oxidize and grow dimensionally to open the lamp circuitry in the event oxygen leaks into the outer envelope of the lamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical contact of composite layer type which comprises an interrupting layer consisting of Cu-W alloy, Cu-WC alloy or Cu-W-WC alloy containing 20 to 60 wt % of Cu and being bonded to the top surface of a base plate, and a contacting layer consisting of Ag-WC alloy, Ag-W alloy or Ag-W-WC alloy containing 20 to 60 wt % of Ag and being bonded to the top surface of said interrupting layer.

Abstract: To permit direct bonding of a composite electric contact-and-bonding material to a carrier, such as a reed, magnetic strip, or the like, by thermo-electric heating, the side of the contact-and-bonding material is formed with projections, preferably projecting ridges, ribs, or beads, and a bonding or solder material in wire form is adhered, by rolling on to the valley between the projecting ridges, the bonding or soldering material leaving space free between adjacent ridges or ribs and not filling the entire recess, but projecting outwardly at least as far as the projections or ridges, and preferably slightly therebeyond. The soldering or bonding wire may have round or polygonal, preferably triangular cross section with a pointed tip extending outwardly to provide for concentration of heat upon resistance heating the contact material against the carrier strip.

Abstract: A sub-miniature, two position, double pole switch has flat, planar terminals of rectangular cross section with projecting portions outside the case bent at right angles, all in the same plane, to the portions inside the case, and having blades of reduced dimensions for insertion in the circular apertures of a modular printed circuit board. The flat planar terminals are pre-formed initially with the right angular configuration before receiving at least one coating layer thereon, to avoid cracks in the coating due to bending. The coatings compromise a nickel barrier and a gold plate layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of electrodepositing palladium on a substrate e.g. an electrical switch contact, to give a coating having low transverse porosity and good slip wear resistance. The method involves electrodepositing a first layer from an alkaline bath containing a cationic palladium ammine complex and then electrodepositing on the first layer a second layer from an acid bath containing an anionic palladium nitrite complex.

Abstract: Method for improving switch contacts in particular enhancing the voltage endurance, lowering the chopper level and improving the electrical conductivity for the use in vacuum switches in which ions are implanted of material improving the above said characteristics, at least in the surface area of the switch contacts where upon switching action a discharge is generated.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to a membrane switch having a base sheet with a plurality of conductors on one surface of the sheet. A spacer sheet is adhesively secured to the base sheet on the surface having the plurality of conductors. The spacer sheet has a plurality of apertures, which apertures are aligned with selected portions of the conductors. A flexible cover sheet is adhesively secured to the spacer sheet. The flexible cover sheet has a second plurality of flexible conductors on its surface adjacent to the spacer sheet. The flexible conductors have selected portions aligned with respective apertures. Each of the flexible conductors has a thickness no greater than 0.0025 mil. The flexible cover sheet is positionable through a selected aperture with a portion of the flexible conductor to contact electrically the respective conductor on the base sheet aligned with that aperture.

Abstract: An electrode for a spark discharge in a distributor is surface treated by using a spray coating process so as to provide the electrode with a surface layer of an electrically high resistive material, e.g. CuO, which surface layer further includes a predetermined percentage of refractory and electrical insulating material, e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2 or MgO.multidot.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. A distributor having one such treated electrode for the distributor rotor and/or such treated electrodes for stationary terminals can exhibit stably-suppressed noise for over a long period of time.

Abstract: An ignition distributor for automotive vehicles comprises a shaft, a rotor arm mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary center electrode mounted coaxially with the shaft, and a plurality of angularly spaced stationary outer electrodes. A contact member is secured to the rotor arm which extends between the center of the shaft and a point adjacent to the outer electrode and comprises a baseplate secured to the rotor arm and a resistive film secured to the baseplate, the latter being in electrical contact with the center electrode and in radially inwardly spaced from the outer electrode such that a sudden breakdown of air occurs when the outer end of the contact plate is positioned in proximity to the outer electrode generating an electric discharge. The baseplate is composed of a material having lower electrical conductivity than that of the resistive film so that a distributed constant RC transmission path is formed along the passage of the discharge current.

Abstract: Membrane switch assembly comprises a transparent laminate comprised of three sheets of cellulose acetate material. The intermediate sheet has an opening therein which defines a switch site. Hairline conductors on the internal surfaces of the outer sheets cross each other at the switch site so that the switch is closed when one of the outer sheets is pressed at the switch site. The conductors are produced on the surfaces of the outer sheets by a process including electroless deposition of blanket coatings of conductive metal, selective deposition along lines which define the conductors and selective etching of the blanket coating to leave the hairline conductors.

Abstract: To provide low contact resistance, long life, and resistance against tarnishing under corrosive, particularly sulfur atmospheres, a substrate carrier has a layer of palladium applied thereto, of a thickness between 0.5 and 5 .mu.m, preferably between 1 and 3 .mu.m, to which a coating of gold is applied which is porous and has a thickness of only between 0.05 .mu.m and 0.1 .mu.m; the porous gold coating forms islands of gold on the palladium which, in use and as the terminal is wiped against a counter element, smears over the palladium, thus effectively covering the palladium, preventing tarnishing, and maintaining low contact resistance throughout the useful life of the terminal element.

Abstract: The present invention provides low-current carrying rem-reed switch contacts, preferably for operation under vacuum or under a protective gas. The contacts comprise a medium-hard magnetic material substrate which may contain anomalies on the surface. These are covered by an intermediate layer from 1 to 20 .mu.m of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium and tantalum. This intermediate layer is then covered with a noble metal layer, for example alloys of gold or silver, and preferably by ruthenium.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed comprising two sets of rod-shaped fixed electrodes formed of a magnetic material and one cylindrical moving electrode formed of a permanent magnet, each set of the fixed electrodes being fixed to the respective end of a cylindrical vessel so that the ends of each set of the fixed electrodes face the ends of the other set of the fixed electrodes with the moving electrode capable of reciprocating between the ends of the two sets of fixed electrodes inside the cylindrical vessel. The moving electrode is comprised of at least one adhesive layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, copper and alloys thereof on the surface of the permanent magnet, and at least one contact layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of rhodium, wolfram, rhenium, ruthenium and alloys thereof, silver-wolfram, gold-chromium on the adhesive layer of metal. At least the permanent magnet of the moving electrode and the adhesive layer of metal are thermally diffused with each other.

Abstract: The cooperating contacts of a reed switch each comprise a layer of palladium. A protective layer of ruthenium deposited on the palladium layer prevents the formation of frictional polymers.

Abstract: A contact arrangement for a graphite electric arc-electrode employs a contact spud composed of a metal having a high melting point and a soldering layer disposed between the contact spud and graphite electrode. The soldering layer contains at least one carbide forming metal. In one embodiment of the invention, a carbide-forming metal layer is disposed between the graphite electric arc-electrode and the soldering layer. In a preferred form of the method of making the arrangement, the soldering layer and the carbide-forming metal layer are plasma-sprayed or steamed onto the surface to be connected.

Abstract: A low-current contact structure formed on a contact member or substrate of various layers is described. A layer of refractory material is connected via a layer of easily diffusive metal with a layer of noble metal through diffusion annealing.

Abstract: To reduce costs and permit use of a smaller amount of noble metals in nobel metal contacts, a common metal contact material which forms, in an oxygen-containing atmosphere or in air, non-porous insulating oxides, is coated with a porous noble metal or noble metal alloy cover layer, the pores or regions not covered by the noble metal or nobel metal alloy being permitted to oxidize to form a protective common metal contact material oxide, the noble metal regions in contact with the underlying contact material itself providing for the electrical connection. Preferably, the porous cover layer has a thickness of between about 0.1 to 0.2 .mu.m, and the contact material, separately or applied to a carrier, has a thickness of between 2 to 100 .mu.m, preferably about 10 .mu.

Abstract: A distributor for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine wherein the rotor and/or stationary terminals of the distributor are a brass or steel substrate bearing an intermediate layer of nickel aluminide and a further layer of electrically high resistive material, the resultant distributor exhibiting significantly suppressed noise emission.

Abstract: Electrical contacts are produced by processes comprising (1) forming on a metallic body a first layer of low melting metal(s) and (2) forming on the first layer a second layer of high melting metal(s). The thus produced contacts possess prolonged life, approximately 10 times that of conventional contacts when they are operated as working contact.

Abstract: A method for the electrodeposition of a relatively thick (20 to 45 microinches) layer of ruthenium includes the step of pulse current plating an intermediate layer of gold over the substrate to be plated. The ruthenium layer so obtained is characterized by low internal stress and an absence of surface cracks.

Abstract: The material is applied to a substrate, for example, terminal bronze, brass, or the like, and comprises, preferably, 50 to 55% gold, 24 to 28% palladium, 15 to 20% silver, 2.5 to 3% tin, 0.08 to 0.15% iridium, 0.08 to 0.15% ruthenium, 0.1 to 0.3% copper and 0.6 to 1% indium.

Abstract: A switching device comprising a movable blade wetted with a liquid metal, and a stationary blade having a surfacelayer of a non-metallic material which is not wetted by the liquid metal.

Abstract: Electrical contact material of silver or mixtures of silver and a thermally decomposable compound of silver having an additive of an alkali metal, for example lithium, added in the form of a salt prior to sintering to increase the as-sintered density of the resulting material and to aid in the prevention of undesirable surface blisters. The silver material may be fabricated as a backing layer on a primary contact material of silver-cadmium oxide.

Abstract: A brazed joint between a beryllium-base part and a copper-base part comprises a first layer of brazing material in contact with the beryllium-base part. This brazing material is an alloy that just prior to brazing consists essentially of silver and a minor constituent of either: (a) tin in a percentage of 4% to 15% by weight of the alloy, (b) silicon in a percentage of 1% to 5% by weight of the alloy, or (c) indium in a percentage of 6% to 25% by weight of the alloy. Contacting this first layer and brazed thereto is a second layer of a material that just prior to brazing consists essentially of silver. Between the second layer and the copper-base part, there is another brazed connection, which is formed at temperatures exceeding 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A contact member for high electrical loads has a plurality of component parts. One of these parts is made of a non-welding material resistant to burn-off and another part is made of a solderable material having electrically conductive properties. The material of each of the parts is configured as a porous skeleton structure. The parts are disposed next to each other and an impregnating metal impregnates both of the parts to preclude the occurrence of a boundary layer at the interface of the parts.

Abstract: Contact carriers for relays are produced by electrochemically plating sheets of electrically conductive nonmagnetic metal with iron. The sheets have a width corresponding to the intended length of the contact carriers. The sheets are then cut in strips across the width of the sheets to form the contact carriers. The sheets can be plated on one or both sides. Following the plating step and before cutting the strips from the sheet, the sheet can be mechanically treated, as by rolling, to increase the resiliency of the sheet. The sheet can be masked during the plating operation to produce contact carriers with unplated portions on the plated sides of the carriers. A contact element can be mounted on the plated or unplated portion of the contact carrier and more than one contact element can be mounted on each carrier. The contact carriers and contact elements can be arranged in relays in many combinations utilizing the forces of attraction and repulsion.