Abstract: A system for synchronizing central processing units (CPU) includes a schedule module that communicates a synchronization point, a first CPU that writes a first memory address to a first register in response to the first CPU reaching the synchronization point, and a second CPU that writes a second memory address to a second register in response to the second CPU reaching the synchronization point. The system further includes a first logical AND module that writes a first value to a third register based on the first and second memory addresses and a second logical AND module that writes a second value to a fourth register based on the first and second memory addresses. The system also includes a scheduler module that selectively generates a processor sync signal based on the first and second value.

Abstract: A system includes a safety relevant component that generates a data packet in response to receiving a request to perform a task and that communicates the data packet. The system further includes a first fail-safe chassis (FSC) that continuously generates a first chassis health signal, that determines whether the data packet is valid, and that selectively determines whether to de-assert the first chassis health signal based on the determination. The system also includes a second FSC that continuously generates a second chassis health signal, that determines whether a copy of the data packet is valid, and that selectively determines whether to de-assert the second chassis health signal based on the determination. The system further includes a safety relay box module that determines whether to instruct the first FSC to operate in a predetermined mode based on the first chassis health signal and the second chassis health signal.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant failsafe computer voting system includes a switch module that generates a first copy of a first data packet and a second copy of the first data packet and that communicates the first copy and the second copy. The system also includes a first voting module that generates a first packet signature based on the first copy and communicates the first packet signature. The system further includes a second voting module that generates a second packet signature based on the second copy and communicates the second packet signature.

Abstract: A dual redundant computer safety relay box system includes first and second fail-safe computing systems (FSCs) individually mounted to first and second printed circuit boards. Each FSC includes two computing modules (CPUs) designated as a first CPU and a second CPU. The first and second FSC's are both connected to a safety relay box. The printed circuit boards are isolable from each other permitting maintenance on one of the printed circuit boards while operation of the FSC of the other printed circuit board is maintained. In each FSC a health signal generated from the first and second printed circuit boards of the first and second CPUs defines a multi-level dynamic pulse signal. Presence of the dynamic pulse signal produces an output identified as each of a first and a second healthy indication signal from each of the CPUs of one of the first or second FSCs.

Abstract: A module health system includes a module health circuit comprising a hardware register that is set to a first value in response to the system starting, an application register that is set to the first value in response to the system starting and a watchdog timer register that is set to the first value in response to the system starting. The system further includes a power on self-test that determines whether the system has passed a plurality of tests and that selectively sets the hardware register to a second value based on the determination, an external software application that determines whether a safety critical system is healthy and selectively sets the application register based on the determination, a watchdog timer application that selectively sets the watchdog timer register, a central processing unit that determines whether to de-assert a module health signal.

Abstract: A system includes a first application that writes a first plurality of tasks to a first memory buffer; a second memory buffer that receives a copy of the first plurality of tasks; a second application that writes a second plurality of tasks to a third memory buffer; and a fourth memory buffer that receives a copy of the second plurality of tasks. The system further includes a first comparison module that generates a first voting signal based on a first comparison between a first task and a second task. The system further includes a second comparison module that generates a second voting signal based on a second comparison between the first task and the second task. The system further includes a first central processing unit (CPU) that selectively determines whether to de-assert a module health signal based on the first voting signal and the second voting signal.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant failsafe computer system including an inter-processor communication channel includes a transmission control module that encodes a first data packet and communicates a first encoded copy of the first data packet and a second encoded copy of the first data packet. The system also includes a receiver control module that i) receives a first encoded copy of a second data packet and a second encoded copy of the second data packet and ii) decodes the first encoded copy and the second encoded copy. The system further includes a de-duplication module that receives a plurality of data packets and communicates at least one unique data packet of the plurality of data packets.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly for installation in a cabinet includes a first standards based size first mounting frame portion having a PCB mounted thereto. A second mounting frame portion is connected to the first mounting frame portion having no portion of the PCB connected thereto. A combination size of the first and second mounting frames defines a larger second standards based size. Multiple heat transfer components may be connected to the first or second mounting frame portion provide a conduction/convection cooling path. The first mounting frame portion may include a first false board edge and the second mounting frame portion includes one or more false board edge(s) positioned laterally and oppositely directed to the first false board edge. The first and second false board edges are slidably received in opposed slots created in a cabinet.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical power connection across components mounted to a backplane of an electrical chassis includes a backplane having multiple apertures and front and rear faces. A daughter board faces the front face of the backplane. The daughter board has multiple traces with individual conductive pads. A power connector connected to the rear face of the backplane has multiple conductive members. Multiple fasteners each extend through both the daughter board and into the backplane to electrically couple each of the conductive pads of the daughter board to one of the conductive members of the power connector.

Abstract: An ejector lever locking mechanism rotatably connected to a heat frame and releasably engaged to a module body includes a lever body rotatably connected to the heat frame. The lever body includes a recessed wall created in a lever body elongated slot. The elongated slot extends only partially through a body thickness of the lever body. The recessed wall is positioned proximate to a lever body aperture defining a through aperture extending through the lever body including the elongated slot. A lock pin has a first portion fixed to a module body and a second portion extending through the lever body aperture. The second portion has an engagement member overlapping the recessed wall defining a lever body engaged position acting to releasably connect the heat frame and circuit board assembly to an electronics cabinet.

Abstract: An electrical equipment cabinet cooling device includes an electrical equipment cabinet having a cabinet outer frame defining an inner perimeter wall. A planar outer cabinet wall is positioned within the inner perimeter wall. A two-phase thermal device includes spaced and opposed first and second transfer walls. An outer perimeter wall connects the first and second transfer walls and defines an interior sealed cavity between the first and second transfer walls. The outer perimeter wall is sized for slidable receipt within the inner perimeter wall. A liquid/vapor retained in the interior sealed cavity acts as a heat transfer medium between the first and second transfer walls. A convective cooling block has a planar end face in direct contact with the second transfer wall. Heat transfers to atmosphere in a path including the outer cabinet wall, the first transfer wall, the liquid/vapor, the second transfer wall, and the cooling block.

Abstract: A cooling system having integrated cold plate extending member and cold plate for an electronics enclosure includes a chassis having multiple heat producing boards positioned in side-by-side parallel configuration having successive ones of the boards separated by a cavity thereby defining multiple ones of the cavities. A cold plate assembly includes a base unit of a thermally conductive material. The cold plate assembly also includes multiple cold plate extending members connected to the base unit. Successive ones of the cold plate extending members are spaced to be slideably received in one of the cavities such that the cold plate extending member received between any two successive boards is in direct contact with both of the successive ones of the boards.

Abstract: A configurable electronics cabinet cooling system includes a cabinet having multiple walls including at least one universal cabinet wall. The universal cabinet wall has a planar outward facing surface and multiple apertures. A heat transfer component is releasably connected to the universal cabinet wall. The heat transfer component is selected from either a conductive cooling member or a convective cooling member each adapted to be interchangeably and releasably connected to the universal cabinet wall using fasteners extending through same ones of the apertures. Each of the conductive cooling member and the convective cooling member includes a planar surface, the planar surface adapted to directly contact the outward facing surface of the universal cabinet wall.

Abstract: A firmware upgrade computer system includes a bank select switch that generates a bank select signal. The system further includes a bank module that includes a first firmware code and a second bank module that includes a second firmware code. The system also includes a control module that determines whether the first bank module and the second bank module is a selected bank based on the bank select signal. The control module determines whether the first bank module and the second bank module is a nonselected bank based on the bank select signal. The control module selectively instructs the selected bank to communicate one of the first firmware code and the second firmware code to the nonselected bank. The system also includes a storage module that stores a selected bank value indicative of the selected bank.

Abstract: A system includes a first node that generates a first clock signal having a frequency, generates a plurality of data packets, modifies the data packets to include data indicative of time and phase information associated with the first node, and transmits the data packets. A second node receives the plurality of data packets and the first clock signal, determines the time and phase information based on the plurality of data packets, determines the frequency based on the first clock signal, and generates at least one of a second clock signal and a local time based on the time and phase information and the frequency of the first clock signal.

Abstract: A USB receptacle assembly includes a USB receptacle. The receptacle has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The USB receptacle also includes a USB interface located at the first end. A riser is coupled to the second end of the USB receptacle and is generally perpendicular to a long axis of the USB receptacle. A board connector is coupled to the riser in electrical communication with the USB receptacle.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly including a heating device operated during cold boot startup includes a circuit board having a computer component. A thermal transfer device connected to the circuit board assembly acts when the computer component is operating to remove heat generated by the computer component. A heating device operates to heat the thermal transfer device. A field programmable gate array acts to energize the heating device when a temperature defining a cold startup condition at the computer component or the thermal transfer device is sensed. The thermal transfer device when heated by the heating device heats the computer component to greater than the temperature of the cold startup condition. A control device connected to the heating device provides an operational mode of the heating device.

Abstract: A gap filler member apparatus for blocking air flow through a gap existing between an edge of a first electronics board and a surface of a second electronics board that is disposed generally perpendicular to the first electronics board, where the first and second electronics boards are coupled by at least one pair of connectors and disposed within an electronics equipment enclosure, to block air flow through the gap. The apparatus has at least one rib extending therefrom, with the base portion being secureable to the surface of the second electronics board. A rib extends away from the base portion and has a height approximately equal to a height of the gap, and a length at least as long as a length of the gap so that the rib at least substantially blocks air flow through the gap.

Abstract: A system comprises an input and a hardware description language (HDL) module. The input receives design specifications for a custom circuit board. The design specifications are selected from predetermined design options for custom circuit boards. The hardware description language (HDL) module generates HDL corresponding to the design specifications and outputs the HDL to a circuit board producer.

Abstract: A cooling system that has a fan having a plurality of fan blades disposed in a housing, with the fan having an input side and an exhaust side. A flow divider component may be disposed parallel to an axial center of the fan and positioned adjacent to the housing of the fan, and adjacent to one of the input side or the exhaust side. The flow divider may further project away from the fan blades for channeling an air flow created by the fan blades.