Appliance Design - February 2009 - (Page 18)

ADVERTORIAL SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT CONTROLS & SENSORS VARFLEX CORPORATION 512 West Court St. • Rome, N.Y. 13440 www.varflex.com • (315) 336-4400 Fig. 4. FVS sensor comparison. S ince 1924, Varflex has been the pioneer in the design and manufacturing of braided insulation products. New methods and using improved materials have enabled Varflex to supply superior electrical insulating sleeving products to our many customers located around the world. Varflex manufactures a complete line of coated and uncoated electrical insulating fiberglass sleevings. We also braid nylon, polyester, Nomex®, Dacron®, Kevlar®, polypropylene and other yarns. Our products are available in a wide range of sizes, colors, types and grades on spools, coils, and in lengths and cut pieces. Applicable Varflex sleevings are suitable for high and low temperature applications; high and low voltage applications; and for abrasive and other physically demanding applications and environments. The voltage and temperature ratings of Varflex sleevings are recognized by NEMA, UL (Underwriters Laboratories), certified by CSA (CSA International) and meet military specifications. Their sleevings are RoHS and REACH certified. For custom applications, Varflex can supply special coatings and treatments, extra heavy, double and triple wall constructions, as well as special braiding and overbraiding. They are the only full-line electrical insulating sleeving manufacturer that does all its own braiding in house. This enables them to maintain a higher level of quality control, provide shorter lead times and assures their customers of a more reliable source of supply. Varflex will help you find a solution…..please contact sales@varflex.com.  cations and markets. Engineers are focusing on three areas that could help facilitate an expanded product offering: a more standardized design, significantly reduced temperature sensitivity, and the capability to sense a broader range of vapors in addition to gasoline. Fig. 3 shows one product design approach being explored for the next-generation flammable vapor sensor (NG FVS). The next-generation design uses printed circuit board technology that allows the use of industry standard connectors. The new sensor also provides a temperature-compensated output that does not require further conditioning by the OEM’s system controller, making it easier to integrate into new applications. The chart in Fig. 4 compares the sensor output for the 25VS against the temperature compensated NG FVS. Note that the 25VS output increases with temperature, while the NG FVS shows minimal change in signal output. In addition, engineers are testing the capability of the vapor sensor technology to sense a broader range of vapors beyond gasoline, such as other hydrocarbons, flammable refrigerants, and toxic gases. Initial results are very promising and research and development work continues. Built-in flexibility The new sensor, like the 25VS, is a passive device that continually senses for vapors. Its platform design features temperature compensation, which may enable applications outside the power-vent water heater market. The sensor’s common substrate allows for application of a variety of polymer systems for expanded vapor-sensing capabilities and application-specific packaging. Lastly, its compatible signal can be readily adapted as an input by any electronic control device using standard technology. With the more flexible temperature-compensated platform design, the new sensor technology, along with continued research in this area, will lead to the development of a wide variety of unique vapor sensor products for a broad range of applications. In addition, Therm-O-Disc has vapor-sensor characterization capabilities over a wide range of temperature and environmental conditions. Testing capabilities also include chemical exposure, RGT, HALT, vibration and drop-testing that OEMs may use to support their application-specific design and testing. < For more information, email: eric.boggs@emerson.com 18 applianceDESIGN February 2009 www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.varflex.com http://www.varflex.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - February 2009 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Force-Sensing Technology Offers Designers an Alternative Approach to Creating Touch-Control Interfaces A Flammable Vapor Sensing Technology that was Originally Developed for use in Water Heaters has Evolved for use in a Broader Array of Applications Latches, Hinges, and Slides Must Reliably Secure Parts Together, Sometimes for Hundreds of Thousands of Cycles. Beyond their Utilitarian Functions, They Can Also Change Consumer Perceptions Elastomeric Electrical Connectors Can Solve Space Constraint Problems in Electronic Products and Provide Some Cost Advantages as Well A Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor with a Novel Electrode Design Can Suppress Electromagnetic Interference, Improve Circuit Performance, and Reduce the Number of Needed Components Design Marts Association Report: AHRI Advertisers’ Index

Appliance Design - February 2009

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