Abstract: An improved electrical power conversion system converts a high voltage (HV) from a HV electrical power supply to a low voltage. The electrical power conversion system includes at least one power converter and at least one RC network connected in series. The RC network includes a plurality of resistive components and a plurality of capacitive components electrically connected in series. The at least one RC network and at least one power converter are arranged to be connected across a line potential of the HV electrical power supply.

Abstract: An electric connector includes a first pin, a second pin, a thermal conductor and a temperature sensor. The thermal conductor is disposed between the first pin and the second pin and simultaneously connected with the first pin and the second pin. The temperature sensor is embedded in the thermal conductor for sensing the temperature of the first pin and the second pin. Therefore, the thermal energy is rapidly and effectively transferred from the first pin and the second pin to the temperature sensor disposed in the thermal conductor, so that the temperature is precisely monitored and is rapidly reflected, and the safety of the electric connector is enhanced.

Abstract: A security system may include a plurality of electronic devices, each having a unique identification (ID) associated therewith and configured to generate a temporary security code based upon the unique ID. The system may further include at least one mobile wireless communications device including a first Near-Field Communication (NFC) circuit, and a mobile controller configured to receive the temporary security code from a given electronic device from among the plurality of electronic devices. The system may also include an access control device associated with a personnel access position and including a second NFC sensor and a security controller. The security controller may be configured to receive the temporary security code from the first NFC sensor via NFC communications, selectively grant personnel access based upon the received temporary security code, and determine the unique ID associated with the given electronic device.

Abstract: A method and system provides conditional allowance of access by operating a movable barrier such that access is not granted unless another condition is met. In one illustrative approach, a first signal is received and, if a second signal is received within a set time frame relative to receipt of the second signal, a movable barrier operator is then activated. By one approach, one of the signals is a long-range transmission, and the other signal is a visual-range transmission.

Abstract: A fault detection system detecting malfunctions or deteriorations, which may result in an inverter fault, is provided. The system has a temperature sensor installed on a semiconductor module to monitor a temperature rise rate. It is judged that an abnormal condition has occurred if the thermal resistance is increased by the deterioration of a soldering layer of the semiconductor module or by drive circuit malfunctions and, as a result, the relation between an operation mode and the temperature rise rate falls outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A fire sensor comprising a baseplate, a temperature detecting element, and a protective case. The baseplate has an outside surface which serves as a heat sensing surface which is exposed to a hot airflow generated by a fire. The temperature detecting element thermally contacts with the inside surface of the baseplate to detect the temperature of the baseplate. The protective case contacts with the radially outer portion of the inside surface of the baseplate to form a hermetically sealed space between itself and the baseplate. The temperature detecting element is confined within the hermetically sealed space. The baseplate has the temperature detecting element in approximately the central portion of the inside surface thereof and also has a shape and a material which meet the condition that the product of the thickness and heat conductivity of the baseplate is 1.1×10?4 (W/K) or less.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cushioning device. The present cushioning device has many attributes that are common with many cushions. Some of these common attributes are at least one bladder having a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one side surface positioned between the top and the bottom surfaces. Another common attribute is a bladder cavity being defined by the top surface, the bottom surface and the at least one side surface. The present invention differs from other bladders in that there is a first conductive material and a second conductive material are positioned within the bladder cavity, positioned away from the bottom surface of the bladder, and capable of acting like a switch for a reactive device. The reactive device is electrically interconnected with the first and second conductive materials. When the first and second conductive materials contact each other the reactive device is capable of responding by sounding an alarm and/or re-inflating the bladder cavity with a fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment for detecting the presence or absence of water in a non-conductive vessel, by measuring changes in dielectric constant and detecting the temperature of water in same vessel. A conductive element coupled to a sensing and switching means, transmits data to the controller, resulting from a change of dielectric constant at the conductive element. A temperature sensor detects and transmits temperature signals to the controller. A controller means receives data, from the dielectric constant sensor means and temperature data from the temperature sensor. Includes a coupling means which transmits data from the controller to an external device. The isolation means electrically isolates the conductive element and temperature sensor means from the water contained in a non-conductive vessel.

Abstract: A fault detection system detecting malfunctions or deteriorations, which may result in an inverter fault, is provided. The system has a temperature sensor installed on a semiconductor module to monitor a temperature rise rate. It is judged that an abnormal condition has occurred if the thermal resistance is increased by the deterioration of a soldering layer of the semiconductor module or by drive circuit malfunctions and, as a result, the relation between an operation mode and the temperature rise rate falls outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: An ink system is disclosed which includes a broken bag sensing feature for use with conductive ink. The ink system preferably includes an ink containment bag with a metallized layer insulated from the bag interior; a first electrical contact with the metallized layer; a second electrical contact communicating with conductive ink contained within the ink containment bag; an electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts; and a measurement device for measuring an electrical characteristic between the first and second contacts.

Abstract: A response-adjustable temperature sensor (306, Rext), particularly for a transponder (102, 200, 400) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3C, 4B) to an external reader/interrogator (106). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system (210, 410), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory (238, 438) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings (436b), transponder ID and the like.

Abstract: A fire detector, for connection in a fire protection/alarm system, comprises an array of sensors, or a single sensor, of the semiconductor resistor type impregnated with a noble metal. The detector is responsive, by way of a decrease in its resistance, to an increase in any one or more parameters indicative of a fire, namely the atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and water vapor, and temperature, so that a fire is detected regardless of which of these indicators is present. The sensor responds to all of the parameters, and the output signal simultaneously represents changes in all the parameters.

Abstract: A honk strip comprising an electrical power source, electrical leads, electrically conducting members and an alarm. The honkstrip being useful for detecting vehicular impact with other objects and signaling a vehicle operator that an impact has occurred.

Abstract: A testable temperature warning circuit (120) in an integrated circuit substrate (124) provides a warning if the substrate temperature exceeds a critical temperature. A programming circuit (140) controls a selection, circuit (128) to establish a programmably selectable temperature at either the critical temperature or a second predetermined temperature lower than the critical temperature to enable the warning circuit operation to be tested at a temperature lower than the critical temperature. In one embodiment, the selection circuit 128 comprises a current source that produces a voltage drop across the resistor 121 and base-emitter of the transistor 122 produces a substrate temperature indicating current of magnitude related to the temperature of the substrate. The substrate temperature indicating current at the second temperature is extrapolatingly related to the substrate temperature indicating current at the critical temperature.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting overheating of a power integrated circuit includes a power device integrated in a semiconductor substrate and an overheating detection circuit. The overheating detection circuit includes a reverse biased pn junction formed in the same semiconductor substrate as the power device and having a reverse leakage current flow which is temperature dependent, and a voltage converter formed in the same semiconductor substrate as the power device and coupled to the pn junction for producing a voltage depending on the reverse leakage current flow. A threshold circuit is connected for receiving the voltage and producing a signal when the voltage exceeds a threshold voltage to indicate that the power device is overheated.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting overheating of a power integrated circuit includes a power device integrated in a semiconductor substrate and an overheating detection circuit. The overheating detection circuit includes a reverse biased pn junction formed in the same semiconductor substrate as the power device and having a reverse leakage current flow which is temperature dependent, and a voltage convertor formed in the same semiconductor substrate as the power device and coupled to the pn junction for producing a voltage depending on the reverse leakage current flow. A threshold circuit is connected for receiving the voltage and producing a signal when the voltage exceeds a threshold voltage to indicate that the power device is overheated.

Abstract: An overheating detection circuit has a simple circuit construction and may be formed in the same substrate as that of a power integrated circuit. It can produce a large output signal in response to detection of a temperature within a preselected range of detection temperatures. The circuit includes a reversely biased junction having a temperature dependent reverse leakage current, means for amplifying the reverse leakage current, and means for producing a voltage in accordance with the amplified reverse leakage current and for producing a signal when the voltage exceeds a threshold voltage to indicate that the power integrated circuit is overheated.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor chip includes, integral to its substrate, a thermal sensing circuit formed from an array of transistors connected together in a stacked array so as to multiply the inherent effects of temperature on output voltage. A series of gates is connected to the output of the transistor array. A reference voltage is applied to the transistor array, and the inherent temperature-variable output of the array is then applied to the gates. The gates change states at known temperatures and voltages, so that the digital state output of each gate indicates whether the substrate temperature is greater than or less than the switching temperature associated with that gate. By sensing gate output, the chip itself or an external device can determine the temperature of the substrate within a certain range. When the temperature is outside the safe operating range for the chip, the chip or an external device takes steps to prevent unsafe operation.

Abstract: A threshold temperature detection is made by measuring the reverse saturation current of a transistor subjected to the temperature to be measured. It is shown that, for temperatures close to the ambient temperature, the sensitivity of this detector is very high. Furthermore, in making a circuit that measures the relative variations of the reverse saturation current, a temperature detector is made which is independent of variations in characteristics resulting from manufacturng tolerances for integrated circuits. This circuit is particularly designed to be implanted in the same substrate as a memory circuit of the type with memory cells, provided with floating gate transistors.

Abstract: An increasing temperature warning device for protecting an item from high temperature or fire damage comprising a thyristor connected in parallel with a reference voltage source. An audible or visual warning means is connected in series with the thyristor. When the temperature of the thyristor exceeds a specified temperature, the thyristor switches on and the warning means is activated. A series combination of a diode and a resistor can be connected in parallel with the gate of the thyristor to cause the reference voltage to be a function of the ambient temperature of the protected device. A diode connected in series with the thyristor allows the increasing temperature warning device to be powered by an alternating current source and a pair of thin wire fuses protect the warning device from excess current situations.

Abstract: A security system comprising a signal-carrying member and a detector for detecting a change in the resistance of the conductive path surrounding a core of the signal-carrying member. The conductive path comprises inner and outer layers of semi-conductive tape separated by an insulating layer but interconnected at one end. The semi-conductive tape of at least the outer layer is made of fibrous material such as carbon-leaded PTFE such that when a sharp object pierces the outer layer and the insulating layer, semi-conductive fibers are dragged from the outer layer into contact with the inner layer and form a conductive bridge between the layers.

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: A glazing unit alarm system includes a light transmitting electrically conductive coating which extends over at least most of the area of a glazing panel and forms part of an alarm circuit. Changes in the resistance of the coating, occasioned by breakage or attempted breakage of the glazing panel, trigger an alarm. The alarm system is characterized by the electrically conductive coating being constituted by an emissivity coating, e.g. a low-emissivity coating, for modifying the effect of incident electromagnetic radiation on the glazing panel over different wavelengths.

Abstract: In an oscillator circuit responsive to a predetermined temperature and including an astable multivibrator, a switching transistor inverts an output voltage from a first transistor of the multivibrator with a predetermined time delay, and a feedback capacitor is responsive to the inverted output voltage from the switching transistor to bias a reference capacitor connected between the output terminal of the first transistor and the input terminal of a second transistor of the multivibrator at opposite voltage polarity relative to that of a terminal voltage across the reference capacitor, a capacitance of the feedback capacitor being determined to turn off the second transistor due to the bias of the feedback capacitor when ambient temperature becomes the predetermined one under exposure of the second transistor to the ambient temperature.

Abstract: By the employment of the heat-sensitive thyristor, the conventional rate-of-rise action fire detector having a diaphragm deformable by thermally expanding air in a restrictively vented air chamber is easily converted to a combination type fire detector with minimal redesigning or additional fabrication and with an efficient mounting of the thyristor on a metal casing defining the air chamber.

Abstract: A temperature detecting apparatus having a first transistor connected in diode configuration or a first diode, with its forward current set in certain value. A second transistor has similar electrical characteristics as the first transistor or the first diode, with the anode or cathode of the first transistor or the first diode being connected to the base of the second transistor. The temperature difference between the first transistor or the first diode and the second transistor is detected by means of the variation of the collector current of the second transistor. In another embodiment, a third transistor matched to second one is used with common base connections. The first transistor is coupled to the common base coupling.

Abstract: Temperature indicating apparatus for sensing overheating at a pair of terminals on an electrical power line comprises a neon gas-filled glow tube and a thermistor electrically coupled in series across the terminals, with a resistor electrically coupled in parallel with the glow tube. The thermistor is thermally coupled to the terminations so that an excessive temperature rise at either terminal decreases the thermistor resistance to a level at which sufficient voltage appears across the glow tube to ignite the glow tube and provide a visual indication of overheating. The circuit readily lends itself to a plug-in type configuration if the terminals to be monitored are in a duplex receptacle, or to employment in a cube tap.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive thyristor is incorporated in a relaxation oscillator to provide active temperature sensing. As temperature decreases, the breakover voltage V.sub.BO of the thyristor increases, and when V.sub.BO becomes greater than the supply voltage, oscillations will cease, thus providing a low temperature alarm point. As temperature increases, V.sub.BO decreases and the amplitude of oscillation diminishes, thus providing a high temperature alarm point. This is a "fail-safe" arrangement because component failure also provides a warning condition (absence of oscillation). Frequency of oscillation may also be sensed as an indication of temperature.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive thyristor is incorporated with an astable multivibrator to provide active temperature sensing. Below the switching temperature Tsw of the thyristor, an oscillatory signal is present at the output of the multivibrator. When the temperature exceeds Tsw, oscillation ceases because of the shunt path provided through the thyristor when it intrinsically switches to its low resistance on state above Tsw. Cooling results in resumption of oscillation. This is a "fail-safe" arrangement because component failure also provides a warning condition (absence of oscillation).

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the flow of pulsating direct current by causing the on or off state of a gated switch to depend on the resistance of a sensor. The sensor used is of the variable resistance type whose impedance varies in a continuous manner with the phenomenon for which it was designed to detect. A variable resistor is used to select a magnitude of resistance of the sensor at which the switch is to turn on. A capacitor effects the return of the switch to an on state with each sequential direct current pulse until the resistance of the sensor changes in magnitude sufficient to negate the effect of the capacitor. An additional variable resistor is used to select a magnitude of charge to be collected by the capacitor and thus to control the amount of change in resistance of the sensor which must be realized before the switch is allowed to return to a sustained off state once an on state has been initiated.

Abstract: A circuit for interfacing with sensors having a loop current flowing therethrough comprising a current mirror utilizing multiple diode-connected transistors for dividing the loop current into several equal subparts and means connected to said current mirror for producing a latching output signal when the current equal to one subpart of the loop current exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A thermal protection system is provided for a solid state valve that includes at least one representative thyristor having a junction and a heat sink system. The protection system comprises a thermal analog model whose electrical network dynamic electrical operating characteristics are electrically analogous to the thermal characteristics of the solid state valve for any given value of instantaneous load current supplied through the valve, which thermal characteristics include the heat transfer to cooling fluid capability characteristics of said representative thyristor including its heat sink system. A first electrical signal is derived which is representative of the value of the D.C. load current through said valve. A D.C.

Abstract: An electronic bin temperature monitor is disclosed which automatically scans a plurality of temperature sensors which are disposed about the interior of a grain storage bin so that the temperatures at various locations in the stored grain can be monitored. The temperature sensors, which are selected silicon diodes with a linear negative temperature coefficient, are connected by cables to an external monitoring unit, which is provided with digital readouts to display both the location number of the sensor at which the temperature is being read and the temperature at that sensor location. Also provided, in common to all the sensors in a particular bin, is a pre-set alarm function which causes an external alarm device to be triggered, whenever any individual sensor temperature reaches or exceeds a pre-set temperature.