Abstract: A thermal management system is disclosed that provides virtual sensors that estimate the state of charge and/or the state of health of an integrated thermal energy storage module. Physical sensors of the thermal management system measure values of a plurality of parameters of the thermal management system. A controller of the thermal management system and/or a cloud backend implements one or more models or algorithms to provide virtual sensors that estimate the state of charge and/or the state of health of the integrated thermal energy storage module, based on the measured parameters. The estimated states of charge and states of health of the thermal energy storage module provide additional useful information to the user or owner of the thermal management system and enable better control of the thermal management system by the controller.

Abstract: A thermal management system is disclosed having an integrated thermal energy storage module that is operated in a manner that reduces noise when desired. By leveraging the integrated thermal energy storage module, the thermal management system advantageously decouples noisy operation of a compressor from heating and cooling of an environment. The thermal management system schedules noisy charging or discharging of the thermal energy storage module to be performed during times at which increased noise is determined to be acceptable. Conversely, the thermal management system also schedules quiet heating or cooling to be performed during times at which reduced noise is determined to be preferred.

Abstract: A thermal management system having integrated thermal energy storage is described herein. The thermal energy storage is advantageously provided in a modular structure including a lead thermal energy storage module and one or more extension thermal energy storage modules. The lead thermal energy storage module is advantageously designed to connect, in a modular manner, with an arbitrary number of the extension thermal energy storage modules to expand the total thermal energy storage capacity of the modular thermal energy storage. Each thermal energy storage module provides nominal thermal energy storage capacity to the thermal management system such that any desired heating or cooling capacity can be provided.

Abstract: A thermal management system is disclosed having an integrated thermal energy storage module that is operated in a manner that provides energy-saving demand response. The thermal management system monitors operating conditions, including indoor and outdoor temperatures, a state of charge of the integrated thermal energy storage module, a temperature of the energy storage medium of the integrated thermal energy storage module, and the costs to operate the thermal management system. Based on the operating conditions, the thermal management system optimizes the heating or cooling operations by leveraging the integrated thermal energy storage module when appropriate.

Abstract: A support document data store contains multiple support documents for a software component (including a support document identifier and descriptive text). A missing link server automatically identifies some support documents as being potential solving support documents. For each potential solving support document, a machine learning analysis of the descriptive text is performed to generate a link probability. For each document having a link probability above a threshold, a potential link message is automatically generated that includes the document identifier and an associated causing support document identifier. According to some embodiments, potential link messages are compiled into a potential link report for review by a developer to classify them as an actual link or not an actual link. A support document link data store may include indications of causing support documents with an associated links to solving support documents.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a power transistor connected between a supply terminal and an output terminal; a control circuit coupled to a control electrode of the power transistor and configured to apply a control current to the control electrode to turn the power transistor on or off; and an overcurrent protection circuit connected to the power transistor. The circuit is configured to operate in a first mode, in which some functions of the circuit are inactive to reduce power consumption, and in a second mode, in which all functions of the circuit are active. The overcurrent protection circuit is configured to: in response to the circuit being in the first mode and a sense signal indicative of a load current passing through the power transistor reaching a first threshold, cause the circuit to change from the first mode to the second mode.

Abstract: A multi-channel device with a single diagnosis status pin may be configured to detect if one or more channels has a fault. The multi-channel device, which may operate within a system, can communicate which channel, of a plurality of channels, has the fault using only a single diagnosis status pin and no additional diagnosis control pins. The multi-channel device may output a fault signal on the diagnosis status pin and in response to an interrogation input signal on the same channel as a fault channel indicate to the system which channel is the fault channel.

Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a set of switches configured to deliver current to an output node of the device, wherein the set of switches includes a first switch including a first control terminal and a second switch including a second control terminal, wherein a width-length ratio of the second switch is larger than a width-length ratio of the first switch, and wherein the first switch is electrically connected in parallel with the second switch. The device further includes control circuitry configured to deliver a first control signal to the first control terminal and deliver a second control signal to the second control terminal concurrently with delivering the first control signal to the first control terminal.

Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a set of switches configured to deliver current to an output node of the device, wherein the set of switches includes a first switch including a first control terminal and a second switch including a second control terminal, wherein a width-length ratio of the second switch is larger than a width-length ratio of the first switch, and wherein the first switch is electrically connected in parallel with the second switch. The device further includes control circuitry configured to deliver a first control signal to the first control terminal and deliver a second control signal to the second control terminal concurrently with delivering the first control signal to the first control terminal.

Abstract: A multi-channel device with a single diagnosis status pin may be configured to detect if one or more channels has a fault. The multi-channel device, which may operate within a system, can communicate which channel, of a plurality of channels, has the fault using only a single diagnosis status pin and no additional diagnosis control pins. The multi-channel device may output a fault signal on the diagnosis status pin and in response to an interrogation input signal on the same channel as a fault channel indicate to the system which channel is the fault channel.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that an operator was sufficiently close to one or more items to be inspected during an inspection to actually inspect the components, and storing an indication to that effect in a memory accessible via a computer network. In addition to the indication, the memory can store other inspection related data, such as a starting time or ending time of the inspection, or maintenance information about the item that was input during the inspection. The system and method enable a third party application, such as an accounting program or a maintenance program, to access any of the inspection related data.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a single carcass ply and at least one belt ply disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown portion of the pneumatic tire. The carcass ply includes only one type of composite cord. The cord consists of one single aramid first yarn twisted helically about one single polyester second yarn. The first yarn and the second yarn have a different moduli of elasticity. The first yarn has a modulus greater than the modulus of the second yarn.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that an operator was sufficiently close to one or more items to be inspected during an inspection to actually inspect the components, and storing an indication to that effect in a memory accessible via a computer network. In addition to the indication, the memory can store other inspection related data, such as a starting time or ending time of the inspection, or maintenance information about the item that was input during the inspection. The system and method enable a third party application, such as an accounting program or a maintenance program, to access any of the inspection related data.

Abstract: A synthesized or isolated influenza virus replication-inhibiting peptide that competitively inhibits protein-protein interaction of the PA and PB1 of both influenza Virus Types A and B and novel in vitro binding screen to identify peptides with antiviral activity against influenza viruses of both type A and B is disclosed. In addition to the well-known pandemic influenza A viruses (such as the 1918 “Spanish” flu or H5N1), both type A and B viruses contribute greatly to the annual recurring epidemics that cause the vast majority of human cases and medical cost. Surprisingly, it was found that the novel virus replication-inhibiting, are able to inhibit protein-protein interaction of the PA and PB1 subunits of the heterotrimeric viral RNA polymerase complex of both influenza virus types A and B.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for validating that an operator has moved a portable device sufficiently close to an inspection point to enable the operator to perform an inspection. A first exemplary technique employs a first portable device that includes a sensor for detecting the inspection point, a speaker, and stored audible prompts to facilitate the inspection, but no display on which visual prompts for facilitating the inspection can be provided. An alternative second exemplary technique employs a second portable device having a sensor for detecting the inspection point, and a wireless transmitter. This second portable device generates and immediately transmits a signal to a remote receiver indicating that the operator has moved the portable device sufficiently close to the inspection point to enable the operator to perform the inspection. Accordingly, the second portable device need not include a memory for storing the signal.

Abstract: A handheld, portable device is used to store data that indicates an operator was sufficiently close to each of a plurality of components during a safety inspection to actually inspect the components. The portable device includes a sensor that detects tokens, such as radio frequency identification tags, which are affixed adjacent to the components. Messages appearing on a display of the portable device prompt the operator to proceed to each checkpoint, determine a state of the component disposed there, and if the component is not operating properly, indicate a plurality of predefined conditions from which the operator can choose to identify the observed condition of the component. The state and condition of each component entered during the safety inspection are stored as data that are subsequently transferred to a remote data storage site over a wire or wireless link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide evidence that a person who is intended to make a required inspection was actually physically present at a predefined location associated with the inspection, so that the inspection could have been done, and if not, to provide an indication of the failure to perform the inspection. This invention is particularly well suited to determine if required pre/post-trip inspections of vehicles have been performed. Detecting a triggering condition, such as powering on (or off) equipment, indicates the beginning of a period of time during which the inspection is to be performed. The monitoring system waits for a predetermined event to occur, which indicates the period of time has expired and determines if data corresponding to the inspection have been received. If not, it is concluded that the inspection has not been performed.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that an operator was sufficiently close to one or more items to be inspected during an inspection to actually inspect the components, and storing an indication to that effect in a memory accessible via a computer network. In addition to the indication, the memory can store other inspection related data, such as a starting time or ending time of the inspection, or maintenance information about the item that was input during the inspection. The system and method enable a third party application, such as an accounting program or a maintenance program, to access any of the inspection related data.

Abstract: An instrument for detecting leaks in a hermetically sealed package. The instrument includes (i) a hollow needle, (ii) a mass flow rate sensor in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle, and (iii) a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the needle for evacuating gas from the hermetically sealed package, and in fluid communication with the mass flow rate sensor for directing mass flow from the evacuated package into operable contact with the mass flow rate sensor so as to permit sensing of any continuing mass flow from the evacuated package. The instrument may further include an oxygen sensor, also in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle, for analyzing the oxygen concentration of the gas within the hermetically sealed package.

Abstract: An instrument for detecting leaks in a hermetically sealed package. The instrument includes (i) a hollow needle, (ii) a mass flow rate sensor in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle, and (iii) a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the needle for evacuating gas from the hermetically sealed package, and in fluid communication with the mass flow rate sensor for directing mass flow from the evacuated package into operable contact with the mass flow rate sensor so as to permit sensing of any continuing mass flow from the evacuated package. The instrument may further include an oxygen sensor in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle for analyzing the oxygen concentration of the gas within the hermetically sealed package.