Abstract: A radiation hardening circuit that includes two series-connected transistors that can replace any single transistor in a circuit. The hardening circuit includes a resistor that has a first node and a second node, a first transistor having a source terminal, a gate terminal, a drain terminal, and a body terminal. The first node of the resistor may be conductively connected to the drain terminal of the first transistor and the second node of the resistor is conductively connected to the body terminal of the first transistor. The hardening circuit also includes a second transistor in series with the first transistor, driven so that both transistors are off or on at any given time. The circuit is resistant to radiation-induced events due to the body bias of the first transistor, the off state of the second transistor, and the current limiting effect of the resistor.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements (1) are overlapping on a stator (11) in the same direction as shown in FIG. 3. Since a fixed end (6) of a piezoelectric element (1) is fixed to a foundation (4), an open end (7) of the piezoelectric element (1) elongates in the direction opposite to the foundation (4) when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element (1). When a drive device (12) generates a saw-tooth wave shown in FIG. 4(a), the piezoelectric element (1) rapidly elongates or slowly shrinks. A slider (21) then moves while being flicked away by the piezoelectric element (1). On the other hand, since piezoelectric element (1) rapidly shrinks or slowly elongates in the case of FIG. 4(b), a slider (21) moves while being pulled in by the piezoelectric element (1). Because of piezoelectric elements (1) arranged in a circle as shown in FIG. 13, a stator (11) can rotate a circular rotor (31) and a spherical rotor (35).

Abstract: A control unit incorporating a pressure sensor has a case body with an upper opening, incorporating a printed circuit board on which a pressure sensor and a plurality of control circuit components are mounted, and a lid to close the case body. A connector box extending outward is attached to one sidewall of the case body. The pressure sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the connector box. A first pressure passage is integrally formed with the lid, being opposed to the pressure sensor. A second pressure passage communicating with the first pressure passage is integrally formed with the lid, extending in the same direction as the connector box.

Abstract: A fuse apparatus (1) is provided for selectively interrupting a load current (Ia) flowing between a pair of associated conductor leads. The fuse apparatus includes at least two spaced apart electrically conductive contact elements (5) operatively connected with the associated conductor leads. A fuse element (7) is connected to the contact elements (5) using an electrically conductive connection material (9) to allow the current (Ia) to flow between the pair of associated conductor leads. The connection material (9) is adapted to electrically disconnect the fuse element (7) from the contact elements (5) when the current (Ia) exceeds a predetermined current intensity. The connection material (9) has an intrinsic electrical transition resistance characteristic whereby the material develops a temperature in proportion to an intensity of the current. The connection material melts as the current increases to separate the fuse element from the contact elements.

Abstract: A relay control circuit is provided to perform on/off control on multiple kinds of relays, each having a different operation speed, which are contained in a source-voltage supply circuit which is employed by an IC tester to perform DC-parameter measurement on ICs. The relay control circuit contains a timer-A and a timer-B, to which different relay-operation wait times are arbitrarily set, wherein the timer-A is set in response to a relay whose operation speed is slowest within the multiple kinds of relays. When a test instruction is executed in accordance with a test program, relay-select-information, representing at least one of the multiple kinds of relays, is generated. A relay-operation monitoring circuit, contained in the relay control circuit, monitors a driving relay by detecting coincidence between current relay-select-information, regarding a current test, and previous relay-select-information regarding a previous test.

Abstract: A control system for regulating electrical power input to an article cleaning apparatus employing electrically actuated loads means to provide multiple processing modes of operation, including clothes washing, dishwashing and clothes drying type apparatus, uses multiple piezoceramic relay means enabling connection of the power source to each load. The electrical power is applied to the individual load with an individual piezoceramic bender member responsive to control signals and with the control circuitry being directly and ohmically connected to the power source. In one embodiment, the piezoceramic bender members are actuated with control circuitry employing user selection circuits and function control circuits which are operatively associated with power switching circuits to enable automatic operation of the particular apparatus. The piezoelectric relay comprises one or more piezoelectric bender members each connected to a spring which serves as a power conductor to the movable contact.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electromechanical transducer type relay which opens and closes contacts using electromechanical transducer elements, such as electrostrictive elements or piezoelectric elements, which produce strains when subjected to an electric field.

Abstract: A switching and/or signalling apparatus is provided including a case formed of a base and a lid in which at least one manually or remote controlled switching unit is housed, particularly a contactor with an electro-thermal relay which is associated therewith, and the control members provided on the lid for actuating the switching unit, wherein, between the control unit and the side walls of the case, there is provided at least one fixed support element for at least one control element associated with the switching unit and actuated by the corresponding control member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric relay module having a plurality of relays of different load ratings is disclosed. Each relay is constructed from a portion of a single bimorph structure by cutting the bimorph structure to form bimorph actuators. The widths of the various bimorph actuators is varied to provide the different load ratings.

Abstract: A linear motion actuator which has a body; a member which is movable in a linear direction with respect to the body; an extended member made of shape memory alloy material, extended in a direction transverse to that linear direction so as to intersect it, supported at its ends by the body, and substantially coupled at its intermediate portion to the movable member at least with regard to mutual movement therebetween in that linear direction; and an element for biasing the movable member and the intermediate portion of the extended shape memory alloy member in that linear direction, so as to apply an elongation deformation to the extended shape memory alloy member. This linear motion actuator is inexpensive, compact, and light, and can be operated with a low voltage electrical supply, without being made bulky. Also, this linear motion actuator has an appropriate stroke to force relationship, and can be arranged to have a considerably large stroke.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes first and second contactors having connecting/disconnecting means which normally keeps the two contactors in contact with each other. A shape memory alloy is mechanically connected to a predetermined portion of one of the connecting/disconnecting means of one contactor is electrically connected in parallel with a device to be protected, e.g. an electric circuit or an electric element. When a voltage of a predetermined value or more is applied to the device being protected, a current of a predetermined value or more passes through the shape memory alloy, whereby the alloy is heated to produce its shape memory effect. A shape recovering force is applied to the connecting/disconnecting means of the on contactor in a predetermined direction to separate the contactors.

Abstract: A temperature compensated switching relay with thermally effected switching delay should be of simple and compact construction and reliable in switching with precisely adjustable switching delay. For this purpose, the switching relay comprises a switching member (1) movable between two end positions and bearing a permanent magnet (2), with an inherent snapping action to actuate at least one switching contact (6), on opposite sides of the permanent magnet (2) in its direction of movement a first and a second paramagnetic member (3, 4) is provided, on the first paramagnetic member (3) a PTC resistor (5) feedable by a source of current is mounted, and in the end position of the switching member (1) at the second paramagnetic member (4) the distance (A) of the permanent magnet (2) from the first paramagnetic member (3) is less than its distance (B) from the second paramagnetic member (4). The ratios of the distances of the permanent magnet (2) from the paramagnetic members (3, 4) can expediently be adjusted.

Abstract: A light responsive control and overload protection circuit for low voltage illumination systems includes means responsive to ambient light for providing an enabling output. Control means respond to the enabling output for switching heating current on when enabled. Heat-producing means is provided. The heating current passes through the heat-producing means whenever the control means is enabled. Heat-responsive circuit breaker means are in circuit between a low voltage power source and the load. The heat-producing means is thermally coupled to the heat-responsive circuit breaker means to transfer heat thereto and effect and maintain an opening thereof whenever sufficient ambient light is present. Heat-responsive means respond to heat from the heat-producing means to prevent the overheating thereof during overloads and load circuit short circuiting.

Abstract: An electrothermal actuator assembly including a primary or armature member movable between first and second positions and biased to remain in either the first and second position to which it is moved with wires each made of shape memory material attached to the primary or armature member and acting in opposition to one another but, alternatively, when electrical current is passed through the respective wires to increase their temperature whereby they shorten in length to move the primary or armature. A switch supplies electrical current selectively through contacts interconnected by the primary or armature member, but only to one wire at a time for moving the armature from one position to another. The armature or primary member may move rectilinearly between first and second positions or may be rotatably supported for movement between first and second positions. The armature or primary member may also interconnect a set of load contacts to supply power to a load in one of the positions.

Abstract: A condition control device has been shown as a thermostat that not only controls, but draws power from the same two conductors. The drawing of power from the control conductors is accomplished by momentarily opening the control circuit and allowing a charge to be stored on an energy storage means. The control of the operation of the switching relies on a voltage controlled oscillator that is synchronized to the line frequency during the slight period of time that the solid state load switch means that controls the load is deenergized.

Abstract: A thermal time-delay switch comprises contacts which are normally engaged, a first bimetallic element associated with one of the contacts to separate the contacts from each other with temperature rise in the first bimetallic element, a second bimetallic element associated with the other of the contacts to bring the contacts into engagement with each other with a temperature rise in the second bimetallic element, and a heating resistor provided for each of the first and second bimetallic elements to heat it. The relative displacement between the contacts caused by the first bimetallic element with the temperature rise therein is larger than that caused by the second bimetallic element, so that the contacts are separated from each other substantially independent of voltage fluctuations over a wide range of a voltage source feeding the two heating resistors when the heating resistors have been connected to the voltage source for a given period of time.

Abstract: A thermal relay having main contacts and normally closed auxiliary contacts, a thermally responsive actuator for sequentially operating the main and normally closed auxiliary contacts, and an electric heater for causing said thermally responsive actuator to move. The power supplied to the electric heater is controlled by the auxiliary contacts so that the position of the thermally responsive actuator in the operated position is self-regulated. Because the position of the thermally responsive actuator in the operated position is self-regulated, the time for deactuation of the relay is reduced from prior art relays. One use of the relay of the invention is that of a cornering relay in an automobile signal light system whereby the relay is actuated by the signal light flasher to actuate a cornering lamp.

Abstract: A power sustaining thermal switch placed in shunt with an existing electrical switch results in the flow of electricity through the thermal switch for a predetermined period of time after the existing switch has been turned off. Thus sustaining power in the thermal switch circuit for supply to an electrical device.

Abstract: A piezoelectric relay construction in which the active element comprises a bimorph sheet having a substantially "U" shaped perforation therethrough to present an armature section having a free end deflectable within the boundaries of the sheet and a frame section for the armature section. A first contact is mounted on the free end of the armature section and a second contact is mounted in opposition to and spaced apart from the first contact on a conductive clip affixed to the frame section. Remanent polarizations are induced in the piezoelectric layers of the bimorph sheet which are in opposition in the armature section and the frame section of the sheet. Suitable terminals on the frame section interconnected with circuit means including the electrode surfaces of the bimorph sheet are provided for the application of operating voltages.

Abstract: AC electrostatic-pinning for the casting and quenching of polymeric film, especially polyethylene terephthalate film.