Abstract: A door-chime apparatus comprises a door-chime chassis that will permit the apparatus to be installed in a building (such as residence). This door-chime chassis supports other elements including a door-chime user-input interface and a wireless interface, both of which operably couple to a control circuit. The control circuit, in turn, audibilizes a door chime within the building when a user asserts a user input (such as a typical door-bell button) that couples to the door-chime user-input interface. In addition, this control circuit, upon reception of a recognized non-door-chime message via the wireless interface, will cause the audibilization of a message other than a door chime within the building. These teachings will accommodate sourcing the aforementioned non-door-chime message from any of a variety of apparatuses. Examples in these regards include residential utilities, residential appliances, and residential sensors. By one approach the audibilized message can comprise audibilized words.

Abstract: Processes of fabricating an actuator comprises bonding an unpolled element to a substrate and thereafter poling the bonded element for providing the element with an electro-active response property. In differing modes of the process, the unpolled element can comprise one or more of (for example) a piezoelectric material (e.g., lead zirconate titanate); a piezorestrictive material; and/or a ferroelectric material. Actuators fabricated by the processes are also described.

Abstract: A pump comprises a body for at least partially defining a pumping chamber (28); a pump member which undergoes displacement when acting upon a fluid in the pumping chamber; and a piezoelectric element which responds to the displacement of the pump member to generate an electric current. The electric current generated by the piezoelectric element is preferably applied to a charge storage device which is coupled to the piezoelectric element. The storage device can take various forms, including but not limited to a battery (50, 150, 250), a capacitor (52, 152, 252), and a power supply for the pump (54). In one example embodiment, the pump member is a diaphragm (26) which undergoes the displacement when acting upon a fluid in the pumping chamber. In this example embodiment, the piezoelectric element responds to the displacement of the diaphragm to generate the electric current.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generator (20, 120) comprises plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122); an actuator (24) positioned to impart an excitation to the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) in a predefined sequence; and, an electrical conduction system (30) connected to the plural piezoelectric devices for conducting an electrical charge created by the excitation. Preferably the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) are arranged in a predetermined relationship relative to the actuator (24) whereby only one of the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) is actuated at a time. For example, the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) can be arranged in an angular pattern (such as a circular pattern) relative to the actuator (24). Preferably, a rotational speed of the actuator (24) permits an excitation response for a given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) to essentially fully decay before the given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) is again excited.

Abstract: This invention is a printed circuit card latching and stiffening assembly with an elongated stiffener member located on the top edge of the printed circuit card. A latch is pivotally attached to the stiffener member. At least one compliant clip is mounted on the stiffener member so that the clip may be slid to engage the pivotal latch in a locked position. The latch also includes a slot for engaging an electronic enclosure structure, such as a card cage. The slot enables the card to be cammed into the base of the card cage when the pivotal latch engages the sliding compliant clip. The latching and stiffening assembly further includes at least one pivotal member which may pivot from the stiffener member to engage a side of the printed circuit card further stiffening the card.

Abstract: An electronic cage for housing electronic components (circuit boards and power supplies) therein, wherein the cage includes a box-like component receiving area defined by a plurality of upstanding side walls and a floor member. Part of the floor member projects from the box-like receiving area to thus expose various electronic devices (e.g., modules, connectors) located on a common, large board which may be positioned within the cage. Significantly, the cage is of one-piece construction, preferably of injection molded structural foam.

Abstract: A rolled steel oil control piston ring for internal combustion engines is of generally U-shaped cross section with a pair of opposed rigid sidewalls projecting inwardly of the ring from a central peripheral wall thereof. A pair of flat-faced solid scraper rims formed by closed pleats rolled from the peripheral wall extend outwardly of the ring. The ring is made by rolling flat strip steel stock through a series of profiled rollers. Pleats are formed in the central portion by the profiled rollers and the pleats are closed on themselves to provide the solid scraper rims. The finished strip is then punched to provide the vent openings in the peripheral wall, and coiled and cut to form individual piston rings.

Abstract: A rolled steel oil control piston ring for internal combustion engines is of generally U-shaped cross section with a pair of opposed rigid sidewalls projecting inwardly of the ring from a central peripheral wall thereof. A pair of flat-faced solid scraper rims formed by closed pleats rolled from the peripheral wall extend outwardly of the ring. The ring is made by rolling flat strip steel stock through a series of profiled rollers by guiding the edges of the stock without deforming the same, while taking up dimensional variations of the stock by displacement of the central portion of the strip. Pleats are formed in the central portion by the profiled rollers and the pleats are closed on themselves to provide the solid scraper rims. An extrusion-like profile-reducing rolling step provides dimensional accuracy to the finished strip which is then punched to provide the vent openings in the peripheral wall, and coiled and cut to form individual piston rings.