Abstract: A roller cone bit has a ball retention system to secure the cones to the head. A radial ball race includes a ball way with a ball plug to keep the balls in the ball race. The ball plug is secured to the head by welding. Any residual stress in the weld region is alleviated by one of several solutions. Material may be selectively removed from the weld, the heat-affected zone, and/or the surrounding area to promote relaxation of residual stress. Alternatively, deflection is imposed and/or heat or vibration is applied to promote relaxation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system includes a switching voltage regulator having at least two inductors formed on a common toroidal core.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body that includes head sections, each having depending bit legs with a circumferentially extending outer surface, a leading side, and a trailing side. A bearing shaft depends inwardly from each of the bit legs for mounting a cutter. The bit includes a beveled surface formed at a junction of the leading side and the outer surface of each bit leg. The beveled surface is angled relative to a radial plane emenating from the axis of the bit. The angle of the beveled surface is at least 20 degrees, and extends to an inner surface of the bit leg. The bit can also have a layer of hardfacing on the leading, trailing and shirttail surfaces of the bit leg. A diversion finger of hardfacing extends circumferentially to direct cuttings.

Abstract: A power supply for a portable computer comprises a power adapter case that houses an AC power adapter circuit and a battery charging circuit. A portable computer using this power supply includes a rechargeable battery but does not require a conventional battery charging circuit. In another implementation, the power supply includes a signal line connecting the AC power adapter circuit to the battery charging circuit, wherein if the AC power adapter circuit is about to overload, the AC power adapter circuit transmits a signal over the first signal line. The battery charging circuit, upon receiving the signal, may cease recharging the batteries. In addition, the portable computer may do one or more of isolating the AC power adapter circuit, commencing a shut down of the portable computer, reducing display brightness, reducing CPU speed, entering a sleep mode, shutting down wireless communications, or shutting down unnecessary peripherals.

Abstract: A computer system has a controller and a voltage regulator. The controller generates a power consumption state signal for one or more components of the computer system to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator supplies a first voltage level for the one or more components when the one or more components are at a first power consumption state. The voltage regulator increases to a second voltage level for the one or more components when the one or more components enter a second power consumption state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to modify an output power of a power adapter coupled to a computing device in accordance with a power consumption of the computing device is discussed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A computer system having one or more components capable of being in either wake or sleep states includes a power manager and a voltage regulator. The power manager may generate a power state signal indicating the power state of the component, and this signal may be provided to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator may supply power to the component. The target voltage level of the power may be dependent on both a current level of the power and the power state signal.

Abstract: Power is applied to a voltage supply. A signal that indicates reduced work capability in an integrated circuit (IC) that is being powered by the voltage supply is generated based on workload demand or conscious power and performance tradeoffs. This signal is applied to increase the power efficiency of the voltage supply, while the supply is powering the IC in its reduced work capability state.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a chassis including a printed circuit board (PCB) and a battery pack. The battery pack includes a connector to enable the battery pack to couple to a PCB which is mounted either above the centerline of the battery pack connector and on or below the centerline of the battery pack power connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention can reduce or eliminate problems with battery pack leakage by monitoring a power level of a battery pack and cutting-off power to control circuitry in the battery pack when the power level reaches a certain threshold.

Abstract: A system may include a voltage regulator controller to provide a control signal, a voltage regulator converter comprising a power switching element coupled between an output node of the voltage regulator converter and ground, the voltage regulator converter to receive the control signal, and a logic circuit to detect current flow from the output node to the voltage regulator converter and to disable the power switching element in response to detecting the current flow.

Abstract: A metal face seal for an earth boring drill bit where the drill bit has a bit body, at least one bit leg, a bearing pin on each bit leg, and a cone rotatably mounted on each bearing pin. The metal face seal is located in the cavity formed between the interior surface of the cone and the bearing pin. The metal face seal consists of a rigid seal ring having a forward surface that engages a rotating seal surface of the cone. An energizer ring biases the rigid seal ring toward the rotating seal surface. A secondary seal engages the bearing pin surface, the energizer ring, and the rigid seal ring. The secondary seal ring has a protuberance on its forward side for filling void spaces between the energizer ring, the rigid seal ring, and the secondary seal ring.

Abstract: A thermal interface material characterization system comprises two thermal heads. A thermal interface material is disposed between the thermal heads. A plurality of thermal sensors is disposed within one of the thermal heads. Another plurality of thermal sensors is disposed within the other thermal head. The thermal sensors generate temperature data along an axis in a direction of heat flow through the thermal heads. A thermal characteristic of the thermal interface material can be determined from the temperature data generated from the thermal sensors.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has three cones, each cone being mounted for rotation about a cone axis while the bit rotates about a bit axis. An outer row and an adjacent row of cutting elements are integrally formed on each of the cones. Each of the cutting elements of the adjacent row on each of the cones has a crest extending perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the cone. Annular spaces are located between the outer row and the adjacent row on each of the cones. The annular space on one cone has a width that is less than the annular spaces on the other cones. The width of the narrowest annular space is greater than the width of the crests of the adjacent row.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention can determine the type of power source that is installed in a device, and then apply the appropriate recharging rate to the power source. In one embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible to safely interchange high-rate and slow-rate power sources in the same device. In another embodiment, a device may include multiple power sources, each having any of a variety of recharge rates, and the same recharging circuitry can be used to safely recharge each power source at the appropriate rate.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body that includes head sections, each having depending bit legs with a circumferentially extending outer surface, a leading side, and a trailing side. A bearing shaft depends inwardly from each of the bit legs for mounting a cutter. The bit includes a beveled surface formed at a junction of the leading side and the outer surface of each bit leg. The beveled surface is angled relative to a radial plane emenating from the axis of the bit. The angle of the beveled surface is at least 20 degrees, and extends to an inner surface of the bit leg. The bit can also have a layer of hardfacing on the leading, trailing and shirttail surfaces of the bit leg. A diversion finger of hardfacing extends circumferentially to direct cuttings.

Abstract: A system may include a fuel cell to generate power, and a voltage regulator coupled to the fuel cell, the voltage regulator to regulate the generated power, and to charge a battery of a mobile computing system with the regulated power.

Abstract: A system may include a fuel cell system to transmit first data, to generate power, and to deliver the generated power, and a mobile computing system to receive the first data, and to receive the generated power.

Abstract: A gage scraper cleans mud from the gage surface of a rotary cone of a drill bit. The bit has a body having at least one leg depending therefrom, a bearing pin secured to each leg, and a rotary cutting cone mounted to the bearing pin. The cone has a conical gage surface. The gage scraper mounts on the inside of each leg and protrudes from the leg toward the cone into close proximity with the gage surface.

Abstract: A digital input power rail receives an input voltage for a display. A voltage regulator regulates the input voltage to a start-up voltage during a start-up period. After the start-up period, the voltage regulator regulates the input voltage to a steady-state voltage. The steady-state voltage is lower than the start-up voltage.