Abstract:
Electromagnetic devices such as inductors and autotransformers having improved suppression to sparking or high voltage peaks at the terminals and between coil windings are provided using certain sintered metal oxide insulators having varistor characteristics. The metal oxide can be employed in conjunction with magnetic core material, as a composite core in such electromagnetic devices.
Abstract:
An optical link between display panels of an illuminated traveling message display sign system includes a time-share transmitter having an optical transmitter connected to the output thereof and an optical receiver located remote from the optical transmitter and a time-share receiver connected to the output thereof. The optical transmitter includes a light emitting diode and the optical receiver includes a photoelectric device for detecting the optical output of the optical transmitter and converting the detected output into serial electrical pulse form. The time-share receiver converts the output of the optical receiver to data in parallel electrical pulse form.
Abstract:
A light detector amplifier preferably fabricated as a monolithic integrated circuit has high speed of response (in the order of 1 microsecond) at low and high illumination levels, uses low quiescent power and supply voltage, and has an optional thyristor or power transistor output. A transistor preamplifier conducts in the quiescent state and reverse biases a photodiode. Upon illumination, current is diverted to the photodiode and a power amplifier is energized to produce an output which can also provide gating current for a thyristor output. Enhanced performance is obtained by the use of special components, and unique placement of components within the circuit. Voltage excursions are limited in the circuit at several points by current steering, pre-biasing and diode clamping techniques.
Abstract:
Solid state induction surface cooking units for domestic electric ranges and other cooking appliances are defined with respect to the operating parameters and functional components of complete induction heating systems suited for this use. The surface cooking units are designed for reliable, convenient, and safe operation, and for circuit packaging using hybrid and monolithic integrated circuits. Wide range power control of the inverter power circuits is needed for general cooking but is obtained within a limited ultrasonic operating range of the power semiconductors. The inter-dependent electrical and magnetic characteristics utilized in solid state induction cooking are related to the achievement of such desirable user features as the cool cooking surface, fast utensil warm-up, responsive heating, and unrestrained utensil mobility. In addition to cooking by changing the relative heating level, cooking is performed by setting the desired utensil temperature and by setting the desired utensil power level.
Abstract:
A metal oxide varistor having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter is formed with laterally spaced electrodes adjacent a first surface. A spaced third electrode may be associated with the first surface or a second surface. To improve the current carrying capacity of the varistor body the conduction gap between the electrodes may extend along the first surface an extended distance greater than the width of the surface. The conduction gap width may be varied continuously or in discrete steps.
Abstract:
A metal oxide varistor is disclosed formed of a varistor body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter. First and second electrodes are laterally spaced along the varistor body, and a third electrode is located between and spaced from the first and second electrodes. The third electrode may be slidably mounted on the varistor body or may be in the form of discrete, spaced elements fixedly attached to the surface of the varistor body.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is an induction cooking range having a counter which supports a food-containing vessel. The vessel is heated by the range''s induction coil which operates at high frequency. The invention includes a temperature sensing unit comprising a temperature detection unit and a temperature receiving unit. The former unit is incorporated in the cooking vessel while the latter unit is remotely located therefrom in the induction range. The aforesaid temperature receiving unit receives radio frequency transmissions of temperature data from the temperature detection unit in the vessel. The temperature detection unit in the vessel is powered by the main field produced by the induction coil.
Abstract:
A static electronic photoflash assembly and method of photoflash lighting is provided for reliably and selectively sequentially flashing at least one of an array of N flashbulbs with a startflash electrical signal developed by a camera shutter actuated switch or other similar electrical signal producing device. The static electronic photoflash assembly is coupled to and controlled by the start-flash electric signal and is electrically coupled to and controls the array of N flashbulbs for selectively sequentially flashing at least one of the N bulbs. For this purpose, the static electronic control circuit includes enabling logic circuitry for identifying and establishing through the use of solid state semiconductor devices enabling electric circuit connections to at least one unflashed bulb in an array of N bulbs in advance of the bulb being flashed. For this purpose the logic circuit may comprise either a permanent memory type of logic circuit for remembering which of the N flashbulbs are unflashed, and for establishing enabling electric circuit connections to at least one unflashed bulb. Alternatively, the enabling logic circuit may comprise an arrangement for identifying and establishing the enabling circuit connections to an unflashed bulb at the instant that the start-flash electrical signal occurs. Preferably, the electronic control circuit further includes monitoring logic circuitry for sensing that a light flash has indeed occurred, and establishing enabling electric circuit connections to additional unflashed bulbs in the event that no light-flash has been produced for reliably selectively flashing at least one of the unflashed bulbs, preferably sequentially. The start-flash electrical signal generally is produced by a camera shutter actuated switch which maintains the static electronic control circuit energized throughout the camera shutter-open period, and the circuit is designed in a manner such that the time required for the static electronic control circuit to sense, enable, and flash all N flashbulbs in an array is less than the normal open period of the camera shutter. The photoflash assembly may comprise a separate attachment to a camera that includes permanently wired sockets that are selectively energized by a static electronic control circuit that is part of the attachment with the photoflash bulbs seated in the sockets being replaceable after flashing. Alternatively, the photoflash assembly may comprise a discardable throw-away type of an attachment to a suitably designed camera that includes the static electronic control circuit. In either form of the invention, the static electronic control circuit preferably is fabricated by integrated circuit techniques. The static electronic control circuit also preferably includes static electronic switching devices connected in series circuit relationship with the individual flashbulbs in the array, and the switching devices employed may comprise silicon controlled rectifiers, complementary SCRs, triacs, silicon controlled switches, silicon bilateral switches, silicon unilateral switches, gate turn-off silicon controlled rectifiers, field effect transistors, unijunction transistors, programmable unijunction transistors, equivalent discrete tranSistor configurations, and the like.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is an induction cooking range having a counter on which there is supported a cooking vessel to be inductively heated by an induction coil having a central aperture; the induction coil being located below the counter. The cooling vessel, or utensil, has at least on portion thereof coated or covered with a material which changes at least one optical property thereof in response to temperature changes. The coated portion of the vessel which rests on the counter covers a passage provided in the counter; said passage being axially aligned, or in register, with the central aperture of the coil. The range includes a temperature sensing unit comprising an LED for directing monochromatic light through the central aperture and passage onto the vessel''s coating. The temperature sensing unit also includes a photodetector for detecting the light reflected from the coating whereby the temperature of the vessel is determinable. In another embodiment the counter is made of light transmitting material and the aforesaid passage is not required; the directed and reflected light passing through the counter.
Abstract:
An insulating member of metal oxide varistor material separates the two conductive parts of a hermetically sealed enclosure to which the electrodes of the switch are attached. The metallic oxide varistor material has a voltage versus current characteristic such that when normal voltage appears across the electrodes, a high impedance is presented by the insulating member and when voltages in excess of normal voltage appears across the electrodes, a rapidly decreasing impedance is presented by the insulating member, thereby limiting the voltage which is sustainable across the electrodes of the switch.