Abstract: A back-gate carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNFETs) provides: (1) reduced parasitic capacitance, which decreases the energy-delay product (EDP) thus improving the energy efficiency of digital systems (e.g., very-large-scale integrated circuits) and (2) scaling of transistors to smaller technology nodes (e.g., sub-3 nm nodes). An exemplary back-gate CNFET includes a channel. A source and a drain are disposed on a first side of the channel. A gate is disposed on a second side of the channel opposite to the first side. In this manner, the contacted gate pitch (CGP) of the back-gate CNFET may be scaled down without scaling the physical gate length (LG) or contact length (LC). The gate may also overlap with the source and/or the drain in this architecture. In one example, an exemplary CNFET was demonstrated to have a CGP less than 30 nm and 1.6× improvement to EDP compared to top-gate CNFETs.

Abstract: An air-dirt separator adapted to reduce entrained and dissolved air and separate debris from fluid moving through the air-dirt separator is described in the present disclosure. The air-dirt separator includes a degasser unit adapted to reduce pressure in a cavity within the air-dirt separator to enable improved dissolved air reduction.

Abstract: A back-gate carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNFETs) provides: (1) reduced parasitic capacitance, which decreases the energy-delay product (EDP) thus improving the energy efficiency of digital systems (e.g., very-large-scale integrated circuits) and (2) scaling of transistors to smaller technology nodes (e.g., sub-3 nm nodes). An exemplary back-gate CNFET includes a channel. A source and a drain are disposed on a first side of the channel. A gate is disposed on a second side of the channel opposite to the first side. In this manner, the contacted gate pitch (CGP) of the back-gate CNFET may be scaled down without scaling the physical gate length (LG) or contact length (LC). The gate may also overlap with the source and/or the drain in this architecture. In one example, an exemplary CNFET was demonstrated to have a CGP less than 30 nm and 1.6× improvement to EDP compared to top-gate CNFETs.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for detecting movement of a seatbelt sensor. In some approaches, a detector includes a sensor housing coupled to a plate of a vehicle restraint system, and a sensor disposed within the sensor housing, wherein the sensor is operable to sense a position of a magnet in proximity to the sensor. The detector further includes a magnetic field accumulator (e.g., a pole-piece) coupled to the sensor, wherein the magnet and the magnetic field accumulator move relative to one another, and wherein the sensor receives an indication of a magnetic field accumulated by the magnetic field accumulator as the magnet and the magnetic field accumulator move relative to one another. A change in the magnetic field distribution correlates to a change in position of the plate, to which the magnet is coupled.

Abstract: A thick film polymer membrane switch can be positioned within a seat belt buckle. The switch can detect if the seat belt buckle is fastened or unfastened. In one approach, an apparatus includes a housing having a cavity, an insertion member moveable within the cavity, a connector positioned within the cavity, and a switch positioned within the cavity, wherein movement of the insertion member causes the connector to connect or disconnect from the switch. In some approaches, the switch includes a first conductive element formed adjacent a first layer of flexible film, and a second conductive element formed adjacent a second layer of flexible film, wherein the first and second layers of flexible film are separated by a gap.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for detecting movement of a seatbelt sensor. In some approaches, a detector includes a sensor housing coupled to a plate of a vehicle restraint system, and a sensor disposed within the sensor housing, wherein the sensor is operable to sense a position of a magnet in proximity to the sensor. The detector further includes a magnetic field accumulator (e.g., a pole-piece) coupled to the sensor, wherein the magnet and the magnetic field accumulator move relative to one another, and wherein the sensor receives an indication of a magnetic field accumulated by the magnetic field accumulator as the magnet and the magnetic field accumulator move relative to one another. A change in the magnetic field distribution correlates to a change in position of the plate, to which the magnet is coupled.

Abstract: A plate type tension sensor having apertures, a spring structure, and a gap are provided. The spring structure allows the apertures to move relative to each other as tension is applied to a seat belt to which the plate is attached. The movement changes the width of the gap. The tension applied to a vehicle restraint system may be determined based on the gap width.

Abstract: A thick film polymer membrane switch can be positioned within a seat belt buckle. The switch can detect if the seat belt buckle is fastened or unfastened. In one approach, an apparatus includes a housing having a cavity, an insertion member moveable within the cavity, a connector positioned within the cavity, and a switch positioned within the cavity, wherein movement of the insertion member causes the connector to connect or disconnect from the switch. In some approaches, the switch includes a first conductive element formed adjacent a first layer of flexible film, and a second conductive element formed adjacent a second layer of flexible film, wherein the first and second layers of flexible film are separated by a gap.

Abstract: A plate type tension sensor having apertures, a spring structure, and a gap are provided. The spring structure allows the apertures to move relative to each other as tension is applied to a seat belt to which the plate is attached. The movement changes the width of the gap. The tension applied to a vehicle restraint system may be determined based on the gap width.

Abstract: A high rate lithium cell carbon-fiber cased starting, lighting, and ignition battery comprises a carbon-fiber bottom member, four carbon-fiber wall members, each wall member connected to the bottom member at substantially a right angle creating a five-sided box, a lid member configured to interconnect with the four carbon-fiber wall members, an adhesive high temperature laminate on an underside of the lid member for protecting the lid member from high temperatures, a lithium cell pack, the cell pack comprising, a plurality of high rate lithium cells, an adhesively mounted electrical insulator, and a plurality of alloy connecting strips, wherein the alloy connecting strips join the plurality of high rate lithium cells in both parallel and series, and a cradle, wherein the high rate lithium cells, electrical insulator, and connecting strips are mounted within the cradle, wherein the cradle is contained within the four carbon-fiber wall members, and a positive terminal post and a negative terminal post each conn

Abstract: A battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells being positioned adjacent to one another in a series of rows including a first outer row and a second outer row, a first endcap strip connected to the first row, a second endcap strip connected to the second row, and a plurality of cross-member strips connected to adjacent rows, wherein the first endcap, second endcap, and plurality of cross-member strips join the plurality of battery cells in both parallel and series.

Abstract: A direct-connect high-rate dual-mounting battery connector comprising a brass dual-mounting terminal block which includes a flange, a mount, and two terminal post openings, the flange configured to sit within a recess of a lid, the mount extending from the underside of the terminal block and configured to interconnect with and pass through an opening in the lid, the two terminal post openings configured on perpendicular surfaces of the terminal block; an electrical connector, an electrically conductive fastener, and a brass terminal post.

Abstract: A secondary cache memory system is disclosed for use in a portable computer that increases system performance while also conserving battery life. The secondary cache includes a cache controller for controlling the transfer to and from a cache memory, comprised of fast SRAM circuits. The cache controller includes a control and status register with at least three status bits to control power to the cache, and to insure that the data stored in the cache memory is coherent with system memory. A control and power management logic checks the contents of the control and status register, and monitors the activity level of the processor. When the processor is determined to be inactive, the control and power management logic turns off the cache by changing the state of a bit in the control and status register.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transfer of packet-type information from the memory (24B) of one node (14) in a computer network to the memory (24C) of another node (16) in the network. The invention is of particular utility in transfers over serial buses (e.g., 18). Packets are sent from a named memory buffer (25A) at a first node (14) to a named memory buffer (25C) at a second node (16), allowing random access by the first node to the memory of the second node without either node having to have knowledge of the memory structure of the other, the source and destination buffer names are contained right in the transmitted packet.The first node (14) can both write to and read from the second node (16). An opcode (40A) sent in each packet signifies whether a read or write operation is to be performed.