Abstract: In a feeding-side charger, a heat transfer unit (23), which comes into contact with a heat radiating duct (16) fixed with a power circuit board (18), is fixed to the power circuit board (18) in which a power conversion circuit is formed. Each main body (22) of a plurality of MOSFETs (21) mounted on the power circuit board (18) comes into contact with the heat transfer unit (23) with a silicone sheet (24) being interposed therebetween.

Abstract: According to a method for manufacturing a portable computer, base units and display panels are composed so that electronic devices may be equipped to be identically used and option units whose structures are different are composed. Then, each of the option units is coupled to the base units and the display panels, thereby manufacturing portable computers whose modes are different. This portable computer comprises base units, display panels, and option units. The base units and the display panels are identically used. The option units whose structures are different are coupled to the base units and the display panels, respectively. That is, base units of a portable computer are base housings which are arranged at an identical position and upon which an I/O port, a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA slot, a battery, a DC/DC board, and a memory are mounted. The option units are top housings upon which a keyboard assembly and a pointing device are mounted.

Abstract: A stir-friction hot-working or welding arrangement uses a pin tool having a ligament 22 and a shoulder 224. The force required for incremental penetration increases markedly when the shoulder is reached. A control system for maintaining a set penetration depth includes a load cell for measuring force or pressure applied to the pin tool. The control system compares a reference signal representing the desired force with the actual force from the load cell, to produce an error signal which controls the penetration force, thereby tending to maintain a desired penetration depth. In a particular embodiment, the reference signal ramps up from a low or zero value at turn-on, to reduce forces applied upon initial penetration. In another embodiment, position signals are used to control a modulator or multiplier, which changes the error signal applied at certain positions of penetration, or at certain velocities of penetration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for “Intelligent” control of production processes such as machining, casting, heat treating and welding are disclosed. The key enabler of such control is electro-optical or other suitable sensors, generally non contact, capable of rapidly and accurately acquiring data from parts and tools used to produce them in a production “in-process” environment. Systems are disclosed to control not only the instant operation, but those processes connected therewith, both upstream and downstream. Data bases are generated and knowledge bases are used. Application of the invention can improve quality and productivity, and allow the production of parts which have unusual or individual material characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method of scheduling demand for a manufacturing resource in response to a customer order for a product is provided. The system and method includes means for tracking scheduled finished goods orders, existing finished goods inventory, past due finished goods orders, unallocated customer orders and marketing orders, and the manufacturing lead time for the product, among other manufacturing process parameters. The customer order amount and the date requested for the order are entered, and depending on whether the date requested is inside, equal to or outside the manufacturing lead time, manufacturing resources are consumed from one or more of the scheduled finished goods orders, existing finished goods inventory, available to promise amounts, past due finished goods orders, unallocated customer orders, marketing orders, and high flex amounts.

Abstract: Multi-sensor system for real-time embedded monitoring of object senses mixed-mode object conditions. Various sensors separately provide disparate analog signals representing different measurable attributes regarding sensed object. For example, such sensors may separately sense temperature, pressure, or other biometric value. Then, according to specified rule set or other qualifying parameters, a digital signal is generated by a processor or controller to indicate one or more condition of the sensed object according to certain sensor input values. Additionally, such multi-sensor scheme may be coupled to a digital network or otherwise coupled thereto for simulation and/or communication applications.

Abstract: An amplifier for a portable telephone of the like is repaired or replaced without loss of an amplifying function even when the amplifier malfunctions. A plurality of door-shaped amplifier parts are provided on the left and right sides of an amplifier box. The left and right door-shaped amplifier parts can be mounted on opposite sides to each other. One amplifier part is in service and the other amplifier part is a backup. In a case where the amplifier part in service malfunctions, the other amplifier part is used or is mounted for use on the opposite side.

Abstract: A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.

Abstract: A method is described for grinding a composite workpiece to form a component having concentric and eccentric cylindrical regions.

Abstract: A structure of a printed circuit board with stacked daughter board. The structure has a motherboard and at least a daughter board. The motherboard has a first signal layer, a second signal layer, a first power layer, a first ground layer and isolation layers between every layer. The first signal layer and the second signal layer serve as surfaces of the motherboard and first contacts are formed on the first signal layer. The daughter board includes a third signal layer, a fourth signal layer, a second power layer, a second ground layer and isolation layers between every layer. The second power layer or the second ground layer serves as a surface of the daughter board and second contacts are formed on the surface. The daughter board is stacked on the motherboard and the second contacts are coupled with the first contacts.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that predicts operational parameters for all unit operations in water treatment plants or the like. Initial training with historical operations data, for example, allows the system and method to develop equations that can in turn predict the present and future performance of the plant in real time. In addition, the system and method can control operations of the plant in real time. The system improves the performance of the plant to meet predetermined subpoints of various parameters. For example, the predetermined subpoints can be used to enable the plant to meet regulatory needs while controlling for other parameters such as cost, chemical fees, flow rates and power consumption. The system and method include a non-linear predictive model for turbidity. The system considers the influent water quality and analyzes treatment options available to predict the dose of various chemicals required to get desired treatment.

Abstract: A tower computer with a sheet metal housing which has a plurality of separate bays housing a plurality of computer components including a bay located at one vertical end of the sheet metal housing with a media drive assembly readily-removeably mounted therein exclusive of any other ones of the plurality of computer components.

Abstract: To optimize the cleaning of cotton in a spinning milk, there is entered into a control original data concerning fiber characteristics and proportions of different types of contamination inherent to the origin of fiber cotton bales. Also there is entered into the control a desired degree of cleaning and a throughput quantity of the carded fiber sliver. The control delivers predetermined control signals based upon the entered original data, the throughput quantity of the carded sliver and the desired degree of cleaning. These control signals set adjustable operating members governing the rate of opening of the cotton bales by bale opening machines, the degree of cleaning of the cotton fibers by cleaning machines and the rate of processing of the cotton fibers by at least one carding machine.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing power system data gathered in response to unscheduled power system events such as faults. A plurality of protective devices communicate over a peer-to-peer communication network, and when a first device detects the occurrence of a power system event, the device records cycles of power system data before, after, or surrounding the power system event. The first device informs remote devices via the network of the event and a time tag associated with the event, and the remote devices record synchronized power system data.

Abstract: A passively operated thermal diode for controlling heat transfer from heat-generating electronic components to an external environment through an airframe is provided. The thermal diode comprises: (a) an electronics package within the airframe; (b) a heat-transferring mechanism thermally connected to the electronics package and controllably disengagable from thermal contact with the airframe at a predetermined temperature; (c) a shape-memory alloy component having a phase change at the predetermined temperature for thermally disconnecting the electronics package from the airframe once the predetermined temperature is exceeded; and (d) a spring for maintaining the heat-transferring mechanism in thermal contact the airframe below the predetermined temperature. The present invention solves the problem of heat transfer by introducing a shape-memory-alloy sensor-actuator component.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes a main unit, a cover rotatably attached to the main unit, the cover having a main display unit, an auxiliary display unit displaying auxiliary information provided on the main unit, and an angle changing mechanism for changing an angle at which a surface of the auxiliary display unit intersects a surface of the main unit at least when the cover is in an open state. By providing the auxiliary display unit on the main unit instead of the cover the main display unit provided on the cover can be made as large as possible. In addition, being able to change the angle of the surface of the auxiliary display unit makes the auxiliary display unit easier to read.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling appliances of at least one building, each appliance being associated with a local controller and having a control input and at least one control point. The system includes a central processor computer having an operator interface and an equipment interface, a network connected to the equipment interface and having a plurality of nodes for communicating with each of the appliances, a log file being stored with respective area, description, and address fields containing corresponding data of the control points. A control program in the computer feeds the equipment interface to drive the control inputs of the appliances in response to a database, the database being populated from a tagname dictionary.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus including a motherboard, a plurality of multi-chip modules mounted to the motherboard and cooling members for cooling the multi-chip modules. A refrigeration unit is arranged to deliver cooling water to the cooling members. A connection structure is provided for each multi-chip module for thermally and mechanically releasably coupling each multi-chip module to the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal conduction module assembly kit comprising a base being substantially planar in shape and adapted to receive on a top surface a substrate adapted to receive at least one integrated circuit having top and bottom surfaces. A cover is substantially rectangular, having top and bottom surfaces and an outer edge surface. The cover is designed to mate with the substrate such that the integrated circuit is positioned between the bottom surface of the cover and the top surface of the substrate. A removable shim member is planar in shape and has a definable vertical dimension positioned between the bottom surface of the cover and the top surface of the integrated circuit to provide a specified dimension between the top surface of the integrated circuit and the bottom surface of the cover. A positioning member has top, bottom, and inner surfaces, and is substantially circular.

Abstract: An engaging device for a computer screen in a car, comprises a fixing base fixedly attached in the car, lock block, and a coupling frame attached to the rear side of the computer screen. The lock block is rotatably engages with the fixing base by way of two pivots. The pivots have a function of stagnating the lock block at specific angular position optionally. Both lateral sides of the coupling frame have a locking hole respectively and the lock block at both lateral sides thereof provides an elastic engaging plate therein. The respective elastic engaging plate has a part extending outward through the locking hole. Once the lock block is inserted into the coupling frame, a detachable firm engagement between the lock block and the coupling frame can be reached substantially.