Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current limiting device comprises at least two electrodes; an electrically conducting composite material between the electrodes; interfaces between the electrodes and electrically conducting composite material; an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance at the interfaces whereby, during a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at the interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization and at least a partial physical separation at the interfaces; and a structure for exerting compressive pressure on the electrically conducting composite material, wherein the electrically conducting composite material comprises at least one polymer matrix and at least one conductive filler.

Abstract: A pressure actuated switching apparatus includes first and second conductive layers and a plurality of discrete spaced apart dots between the first and second conductive layers. The dots serve as a standoff for separating the conductive layers and are fabricated from an insulative, elastomeric polymer foam which can collapse under the application of compressive force applied to the apparatus to allow contact between the conductive layers with minimized dead space. Alternatively, the standoff can include strips of electrically insulative elastomeric polymer foam.

Abstract: A membrane potentiometer that uses magnets to keep the membranes separated. A controller has a backplate and a cover that has sidewalls and a top wall which has a central opening defining a cavity. The cover mounts to the backplate. A pair of membrane potentiometer are interposed between the cover and the backplate to receive a first voltage, and output a second voltage that is a percentage of the first voltage. A pair of magnet assemblies are located on outer surfaces of the membrane potentiometer to generate a magnetic repulsion force to keep the membrane potentiometer separated from each other.

Abstract: The overvoltage suppressor contains two connecting fittings (1, 2), which are spaced apart from one another along an axis (z) and between which at least one cylindrical varistor element (8) is arranged. The connecting fittings (1, 2) and the at least one varistor element (8) are braced with respect to one another, forming a contact force, to form a mechanically robust active part of the overvoltage suppressor. The active part is sheathed by a molded housing made of insulating material. In each case one material cutout is formed in each of the two connecting fittings (1, 2) with a section (15, 16) which runs essentially transversely with respect to the axis (z), is designed in the form of a slot and extends from the outer surface of the fitting (1, 2) to beyond the axis (z).

Abstract: An electrical external resistor with a plate-like, electrical insulating carrier element and a flat resistance element arranged on the upper side of the carrier element. The carrier element has several films forming a closed coating and varying in their electrical conductivity. The films arranged on the upper side and on the lower side of the carrier element consist of cermet, and the film covering the edge area of the carrier element consists of an electrically insulating material. By means of springs or a pressure distribution plate, the resistance element is pressed against the upper cermet film of the carrier element. The interior space of the housing is filled with a casting compound made of addition cross-linking two-component silicon caoutchouc (rubber). The electrical external resistance is discharge-free.

Abstract: A modular electrical assembly is enclosed in an elastomeric weathershed housing, and has a plurality of electrical components aligned in a row with terminals at the row ends. The electrical components and the terminals are in electrical connection with one another via their axially-directed ends and are axially compressed by a non-conductive filament winding. The filament winding has axial end portions wrapped about the terminals and extending axially beyond the terminals in a direction opposite to the electrical components. The winding end portions are prestressed in axial compression to increase cantilever strength and to decrease cantilever deflection.

Abstract: A video system is disclosed having a weapon-mounted video camera (12) transmitting video signals to a remotely located video display (14). The video display is mounted to the helmet (40) of a soldier (36), and includes a sight reticle (50) superimposed on the image of the target (46) so that the soldier (36) can aim the weapon (38) by moving it until the target object (46) as displayed by the video display (14) is aligned with the sight reticle (50). A low probability of transmission interception of the video signals is accomplished by using a nonvisible light carrier wavelength in free space, which wavelength is characterized by a high degree of absorption due to atmospheric water vapor.

Abstract: An electrical assembly comprising a plurality of electrical components aligned in a row under an axial load and wrapped with filament windings. The wrapped components are then preferably enclosed in a housing. MOV blocks can be used as the electrical components, resulting in a surge arrester having excellent heat transfer properties as well as improved tensile and cantilever strengths. The electrical components can be varistors, resistors, capacitors and insulators or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An electronic treadle (10) for generating an electrical signal proportioned to the degree of angular movement of a pivotally mounted treadle plate (14) includes a base (32) having side portions (26,28) which cooperate with corresponding side members (22,24) extending from the treadle plate. A pair of stops (76,78) are carried on one (26) of the side portions which cooperate with a tab (80) movable with the treadle plate (14) to limit the angular movement thereof. Movement of the treadle plate (14) is transmitted to a rotary potentiometer (66) carried on side portion (28) by a shaft (62) and socket (57) connecting the shaft to side member (22).

Abstract: A controller for electric motors comprises a casing, a carbon pile resistor contained in a through hole of an insulating frame carried by the casing, a U-shaped spring conductor plate with an end secured to the insulating frame, a rotational plate pivotally supported on the casing, a first terminal connected to an end of the carbon pile resistor, and a second terminal connected to the conductor plate. The other end of the conductor plate is operatively connected to the rotational plate. Thus the other end of the conductor plate is biased and presses the other end of the carbon pile resistor in response to the rotation of the rotational plate.