Did You Know...
...that Thomas Edison's patent application on his phonograph was approved by the Patent Office in just seven weeks? In contrast, it took Gordon Gould, the inventor of the laser, 30 years to obtain his patent -- finally awarded in 1988!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7969317 | Detection apparatus and image forming apparatus A detection apparatus includes a casing, a movable member moving from a position outside the casing to a position inside the casing upon contact of a detection object, a radio communication device disposed on the movable member and configured for radio communication... | 06/28/2011 |
| 7868773 | Switched mode power converter with over temperature detection An over temperature detector circuit for use in a switching converter including one or more power switches in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a silent sense generator connected to at least one power switch and operable to detect a n... | 01/11/2011 |
| 7450018 | Temperature warning device by deformation or expansion of a bolt and the device structure Temperature sensor device that allows changes of temperature (14) to be detected, as the materials that form said device (1) are deformed, that consists of a body formed by two valves (2) and a structure (8) provided in the hollow interio... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7265679 | Apparatus and method for indicating onset of high-voltage at an output locus of a signal converter device An apparatus for indicating detection of an onset of a high-voltage condition at an output locus of a signal converter device, the signal converter device including a switching network for switchingly controlling a potential at a circuit node coupled with the output... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7152415 | Refrigerated compartment with controller to place refrigeration system in sleep-mode A refrigeration system is employed to cool a refrigerated compartment in a kitchen or restaurant. An electronic refrigeration controller controls various aspects of the refrigerated compartment, including temperature. When a push button is pressed, a “sleep-modeâ€... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7151455 | Activating a data tag by load or orientation or user control Mechanically and reversibly activating or deactivating a radio frequency identification (RFID) data tag. An RFID tag includes an RFID chip for storing an RFID code, an antenna for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and a mechanical switch coupling the RFID... | 12/19/2006 |
| 7012535 | Battery operated warning sensor An alarm device for signaling when an object reaches a specified condition. The alarm device includes a sensor for detecting the condition of the object. The device further includes a switch element which is closed when the sensor indicates the specified condition. ... | 03/14/2006 |
| 6972686 | Radiated field detector A testing device is operative to sense or monitor a radiated field emitted by an igniter for heating equipment such as an oil burner and to indicate the detection corresponding to a normal operating state of the igniter. ... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6911913 | Piezo-resistive sensing of mirror position in an optical switch An integrated piezo-resistive sensor for determining mirror position in an optical switch. One or more piezo-resistive layers may be formed in silicon springs supporting a movable mirror in the switch. Change in resistivity of those layers due to spring deformation ... | 06/28/2005 |
| 6788201 | Motion sensitive switch and circuitry A motion sensitive device for causing an electronic signal to be sent to one or more output devices, comprising a printed circuit board, a battery connected to the printed circuit board, electrical circuitry connected to the printed circuit board, a motion sensitive... | 09/07/2004 |
| 6348870 | Melt spill indicator device An apparatus for determining a melt spill during Czochralski crystal growing processes, having a sensor or detector that allows the creation or cessation of a signal when the presence of melt spill is detected. This invention includes a sensor or detector... | 02/19/2002 |
| 6147624 | Method and apparatus for parking management system for locating available parking space Available spaces in a system may identified using detectors in each of the spaces. The detectors may communicate the availability of a space after detecting whether or not an item is currently situated at the space. This information may be assembled and d... | 11/14/2000 |
| 5925888 | Optocoupler input expansion circuit An electrical system is provided which includes multiple electrical loads which are powered by an AC voltage source. A synchronization circuit generates a synchronization signal which is representative of the half-cycle of the AC voltage source. A load ci... | 07/20/1999 |
| 5714938 | Temperature protection device for air cooled electronics housing A temperature protection device and method for an air-cooled housing containing electronic equipment is disclosed. A fan forces air to circulate through the housing with air being expelled from the housing at a normal operating temperature inside the hous... | 02/03/1998 |
| 5645136 | Device for operating a side airbag A device for operating a side airbag is capable of rapidly deploying the side airbag and utilizing a physical collision force without an ECU. The device comprises a U-shaped beam deformed in the event of a crash to generate heat, a plurality of pairs of p... | 07/08/1997 |
| 5450065 | Early warning heat sensor system A heat-sensitive alarm trigger is used to set off a fire alarm system. The alarm circuit is triggered either when a resistance across two sensor leads, between which the alarm trigger is connected, falls below the rated trigger resistance or when an emf o... | 09/12/1995 |
| 5384562 | Early warning heat sensor system A heat-sensitive alarm trigger is used to set off a fire alarm system having an alarm circuit with a rated trigger resistance. The alarm circuit is triggered when a resistance across two sensor leads, between which the alarm trigger is connected, falls be... | 01/24/1995 |
| 5198956 | Overtemperature sensing and signaling circuit An overtemperature sensing and signaling circuit for electronic trip units includes a voltage divider (16) and a trigger circuit (18). The voltage divider is formed of a first resistor (R1) and a positive coefficient resistor (PT1). The trigger circuit is... | 03/30/1993 |
| 5150102 | Machining fluid temperature deviation alarm A machining fluid temperature deviation alarm device is attached to an electrical discharge machining device which, having a temperature sensor (S1) for machining fluid temperature detection and a cooler (2) for machining fluid cooling, controls the coole... | 09/22/1992 |
| 5079542 | Abnormal temperature detector for electronic apparatus An abnormal temperature detector for an electronic apparatus includes a plurality of temperature detectors, an abnormality detector, and a power supply controller. The plurality of temperature detectors are arranged at least at one detection point of a ra... | 01/07/1992 |
| 4894643 | Appliance door alarm apparatus An aural or visual alarm is arranged to be actuated upon leaving a door to an appliance open longer than a preselected period of time. An automatically resettable disarming device may be included to permit leaving the door open intentionally for an extend... | 01/16/1990 |
| 4800371 | Freeze alarm An apparatus for protecting pipes subjected to freezing temperatures. An electric circuit is provided with a switch that senses the ambient air temperature in the vicinity of a pipe to be tested. The switch is set to activate an alarm when the water in th... | 01/24/1989 |
| 4730182 | Combination heat-sensing fire detector In a combination heat-sensing fire detector provided with a differential diaphragm electric contact and a contact which operates at a predetermined temperature, a shape memory effect element is used as a device which operates at a predetermined temperatur... | 03/08/1988 |
| 4651140 | Fire detector An improved fire detector vented to atmosphere, capable of closing or opening an alarm circuit on the happening of either two events, when the rate of rise of the temperature of the ambient atmosphere exceeds a predetermined prescribed rate of rise of tem... | 03/17/1987 |
| 4635668 | Automatic water line freeze control An automatic freeze control (10) includes a temperature sensor (18) and a valve (20) connected to the water line (22). Control circuitry (36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46) is responsive to the line water temperature continuously monitored by the sensor (18) to s... | 01/13/1987 |
| 4633238 | Temperature limiter for a glass-ceramic cooking unit A temperature sensor for a temperature limiter is made up of an outer tube and a number of inner component rods. The temperature sensor extends transversely over the top side of a moulding of a heating system for a glass-ceramic cooking unit. The heating ... | 12/30/1986 |
| 4540980 | Portable security alarm A portable room security alarm features a smoke detector alarm, a motion sensing intrusion alarm, a temperature sensing alarm, and a digital display alarm clock. The security alarm includes a deployable thermally conducting mounting clip for mounting the ... | 09/10/1985 |
| 4478365 | Water valve with heat transfer socket A water valve is disclosed for use in passenger vehicle heating systems. The valve includes a cylindrical metallic socket having a heat accepting surface portion connected to the valve housing and in fluid communication with fluid flowing through the valv... | 10/23/1984 |
| 4441034 | Contact-controlled capacitive switching apparatus A contact-controlled capacitive switching means utilized as a floor or cabin calling transmitter for lifts or the like is designed such that travel or drive commands for the lift are prevented from being generated by the action of heat or, if generated, f... | 04/03/1984 |
| 4394655 | Bidirectional, interactive fire detection system The signalling system disclosed herein transmits groups of pulses to a plurality of transponders, and each transponder recognizes its address in a particular group of pulses. The group of pulses can reset the system, command a transponder to accomplish a ... | 07/19/1983 |
| 4356478 | Employing a shape memory alloy in a fire alarm temperature sensitive element A fire alarm is provided with a temperature sensitive element formed of a shape memory alloy, which following cold working, upon heating to a critical temperature, typically for instance about 70° C., returns to the original impressed shape and also reta... | 10/26/1982 |
| 4350858 | Apparatus and method for controlling electronic controlled cooking apparatus An electronic controlled microwave oven comprising a temperature measuring probe and capable of performing a temperature operation mode is adapted such that when a temperature operation mode is commanded it is detected whether the temperature measuring pr... | 09/21/1982 |
| 4305070 | Emergency alarm system for static structure utilizing automobile horn Alarm circuitry in a static structure, e.g., a home, is connectable by plug and socket means to alarm circuitry in an automobile. The alarm circuitry in the automobile includes a relay powered from a source in the structure. Opening of alarm switches in t... | 12/08/1981 |
| 4256258 | Temperature monitor and alarm system The disclosed temperature monitoring and alarm circuit includes a temperature responsive switch which opens when water temperature exceeds a predetermined point. When the switch opens, a relay is de-energized, thereby activating a latch which activates a ... | 03/17/1981 |
| 4149154 | Alarm bell and system An alarm bell especially adapted to be used in combination with a system which simultaneously detects smoke, fire, current failure, and unauthorized entry into an enclosure. The alarm bell has a housing which suports a bell dome. A mechanical motor is con... | 04/10/1979 |
| 4146886 | Freezer alarm with extended life An alarm signal device sounded by a self-contained power source is activated responsive to a variance of temperature within a refrigerator or freezer beyond set limits. A timing circuit in the form of an integrated circuit causes the alarm to sound or fla... | 03/27/1979 |
| 4112407 | Fire sensing device A fire sensing device for actuating associated fire alarm system having a heat receiving plate member of improved heat receiving efficiency for rapidly transmitting any abnormal heat received from environmental atmosphere to a heat-responsive switching me... | 09/05/1978 |
| 4096473 | High output smoke and heat detector alarm system utilizing a piezoelectric transducer and a voltage doubling means A high output smoke and heat detector alarm system comprises a high output audible alarm means which includes a piezoelectric transducer and a voltage doubling means in combination with an improved smoke and heat detector which includes a low voltage powe... | 06/20/1978 |
| 4047165 | Emergency signal light An emergency warning flashing battery operated signal light having a depressable switch and an automatic heat sensing switch.... | 09/06/1977 |
| 4045263 | Control of roofing procedure A system of temperature determination and control for molten bituminous material during construction of built-up roofs is provided wherein a heating temperature is preselected based upon a number of factors and is adjusted insofar as may be called for upo... | 08/30/1977 |
