Abstract: Devices and methods are described herein for directly and accurately measuring sweat flow rates using miniaturized thermal flow rate sensors. The devices (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) include the flow rate sensors (220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420) in or adjacent to a microfluidic component (230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430, 1530) of a wearable sweat sensing device. The devices and methods optimize the sensitivity of the flow rate sensors, while minimizing the presence of noise, in order to accurately and directly measure sweat flow rates.

Abstract: An inductor that includes an electrically conductive construct, wherein the electrically conductive construct includes a first layer having a predetermined geometry, wherein the first layer includes at least one conductive material such as a metal; and a second layer oriented parallel to the first layer, wherein the second layer includes at least one soft ferrite, and wherein the second layer is configured in a co-planar arrangement with the first layer.

Abstract: A circuit includes a connector having first and second mateable portions. Each portion includes at least two terminals configured to mechanically engage at least two terminals of the other portion. The two terminals within the first and second portions are arranged so that as the first and second portions are mated, a first terminal of the first portion and a first terminal of the second portions come into contact before respective second terminals of the first and second portions. The circuit also includes a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device with a first terminal in electrical communication with the first terminal of the first portion and a second terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal of the first portion. A power terminal is in electrical communication with the second terminal of the first portion and is configured to be connected to a power source.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector includes a flex circuit having first and second side surfaces and a thickness extending between the first and second side surfaces. The flex circuit includes a plurality of stacked substrate layers. The FPC connector also includes a conductive pathway extending through the flex circuit and a substrate protrusion coupled to the second side surface and projecting a distance away from the second side surface. The substrate protrusion is formed from at least one dielectric layer. The FPC connector also includes a contact pad that is directly coupled to at least one of the substrate protrusion or the second side surface of the flex circuit. The contact pad is electrically coupled to the conductive pathway.

Abstract: A power circuit for wirelessly communicating power to a receiving device includes one or more switches for coupling respective ends of different coils of a group of coils together to facilitate selectively connecting the coils in a series configuration, parallel configuration, or combination thereof. The circuit includes a controller configured to control a conduction state of each of the one or more switches, and power terminals in electrical communication with the coils through which a power signal flows.

Abstract: Coil assembly including a flux-control body having a magnetic material and a body side. The flux-control body includes a shield wall that defines a coil channel of the flux-control body that opens along the body side to an exterior of the flux-control body. The coil assembly also includes an electrical conductor positioned within the coil channel. The electrical conductor forms a power-transfer coil having co-planar windings that are configured to generate a magnetic flux within a spatial region that is adjacent to the body side. Adjacent windings are separated by the shield wall of the flux-control body. The shield wall controls a distribution of the magnetic flux experienced within the spatial region.

Abstract: A circuit includes a connector having first and second mateable portions. Each portion includes at least two terminals configured to mechanically engage at least two terminals of the other portion. The two terminals within the first and second portions are arranged so that as the first and second portions are mated, a first terminal of the first portion and a first terminal of the second portions come into contact before respective second terminals of the first and second portions. The circuit also includes a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device with a first terminal in electrical communication with the first terminal of the first portion and a second terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal of the first portion. A power terminal is in electrical communication with the second terminal of the first portion and is configured to be connected to a power source.

Abstract: Printed circuit includes a substrate body having a plurality of substrate layers stacked along a Z-axis. Each substrate layer is substantially planar and extends along an XY plane. The X-, Y-, and Z-axes are mutually perpendicular. The printed circuit also includes a Z-field coil that is coupled to the substrate body and has a conductive trace that is parallel to the XY plane. The printed circuit also includes an X-field coil having conductive trace segments that are coupled to the substrate body and parallel to the XY plane. The X-field coil includes conductive paths that extend substantially parallel to the Z-axis. The conductive paths interconnect the trace segments. The Z-field coil and the X-field coil are configured to generate respective vector components of a magnetic field or have a voltage induced therein by a magnetic field.

Abstract: A contactless connector includes an insulative housing having a mating interface configured to be coupled to a connector interface of an electronic device. The housing can be reversibly coupled to the connector interface in a first orientation or in a second orientation oriented 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. A communication circuit board is held within the housing that includes a first connector communication chip and a second connector communication chip configured to define wireless communication channels with corresponding device communication chips of the electronic device in either orientation. A sensor senses the orientation of the housing relative to the connector interface of the electronic device to determine if the housing is in the first orientation or in the second orientation. The mode of operation of the first and second connector communication chips is controlled based on the sensed orientation of the housing.

Abstract: Printed circuit includes a substrate body having a plurality of substrate layers stacked along a Z-axis. Each substrate layer is substantially planar and extends along an XY plane. The X-, Y-, and Z-axes are mutually perpendicular. The printed circuit also includes a Z-field coil that is coupled to the substrate body and has a conductive trace that is parallel to the XY plane. The printed circuit also includes an X-field coil having conductive trace segments that are coupled to the substrate body and parallel to the XY plane. The X-field coil includes conductive paths that extend substantially parallel to the Z-axis. The conductive paths interconnect the trace segments. The Z-field coil and the X-field coil are configured to generate respective vector components of a magnetic field or have a voltage induced therein by a magnetic field.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector includes a flex circuit having first and second side surfaces and a thickness extending between the first and second side surfaces. The flex circuit includes a plurality of stacked substrate layers. The FPC connector also includes a conductive pathway extending through the flex circuit and a substrate protrusion coupled to the second side surface and projecting a distance away from the second side surface. The substrate protrusion is formed from at least one dielectric layer. The FPC connector also includes a contact pad that is directly coupled to at least one of the substrate protrusion or the second side surface of the flex circuit. The contact pad is electrically coupled to the conductive pathway.

Abstract: A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply includes a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle. The smart plug also includes a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the microcontroller outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state. The smart plug further includes a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.

Abstract: A power circuit for wirelessly communicating power to a receiving device includes one or more switches for coupling respective ends of different coils of a group of coils together to facilitate selectively connecting the coils in a series configuration, parallel configuration, or combination thereof. The circuit includes a controller configured to control a conduction state of each of the one or more switches, and power terminals in electrical communication with the coils through which a power signal flows.

Abstract: A contactless connector includes an insulative housing having a mating interface configured to be coupled to a connector interface of an electronic device. The housing can be reversibly coupled to the connector interface in a first orientation or in a second orientation oriented 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. A communication circuit board is held within the housing that includes a first connector communication chip and a second connector communication chip configured to define wireless communication channels with corresponding device communication chips of the electronic device in either orientation. A sensor senses the orientation of the housing relative to the connector interface of the electronic device to determine if the housing is in the first orientation or in the second orientation. The mode of operation of the first and second connector communication chips is controlled based on the sensed orientation of the housing.

Abstract: A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply includes a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle. The smart plug also includes a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the microcontroller outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state. The smart plug further includes a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.

Abstract: An electric vehicle support equipment (EVSE) system that includes a nozzle (122) configured to couple to an electric vehicle, the nozzle including a first microcontroller (MCU). The EVSE also includes a charging circuit interrupt device (CCID) configured to couple to a power source, the CCID including a second MCU and a cable that is coupled between the CCID and the nozzle. The CCID is configured to receive a pilot signal from the electric vehicle, the pilot signal conveying pilot information, and overlay additional information onto the pilot signal.

Abstract: A dust cover is provided for selectively blocking a pour spout nozzle to prevent the entry of insects, dust, or other substances into a container such as a bottle on which the pour spout is mounted. The dust cover can be molded as a single piece composed of any selected fibrous material or non-fibrous material, whether fully or partially biodegradable or not biodegradable.