Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting a seismic event, which comprises acquiring (110) a digital signal x characteristic of a signal measured by at least one seismic sensor, and calculating (130) a time-frequency distribution for at least one section of a given duration of said signal, in a given frequency band. For each frequency of said frequency band, the calculated time-frequency distribution is normalized. The method also comprises calculating (150) the moving average of the normalized time-frequency distribution ZD, in said frequency band and in a time window, given reference L, centered on the time n; and detecting (160) a seismic event when the average exceeds a predefined threshold value. The invention also provides a corresponding detection system.

Abstract: A model-based functional hazard assessment (FHA) is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus for generating a model-based FHA associated with a product includes an associator to associate a function of the product to a failure condition to define a first association, and associate a hazard assessment with the failure condition to define a second association, and associate a safety requirement with the hazard assessment to define a third association. The apparatus also includes an organizer to generate the FHA based on the first, second, and third associations. Disclosed examples include automated FHA data validation capabilities.

Abstract: A board to board contactless interconnect system includes a first circuit board for launching at st one microwave signal into a cavity of a first waveguide secured thereto. A second waveguide, secured to a second circuit board, is coupleable to the first waveguide to receive the at least one microwave signal in a cavity of the second waveguide and conduct the at least one microwave signal onto a microwave receiver aligned with the cavity on the second circuit board. The waveguides may be separable and may include additional waveguides. Conductive gaskets with apertures for microwave signals to pass through are positioned between the waveguides and between each circuit board and a waveguide to prevent leakage of microwave energy therebetween. Some embodiments may pass signals through a sealed boundary and maintain integrity of the seal. Such embodiments may have a third waveguide interposed between the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting a seismic event, which comprises acquiring (110) a digital signal x characteristic of a signal measured by at least one seismic sensor, and calculating (130) a time-frequency distribution for at least one section of a given duration of said signal, in a given frequency band. For each frequency of said frequency band, the calculated time-frequency distribution is normalized. The method also comprises calculating (150) the moving average of the normalized time-frequency distribution ZD, in said frequency band and in a time window, given reference L, centered on the time n; and detecting (160) a seismic event when the average exceeds a predefined threshold value. The invention also provides a corresponding detection system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effectiveness of an auditory prosthesis comprises transmitting a stimulus via an auditory prosthesis, thereby delivering an auditory stimulus to the auditory nervous system of a person fitted with said auditory prosthesis, picking up the neurophysiological signals transmitted by said auditory nervous system in response to the auditory stimulus by means of an electro- or magneto-encephalography system, and processing the received signals. The method also includes transmitting a stimulus made up of at least one pair of linguistic units selected from a phonetic confusion matrix, picking up a neurophysiological signal in response separately for each linguistic unit, and comparing the signals in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A board to board contactless interconnect system includes a first circuit board for launching at st one microwave signal into a cavity of a first waveguide secured thereto. A second waveguide, secured to a second circuit board, is coupleable to the first waveguide to receive the at least one microwave signal in a cavity of the second waveguide and conduct the at least one microwave signal onto a microwave receiver aligned with the cavity on the second circuit board. The waveguides may be separable and may include additional waveguides. Conductive gaskets with apertures for microwave signals to pass through are positioned between the waveguides and between each circuit board and a waveguide to prevent leakage of microwave energy therebetween. Some embodiments may pass signals through a sealed boundary and maintain integrity of the seal. Such embodiments may have a third waveguide interposed between the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: An expandable downhole sealing assembly in which an axial setting force is applied to radially compress and self-energize an expanding element such that stored radial forces in the expanding element effect and maintain a seal thereafter. The sealing assembly can be used to provide a seal between a casing and a mandrel in a well, among other applications.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effectiveness of an auditory prosthesis comprises transmitting a stimulus via an auditory prosthesis, thereby delivering an auditory stimulus to the auditory nervous system of a person fitted with said auditory prosthesis, picking up the neurophysiological signals transmitted by said auditory nervous system in response to the auditory stimulus by means of an electro- or magneto-encephalography system, and processing the received signals. The method also includes transmitting a stimulus made up of at least one pair of linguistic units selected from a phonetic confusion matrix, picking up a neurophysiological signal in response separately for each linguistic unit, and comparing the signals in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A configurable connector system may include a connector assembly including a housing, and at least one wafer retained within the housing. The wafer(s) may include at least one active device in communication with at least one programmable memory component. The active device(s) may be configured to operate based on programming instructions or settings stored within the programmable memory component. The housing of the connector assembly may include an open programmer-receiving channel configured to receive at least a portion of an external programmer that is configured to send the programming instructions or settings to the at least one programmable memory component.

Abstract: A configurable connector system may include a connector assembly including a housing, and at least one wafer retained within the housing. The wafer(s) may include at least one active device in communication with at least one programmable memory component. The active device(s) may be configured to operate based on programming instructions or settings stored within the programmable memory component. The housing of the connector assembly may include an open programmer-receiving channel configured to receive at least a portion of an external programmer that is configured to send the programming instructions or settings to the at least one programmable memory component.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a backplane connector having a housing, signal contacts held by the housing and shield plates held by the housing. The housing includes a front and a rear. The housing includes signal channels extending along mating axes thereof between the front and the rear. The signal channels receive corresponding signal contacts. The housing includes slots that receive the shield plates. The signal contacts extend along the mating axes and are arranged in pairs carrying differential signals. The shield plates are electrically conductive and extend generally parallel to the mating axes between corresponding pairs of signal contacts to entirely peripherally surround the pairs of signal contacts to provide electrical shielding for the pairs of signal contacts.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing an annulus in a downhole application including a sealing ring and a deflecting ring axially aligned between axially opposed mesh back-ups, each of the sealing ring and the deflecting ring defining a first ramped end, the first ramped ends facing each other such that an axial set force applied to the deflecting ring deflects the sealing ring radially outward forcing the sealing ring into a side-by-side arrangement with the deflecting ring to fill and seal the annulus.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a backplane connector having a housing, signal contacts held by the housing and shield plates held by the housing. The housing includes a front and a rear. The housing includes signal channels extending along mating axes thereof between the front and the rear. The signal channels receive corresponding signal contacts. The housing includes slots that receive the shield plates. The signal contacts extend along the mating axes and are arranged in pairs carrying differential signals. The shield plates are electrically conductive and extend generally parallel to the mating axes between corresponding pairs of signal contacts to entirely peripherally surround the pairs of signal contacts to provide electrical shielding for the pairs of signal contacts.

Abstract: A header connector includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The housing has contact channels open between the mating and mounting ends, and the housing has air pockets provided between selected ones of the contact channels to control an impedance of socket contacts received in the contact channels. Socket contacts are loaded into the contact channels, with each socket contact including a contact body extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The contact body has a box-shaped socket at the mating end that defines a reception area configured to receive a mating contact. The box-shaped socket is configured to engage four different sides of the mating contact.

Abstract: An electrical contact is provided for an electrical connector that is mounted on a printed circuit. The electrical contact includes a mating segment having a mating interface configured to engage a mating contact of another connector. The electrical contact also includes a tail segment having a mounting interface configured to be mounted to the printed circuit. An intermediate segment extends between and interconnects the mating and tail segments. The intermediate segment includes a base wall extending a length from the tail segment to the mating segment. The intermediate segment further includes a side wall extending outwardly from the base wall along at least a portion of the length of the base wall. The side wall extends outwardly at a non-parallel angle relative to the base wall for affecting at least one of an impedance, an insertion loss, or a reflection of the electrical contact.

Abstract: A high speed electrical connector assembly is disclosed providing a first subassembly having connector assemblies attached to a daughtercard, and a second subassembly having connector assemblies attached to a backplane. A keying guide module is mounted to the daughtercard and a keying guide pin is mounted to the backplane. The alignment of the keying guide module and keying guide pin aligns the connector assemblies on the daughtercard and backplane.

Abstract: A header connector includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The housing has contact channels open between the mating and mounting ends, and the housing has air pockets provided between selected ones of the contact channels to control an impedance of socket contacts received in the contact channels. Socket contacts are loaded into the contact channels, with each socket contact including a contact body extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The contact body has a box-shaped socket at the mating end that clergies a reception area configured to receive a mating contact. The box-shaped socket is configured to engage four different sides of the mating contact.

Abstract: An electrical contact is provided for an electrical connector that is mounted on a printed circuit. The electrical contact includes a mating segment having a mating interface configured to engage a mating contact of another connector. The electrical contact also includes a tail segment having a mounting interface configured to be mounted to the printed circuit. An intermediate segment extends between and interconnects the mating and tail segments. The intermediate segment includes a base wall extending a length from the tail segment to the mating segment. The intermediate segment further includes a side wall extending outwardly from the base wall along at least a portion of the length of the base wall. The side wall extends outwardly at a non-parallel angle relative to the base wall for affecting at least one of an impedance, an insertion loss, or a reflection of the electrical contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a mating end and a board end. The housing has a plurality of contact cavities extending along a longitudinal axis between the mating and board ends. A plurality of contacts are received within the contact cavities. The contacts have a mating end and a mounting end, and the contacts have a flexible tail at the mounting end. The tail has a first portion extending along the longitudinal axis and a second portion angled with respect to the first portion with the second portion having a board mounting surface configured to mount to a circuit board. The tail includes a slot open along the board mounting surface.