Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N?1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N?1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N?1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertically stored dock leveler with a telescoping lip that selectively extends and retracts through a range positions relative to the deck. The lip is held and guided by a deck frame carriage. When the deck is raised and lowered, the lip is extended and retracted by an electro-hydraulic control system. When the deck reaches a preselected incline position, the lip is fully extended. Sensors on the underside of the deck determine the incline position of the deck and when the lip is retracted. The leveler is then lowered until the lip engages and rests on the bed of the trailer. Similarly, when the deck is raised for storage and reaches the preselected incline position, the lip is fully retracted prior to returning to its stored position. The telescoping lip is selectively moveable to a range of partially extended position to facilitate end loading a trailer.

Abstract: A switch may comprise a metal plate. A eutectic alloy may be proximate to the metal plate. An insulating material may be proximate to the insulating material. The insulating material may include a recess in the insulating material adjacent the eutectic alloy. A lead may be fixed in place by the insulating material. A first end of the lead is exposed from the insulating material by the recess.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertically stored dock leveler with a telescoping lip that selectively extends and retracts through a range positions relative to the deck. The lip is held and guided by a deck frame carriage. When the deck is raised and lowered, the lip is extended and retracted by an electro-hydraulic control system. When the deck reaches a preselected incline position, the lip is fully extended. Sensors on the underside of the deck determine the incline position of the deck and when the lip is retracted. The leveler is then lowered until the lip engages and rests on the bed of the trailer. Similarly, when the deck is raised for storage and reaches the preselected incline position, the lip is fully retracted prior to returning to its stored position. The telescoping lip is selectively moveable to a range of partially extended position to facilitate end loading a trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes a flow tube. The flow tube includes upper and lower portions, inner and outer walls, and at least one opening formed in the outer wall. The upper portion extends from a top end towards a bottom end. The lower portion extends from the upper portion to the bottom end. The inner wall extends from the top end to the bottom end and defines a central channel therein. The outer wall extends from the top end towards the bottom end, surrounds a portion of the inner wall and defines an outer channel with the inner wall. The opening is fluidly communicable with a first conduit formed within a piston, which surrounds a portion of the flow tube, when in an up position and is fluidly communicable with a second conduit formed within the piston when in a down position.

Abstract: A system and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes a choke valve that is replaceable and/or maintainable without disassembly of the percussion tool. The flow tube includes inner and outer walls and at least one opening formed in the outer wall. The inner wall extends from a top end of the flow tube to a bottom end of the flow tube and defines a central channel therein. The outer wall extends from the top end towards the bottom end, surrounds a portion of the inner wall, and defines an outer channel with the inner wall. The choke is positioned at the top end over the central channel and regulate a fluid flow therethrough. A check valve is positioned in fluid communication with the choke.

Abstract: A system and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes one or more coatings applied onto a piston, casing, and/or flow tube. The percussion tool includes a piston positioned in sliding contact within a casing. The piston includes an inner wall and an outer wall, where the inner wall defines a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. The outer wall is positioned in close fitting relationship with an internal surface of the casing. One or more coatings are disposed on at least one of the casing's internal surface and/or the piston's outer wall. A flow tube may be placed through the passageway such that an outer wall of the flow tube is in a close fitting relationship with the piston's inner wall. One or more coatings can be disposed on at least one of the piston's inner wall and/or the flow tube's outer wall.

Abstract: A switch may comprise a metal plate. A eutectic alloy may be proximate to the metal plate. An insulating material may be proximate to the insulating material. The insulating material may include a recess in the insulating material adjacent the eutectic alloy. A lead may be fixed in place by the insulating material. A first end of the lead is exposed from the insulating material by the recess.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertically stored dock leveler with a telescoping lip that selectively extends and retracts through a range positions relative to the deck. The lip is held and guided by a deck frame carriage. When the deck is raised and lowered, the lip is extended and retracted by an electro-hydraulic control system. When the deck reaches a preselected incline position, the lip is fully extended. Sensors on the underside of the deck determine the incline position of the deck and when the lip is retracted. The leveler is then lowered until the lip engages and rests on the bed of the trailer. Similarly, when the deck is raised for storage and reaches the preselected incline position, the lip is fully retracted prior to returning to its stored position. The telescoping lip is selectively moveable to a range of partially extended position to facilitate end loading a trailer.

Abstract: A system includes a voltage regulator module, a voltage comparator module, and a current limiting module. The voltage regulator module regulates an input voltage supplied by a power supply and supplies an output current to a load. The voltage comparator module compares the input voltage to a first threshold. The current limiting module decreases the output current when the input voltage decreases to less than or equal to the first threshold, decreases the output current until the input voltage increases to greater than the first threshold, and decreases the output current by an additional predetermined amount after the input voltage increases to greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes a choke valve that is replaceable and/or maintainable without disassembly of the percussion tool. The flow tube includes inner and outer walls and at least one opening formed in the outer wall. The inner wall extends from a top end of the flow tube to a bottom end of the flow tube and defines a central channel therein. The outer wall extends from the top end towards the bottom end, surrounds a portion of the inner wall, and defines an outer channel with the inner wall. The choke is positioned at the top end over the central channel and regulate a fluid flow therethrough. A check valve is positioned in fluid communication with the choke.

Abstract: A system and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes one or more coatings applied onto a piston, casing, and/or flow tube. The percussion tool includes a piston positioned in sliding contact within a casing. The piston includes an inner wall and an outer wall, where the inner wall defines a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. The outer wall is positioned in close fitting relationship with an internal surface of the casing. One or more coatings are disposed on at least one of the casing's internal surface and/or the piston's outer wall. A flow tube may be placed through the passageway such that an outer wall of the flow tube is in a close fitting relationship with the piston's inner wall. One or more coatings can be disposed on at least one of the piston's inner wall and/or the flow tube's outer wall.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes a flow tube. The flow tube includes upper and lower portions, inner and outer walls, and at least one opening formed in the outer wall. The upper portion extends from a top end towards a bottom end. The lower portion extends from the upper portion to the bottom end. The inner wall extends from the top end to the bottom end and defines a central channel therein. The outer wall extends from the top end towards the bottom end, surrounds a portion of the inner wall and defines an outer channel with the inner wall. The opening is fluidly communicable with a first conduit formed within a piston, which surrounds a portion of the flow tube, when in an up position and is fluidly communicable with a second conduit formed within the piston when in a down position.

Abstract: A request for network access is received from a client device at a network entry device of a network infrastructure. The network infrastructure determines a physical location of the client device and determines authorization of the client device based on the physical location. The approach can include providing the physical location along with other user credentials to an authorizing device. The method can also include determining a level of service based on the physical location. Communication for the approach can make use of the IEEE 802.1X protocol.

Abstract: A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N?1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N?1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N?1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N?1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a media device that controls input and output characteristics based on one or more associated conditions.

Abstract: A drill tool comprises includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. The bearing system for the tool includes a radial thrust bearing from which cone pumping pressure pulsation originates. A lubricant sealing system including an annular seal gland and a seal ring retained within the annular seal gland functions to retain lubricant in the bearing system. The tool further includes a lubricant cone pumping pressure restrictor system formed by an annular gland (separate from the annular seal gland) and a pressure restricting ring retained within the annular gland. The lubricant cone pumping pressure restrictor system is positioned between the radial thrust bearing system and the lubricant sealing system and is adapted to attenuate cone pumping lubricant pressure pulsation from acting on the seal ring retained within the annular seal gland.

Abstract: Integrated MOSFET current sensing for fuel-gauging. A 1st MOSFET through which the current is to be sensed is coupled to a 2nd MOSFET of the same type, the 2nd MOSFET being biased to have the same resistance as the 1st MOSFET. The 2nd MOSFET has a much smaller area than the 1st MOSFET, and is coupled to a current source representing a maximum current through the 1st MOSFET. The voltage across the 1st MOSFET relative to the voltage across the 2nd MOSFET provides a measure of the current through the 1st MOSFET. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments in battery packs to eliminate the need for additional and expensive external components.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact vehicle restraint with a constant-torque, multi-mode electric motor to secure the ICC bar of a trailer to a loading dock. A mounting plate anchors a carriage to the front of the loading dock. The carriage is biased to a raised position and has a pair of spaced shear plates that house a hook. An electric gearmotor rotates the hook between retracted and extended positions. When extended, the hook secures and holds the ICC bar to the dock. The motor has a higher power level or mode to raise and lower the hook, and a lower power level or mode to continuously adjust the position of the hook and keep it in forced engagement with the ICC bar during the process of loading and unloading the trailer. A control system cycles the motor and hook through an operating cycle.