Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a heat generating component located within a portable computer system enclosure. In one embodiment a flat heat pipe is attached to the bottom surface of the portable computer keyboard support plate. The flat heat pipe is thermally coupled to one or more heat generating components housed within the computer system enclosure.

Abstract: An independent automatic shedding system that automatically allows any combination of loads to powered under limited power availability (such as a standby power source) without overloading the generator or rewiring, while contributing to the stability of the power grid. A motorized disconnection actuation mechanism under control of a controller disconnects or recloses the contacts of a branch circuit breaker. A sensor detects the presence or absence of a power source and the type of power source, which is classified according to its type. A power source classification program is executed by the controller that interprets the sensor data and causes disconnection or reclosing of the disconnection actuation mechanism depending on a desired status (ON or OFF) of the branch circuit breaker when standby power is available. Conventional circuit protection is provided an optional advanced circuit protection such as ground or arc fault circuit interruption.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate in part to intuitive methods for creation and design of lighting sequences, e.g., for theatrical, entertainment, or advertising purposes, using a software interface. Additionally, the lighting sequences can be coordinated with control of additional devices. Also described herein is a controller capable of executing programs for lighting sequences and modifying the output and/or execution of the program based on external signals. In this way, the final output can be made responsive to external stimuli, or even interactive.

Abstract: A first apparatus includes a semiconductor device and a heatsink thermally coupled to the semiconductor device. The heatsink is located and formed to screen the device from external electromagnetic radiation or to contain radiation produced by the device. A second apparatus includes a semiconductor device, a heatsink thermally coupled to the semiconductor device, and a grounding structure having a capacitive coupling to the heatsink.

Abstract: Of the electronic components used for a video monitor installed in an aircraft, components 14 radiating electromagnetic waves are covered with a case formed by combining first and second metal plates 16,17, and part of the case is connected to a frame ground. By connecting the case to the frame ground, the radiation of electromagnetic waves is suppressed.

Abstract: Functions in various kinds of forms, whether to be rational functions or not, to express a plurality of curved surfaces are unified into a set of functions with respect to parameters u and v by an algebraic method or an analytical method. Based on the set of functions, intersections which are necessary for machining of the curved surfaces are calculated, and paths of a cutting tool to machine the curved surfaces are determined.

Abstract: A system and a method of fabricating a three-dimensional object on a substrate includes adding material layers incrementally and consolidating the layers by using ultrasonic vibrations and pressure. The layers are placed in position to shape the object by a material feeding unit, and they come in various forms, including flat sheets, segments of tape, strands of filament or single dots of material. The material may be plastic or metallic, and composition may vary discontinuously or gradually from one layer to the next, creating a region of functionally gradient material. The invention permits the construction and repair of dense objects, including fiber-reinforced composites and aerospace structures. Excess material may be removed one or more layers are bonded, including following end of the process after the final object is fabricated.

Abstract: An information processing device including a keyboard for inputting characters or the like, a display for displaying the characters or the like input from the keyboard, a printed wiring board on which electronic components for performing process and display control of the characters or the like input from the keyboard are mounted, and a housing for supporting the keyboard, the display, and the printed wiring board. The information processing device further includes a laterally horizontal shaft supported to a rear portion of the housing, a hollow tilt stand pivotably mounted on the shaft to take a retracted position where the tilt stand is horizontally retracted at a bottom portion of the housing and a raised position where the tilt stand is substantially vertically raised to support the housing in its tilted condition, and a fan provided in the tilt stand. The tilt stand has opposed side walls formed with first ventilation holes. The bottom portion of the housing is formed with second ventilation holes.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting and removing a data storage device, such as detachable hard disk or optical disc driver, into and from a computer according to the present invention includes a lever pivotally mounted in the middle front of the data storage device; an engaging portion formed on one end of the lever; and a guiding rail formed on a carrier to be engaged with the engaging portion of the lever. The guiding rail is so designed to transform the movements of the lever into assistant forces of pushing and pulling the data storage device into and from the carrier. Moreover, the engagement of the lever to the guiding rail restricts the moving speed of the data storage device and prevents it from being bumped or damaged.

Abstract: A disk drive system includes a disk drive array enclosure forming receiving cavities for housing respective disk drive modules. Each receiving cavity is defined by top, bottom, and rear surfaces, and an opening. The top and bottom surfaces of each receiving cavity expand away from one another to form receiving slots adjacent the opening of the receiving cavity. The disk drive system further includes a disk drive module having a housing and a disk drive carrier handle connected to the housing. The drive module is insertable into a receiving cavity of the drive array enclosure such that the housing is enclosed by the top, bottom, and rear surfaces of the receiving cavity and the drive carrier handle is positioned at the opening of the receiving cavity. The drive carrier handle has tab purchases located around the periphery of the drive carrier handle.

Abstract: A method for producing a medical device, such as a prosthetic or orthotic structure which makes the procedure more widely available at less cost. The method involves making a model of the body part for which a medical structure is to be manufactured using conformable fabric impregnated with a settable resin. The model may be prepared by a physician or a prosthetist who has no direct access to an expensive digitizing scanner. The model is removed from the patient's body part and shipped to a scanning facility where a digitizing scanner is used to produce a digitized image of the model. The digitized image is shrunk to compensate for the thickness of the model and the digitized data file is preferably sent back to the physician or prosthetist who manipulates the digitized image using a customized software program to produce a modified data file.

Abstract: A clamping system decouples the clamping forces in an electrical circuit assembly coupled to a heatsink. A heatsink clamping assembly applies controllable and predictable force on the electrical circuit assembly including an integrated circuit device (“chip”). The applied force is controlled to effectively ensure intimate contact between the chip and the heatsink to facilitate efficient chip cooling. The force applied to the chip is decoupled from the much higher force required to clamp the electrical interposer interconnect structure between the electrical circuit assembly and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A logic controller formed by self-contained device modules plugged onto a DIN rail and onto a backplane contained in the DIN rail, the modules variously comprising a power supply, a logic control, I/O devices and gateways, each I/O device having microprocessor power, and the modules having a sliding lock movable into position adjacent DIN-rail-engaging flexible tabs to block deflection of the tabs and removal of the module from the DIN rail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature response profile of a part being exposed to heating and/or cooling conditions in a thermal processor incorporates measured data from the part to adjust the thermal processor control settings by closed loop feedback.

Abstract: A method of improving the life expectancy of surface mount components is electronic assemblies wherein a distance between the printed circuit board and the surface mount component is held to a predetermined distance defined as the stand-off height. The relationship between the stand-off height and the life expectancy of the component is directly proportional. A larger stand-off height translates into a longer life expectancy. The stand-off height is limited only by manufacturing constraints, such as process limitations and cost concerns. The stand-off height is set to a predetermined dimension by way of a spacer positioned between the surface mount component and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A battery-power distribution unit comprises two printed circuit assembly bus units that carry eight pairs of ± screw terminal connections and their associated GMT-type fuses. Each A-side and B-side bus unit needs only one pair of heavy cables that feed it power inside a RETMA-rack cabinet. Heavy-duty foil buses etched on the printed circuit boards on both sides are reinforced with tinned copper flat bar to increase the current carrying capacity.

Abstract: A method/system for performing dynamic re-scheduling of priorities of work-in-process in a fabrication plant for manufacturing of a product is provided. It reads a key stage report for the work-in-process and a master production schedule for the work-in-process from stored data. It generates a master production schedule report from the key stage report and the master production schedule following only Due_Date data for the work-in-process, and generates a work-in-process distribution matrix for integrating the master production schedule report with work-in-process quantity data within a deliverable cycle time; allocates selected lots from the work-in-process distribution matrix using a snake pattern method to allocate the selected lots from the matrix, and changes the due date for the selected lots of the work-in-process selected by the snake pattern method. It generates a final re-scheduling table for the work-in-process including the selected lots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting patterned sheet material to provide a predetermined relationship between a pattern characteristic and the part to be cut. An estimated position of a pattern characteristic is projected onto the sheet material and a distance between the estimated position and an actual position of the pattern characteristic is identified. A transforming program calculates a position for other pattern characteristic positions and cutting instructions are then created and executed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for cooling a computer component in a computer system. Some embodiments include single or multiple panels hinged to a chassis of the computer system to carry, locate, and temporarily reposition cooling fans within the computer system. Some disclosed methods provide for cooling of computer components through various combinations of cooling fans that are employed to move air into the system and subsequently move air over components of the system.

Abstract: A clip (10) for securing a heat sink (20) to an electronic device (30) includes a body (12) and a pair of fasteners (16) attached to opposite ends of the body. The body has a pressing portion (122), a pair of first connection portions (126) extending away from opposite ends of the pressing portion, and a fixing portion (134) depending from the pressing portion. The fixing portion includes a pair of stopping tabs (138). The pressing portion and the fixing portion each form a projection (142). The stopping tabs are received in cutouts (28) of the heat sink, to prevent the clip from moving parallel to grooves (26) defined in the heat sink. The projections are received in the grooves, to prevent the clip from moving perpendicular to the grooves. Thus a pair of clips and the heat sink are securely combined to form a single assembly (50).