US3723938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-linear potentiometer with conductor array
Assignee: Bourns Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-22
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1989-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A potentiometer for accurately varying the electrical resistance exhibited between two terminals thereof as a specified non-linear mathematical function of the unit-by-unit extent of movement of a movable contact along an elongate resistance element which overlies an array of discrete conductor members whose areal extent and areal disposition under and in bridging contact with the film are such that the specific mathematical function is simulated in variation of the exhibited resistance. In circulartrack elements, representative functional relationships include 90* sine, 180* sine, 360* sine, 20db log, single-sided square, and double-sided square.
Inventors
- 👤 E Gramm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An electrical non-linear function-generating potentiometer comprising: first means, including housing means providing a chamber; second means, including an actuator device having a driving portion in said chamber and a portion accessible outside said chamber for imparting actuating motion thereto; third means, including an insulative substrate in said chamber, and an array of discrete conductor members arrayed on said substrate and adherent thereto; fourth means, comprising a resistive film overlying said conductor members and presenting an elongate exposed surface distant from said array foR brushing contact by movable contact means, and terminal means for said film; fifth means, including movable contact means in said chamber and a terminal for said contact means, said contact means moved by said actuator means along an elongate path included in said elongate exposed surface whereby to vary the value of electrical resistance exhibited between said contact means and either of said terminal means, whereby variation of said value during movement of said contact means accurately follows a known non-linear mathematical function of such movement determined by the areal extents and areal distributions of said discrete conductor members overlaid by said resistive film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An electrical non-linear function-generating potentiometer comprising: first means, including housing means providing a chamber; second means, including an actuator device having a driving portion in said chamber and a portion accessible outside said chamber for imparting actuating motion thereto; third means, including an insulative substrate in said chamber, and an array of discrete conductor members arrayed on said substrate and adherent thereto; fourth means, comprising a resistive film overlying said conductor members and presenting an elongate exposed surface distant from said array foR brushing contact by movable contact means, and terminal means for said film; fifth means, including movable contact means in said chamber and a terminal for said contact means, said contact means moved by said actuator means along an elongate path included in said elongate exposed surface whereby to vary the value of electrical resistance exhibited between said contact means and either of said terminal means, whereby variation of said value during movement of said contact means accurately follows a known non-linear mathematical function of such movement determined by the areal extents and areal distributions of said discrete conductor members overlaid by said resistive film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A potentiometer according to claim 1, in which the said actuator device is rotary and in which the areal extents and dispositions of said discrete conductor members provide variation of the said exhibited value of resistance proportional to the sine of the angular displacement of said actuator device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A potentiometer according to claim 1, in which the said actuator device rotates and in which the areal extents and spatial dispositions of said conductor members provide a variation of said exhibited value of resistance exponentially related to linear rotational displacement of said actuator device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
For a non-linear potentiometer the electrical output of which varies in conformity with a non-linear mathematical relationship between the displacement of the potentiometer actuator and such electrical output, first means, comprising a resistance element device comprising an insulative substrate and first and second superposed thin elongate components both adherent to said substrate, said first component comprising an elongate thin film-like resistive element, said second component comprising an elongate array of thin film-like discrete conductor members each having a face and each having at least a portion of a face thereof in contact with and bridging a complementary portion of the said resistive element, said elongate array of discrete conductor members leaving unbridged an elongate contact zone of said resistive element laterally adjacent to said array; second means, including termination means for said resistive device; and third means, including actuator means and a contact operated thereby along a contact path in said contact zone laterally distant from said array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
For a non-linear potentiometer the electrical output of which varies in conformity with a non-linear mathematical relationship between the displacement of the potentiometer actuator and such electrical output, first means, comprising a resistance element device comprising an insulative substrate and first and second superposed thin elongate components both adherent to said substrate, said first component comprising an elongate thin film-like resistive element, said second component comprising an elongate array of thin film-like discrete conductor members each having a face and each having at least a portion of a face thereof in contact with and bridging a complementary portion of the said resistive element, said elongate array of discrete conductor members leaving unbridged an elongate contact zone of said resistive element laterally adjacent to said array; second means, including termination means for said resistive device; and third means, including actuator means and a contact operated thereby along a contact path in said contact zone laterally distant from said array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
184 words
A non-linear potentiometer resistance element device comprising: a thin insulative ceramic substrate; an elongate thin film of resistive material forming a resistive element, said element adherent to said substrate and supported thereon and providing first and second elongate zones along the length thereof said zones including a brushing contact zone and a bridging zone extending alongside said brushing contact zone; an elongate array of areally separated conductor members in face to face contact with respective portions of said resistive element entirely within said bridging zone and generally laterally distant from said brushing contact zone, said conductor members and said resistance element being superimposed upon and supported by said ceramic substrate; and termination means for said resistive element; whereby resistance exhibited between a selected one of said termination means and a succession of points along said elongate brushing contact zone varies smoothly from point to point therealong and varies non-linearly with departure from said selected termination and in accord with a determined mathematical function relating exhibited resistance and such departure as determined by the bridging effects of said conductor members upon the said resistive element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
184 words
A non-linear potentiometer resistance element device comprising: a thin insulative ceramic substrate; an elongate thin film of resistive material forming a resistive element, said element adherent to said substrate and supported thereon and providing first and second elongate zones along the length thereof said zones including a brushing contact zone and a bridging zone extending alongside said brushing contact zone; an elongate array of areally separated conductor members in face to face contact with respective portions of said resistive element entirely within said bridging zone and generally laterally distant from said brushing contact zone, said conductor members and said resistance element being superimposed upon and supported by said ceramic substrate; and termination means for said resistive element; whereby resistance exhibited between a selected one of said termination means and a succession of points along said elongate brushing contact zone varies smoothly from point to point therealong and varies non-linearly with departure from said selected termination and in accord with a determined mathematical function relating exhibited resistance and such departure as determined by the bridging effects of said conductor members upon the said resistive element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A resistance element device as defined in claim 5, in which said conductor members are conductive films fired upon said substrate and in which said resistive element is a thin elongate film of resistive material which in said bridging zone overlies and is partially bridged by at least portions of said conductor members and which film is adherent to both said discrete conductor members and to said substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A resistance element device as defined in claim 6, in which said film of resistive material is a cermet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A resistance element device as defined in claim 6, in which said film of resistive material is a resistive plastic composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A resistance device comprising an insulating substrate with a thin film resistive element, said resistive element including a first zone extending lengthwise of said element and partially across the width of said element and a second zone extending lengthwise of said element and across the portion of the element width not occupied by said first zone, an elongate array of thin discrete conductor members permanently disposed in contact with said resistive element solely in said first zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A resistance device comprising an insulating substrate with a thin film resistive element, said resistive element including a first zone extending lengthwise of said element and partially across the width of said element and a second zone extending lengthwise of said element and across the portion of the element width not occupied by said first zone, an elongate array of thin discrete conductor members permanently disposed in contact with said resistive element solely in said first zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
A potentiometer comprising an insulating substrate with a thin film resistive element, said resistive element including a first zone extending lengthwise of said element and partially across the width of the element and a second zone extending lengthwise of the element and across the portion of the element width not occupied by said first zone, an elongate array of thin discrete conductor members permanently disposed in contact with said resistive element solely in said first zone, and a movable contact engaging said resistive element and operated along a path in said second zone laterally distant from said array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
A potentiometer comprising an insulating substrate with a thin film resistive element, said resistive element including a first zone extending lengthwise of said element and partially across the width of the element and a second zone extending lengthwise of the element and across the portion of the element width not occupied by said first zone, an elongate array of thin discrete conductor members permanently disposed in contact with said resistive element solely in said first zone, and a movable contact engaging said resistive element and operated along a path in said second zone laterally distant from said array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |