Abstract: A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.

Abstract: A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a battery pouch is provided with a pouch edge positioned to project from an underside of the battery. The pouch edge is sealed and folded toward the underside of the battery. The folded pouch edge increases a vertical dimension of the resulting battery assembly, but not a horizontal dimension. In a second embodiment, a battery pouch is provided with a first pouch edge positioned on a first edge of the battery and a second pouch edge positioned on a second edge of the battery. The battery pouch is configured such that at least one cut-out portion is positioned between either the first and second edge of the battery or between the first and second pouch edges. When the first and second ouch edges are sealed and folded upward, the folding does not cause creases that increase a horizontal dimension of the battery assembly.

Abstract: An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices.

Abstract: An electronic device may include subassemblies such as battery structures, electromagnetic shielding structures, and button structures. The electromagnetic shielding structures may include a conductive fence and a flexible shielding layer that covers electronic components. The electromagnetic shielding structure may be formed with a recess that receives a protruding portion of a battery. The recess may be formed from a multi-level shielding structure that includes rigid and flexible portions. The button structures may be mounted to a ledge that is formed as an integral part of a device housing. An electronic device battery may be enclosed in a protective battery sleeve. The battery sleeve may include a center portion that encloses the battery and peripheral portions that are folded and coupled to the center portion by adhesive material interposed between opposing surfaces of the folded peripheral portions and the center portion of the battery sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing cables in an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a touch sensor having a number of traces, a display component, and a mechanical button, each of which may be coupled to a circuit board via a single flexible circuit cable. This may save valuable space within the electronic device.

Abstract: Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are provided. The button assembly can include a button made from a rigid material having a cosmetic portion and a post. The post may extend from a bottom surface of the button and activate a switch of the electronic device when the button is actuated. Additionally, the button assembly can include a sealing member made from a compliant material having a post receiving hole. The sealing member may be secured to the button and an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device. The post receiving hole may fit around and engage the post. In some embodiments, the button may include a cavity and the sealing member may include a protruding member. In these embodiments, the cavity can receive the protruding member to provide for better registration of the sealing member to the button during assembly.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. An airlock is included between the workspace and the crankcase and a seal is included for sealing the workspace from the airlock and crankcase.

Abstract: An aerodynamic brake assembly for use with an airfoil such as the blade of a wind turbine rotor comprises deployable upper and/or lower spoiler plates incorporated in or attached to the airfoil. The spoiler plates can deploy under the influence of centrifugal forces when the rotating airfoil or rotor blade reaches a pre-determined rotational speed. The aerodynamic brake assembly may be integrated within the airfoil or attached to the tip of the airfoil such that, when not deployed, the upper and lower spoiler plates have a profile that approximately conforms to the profile of the part of the airfoil to which it the brake assembly is attached. Thus in a non-deployed state, the spoiler plates have a non-detrimental effect on the performance of the airfoil, and may even contribute to its aerodynamic lift properties.

Abstract: A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.

Abstract: This is directed to systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly. In some embodiments, a shield assembly may include a shield fence having a fence body, at least one fence finger extending from the bottom of the fence body for coupling to a circuit board, and a tab extending from the fence body. The tab is configured to be removed from the shield fence after the shield fence is coupled to the circuit board.

Abstract: An assembly method suitable for assembling a portable electronic device having a housing with an undercut portion is disclosed. The method includes aligning a non-display portion of a display assembly with the undercut portion of the housing, the display assembly comprising a display, a protective top layer covering a top side of the display portion and the non-display portion and a battery module attached to an underside of the display assembly, electrically connecting the battery to a circuit previously installed in the housing, angling the display assembly in relation to a front opening of the housing in a tilted configuration such that the non-display portion is partially inserted into the undercut portion of the housing, and in the tilted configuration, performing a pre-install functional test on the display and fully inserting the display assembly into the housing only when the pre-install functional test is successfully completed.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. An airlock is included between the workspace and the crankcase and a seal is included for sealing the workspace from the airlock and crankcase.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a battery pouch is provided with a pouch edge positioned to project from an underside of the battery. The pouch edge is sealed and folded toward the underside of the battery. The folded pouch edge increases a vertical dimension of the resulting battery assembly, but not a horizontal dimension. In a second embodiment, a battery pouch is provided with a first pouch edge positioned on a first edge of the battery and a second pouch edge positioned on a second edge of the battery. The battery pouch is configured such that at least one cut-out portion is positioned between either the first and second edge of the battery or between the first and second pouch edges. When the first and second ouch edges are sealed and folded upward, the folding does not cause creases that increase a horizontal dimension of the battery assembly.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a battery pouch has a long edge seal and a short edge seal. An electrical connection tab is positioned on the short edge seal and at least a portion of a power control module is positioned on the long edge seal. In a second embodiment, a battery pouch has a long edge seal and a short edge seal. An electrical connection tab and at least a portion of a power control module are positioned on the long edge seal.

Abstract: An improved electronic connector with alignment features is disclosed. One or more alignment features for the connector are disposed on a removable SMT cap that attaches to an external face of the connector. Placing one or more alignment features in the SMT cap may enable fewer alignment features on the device PCB, resulting in increased space for electrical routing and other electrical components.

Abstract: An aerodynamic brake assembly for use with an airfoil such as the blade of a wind turbine rotor comprises deployable upper and/or lower spoiler plates incorporated in or attached to the airfoil. The spoiler plates can deploy under the influence of centrifugal forces when the rotating airfoil or rotor blade reaches a pre-determined rotational speed. The aerodynamic brake assembly may be integrated within the airfoil or attached to the tip of the airfoil such that, when not deployed, the upper and lower spoiler plates have a profile that approximately conforms to the profile of the part of the airfoil to which it the brake assembly is attached. Thus in a non-deployed state, the spoiler plates have a non-detrimental effect on the performance of the airfoil, and may even contribute to its aerodynamic lift properties.