Abstract: An integrated circuit stress transducer system including signal processing circuitry responsive to signals from semiconductor stress sensors where the processing circuitry output signals are compensated for sensor stress sensitivity variations.

Abstract: A disposable gas sensor, such as for monitoring pO.sub.2 in blood or administered gases, includes a housing, a passageway therein for blood or gas, a membrane-anode-cathode polarographic assembly, and a temperature sensing element. The temperature sensing element penetrates the housing and includes a removable thermistor, which is matable with the housing for thermal contact with a metallic element, and which in turn is in direct contact with the fluid being monitored.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heating element comprises at least one heating conductor of positive-temperature-coefficient material having contact means on opposite surfaces; if more than one, they may be arranged in a row or in a stack. Electrical connection is made to the heating conductor or the row or stack through two substantially plane contact plates adapted to the layout of the heating conductor, row or stack and placed loosely upon opposite contact surfaces thereof. The components are held together elastically by securing means holding the edges of the contact plates. Two alternative forms of securing means are described, one consisting of a series of U-shaped clips of elastic material distributed along the edges of the element, the other consisting of strips of U-shaped cross-section which are made of material with soft elastic properties and extend along respective opposite edges of the heating element.

Abstract: A silicon temperature sensitive resistive element for employment as a convective cooling rate sensor. The convective cooling rate sensor comprises a small chip of silicon having an impurity ion cncentration level high enough to assure that the sensor exhibits an extrinsic positive temperature coefficient of resistance throughout a desired temperature range. The silicon chip is connected to a pair of metal electrodes. These metal electrodes have a cross-sectional area providing a desired rate of conductive cooling through these electrodes. A predetermined amount of electrical power is applied to the convective cooling rate sensor via the electrodes to cause ohmic self-heating of the sensor. The temperature of the sensor is determined by measuring the resistance of the sensor. The rate of temperature change is indicative of the rate of convective cooling of the sensor by the medium surrounding the sensor.

Abstract: A method of controlling energy conversion through the thermal processes which take place in a working space of a machine comprises measuring the temperature of the process by means of a temperature sensor direction in the working space and supplying components and proportions thereof to the working space in amounts determined as a function of the temperature. A device for carrying out the method comprises a temperature sensor having a measuring element which is a sintered mixture of zirconium oxide and iron oxide.

Abstract: A gas sensing apparatus for sensing the air-fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine has two sinter elements fixed to the tip of a tubular ceramic body and both of the sinter elements are made of metal oxide which exhibits an electrical resistance change in response to changes in the component and temperature of the exhaust gas. One of the sinter elements carries a catalyst to promote the oxidation reaction of the gas component and the other sinter element which does not carry a catalyst and connected in series to the one sinter element serves for temperature compensation of the electrical resistance change of the one sinter element. A fixed resistor having a resistance value considerably smaller than that of the other sinter element not carrying a catalyst at low exhaust gas temperature is connected in parallel with the other sinter element to maintain the apparent resistance of the other sinter element at small values at the low exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A gas component detector for detecting a gas component in the exhaust gases includes a detector element of a metal oxide whose electrical resistance value varies suddenly depending on the gas component. The detector element is held on an electrically insulating and heat-resistant holding body and furthermore, the detector element is enclosed by a catalyst carrier body which is fixed to the holding body by an inorganic bonding adhesive. Since the catalyst carrier body is of a porous heat-resistant metal oxide, the exhaust gases to be detected are permitted to pass through the catalyst carrier body and the gas component is oxidated by the aid of a catalyst material carried on the carrier body. The environment of the detector element thus becomes a weak reducing environment thereby preventing the detector element from being reduced and deteriorated.

Abstract: In a gas component detector, a first gas component detecting element is formed by a metal oxide having an electric resistance depending on the concentration of gas components and on the temperature of a detected gas. A second gas component detecting element is formed by a metal oxide having the same temperature coefficient of electric resistance as that of the first gas component detecting element and having an electric resistance depending on the concentration of gas components and on the temperature of the detected gas and having a slower detection response time against the concentration of gas components in the detected gas than that of the first gas component detecting element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuous manufacture of a laminate comprising a layer of a conductive polymer and at least one electrode. A tape electrode and a heat-softened conductive polymer are fed simultaneously through an elongate aperture of substantially closed cross-section formed by a plurality of rollers, whereby there is produced a laminate in which the conductive polymer layer has a controlled cross-section. Preferably the electrode has a plurality of openings therein and is fed through the aperture so that there is at least one point on the electrode, as it passes through the aperture, which coincides with an angle which is formed by two of said rollers and which is at most 90.degree.. Particularly good results are obtained when the roller which contacts the electrode has a plurality of indentations therein, so that conductive polymer not only penetrates into the openings in the electrode but also passes through those openings which overlie the indentations in the roller.

Abstract: A heated fuser roll for use in a fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to a support surface. The fuser roll includes an electrically conductive core member having a plurality of axially disposed longitudinal channels lying along the outer surface of the core member, and a heating element formed of a semiconducting ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity and exhibiting a Curie temperature transition point at which the resistance of the material increases with increasing temperature positioned in each of the channels. A layer of a thermally conductive material covers the outer exposed surfaces of both the core member and heating elements, and a sleeve member is positioned around the thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A heated fuser roll for use in a fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to a support surface. The fuser roll includes one or more heating units each of which include (i) a wafer shaped heating element formed of a semiconducting ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity and exhibiting a Curie temperature transition point at which the resistance of the material increases with increasing temperature and (ii) an electrically conductive member for providing electrical current to the heating elements, the conductive member being in contiguous relation to the heating element; a thermally conductive plate; and a sleeve positioned around the heating unit and the plate. An insulating member is positioned between each of the electrically conductive members and the thermally conductive plates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heating element for an air heater and the like comprising a ceramic material in the form of a honeycomb as well as the process for producing the ceramic material. The heating element is characterized by its relatively high amount of heat generation capability compared to a conventional heating element of the same size. Preferable ceramic materials for the heating element have a temperature coefficient of electrical resistance of from 5 to 20%/.degree.C., and consist essentially of from 38.7 to 47.3 molar % of BaO, from 2.5 to 11 molar % of PbO, from 49.8 to 50% of TiO.sub.2, from 0.05 to 0.3 molar % of a semiconductor forming element and from 0.002 to 0.015 part by weight of Mn.

Abstract: An improved sensor having a ceramic element that undergoes a change in an electrical characteristic in response to a change in the partial pressure of oxygen in a mixture of gases to which the ceramic element is exposed. Sensors of this type are used to detect the air/fuel ratio of mixtures supplied to internal combustion engines. Prior art sensors are characterized by little change in their respective electrical characteristics at low operating temperatures. A charge transfer material, platinum or platinum/rhodium is applied to the ceramic element to facilitate or make possible the electron transfers required for sensor operation at low temperatures. Platinum/rhodium alloy is the currently preferred charge transfer material. This alloy, which preferably is 90% platinum and 10% rhodium, reduces the minimum temperature of operation for the sensor as taught herein, and it also substantially eliminates vaporization loss of the charge transfer material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, and a method for construction, in which gallium arsenide phosphide diode chips are employed to produce an inexpensive thermometer that has a broad range, accurate, temperature sensitivity. The thermometer does not require recalibration to maintain accuracy and is rugged in construction. The chip described is a type commonly found in light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A high temperature thermistor and its method of fabrication are disclosed. The thermistor is fabricated from titanium dioxide ceramic forming material and is fabricated to achieve a high degree of densification approaching 100% of theoretical density. At elevated temperatures in the range of from about 700.degree. F. to about 1500.degree. F. densified titania ceramic material behaves as a semiconductor having a resistance which is responsive principally to the temperature of the thermistor element. The thermistor is fabricated by processing titania powder which includes a substantial majority of rutile phase material. The titania powder is processed to achieve a thermistor chip or member which demonstrates a high degree of density.

Abstract: A method of making an electric resistor having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance whose resistance body consists of p-type doped pyrolytic polycrystalline cubic silicon carbide.

Abstract: Organic heat-sensitive semiconductive compounds composed of (N-n-propylpyridinium) (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane).sub.2 and (N-n-propylthiazolium) (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane).sub.2 or (N-n-butylthiazolium) (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane).sub.2. The compound using the propylthiazolium component exhibits phase transition phenomena in a wide range of temperatures lower than that of the basic component of (N-n-propylpyridinium) (TCNQ).sub.2. While, the compound using the butylthiazolium component shows inherent temperature hystereses different from that of the basic component.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved melt processable, self-temperature regulating, irradiation cross-linkable, electrically semi-conductive polymeric compositions which in conjunction with annealing at a temperature at or above their melt point temperatures subsequent to their having been radiation cross-linked provide for improved self-temperature regulating electrical heating devices including flexible electrical heating cables. Heating cables made in accordance with the invention comprise two or more elongate substantially parallel spaced-apart electrical conductors that are electrically inter-connected by means of extruded forms of the compositions which have been annealed at a temperature at or above their melt point temperatures prior and subsequent to their having been cross-linked by irradiation.

Abstract: A body of ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity is molded so that a plurality of passages extend between opposite ends of the body. In molding the body, lands or abutments of resistor material are formed around the ends of alternate body passages at one end of the body and around the ends of the other passages at the opposite end of the body. A band of masking material is applied to the sides of the body and the body is then immersed in a coating bath for simultaneously coating the inner walls of the body passages, the ends of the body, and the unmasked bands of the body side surface with an electrically conductive ohmic contact material. Preferably, the ohmic contact and masking materials are selected to be impervious to reducing atmospheres and the ends of the body are treated for coating at least the unmasked bands of the body side surfaces with a material characterized by low electrical contact resistance.

Abstract: A compact resistor device comprises a body of ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity having a large number of passages extending through the body between opposite ends of the body, thereby forming very thin webs of the resistor material between adjacent passages. Coatings are formed on the resistor material along the inner walls of the passages to serve as ohmic contacts. The coatings in alternate passages are connected together at one end of the resistor device and the coatings in the other passages are connected together at the opposite end of the device to serve as device terminals. When the device terminals are connected to a power source, current flows through very thin webs of resistor material between ohmic contacts in adjacent body passages. The resistor device is particularly useful in current limiting applications requiring low, room-temperature resistance and in heat-exchanger applications where a fluid to be heated is directed through the passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to heating elements comprising conductive polymers which are capable of undergoing a change in dimension. The heating elements comprise a laminar member composed of a conductive polymer and two laminar electrodes connected directly or indirectly to opposite faces of the laminar member, and there are apertures, for example slits, passing through the thickness of the element so that at least one planar dimension of the element can be changed by changing the shape of the apertures. The apertures through the element facilitate its dimensional change. Preferably the laminar member exhibits PTC characteristics. The heating elements are particularly useful in the form of articles in which the element is attached to a heat-responsive sheet, for example a heat-recoverable polymeric film.

Abstract: A pair of ceramic chips, formed of similar metal oxide ceramic materials which are semiconductors at elevated temperature, are connected electrically in series and are arranged for exposure to the hot gaseous combustion by-products produced by an internal combustion engine. The chips are positioned in the exhaust gas conduit by a ceramic insulator having a plurality of longitudinal passages extending therethrough. A plurality of electrical terminal members are received within the rear of the longitudinal passages. Electrical leads extend from the chips to the terminal members through the plurality of passages and support the chips while providing electrical communication between the chips and the electrical terminals. The electrical terminals are adapted for communication to electronic and/or electrical utilization means. One of the pair of chips is processed to exhibit a rapid change in an electrical property responsive to differences in the exhaust gas chemistry and differences in exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A fast response fluid temperature sensor is disclosed which consists of a silicon temperature sensing semiconductor chip mounted on an extremely thin fin having a high surface area to mass ratio. The fin and chip combination are mounted in a frame assembly, with the thermal conductivity of the frame assembly being high and the specific heat being low for maximum heat transfer from the fluid being sensed to the silicon chip. The chip and fin assembly are illustrated as being open to the free flow of fluid around the assembly, no insulating material being provided between the fluid media being sensed and the fin and chip assembly, and a protective cage is formed around the fin and chip assembly. Suitable connection is made between one electrical terminal of the chip and the fin and between the other electrical terminal of the chip and the external circuitry, with various modified forms of such connections being illustrated.

Abstract: A low inductance resistor comprising a metalized, planar silicon wafer, positioned beneath the emitter tabs of an RF power transistor to provide dc balancing and stabilization and thus eliminate the need for more costly collector feedback circuits.

Abstract: A device for detecting both low level and excessively high temperature of oil in an internal combustion engine or other oil container. The device consists of a semiconductive material which exhibits a peak electrical resistivity at a predetermined temperature. The semiconductive material is mounted on the interior bottom surface at the closed end of a metal cup which is suitably mounted and immersed in the fluid whose level and temperature are to be monitored. The semiconductive material is connected in series with a power supply and indicator light. If, at any point over a broad range of temperatures, such as -50.degree. F to +300.degree. F, the level of the liquid drops such that it does not contact the cup sufficiently the normal current flowing in the circuit will heat the semiconductive material past its peak resistivity thereby driving the current in the circuit past the level required to light the bulb and indicate a problem (herein a problem of low level).

Abstract: A glow element arrangement for electric cigarette lighters includes a disk-shaped semiconductor element of predetermined geometric configuration. The element has electrically conductive contacting surfaces for the supply of electrical current. Various arrangements are disclosed for protecting the semiconductor element, for supplying current to the contacting surfaces and for preventing stress from being applied to the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A PTCR thermistor has a doped barium titanate body, and two base metal lead wires being bonded to and ohmically connected to two separate surface regions of the body by means of two conductive electrodes, respectively. The electrodes are comprised of aluminum particles being bound within a matrix of a lead borate glass. The glass amounts to from 20 to 60% by weight. The simple method of making the thermistor may include the selective application of heat to the electrode regions to avoid oxidizing the base metal leads. These thermistors are capable of undergoing many self-heating switching operations in service without deterioration of the lead to body connections.

Abstract: An arrangement of electrode for positive temperature coefficient semiconductor (PTCS) for use in heating and drying devices and the like, which PTCS is provided with a pair of electrode plates, each having a fork-like configuration with a plurality of branches or fingers in the form of strips extending forward from its base. The strips of both electrodes are disposed alternately on one of the opposing planes of the PTCS body. Each electrode has an extended portion serving as terminal which is bonded on the other plane of the PTCS body in such a manner that the terminal is not confronted, through the PTCS body, with any strips of opposite electrode.

Abstract: A sensor for determining and/or measuring alcohol which exhibits an electric conductivity which varies with the alcohol concentration, comprises a heater with a metallic-oxide semi-conductor body located in the range of the heater. A pair of opposite polarity electrodes are biased into engagement with the surface of the body by a spring clamping means. The semi-conductor body comprises a zinc oxide having a density which is close to the density of a monocrystal. The semi-conductor body is formed of zinc oxide and then sintered at a temperature above 750.degree. C and preferably at 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive semiconductor switch structure has a nichrome strip vacuum evaporated and sintered in a zigzag pattern on a ceramic substrate and a silicon pellet disposed on the substrate through the nichrome strip and a glass layer. A thyristor is provided in the silicon pellet and is electrically insulated from the nichrome strip. The thyristor is adapted to be heated by a current flowing through the nichrome strip and to be turned on upon its reaching a predetermined temperature. When its temperature decreases below the predetermined magnitude, it is turned off.

Abstract: A thermistor material is deposited and fired on a substrate, and an interdigitated pair of electrodes is deposited and fired thereover. The device is removed from the substrate and a third electrode of low thermal mass is applied on the side opposite the electrode pair. The three electrodes may be connected in a bridge circuit to form a novel, AC-generating infrared detector. When encapsulated in a header-type enclosure including a slit parallel to the electrode pair the sensor functions as an intrusion detector for moving objects. The thermistor material is preferably cobalt oxide.

Abstract: An adjustable temperature actuated switching apparatus using a fixed transition type negative temperature coefficient device is disclosed. Such device exhibits regenerative switching at a predetermined temperature and power level and a monotonic shift in the power level required to induce regenerative switching, this shift being a function of ambient temperature at the device. The apparatus comprises means for passing a controlled current through the device to thermally bias the same so as to make it switch at a desired ambient temperature at the device below its transition temperature, and means for detecting regenerative switching of such device as an indication that the desired temperature at the device has been reached. The source of controlled current may be a D.C. or an A.C. source.

Abstract: A solid state switch particularly useful in assisting in the starting of permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors is disclosed in which a semiconductive element is used to affect the starting torque of the motor. The semiconductive element is a disk-shaped member composed of material having a relatively low resistance at temperatures below an anomaly point and a steeply sloped positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity at temperatures above the anomaly. The PTC element is mounted within a casing which comprises two identical interfitting halves and is in electrical connection with members which are combination contacts and terminals. The terminals extend through the casing wall and are provided with contact portions which engage the PTC element along an annular portion of the element near the outer periphery thereof. One contact is provided with spring fingers adapted to react against a wall of the casing to provide desired contact force.

Abstract: A spreading-resistance silicon thermistor having high-precision values of resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is produced by a high-volume, low-cost, photolithographic technique, wherein multiple thin-film contacts are tested and selectively trimmed to permit computerized control of precision resistance values in a production-line operation.

Abstract: A solid state switching device comprises a temperature sensitive resistive element of V.sub.3 O.sub.5 material which exhibits an abrupt decrease in electrical resistance at about 140.degree.C and electrode lead wires attached to spaced points of such temperature sensitive resistive element for connecting the temperature sensitive resistive element to an electrical circuit.