Motorola Corporation

Eac Technologies Corp.

Rolf Ernst Kowalewski

Scott Joseph Ohnemus

Michael Mark Naglich

Bay E Estes

David T Tennant

Robert J Crawford

Charles J Schmitz

Kirby Eric Kirchhoff

Steven James Fillingim

A method and apparatus for determining contact resistance (107) includes pressing a lead connector (105) to make a first contact with a metallic pad (103) and an isolated contact with an isolated metallic pad (108) located adjacent to metallic pad (103). Once the first and isolated contacts are formed, the method includes flowing electrical current at a predetermined level through the isolated contact. With the aid of a volt meter (110), voltage differential across the isolated contact is measured while the electrical current at the predetermined level is flowing through the isolated contact. The contact resistance (107) of the first contact is determined based on information obtained from the voltage differential measured across the isolated contact and the predetermined level of the electrical current. Furthermore, the contact force created at the first contact is determined based on the contact resistance (107).

Method and apparatus for determining contact resistance

A remote power measuring device (1) is used to measure the power output of the transmission system (20). The measured power is then transmitted to a controller (5) and used by the controller (5), along with preset calibration data (41) for each power amplifier (3), to determine power output adjustment factors (22). The adjustment factors (22) are then communicated to the appropriate power amplifier (3) to adjust its output.

Transmission system

A relay device (103) having a coil (144) and a set of contacts (146, 147) employs an apparatus (100) and method (200) for drawing current through the coil (144) to close, and maintain closure of, the set of contacts (146, 147). A first terminal of the coil (144) is coupled to a power supply (101) and a second terminal of the coil is coupled to a holding circuit (108, 115, 126) that establishes a first current through the coil (144). The second terminal of the coil (144) is also coupled to a closing circuit (112) that establishes a second current through the coil (144), wherein the first current and the second current together are at least sufficient to close the set of contacts (146, 147) and the first current is sufficient to maintain closure of the closed set of contacts (146, 147). A control circuit (118, 128) is coupled to the closing circuit (112) and the holding circuit (108, 115, 126) to remove the second current after the set contacts (146, 147) are closed.

Apparatus and method for controlling a relay device

Disclosed are two arrangements for remotely indicating the status of a washing machine and/or a dryer. In one arrangement, a current sense circuit is employed along with an optional vibration sense circuit to detect whether or not the washing machine or the dryer are on or off. At a change from on-to-off or from off-to-on, the status of the washing machine or dryer is transmitted over the air to a receiver for status display to the operator. In the second arrangement, detection of the status is internal to the washing machine and the dryer and the status includes additional information such as the type of cycle and the amount of time left before the cycle finishes. To avoid constant transmission of such information, the receiver includes a timer which is synchronized to the washing machine/dryer timing circuits.

Remote display arrangement for appliances

A circuit is described for timing the intermittent use of an appliance, wherein the appliance includes a usage signal for indicating that the appliance is in use. The circuit includes a battery, and a resistive network, coupled to the battery, for draining power from the battery such that the power level thereof decreases to a threshold level over a selected timing interval. The circuit further includes a switch, responsive to the usage signal, for selectively enabling the resistive network, and a battery level threshold detector, responsive to the battery reaching the threshold level, for indicating that the timing interval has lapsed, thereby alerting the operator that the appliance should be serviced, which service includes replacement of the low cost battery.

Growing community of inventors

Palatine, IL, United States of America

Rolf Ernst Kowalewski