Abstract: A gas flow sensor housing and assembly including a gas flow sensor for measuring gas flow is disclosed. The housing includes a gas flow sensor mounting portion having a recess configured for mounting the gas flow sensor therein. The sensor includes a gas flow sensing element mounted to a substrate which is within the recess so as to avoid turbulence in the vicinity of the sensing element resulting from impingement of gas flow on a blunt or rough edge of the substrate. The gas flow sensor mounting portion includes opposed first and second edge portions, at least one of which is smoothly contoured to reduce turbulence in the vicinity of the sensing element. A method for measuring gas flow is also disclosed that employs the disclosed housing and sensor assembly.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell power and management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques for controlling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell power management system (and method of controlling and/or operating same) actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors, manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumption of fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alert the user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumption and/or the time (or estimation thereof remaining until all of the fuel is spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell power and management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques for controlling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell power management system (and method of controlling and/or operating same) actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors, manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumption of fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alert the user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumption and/or the time (or estimation thereof) remaining until all of the fuel is spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell power and management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques for controlling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell power management system (and method of controlling and/or operating same) actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors, manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumption of fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alert the user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumption and/or the time (or estimation thereof) remaining until all of the fuel is spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell power and management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques for controlling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell power management system (and method of controlling and/or operating same) actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors, manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumption of fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alert the user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumption and/or the time (or estimation thereof) remaining until all of the fuel is spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

Abstract: An improved printed circuit card for add in functions for computer systems which adds bandwidth to such cards through additional bus type connectors without changing the form factor.The basic card add in system consist of a card having a printed circuit board surrounded and supported by a frame. A connector socket is mounted to the frame and electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The card has top and bottom covers attached to the frame which enclose the printed circuit board and a portion of the socket. The portion of the existing system located in the host consists of a header which is electrically and mechanically connected to the mother board in the digital computer system. The header has a connector which is electrically connected to the mother board and is adapted to mate with the connector socket in the card. The card and header conform to the PCMCIA standard.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package that contains a fan assembly which is mounted to the package. The package includes a printed circuit board substrate which has a top surface, an opposite bottom surface and an inner die cavity. A plurality of pins extend from the bottom surface of the substrate so that the package can be connected to an external printed circuit board. A metal lid may be mounted to the top surface to enclose an integrated circuit located within the die cavity of the substrate. The integrated circuit may be mounted to the lid and is electrically coupled to the pins by various routing features of the package. The package includes a plurality of metal disks that are soldered to corresponding surface pads on the top surface of the substrate. The lid exposes the disks. A fan assembly is mounted to the lid and connected to the disks so that the fan receives electrical current through the package.

Abstract: An improved printed circuit card for add in functions for computer systems which adds bandwidth to such cards through additional bus type connectors without changing the form factor. The basic card add in system consist of a card having a printed circuit board surrounded and supported by a frame. A connector socket is mounted to the frame and electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The card has top and bottom covers attached to the frame which enclose the printed circuit board and a portion of the socket. The portion of the existing system located in the host consists of a header which is electrically and mechanically connected to the mother board in the digital computer system. The header has a connector which is electrically connected to the mother board and is adapted to mate with the connector socket in the card. The card and header conform to the PCMCIA standard.

Abstract: A modem located on a PC card. An I/O socket is mounted on one end of the PC card and sideswipe contacts are positioned long e one or more sides. The I/O socket has a plurality of positions including one or more positions which are electrically connected to the modem. A relay is located in the PC card, and has one side connected in common to the modem and the positions on the I/O socket. The other side of the relay is connected to the sideswipe connectors. The control input to the relay is connected to a position of the I/O socket separate from the modem positions. A voltage source is connected to a position in the socket separate from the modem positions and the control signal position. An I/O plug is designed to have one side connected to the telephone network and the other side connected to the I/O socket such that all pins in the plug mate with the corresponding positions in the I/O socket.

Abstract: A sideswipe contact system for an add in PC card consisting of an apparatus for identifying the card as having a sideswipe connector and apparatus on a header for causing the header connectors to be electrically isolated from an inserted PC card unless the PC card is equipped with the sideswipe connectors. The header assembly includes a frame mechanically shaped to receive the card frame in an inserting relationship. A plurality of connector assemblies are movably mounted to the header frame. Each of the connector assemblies consists of an insulating standoff having substantially the same specified shape as the first cavity and fitting therein and a second electrical conductor adjacent to and smaller than the standoff. The plurality of connector assemblies are movable from a first position when the PC card is not inserted in the header frame to a second position when the card is fully inserted into the header.

Abstract: A connector system for an add in PC card for supplying network communications functions to a host computer wherein the connector to the network is a RJ type universal jack consisting of a socket and plug. A cavity in the card is formed by an opening in the short dimension of the frame opposite the 68 position connector and the top and bottom covers. A carriage is mounted in the cavity so that it can slide in and out and occupy at least two positions. The carriage consists of a socket portion for making contact with the RJ type plug and a support and contact portion that mechanically supports the carriage within the card and also makes the electrical contact between the carriage and the card. In the first of the two positions, substantially all of the carriage is within the cavity. In the second of the two positions, the socket portion of the carriage is outside of the cavity. In this position, the socket is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing alternate signal paths between a removably insertable integrated circuit (IC) card in a computer system and an external device is described. The method and apparatus includes an IC card designed for coupling with the external device through a rear I/O receptacle located along the rear IC card edge, the IC card also including an auxiliary side contacts along a side edge. The method and apparatus includes the use of a flexible conducting strip to connect each of the auxiliary side contacts along the side edge to the appropriate pins of the rear I/O receptacle. In this manner the IC card contains alternate signal paths to the external device, being capable of coupling to the external device in either a rear-connecting scheme or a side-connecting scheme, the adaptation to side contacts having been achieved with minimal redesign of the rear-connecting IC card.

Abstract: A modular communications connector apparatus for coupling an external communications device to the auxiliary I/O contacts of an IC card receptacle of a computer system is described. The apparatus includes a communications adapter receptacle, affixed to the computer chassis, which includes electrical contacts which are coupled to the auxiliary I/O contacts of the IC card receptacle. The apparatus also includes at least one communications adapter module which serves as an intermediate adapter between the communications adapter receptacle and one of a variety of standard communications plugs. To form the desired interface, the standard communications plug of the external device is inserted into a standard receptacle contained on communications adapter module, and the communications adapter module is then inserted into the communications adapter receptacle. Flexibility is achieved because the communications adapter receptacle is capable of receiving a variety of differently-adapted communications adapter modules.

Abstract: A system is provided wherein an IC memory card (10) is inserted into a slot (12) of an electronic device (14), which discharges any static electric charge on the card prior to mating of card and device contacts (32, 34). The card has a frame with opposite sides that have metal clips, and the electronic device has grounding terminals (74, 76) that engage the clips, as the card is inserted.

Abstract: A right-angle surface-mounted light-emitting diode is mounted on a printed circuit board within a thin form factor computer cartridge. The LED is mounted, inside the cartridge assembly, close to, and facing toward, the opaque edge of the cartridge. The edge of the cartridge frame has a small diameter hole, through which a clear light-transmitting material is installed. This light-transmitting material forms a light pipe which conducts the light emanating from the LED out of the card.

Abstract: A connector that can be attached to a printed circuit board. The connector has a plastic connector housing which includes a contact body and a frame. The contact body contains a plurality of electrically conductive pins that can be mated with the sockets of an external connector. The frame is integral with the contact body and extends around the edges of the printed circuit board. The frame has a ridge that allows the printed circuit board to be mounted directly to the connector.