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US 4,833,440 AGranted
Conductive elastomers in potentiometers & rheostats
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorGuy A. Wojtanek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for varying impedance includes a first conductive member, a second member associated therewith, and a third wiper member electrically contacting the first and second members. Use of a conductive rolling member as the third wiper member minimizes wear and degradation of all members. Alternately, or in conjunction with a rolling wiper member, use of a conductive elastomer further eliminates wear.
Claims27
An apparatus for varying impedance comprising:
- a first member adapted to receive an electrical current therethrough;
- a second member disposed in proximity to said first member and operatively associated therewith;
- a third member disposed in generally constant-force movable contact with said first and second members, one of said first, second and third members formed of resistive material whereupon movement of said third member with respect to said first and second members the overall pedance of said apparatus is varied.
An apparatus for varying impedance comprising:
- a first member adapted to receive an electrical current therethrough;
- a second member disposed in proximity to an operatively associated with said first member;
- and,
- a conductive member in generally constant-force rolling contact with said first and second members for completing electrical contact therebetween one of said members being formed of resistive material, wherein the overall impedance of said device is varied by said rolling contact.
1 more element
An apparatus for varying impedance comprising:
- a housing having a first surface;
- an actuator member received in said housing and adapted for operative movement relative to said first surface;
- impedance means interposed between said actuator member and said first surface;
- and,
- a conductive member interposed between said actuator member and said first surface, said conductive member disposed between said actuator member and said first surface and operative for substantially constant-force moving contact with said impedance means, wherein the overall impedance of said apparatus is varied by said moving contact.
2 more elements
An apparatus for varying impedance comprising:
- means defining a first surface;
- an actuator operatively movable relative to said first surface;
- impedance means integral between said actuator member and said first surface;
- a conductive elastomeric member disposed in substantially constant-force moving engagement with said impedance means, said elastomeric member completing electrical connection with said impedance means, wherein the overall impedance of said apparatus is varied by said moving engagment.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.