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At least 19 records

Diode-quad bridge circuit means

Diode-quad bridge circuit means is described for use as a transducer circuit or as a discriminator circuit. It includes: (1) a diode bridge having first, second, third, and fourth bridge terminals consecutively coupled together by four diodes polarized in circulating relationship; (2) a first impedance connected between the second bridge terminal and a circuit ground; (3) a second impedance connected between the fourth bridge terminal and the circuit ground; (4) a signal source having a first source terminal capacitively coupled to the first and third bridge terminals, and a second source terminal connected to the circuit ground; and (5) an output terminal coupled to the first bridge terminal and at which an output signal may be taken.

Harrison, D. R.↗

Precision bridge circuit using a temperature sensor

A precision bridge measurement circuit connected to a current source providing a linear output voltage versus resistance change of a variable resistance (resistance temperature transducer) including a voltage follower in one branch of the bridge so that the zero setting of the transducer resistance does not depend upon the current source or upon an excitation voltage. The zero setting depends only on the precision and stability of the three resistances. By connecting the output of an instrumentation amplifier to a feedback resistor and then to the output of the voltage follower, minor nonlinearities in the resistance-vs-temperature output of a resistance-temperature transducer, such as a platinum temperature sensor, may be corrected. Sensors which have nonlinearity opposite in polarity to platinum, such as nickel-iron sensors, may be linearized by inserting an inverting amplifier into the feedback loop.

Mount, Bruce E.↗

Diode-quad bridge circuit means

A transducer and frequency discriminator circuit is described including a four-terminal circulating diode bridge, a first pair of capacitors connected in series across two terminals of the bridge, and a second pair of capacitors, or other impedance elements, connected in series across the other two terminals of the bridge. A source of balanced alternating electrical energy for energizing the circuit is coupled between the commonly connected plates of the first pair of capacitors and the commonly connected plates of the second pair of capacitors. Due to the operation of the diode bridge, the sum of the resultant charges developed on the first pair of capacitors is proportional to the relationship between the respective capacitors of the second pair, and consequently, an output voltage taken across the first pair of capacitors will be proportional to that relationship.

Harrison, D. R.↗

Capacitive Sensor With Driven Shields And Bridge Circuit

Like other capaciflectors described in prior articles in NASA Tech Briefs, this one includes sensing electrode driven by alternating voltage, giving rise to electric field in vicinity of electrode; object entering electric field detected by its effect on capacitance between sensing electrode and electrical ground. Also includes shielding electrode (in this case, driven shield 1), excited via voltage follower at same voltage as that applied to sensing electrode to concentrate more of electric field outward from sensing electrode, increasing sensitivity and range of sensor. Because shielding electrode driven via voltage follower, it does not present significant electrical load to source of alternating voltage.

Vranish, John M.↗

Off-Line Testing for Bridge Faults in CMOS Domino Logic Circuits

Bridge faults, especially in CMOS circuits, have unique characteristics which make them difficult to detect during testing. This paper presents a technique for detecting bridge faults which have an effect on the output of CMOS Domino logic circuits. The faults are modeled at the transistor level and this technique is based on analyzing the off-set of the function during off-line testing.

Bennett, K.↗

Circuit for providing variable waveform excitation

A circuit for testing an electronic component, such as a transformer, includes at least two power supplies and at least two H bridge circuits. A first H bridge circuit is conductively coupled in parallel to a first power supply. A second H bridge circuit is conductively coupled in parallel to a second power supply. The second H bridge circuit includes one or more anti-series diodes for preventing current from the first power supply from passing through the second H bridge circuit to the second power supply. The first H bridge circuit and the second H bridge circuit are configured to conductively couple to the electronic component for providing a voltage with a predefined waveform to the electronic component.

Beddingfield, Richard B.↗

Sliding Capacitive Displacement Transducer

Simple circuit replaces bridge circuit. Sliding capacitive displacement transducer, capacitance varies linearly with displacement, enables use of simple circuit based on operational amplifier instead of complicated capacitance bridge. With new circuit, transducers as small as 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) square and 0.004 in. (0.1 mm) thick have produced output-voltage changes of about 200 mV per 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) of displacement. Piston-type transducer made quite small for installation in confined spaces.

Bryner, B. D.↗

Asymmetric Switching For A PWM H-Bridge Power Circuit

Only two of four switches interrupt substantial current. An asymmetric timing scheme improves design and operation of pulse-width-modulation (PWM) H-bridge switch-and-transformer circuit. Circuit part of dc-to-dc converter or dc-to-ac inverter; in either case, output current or voltage regulated by adjusting times of opening and closing of semiconductor switches 1 through 4 to adjust durations of current pulses in primary winding of transformer.

Wong, See-Pok↗

Pressure transducer and system for cryogenic environments

A silicon pressure die is bonded to a borosilicate substrate above the pneumatic port. A Wheatstone bridge circuit is formed on the silicon pressure die and has bridge elements of silicon doped with boron to a deposit density level of approximately 1 x 10(exp 19)-10(exp 21) boron/cc. A current source is provided to excite the Wheatstone bridge circuit. In addition, a temperature sensor is provided to provide temperature readings. An array may be formed of the resulting pressure transducers. This unique solution of materials permits operation of a pressure transducer in cryogenic environments.

Chapman, John J.↗

Array Of Sensors Measures Broadband Radiation

Multiple broadband radiation sensors aimed at various portions of total field of view. All sensors mounted in supporting frame, serving as common heat sink and temperature reference. Each sensor includes heater winding and differential-temperature-sensing bridge circuit. Power in heater winding adjusted repeatedly in effort to balance bridge circuit. Intended to be used aboard satellite in orbit around Earth to measure total radiation emitted, at various viewing angles, by mosaic of "footprint" areas (each defined by its viewing angle) on surface of Earth. Modified versions of array useful for angle-resolved measurements of broadband radiation in laboratory and field settings on Earth.

Hoffman, James W.↗

Double-driven shield capacitive type proximity sensor

A capacity type proximity sensor comprised of a capacitance type sensor, a capacitance type reference, and two independent and mutually opposing driven shields respectively adjacent to the sensor and reference and which are coupled in an electrical bridge circuit configuration and driven by a single frequency crystal controlled oscillator is presented. The bridge circuit additionally includes a pair of fixed electrical impedance elements which form adjacent arms of the bridge and which comprise either a pair of precision resistances or capacitors. Detection of bridge unbalance provides an indication of the mutual proximity between an object and the sensor. Drift compensation is also utilized to improve performance and thus increase sensor range and sensitivity.

Vranish, John M.↗

Active Pyroelectric Infrared Detector

A noncontact pyroelectric infrared detector is described. A pyroelectric film that also has piezoelectric properties is held in place so that it is free to vibrate. It is electrically stimulated to vibrate at a resonance frequency. The vibrating film forms part of a balanced bridge circuit. As thermal radiation impinges on the film the pyroelectric effect causes the resonance frequency to change, thereby unbalancing the bridge circuit. A differential amplifier tracks the change in voltage across the bridge. The resulting voltage signal is further processed by a bandpass filter and a precision rectifier. The device allows for DC or static temperature measurements without the use of a mechanical chopping device.

Zuckerwar, Allan J.↗

Simple circuit provides adjustable voltage with linear temperature variation

A bridge circuit giving an adjustable output voltage that varies linearly with temperature is formed with temperature compensating diodes in one leg. A resistor voltage divider adjusts to temperature range across the bridge. The circuit is satisfactory over the temperature range of minus 20 degrees centigrade to plus 80 degrees centigrade.

Moede, L. W.↗

Conductive elastomeric extensometer

An extensometer was used for measuring surface area changes of the human body caused by expansion and contraction of the body. A relatively thin and wide strain responsive conductive elastomeric band was adapted for application to a part of the body, such as around a limb or the trunk of the body. The elastomeric band is incorporated as a resistor in a balanced bridge circuit. Expansion or contraction of the portion of the body on which the elastomeric band is applied causes a change in the resistance of the band and a resultant imbalance of the bridge circuit. The output of the amplifier in volts is suitable for proving the desired reading through a recorder, oscilloscope or voltmeter.

Gause, R. L.↗