US3772631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resistor and method of making and trimming same
Assignee: Raymond Kaiser Engineers Inc
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Filing: 1969-08-12
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1989-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved resistor such as found in potentiometers and rheostats is disclosed as well as the method of manufacturing such resistors and the method of trimming such resistors. A preferred embodiment of the resistor is structured with a resistive film deposited upon a substrate. A number of closely spaced electrically conductive segments are deposited upon the resistive film for reducing electrical distortion caused by trimming and manufacturing anomalies.
Inventors
- 👤 A Owen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C17/00; H01C17/22; H01C17/24; H01C10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A variable resistor with the ability to have its characteristic easily changed comprising in combination: a. an electrically conductive material having a high resistance; b. an electrically conductive element for making conductive contact with a first area of the high resistance material, said conductive element and said high resistance material being movable relative one another along said first area; c. means for connecting said high resistance material and said conductive element to external electrical circuitry; and d. a plurality of closely spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance positioned along the high resistance material outside of said first area so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient capable of being established along the high resistance material, said spaced conductive segments being effectively conductively isOlated from each other, from other elements of said variable resistor and from elements external to the variable resistor; e. said high resistance material having a varied thickness between two of said conductive segments for distorting said potential gradient therebetween and for localizing changes in said potential gradient to an extension of the spacing between said two closely spaced conductive segments in said first area of the high resistance material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A variable resistor with the ability to have its characteristic easily changed comprising in combination: a. an electrically conductive material having a high resistance; b. an electrically conductive element for making conductive contact with a first area of the high resistance material, said conductive element and said high resistance material being movable relative one another along said first area; c. means for connecting said high resistance material and said conductive element to external electrical circuitry; and d. a plurality of closely spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance positioned along the high resistance material outside of said first area so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient capable of being established along the high resistance material, said spaced conductive segments being effectively conductively isOlated from each other, from other elements of said variable resistor and from elements external to the variable resistor; e. said high resistance material having a varied thickness between two of said conductive segments for distorting said potential gradient therebetween and for localizing changes in said potential gradient to an extension of the spacing between said two closely spaced conductive segments in said first area of the high resistance material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A variable resistor as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of said high resistance material between two of said conductive segments has an appreciably reduced amount of said high resistance material as compared with other portions of said high resistance material for increasing the resistance of said high resistance material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A variable resistor as claimed in claim 2 wherein another portion of said high resistance material between two of said conductive segments has an amount of electrically conductive material for decreasing the resistance of said high resistance material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A variable resistor as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of said high resistance material between two of said conductive segments has an amount of electrically conductive material for decreasing the resistance of said high resistance material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrically conductive material of high resistance with the ability to have its characteristic easily changed comprising: a. a plurality of closely spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance located within a first part of the high resistance material so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient of an applicable electrical potential and as to define a second part of said high resistance material free of said conductive segments b. said conductive segments being effectively conductively isolated from each other by said high resistance material, and c. said high resistance material having a varied thickness between respective pairs of said conductive segments for distorting said potential gradient between said conductive segments within said first part and for substantially limiting said distortion of said potential gradient to an extension of the spacing between said conductive segments in said second part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrically conductive material of high resistance with the ability to have its characteristic easily changed comprising: a. a plurality of closely spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance located within a first part of the high resistance material so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient of an applicable electrical potential and as to define a second part of said high resistance material free of said conductive segments b. said conductive segments being effectively conductively isolated from each other by said high resistance material, and c. said high resistance material having a varied thickness between respective pairs of said conductive segments for distorting said potential gradient between said conductive segments within said first part and for substantially limiting said distortion of said potential gradient to an extension of the spacing between said conductive segments in said second part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said varied thickness of said high resistance material between respective pairs of said conductive segments has an appreciably reduced thickness of said high resistance material as compared to other portions of said high resistance material for increasing the resistance of said high resistance material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein an electrically conductive material is added to said high resistance material between other respective pairs of said conductive segments for decreasing the resistance of said high resistance material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of manufacturing an electrically conductive element of high resistance with the ability to have its characteristic easily changed comprising the steps of: a. providing an electrically conductive material of high resistance; b. placing a plurality of closely spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance in contact with said high resistance material, said conductors being placed so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient of an applied electrical potential difference, and said conductive segments being positioned so as to be effectively conductively isolated from each other; c. measuring the resistance of said high resistance element by directly contacting said element and sensing said applied electrical potential at said point of contact without contacting said closely spaced electrically conductive segments; d. removing portions of said high resistance material from between said closely spaced electrically conductive segments for increasing the measured resistance of said high resistance conductive element; and e. adding hiGh resistance material between said closely spaced electrically conductive segments for decreasing the measured resistance of said high resistance conductive element, thereby easily changing characteristics of said element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of manufacturing an electrically conductive element of high resistance with the ability to have its characteristic easily changed comprising the steps of: a. providing an electrically conductive material of high resistance; b. placing a plurality of closely spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance in contact with said high resistance material, said conductors being placed so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient of an applied electrical potential difference, and said conductive segments being positioned so as to be effectively conductively isolated from each other; c. measuring the resistance of said high resistance element by directly contacting said element and sensing said applied electrical potential at said point of contact without contacting said closely spaced electrically conductive segments; d. removing portions of said high resistance material from between said closely spaced electrically conductive segments for increasing the measured resistance of said high resistance conductive element; and e. adding hiGh resistance material between said closely spaced electrically conductive segments for decreasing the measured resistance of said high resistance conductive element, thereby easily changing characteristics of said element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said layer of high resistance material is a conductive film coated upon an electrically insulative substrate, and additionally comprising the steps of: forming said film in two zones; positioning the conductive segments in parallel alignment in one of said zones while the second of said zones is provided to make contact with a movable electrically conductive element.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of altering the resistance characteristic of an electrically conductive element of high resistance where the alteration results in a change in the resistance of said element, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing an electrically conductive element of high resistance material; b. placing a plurality of equally spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance on said electrically conductive element; c. arranging said equally spaced conductive segments so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient of an applied electrical potential, said conductive segments being so arranged as to be effectively conductively isolated from each other and from other elements; d. contacting said electrically conductive element with a contact element to measure said resistance characteristic thereof; and e. altering a section of said high resistance material between two of said equally spaced conductive segments so that said sections has an appreciably changed amount of resistive material causing a variation in the resistance of said section as compared with other equal sections of said high resistance material.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of altering the resistance characteristic of an electrically conductive element of high resistance where the alteration results in a change in the resistance of said element, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing an electrically conductive element of high resistance material; b. placing a plurality of equally spaced electrically conductive segments of low resistance on said electrically conductive element; c. arranging said equally spaced conductive segments so as to be essentially perpendicular to the orientation of a potential gradient of an applied electrical potential, said conductive segments being so arranged as to be effectively conductively isolated from each other and from other elements; d. contacting said electrically conductive element with a contact element to measure said resistance characteristic thereof; and e. altering a section of said high resistance material between two of said equally spaced conductive segments so that said sections has an appreciably changed amount of resistive material causing a variation in the resistance of said section as compared with other equal sections of said high resistance material.
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) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |