Abstract: An apparatus and method for ion generation are adapted such that an ionization process is controlled temporally, to first initiate, then to halt the breakdown of the gas before a destructive plasma or glow is formed. This method controls the release of energy to the gas in such a manner as to create ions but prevent the heating of the gas. The primary advantages of this ion generation mechanism are its simplicity, efficiency and its ability to create ions at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cooling systems, and in particular to cooling systems providing forced convective gaseous flow. According to one aspect, a cooling system employs a heat sink in combination with an EHD pumping mechanism such as corona wind or micro-scale corona wind or by a temporally controlled ion-generation technique. A channel-array structure can be employed to embody the heat sink. The EHD pumps are located at the inlet or outlet of the heat sink channels. Many advantages are achieved by the cooling system of the invention, including that the entire system can have similar or better performance than a conventional heat sink and fan system but with one-tenth the volume and weight and can operate silently. The present invention also relates to a method of fabricating a micro-channel heat sink employing EHD gas flow.

Abstract: A heat sink with an arrangement of a plurality of micro-fins, spaced apart to form microchannels through which a gas can flow. The heat sink includes a conductive apparatus for conducting heat from a heat source to the arrangement of micro-fins. The conductive apparatus includes a post, with a bottom surface at a proximal end for contact with a heat source. The arrangement extends radially outward from the post at a more distal end spaced apart from the bottom surface of the post. In one embodiment, the conductive apparatus includes a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the post. Each micro-fin has a length that bridges the space between two ribs. The micro-fins are spaced substantially parallel to each other to form micro-channels for passage of cooling gas. Another embodiment includes a plurality of micro-fins extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the post, and separated to form micro-channels.

Abstract: A gaseous fluid microscale pump device and method for creating a flow of gaseous heat transfer fluid, such as air, wherein the pump device includes an ion generating region including one or more electron-emitting cathode electrodes for generating unipolar ions in the fluid, and a pumping region disposed downstream of the ion generating region and including pumping electrodes for generating an electric field in a manner that imparts motion to the ions and thus the heat transfer fluid relative to a heat-generating electronic component.

Abstract: A contact arrangement for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The movable and the stationary contacts within the breaker are each split and angled such that one contact forms a female V cross sectional shape and the other forms a mating male V cross sectional shape. Together, these contacts split the current in a manner which reduces the popping force.

Abstract: A multiple pole sub-feed for a panel board is disclosed. The sub-feed of the present invention includes extension bus bars which connect to the bus bars of the panel board and preferably linearly extend the length of the sub-feed. The sub-feed further includes bus connectors supported generally perpendicular to the extension bus bars and preferably extending the width of the sub-feed. The design allows for a plurality of poles of sub-feed to be accommodated by adding bus connectors to the end of the sub-feed, where each bus connector includes an opening for electrically connecting to one of the extension bus bars. Current passes from the extension bus bars to a metal retainer connecting the bus connector to the extension bus bars, to a current carrying strap in the bus connectors, to a current carrying spool located in a turret on the bus connectors, and then to a circuit breaker positioned above the bus connector about the turret.

Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact arrangement is disclosed in which the ends of the line and load straps supporting the fixed contacts are hook-shaped to control the angle of the repulsive force exhibited between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts arranged at the opposing ends of the rotary contact arm. The fixed contacts face outwardly away from the central pivot of the contact arm such that a horizontal component of the popping force acts away from the center of rotation keeping the contact arm in tension for avoiding a buckling effect allowing contact arms with smaller cross sectional area to be used to increase contact arm mobility and reduce the cost.