Abstract: Magnetic structures for use in components utilized in switched mode power supplies can be combined to provide space and cost savings. Portions of magnetic cores can be utilized to form more than one component and/or separate magnetic cores can be combined into a single core. Further, a layer of material that has a higher flux density saturation point than the core and that is lower in permeability than the core (but higher than that of air) can be placed adjacent to the air gap in a core to decrease the magnetic flux passing through the vicinity surrounding the core so as to reduce EMI. A differential-mode choke and a separate common-mode choke can be combined onto a single core. An extra leg for a PFC choke core can be added to an isolation transformer core to form a single combined core. A pair of E-E core structures can be combined into a single core structure such as could be used to combine a pair of separate PFC chokes into an integrated pair of PFC chokes.

Abstract: Generally, a DC power filter and its associated components are presented herein. The DC power filter may operate in a telecommunications chassis between one or more electrical sources and one or more loads. A common mode noise shunt may be included to shunt noise from more than one of the electrical sources or loads together. Additionally, the DC power filter may include protection circuitry that is coupled to more than one of the electrical sources. The protection circuitry may include a combination of diodes and other transient voltage suppression devices.

Abstract: A solder return apparatus for a wave solder machine that collects solder exiting a nozzle and returns the solder to a solder reservoir while limiting the degree to which the solder can splash onto electronic substrates (e.g., printed circuit boards), components of the wave solder machine, and/or the like. The apparatus includes a mounting section that may be placed over an upper surface of the nozzle and a collection section that collects the solder and returns the solder to the solder reservoir. The collection section includes a trough having an opening in a bottom wall of the trough and a flow control member that can adjust a quantity of solder exiting the trough as well as the velocity of the solder exiting the trough. One or more deflection plates can be mounted so as to extend from the trough into solder in the solder reservoir to further contain the solder and limit the degree to which splashing solder can reach unintended locations.

Abstract: An integrated snap and handling apparatus is provided. The apparatus may be capable of being assembled with and disassembled from a mating component without damage. The apparatus may include a pair of features that provide an intuitive and easy user interface for removal, handling and installation. The pair of features may allow a user to use a pinching motion to engage and disengage the apparatus from the mating component without the use of a tool. The integrated snap and handling apparatus may provide for low removal forces when the user interface is properly actuated while resisting high separation forces when the user interface is not properly actuated. The integrated snap and handling apparatus may be incorporated into a wide variety of assemblies and devices. For example, the integrated snap and handling apparatus may be incorporated into a cooling duct for the control of airflow around an electronic component.

Abstract: An optical module includes a first optics group, a second optics group, and an image sensor, wherein the first optics group and second optics group are configured to provide an image having a focus and a magnification to the image sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, a first optics assembly includes a first optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a first lead screw so that rotation of the first lead screw results in translation of the first optics group along an axis of the first lead screw, a first actuator for rotating the first lead screw; and a first sensing target configured to permit detection of rotation of the first lead screw.

Abstract: A menu-driven electronic device utilizes a display and a single two-dimensional navigation key. The display is configured to selectively display one of a plurality of menus, including a main menu and a sub-menu. The two-dimensional navigation key is configured to select one of a plurality of main menu items and to select a sub-menu item of the sub-menu associated with a selected main menu item. A portion of the plurality of menu main items is displayed. The main menu and the sub-menu can be accessed by maintaining contact with the two-dimensional navigation key. The device is configured to display a main menu item icon to provide a visual reference to the selected main menu item in a menu tree of the menu being displayed. The device is preferably a cellular phone.

Abstract: A system and method (“utility”) for automated testing using a compact framework is provided. The utility includes a plurality of functionalities that include development of a test module, development of a test flow, and execution of a test flow. Each of these functionalities may be separated by the compact framework, such that automated testing functions may be divided into individual roles. The individual roles may include test developer, test flow designer, and test flow executor. The utility may also include an authenticator that is operable to determine the individual role of a user (e.g., using a GUI), and to provide the functionality that corresponds to that role. The utility may provide one or more displays that provide real time data feedback. Further, the utility may be operable to generate customized test results reports that enable a user to analyze the performance of one or more devices under test.

Abstract: A transition mode power converter having an active snubber the operation of which is controlled using an auxiliary winding on the transformer of the power converter. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding connected to a voltage source, a primary switch, an auxiliary switch, a capacitor, and an auxiliary winding on the transformer. The primary switch includes a first terminal connected to the primary winding of the transformer and a second terminal connected to a common node. The auxiliary switch includes a first terminal connected to the voltage source and to the primary winding. The capacitor is connected between a second terminal of the auxiliary switch and the first terminal of the primary switch. The auxiliary winding of the transformer is connected to a third terminal of the auxiliary switch and controls operation of the auxiliary switch via the third terminal.

Abstract: Transformers having bobbins that are constructed in such a way that pre-formed secondary windings (e.g., resembling springs) may be slipped onto the bobbins after a primary winding has been wound onto the bobbin. Additionally, the secondary windings may also serve as a self-leading device. That is, they may not require terminations on pins of the bobbin, which may reduce cost and complexity. The secondary windings may have circular or non-circular (e.g., flat) cross-sections. The transformer winding techniques provided herein may reduce the number of components, and may promote smaller input filters and/or less filtering stages at a fraction of the cost of conventional transformers.

Abstract: A power adaptor and storage unit is configured to simultaneously provide power to a portable electronic device and to a portable power module. In some cases, the portable power module is integrated into the power adaptor. The power adaptor receives power unusable by the electronic device, converts it to a usable form, stores some of the converted power if possible, and supplies the power to the device.

Abstract: A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit including a body, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a contaminant trap formed by an isolated annular space between the lens unit and the opening of the housing. In a particular embodiment, the opening of the housing includes surfaces having at least two different perimeters, the smaller of which slidably engages the outer surface of the lens unit. The contaminant trap collects and contains any contaminants before they reach vulnerable components such as the image capture device and/or other optical components within the camera module.

Abstract: A power supply adapter is provided. The power supply adapter includes a power converter circuit configured to generate a regulated voltage signal. The power converter circuit includes a rectifier coupled with AC power blades. A regulator circuit is coupled with the rectifier. A transformer is coupled with the regulator circuit. The transformer includes a primary and a secondary. The transformer is coupled with the regulator circuit via the primary. An output circuit is coupled with the secondary of the transformer. The output circuit includes an output capacitor. A flexible contact is coupled with each of a first and a second printed circuit board and flexibly biased to couple with a proximate end of the AC power blades. The adapter includes an EMI shield substantially surrounding a connector receptacle. The power converter circuit can include a forward or a flyback power converter. The transformer can include a planar format transformer coupled with the first or the second PCB.

Abstract: A shielding assembly is configured to provide electromagnetic shielding and environmental protection to one or more electronic components coupled to a substrate. The shielding assembly includes a non-conductive mold compound layer, such as a dielectric epoxy. The mold compound layer is applied to a top surface of the substrate, thereby covering the electronic components and providing protection against environmentally induced conditions such as corrosion, humidity, and mechanical stress. The shielding assembly also includes a conductive layer applied to a top surface of the mold compound layer. The conductive layer is coupled to a ground plane in the substrate, thereby enabling the electromagnetic shielding function. The conductive layer is coupled to the ground plane via one or more metallized contacts that are coupled to the substrate and extend through the mold compound layer.

Abstract: Generally, a low-profile planar core structure for use in magnetic components and related processes are presented herein. More specifically, the planar core structure provides a relatively large winding area that reduces heat dissipation, reduces leakage inductance, and allows for a low-profile design. The planar core structure has a center core that is elongated along a horizontal axis. Furthermore, conductors may enter and exit the planar core structure without increasing its height.

Abstract: Core structures that may be used in transformers to improve the number of turns-ratios available. The core structures may include at least three outer legs and a center leg. In operation windings of the transformer may be wrapped around the center leg (e.g., using a bobbin) a fractional number of times, such that the turns-ratio of the transformer may be more finely selected without increasing the number of turns required. Additionally, the outer legs may have different cross-sectional areas, such that even more fractional turns-ratios are available.

Abstract: An electronics assembly (48) is disclosed that utilizes a filter (24) within a plenum (50). The filter (24) may be electrically isolated from at least certain portions of the electronics assembly (48) by an electrical insulator (64). The electronics assembly (48) furthermore alleviates the need for a separate filter tray, and in this regard it may be such that only a first filter end (80) and a second filter end (82) of the filter (24) are supported within the electronics assembly (48).

Abstract: A power converter includes a transformer, a primary switch, an auxiliary switch, first and second resonance capacitors, and a secondary side rectification means. A switch mode power supply is formed to use reflected voltage and parasitic capacitance as an energy source for a transformer resonance. The auxiliary switch effectively exchanges energy between the primary inductance of the transformer and the first and second resonant capacitors. The auxiliary switch effectively switches the transformer resonance between two distinct frequencies. In one embodiment of the invention, the power converter can be, but is not limited to, a flyback converter and further includes a comparator and a driver. The comparator is for detecting the voltage across the second resonance capacitor and the driver is configured to drive the auxiliary switch based on the output state of the comparator. The resonant nature of the converter provides zero voltage (ZVS) for the primary switch as well as for the auxiliary switch.

Abstract: A power converter includes a transformer, a primary switch, an auxiliary switch, first and second resonance capacitors, and a secondary side rectification means. A switch mode power supply is formed to use reflected voltage and parasitic capacitance as an energy source for a transformer resonance. The auxiliary switch effectively exchanges energy between the primary inductance of the transformer and the first and second resonant capacitors. The auxiliary switch effectively switches the transformer resonance between two distinct frequencies. In one embodiment of the invention, the power converter can be, but is not limited to, a flyback converter and further includes a comparator and a driver. The comparator is for detecting the voltage across the second resonance capacitor and the driver is configured to drive the auxiliary switch based on the output state of the comparator. The resonant nature of the converter provides zero voltage (ZVS) for the primary switch as well as for the auxiliary switch.

Abstract: A planar transformer comprises a laminate substrate having an opening with metal traces wound thereabout forming a primary and a secondary winding, a core configured to fit inside the opening to enclose the laminate substrate. At least one heat sink fin is integrally formed with the top, bottom or both sides of the core. A method of forming a planar transformer comprises laminating a substrate having an opening with metal traces wound thereabout forming a primary and a secondary winding, fitting a core inside the opening, and enclosing the laminate substrate. One of the top, bottom or both sides of the core include one or more heat sink fins.

Abstract: A computer drive cage (10) includes a pair of side support panels (14) that are separated by a space (38) to accommodate receipt of one or more computer drives (86). At least one of these support panels (14) includes a computer drive installation slot (46). One or more contacts (62) are aligned with and disposed outside of this slot (46) in a direction that is at least generally away from the computer drive space (38) between the side support panels (14). Each contact (62) for may be integrally-formed with its corresponding side support panel (14).