Abstract:
A coaxial opto-electronic transducer adapted for fabrication by integrated circuit techniques is disclosed. A semiconductor light source is disposed on a base member. A support member having a void therein is disposed about the semiconductor light source on the base member. A polycrystalline photoresponsive device is located on the support member proximately the void therein. Light emitted by the light source is reflected from an object in the path of propagation of the light and a portion of the reflected light is directed onto the photoresponsive device. Since the polycrystalline photoresponsive device is on the order of 1 mil in thickness, and is spaced from the periphery of the void in the support member, the support member serves to prevent direct illumination of the photoresponsive device by light emitted by the semiconductor light source.
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:
Disclosed herein is an induction range having a counter including a top surface on which a cooking vessel is rested. A temperature sensing unit is located in an opening in the counter. The temperature sensing unit includes a low-restoring-force spring diaphragm which supports a thermistor unit. The temperature sensing unit forms a closure for the opening in the counter such that the temperature sensing unit together with the top surface of the counter provides an uninterrupted work surface which may be easily cleaned. Because energization of an induction coil positioned near the counter induces high frequency heating currents in the vessel only, and because the temperature sensing unit and induction coil are located relative to each other so that the temperature sensing unit is in a region of relatively low magnetic field intensity, the counter and the temperature sensing unit are not directly heated by the action of the induction coil. Hence, materials not employable in prior art conventional electric and gas ranges may now be employed for the counter and temperature sensing unit. Since the spring diaphragm has a low restoring force it is easily compressed by the cooking vessel, enabling the thermistor unit, or temperature sensor, to make positive contact with the vessel in order to sense its temperature. Also, being of a thin elastic material, the spring diaphragm easily contours itself to the irregular surface of cooking vessels. Permanent magnet means may be combined with the diaphragm in order to achieve a more positive coupling with magnetically permeable cooking vessels.
Abstract:
Induction surface cooking units are used to supply voltage to specially modified cordless auxiliary kitchen appliances and other small electrical apparatus, either motorized or resistive, placed on the counter-top cooking surface. In similar fashion a universal energizer unit comprises an inductively coupled receptor coil and rectifier with plug-in receptacles for other equipment.
Abstract:
A plurality of elongated lead-in electrodes are hermetically sealed in a wafer of metal oxide varistor material and extend therethrough. The portions of the wafer in contact with said electrodes are spaced to provide a current flow between the electrodes which is low when normal operating voltage appears across the electrodes and when voltages in excess of normal voltage appear progressively thereacross a rapidly decreasing impedance is presented by the wafer in accordance with the alpha of the body of material, thereby limiting the voltage appearing between the electrodes.
Abstract:
The inclusion of a body of polycrystalline metal oxide varistor material in a brush or brush holder for the suppression of sparking between sliding contacts is disclosed. The body of metal oxide varistor material may form part of a brush contact at a leading or trailing edge thereof or may be the material comprising all, or part of a brush holder in slidable contact with the brush contact and a second contact. Accordingly, the initial electrical connection and, or the final electrical connection, between the brush contact and the other slidable contact is through the varistor material thereby reducing sparking as the sliding contacts make and break connection.
Abstract:
At least one of the elongated electrodes of a protective connector are provided with elongated extensions of metal oxide varistor material. The metal oxide varistor material has an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter. Accordingly, when the electrodes are disengaged from the electrodes of a mating connector, the metal oxide varistor extension of the protective connector is the last to be disengaged from the electrodes of the mating connector, thereby placing such an extension in series with any discharge currents and thus limiting the magnitude of any voltage developed by the disengagement of the connectors.
Abstract:
In a coaxial connector a generally toroidal shaped member of metal oxide varistor material is connected between the inner and outer conductors of the connector. The metal oxide varistor material has an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter. The spacing of the peripheral portions of the member is set so that a high impedance is presented to normal applied voltage between the peripheral portions. For voltages applied between the peripheral portions progressively in excess of the normal voltage rapidly decreasing impedance is presented by the toroidal member in accordance with the alpha of the material thereby limiting the variation in voltage between the peripheral portions of the toroidal shaped member.
Abstract:
A plurality of elongated conductive contact element support members and a plurality of wafers of metal oxide varistor material are interleaved. Each of the wafers of metal oxide varistor material performs the dual function of insulating the adjacent conductive members contacting the opposed surfaces thereof as long as normal voltages appear across the members and of providing a progressively lower impedance between the conductive members when voltages across the members tend progressively to exceed normal voltages thereby minimizing arcing across the contact elements when used in inductive circuits.