Abstract: A coldplate for use with an inverter in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). The inverter includes a direct current (DC) link capacitor comprising multiple film capacitors configured in a stack. The coldplate includes a first portion configured for attachment to at least one electronic component, the first portion having a perimeter and for dissipating heat generated by the electronic component. The coldplate includes a second portion oriented along the perimeter of the first portion and forming a conduit, the conduit having a chamber extending from the perimeter of the first portion and between two of the plurality of film capacitors of the DC link capacitor. The conduit has an inlet and an outlet to facilitate circulation of a coolant through the chamber of the conduit for dissipating heat generated by the DC link capacitor.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle power module comprises a first printed circuit board (PCB) including a first plurality of electrical components for providing a first voltage and a second voltage. The vehicle power module further comprises a second PCB including a second plurality of electrical components, the second PCB being spaced away from the first printed circuit board and a first connector assembly being coupled to the first PCB and to the second PCB for providing the first voltage to the second PCB. The vehicle power module further comprises a second connector assembly being coupled to the first PCB and to the second PCB for providing the second voltage to the second PCB. The first connector assembly provides the first voltage of up to 14V and the second connector assembly provides the second voltage of 200V or greater.

Abstract: A heat conductor for use with an inverter in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle, the inverter including a direct current link capacitor having multiple film capacitors configured in a stack to form a substantially polygonal prism. Each film capacitor has orthotropic characteristics. The heat conductor has a first substantially planar member configured to contact a first side of the polygonal prism formed by one of the film capacitors, and a second substantially planar member configured to contact a second side of the polygonal prism opposite the first side of the rectangular prism, the second side of the rectangular prism formed by another one of the film capacitors. The first and second planar member are thermally conductive for dissipating heat generated by the film capacitors, are attached by an interconnect, and have sufficient rigidity to confine expansion of the film capacitors across the thicknesses thereof.

Abstract: A housing assembly to enclose an electrical subassembly includes a housing formed from a conductive polymer. The housing has a cavity sized to receive an electronic sub-assembly therein. A conductive boss is insert-molded into the housing in conductive contact with the housing. A conductive bracket is fastened to the boss in conductive connection with the boss and the housing to support and electrically ground the housing.

Abstract: A charger assembly is provided with a housing having a cavity with an opening. A cover is fastened to the housing for covering the opening. A heat transfer duct is mounted to the cover with an inlet end and an outlet end each extending through the cover. A plurality of heat sinks is mounted to the cover in contact with the heat transfer duct. A plurality of circuit board assemblies are each mounted to the cover in contact with the plurality of heat sinks.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shield assembly is provided with a first housing formed of a first conductive polymer. The first housing has a cavity sized to receive an electronic sub-assembly therein. A second housing is formed of a second conductive polymer. The second housing has a cavity sized to receive the first housing therein.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle power module comprises a first printed circuit board (PCB) including a first plurality of electrical components for providing a first voltage and a second voltage. The vehicle power module further comprises a second PCB including a second plurality of electrical components, the second PCB being spaced away from the first printed circuit board and a first connector assembly being coupled to the first PCB and to the second PCB for providing the first voltage to the second PCB. The vehicle power module further comprises a second connector assembly being coupled to the first PCB and to the second PCB for providing the second voltage to the second PCB. The first connector assembly provides the first voltage of up to 14V and the second connector assembly provides the second voltage of 200V or greater.

Abstract: A cooling system is operable to facilitate cooling a power module or other electronic assembly. The cooling system may be configured to facilitate cooling a DC/AC inverter or other electronic assembly where two power modules may be arranged in an opposing relationship relative to a coolant passageway. The opposing relationship may be suitable to minimizing a packaging size and footprint required to facilitate interacting both power modules with the coolant flow.

Abstract: A housing or other enclosure used to facilitate fluid cooling of a circuitry of a battery charger, such as but not limited to a battery charger of the type used to facilitate charging a high voltage vehicle battery with AC energy provided from a utility power grid. The housing may include a groove and seal arrangement operable to seal a fluid coolant chamber used to cool the circuitry from leaking fluid during use.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle power module comprises a first printed circuit board (PCB) including a first plurality of electrical components for providing a first voltage and a second voltage. The vehicle power module further comprises a second PCB including a second plurality of electrical components, the second PCB being spaced away from the first printed circuit board and a first connector assembly being coupled to the first PCB and to the second PCB for providing the first voltage to the second PCB. The vehicle power module further comprises a second connector assembly being coupled to the first PCB and to the second PCB for providing the second voltage to the second PCB. The first connector assembly provides the first voltage of up to 14V and the second connector assembly provides the second voltage of 200V or greater.

Abstract: An automotive power converter may include a cold plate, a printed circuit board spaced away from the cold plate and including at least one heat generating electrical component attached thereto, and another printed circuit board disposed between the cold plate and the printed circuit board spaced away from the cold plate. The converter may further include at least one thermally conductive element configured to provide a thermally conductive path from the at least one heat generating electrical component to the cold plate. The at least one thermally conductive element may pass through the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A unique lawn mower that relies on operator's power to cut the grass, without polluting the environment or causing health hazards. It comprises of a plurality of shear blades held together by fasteners and springs. The grass cutting is accomplished by shearing entrapped grass between the shear blade notches. The rotational motion of the drive wheel is converted into back-and-forth translational motion by a unique design. The back and forth motion is used to slide one shear blade over the other. The height of grass to be cut can be changed by an adjustment handle, which resides on support links. The support links carry a rear wheel that provides stability to the mower and provide bearing surface for the drive tube generating the translational motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inhibiting EMI leakage is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, an enclosure for surrounding an EMI producing device has protrusions extending from an edge of the enclosure. The protrusions are insertable into a printed circuit board to make contact with a grounding layer in the printed circuit board. In another embodiment, the enclosure is mateable with an EMI containment box, such as a Faraday cage, to fully enclose an EMI producing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inhibiting EMI leakage is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, an enclosure for surrounding an EMI producing device has protrusions extending from an edge of the enclosure. The protrusions are insertable into a printed circuit board to make contact with a grounding layer in the printed circuit board. In another embodiment, the enclosure is mateable with an EMI containment box, such as a Faraday cage, to fully enclose an EMI producing device.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for assembling an integrated circuit package. In the method, a substrate is presented. Next, an integrated circuit may be mounted to the substrate. A retaining structure is presented that is shaped as a mesh that is at least one of a hexagonal mesh, a triangular mesh, and an irregular shaped mesh. The retaining structure is then impregnated with a thermal grease to form a heat pipe. The heat pipe is trimmed to the perimeter of the top surface so that the heat pipe does not extend into the at least one corner of the top surface. The heat pipe is placed on the top surface of the integrated circuit. A thermal element is then placed on the impregnated retaining structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an integrated circuit package having a substrate, an integrated circuit mounted to the substrate, a thermal element, and a heat pipe disposed between the integrated circuit and the thermal element. The heat pipe includes a retaining structure impregnated with a thermal grease. The heat pipe is a result of a process that includes the step of impregnating the retaining structure with a thermal grease prior to disposing the heat pipe between the integrated circuit and the thermal element.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a substrate, a thermally conductive member which is spaced from the substrate, and a semiconductor chip located on a side of the substrate facing the thermally conductive member. A resilient component is compressed between the substrate and the thermally conductive member so that a force clamping the substrate and the thermally conductive member together is shared by at least the semiconductor chip and the component.

Abstract: An electric transfer switch includes a linear actuator operable to switch a plurality of movable contacts from a normal power supply to a standby emergency power supply, when the normal power supply has a power outage, so as to continuously serve electricity to electric loads. A plurality of leaf springs and an offset linkage angle help prevent any incidental disconnection between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts. The transfer switch also includes a magnetic strip. The magnetic strip is magnetized when there is a "fault" current passing by the contact tips of the moveable and stationary contacts. The attractive force between the magnetic strip and the moveable contacts due to the magnetization overcomes the repulsive force caused by the "fault" current so as to make the contact between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts unopenable.

Abstract: An electric transfer switch includes a three-position toggle mechanism and a crossbar which is mounted on the toggle mechanism. The crossbar carries a plurality of moveable contacts and is rotated by the toggle mechanism. The moveable contacts normally contact one set of the stationary contacts in one closed position which are connected to a normal main power supply. The moveable contacts are rotated to a neutral non-power line in an open position, and are further rotated to another closed position, which are connected to a standby emergency power supply to supply electricity to the transferred electrical loads. The toggle mechanism includes a multi-bar linkage which is rotated by a handle of the toggle mechanism among the open position and two closed positions. A plurality of springs and catches are used to maintain the contact between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts, even when a "fault" current passes through the contact tips of the moveable and stationary contacts.

Abstract: An electric switch includes a plurality of moveable contacts and a plurality of stationary contacts which firmly contact with the moveable contacts in a normal closed position by a spring, such as a leaf spring or a compression spring. The electric switch further includes a locking member which is disposed between two adjacent moveable contacts. When a "fault" current passes through the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts, a repulsive force is caused at the contact tips such that it tends to open the contact between the moveable and stationary contacts. The "fault" current also causes adjacent moveable contacts to attract to each other thus has tendency to open the contact. The locking member which is disposed between the neighboring moveable contacts engages with the moveable contacts so as to maintain the contact between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts. The locking member has two oblique surfaces, one on each side, to face to the moveable contacts.