11 results about "Nonlinear element" patented technology

In an electric circuit, a nonlinear element or nonlinear device is an electrical element which does not have a linear relationship between current and voltage. A diode is a simple example. The current I through a diode is a non-linear function of the voltage V across its terminals: Nonlinear elements are avoided in some electronic circuits, called linear circuits, because they have the potential to distort electrical signals. Other examples of nonlinear elements are transistors and other semiconductor devices, vacuum tubes, and iron core inductors and transformers when operated above their saturation current. Examples of linear elements are resistors, capacitors, and air core inductors. Many circuit elements that operate linearly at low signal levels will show nonlinearity at higher signal levels. An example of this can be seen in many audio systems by turning up the volume. At a high enough volume level, the transistors or other amplifying elements will begin to operate nonlinearly and distort the sound. Conversely, nonlinear elements can be made to operate linearly if the signal in them is limited to a low level.