Abstract: A self-locking wire terminal assembly and a shape memory wire termination system includes an electrical terminal constructed with spring legs which provide two opposing points of contact on a mating electrical conductive pin. The points of contact prevent the pin from being removed. The shape memory termination system is formed by electrically coupling a clip assembly to shape memory wire and to an electrical source. In one embodiment, the shape memory wire causes an actuator to activate when the shape memory wire dissipates electrical power. The terminal assemblies may be manufactured by assembling wire with conduction pads onto a continuous reel. The terminal assemblies may be formed from the reel by trimming wire and linkages between the conduction pads.

Abstract: A self-locking wire terminal assembly and a shape memory wire termination system includes an electrical terminal constructed with spring legs which provide two opposing points of contact on a mating electrical conductive pin. The points of contact prevent the pin from being removed. The shape memory termination system is formed by electrically coupling a clip assembly to shape memory wire and to an electrical source. In one embodiment, the shape memory wire causes an actuator to activate when the shape memory wire dissipates electrical power. The terminal assemblies may be manufactured by assembling wire with conduction pads onto a continuous reel. The terminal assemblies may be formed from the reel by trimming wire and linkages between the conduction pads.

Abstract: A self-locking wire terminal assembly and a shape memory wire termination system includes an electrical terminal constructed with spring legs which provide two opposing points of contact on a mating electrical conductive pin. The points of contact prevent the pin from being removed. The shape memory termination system is formed by electrically coupling a clip assembly to shape memory wire and to an electrical source. In one embodiment, the shape memory wire causes an actuator to activate when the shape memory wire dissipates electrical power. The terminal assemblies may be manufactured by assembling wire with conduction pads onto a continuous reel. The terminal assemblies may be formed from the reel by trimming wire and linkages between the conduction pads.

Abstract: An electrical terminal configured to electrically mate with a conductive blade may include a base integrally formed with lateral walls, at least one spring member, and at least one contact rib. The spring member extends from at least one of the lateral walls, and is configured to contact a first surface of the conductive blade. The contact rib extends from an upper surface of the base, and is configured to contact a second surface of the conductive blade. The spring member may include an extension beam angled toward the base, with a tip of the extension beam being canted away from the base, so as not to snag the conductive blade.

Abstract: An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a piston-cylinder driving assembly for inserting the electrical wires into the electrical connector. More particularly, the piston-cylinder driving assembly comprises a three-chamber pneumatic piston-cylinder driving assembly for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting the electrical wires into the electrical connector.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided for an automobile mirror assembly or the like, and includes a flexible membrane having electrical traces electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system, and connecting sites for electrically connecting to various power consumers in the mirror assembly.

Abstract: An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a three-chamber pneumatic driving section for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting and terminating the electrical wires into and upon the electrical connector, a quick-release mechanism for mounting a punch or die set holder upon the driving section so as to enable the quick exchange or replacement of the particular punch or die set, a quick insertion system for mounting the driving section-punch or die set holder assembly upon the base fixture or framework, and primary and secondary means for accurately positioning both the electrical connector and an associated pin header upon the base fixture or framework wherein the pin header is also used for integrity verification of the electrical circuits defined between the installed electrical wi

Abstract: An air distribution arrangement is adapted to be arranged in a cabinet for housing rack-mounted equipment that generates heat in use. The arrangement can be part of the cabinet when constructed or it can be an add-on feature. The arrangement includes plenum structure comprising side walls and a top wall that cooperates with the front door of the cabinet and the faces of the rack-mounted equipment to define a plenum. An air box in the cabinet draws ambient air from adjacent the floor into the plenum at a rate of at least 850 cfm. The ambient air is cooler than the air in the cabinet. The faces of the rack-mounted equipment have openings for receiving the ambient air to cool the interiors thereof. After cooling the rack-mounted equipment the air can be exhausted back to the ambient. The side walls and the top wall of the arrangement are adjustable to permit adjustment of the depth of the plenum. Pressure in the plenum can be relieved by slots in the plenum structure.

Abstract: A data collection and automatic database population system which combines global positioning system (GPS), speech recognition software, radio frequency (RF) communications, and geographic information system (GIS) to allow rapid capture of field data, asset tracking, and automatic transfer of the data to a GIS database. A pre-defined grammar allows observations to be continuously captured along with GPS location and time, and stored on the field mobile unit. A mobile unit's location is tracked in real time or post processed through wireless RF transmission of location information between the mobile unit and a central processing station. The captured data is electronically transferred to a central processing station for quality assurance and automatic population of the GIS database. The system provides for automatic correlation of field data with other GIS database layers. Tools to generate predefined or user defined reports, work orders, and general data queries allow exploitation of the GIS database.

Abstract: A self-locking wire terminal assembly and a shape memory wire termination system includes an electrical terminal constructed with spring legs which provide two opposing points of contact on a mating electrical conductive pin. The points of contact prevent the pin from being removed. The shape memory termination system is formed by electrically coupling a clip assembly to shape memory wire and to an electrical source. In one embodiment, the shape memory wire causes an actuator to activate when the shape memory wire dissipates electrical power. The terminal assemblies may be manufactured by assembling wire with conduction pads onto a continuous reel. The terminal assemblies may be formed from the reel by trimming wire and linkages between the conduction pads.

Abstract: A tool for inserting electrical wires into an electrical connector for mating with a plurality of electrical contact members fixedly mounted within the electrical connector comprises a base fixture upon which the electrical connector is to be installed, an insertion die holder upon which a set of insertion dies is mounted for encountering and forcing the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector, a driving assembly for moving the insertion die holder toward the base fixture so as to cause the set of insertion dies to force the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector and mate with the electrical contact members of the electrical connector, and structure fixedly mounted upon the base fixture for engaging the electrical connector so as to precisely locate and laterally immobilize the electrical connector upon the base fixture such that the set of insertion dies can accurately insert the electrical wires into said electrical connector.

Abstract: A cabinet for housing computer devices with an internal air distribution system is disclosed. The cabinet includes an internal chamber defined by a side wall arrangement having at least a front wall. The cabinet includes a support structure for computer devices, wherein the support structure is positioned within the internal chamber of the cabinet. The air distribution device comprises an elongated duct defining a passageway for air distribution. The duct is positioned within the internal chamber and has at least one adjustable air discharge port that is in fluid communication with the passageway. The air distribution device further includes an inlet fan in fluid communication with the passageway. By precisely directing cool air to a frontal portion of the computer devices, the air distribution device reduces the temperature gradients within the cabinet and the quantity of heat that accumulates in the cabinet during operation of the computer devices.

Abstract: An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a three-chamber pneumatic driving section for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting and terminating the electrical wires into and upon the electrical connector, a quick-release mechanism for mounting a punch or die set holder upon the driving section so as to enable the quick exchange or replacement of the particular punch or die set, a quick insertion system for mounting the driving section-punch or die set holder assembly upon the base fixture or framework, and primary and secondary means for accurately positioning both the electrical connector and an associated pin header upon the base fixture or framework wherein the pin header is also used for integrity verification of the electrical circuits defined between the installed electrical wi

Abstract: A press apparatus presses a wire into a wire connector that is carried on an elongated strip. The connector has an opening at a top thereof, is stored on the strip in a side-ways orientation and is fed into the press on the strip. The press includes a feed path having a reorienting section to reorient the connector to position the opening in an upward orientation. A guide portion defines a conveyance path and direction. The guide portion has opposing walls. A one-way feed assembly feeds the connector into the press and prevents reverse movement of the connector. The feed assembly includes a guide wall and a feed pawl disposed opposite the guide wall. A reciprocating press has a die operably connected thereto and reciprocates to move the die to press the wire into the connector when the wire is positioned above the connector opening.

Abstract: A cabinet for housing computer devices with an internal air distribution system is disclosed. The cabinet includes an internal chamber defined by a side wall arrangement having at least a front wall. The cabinet includes a support structure for computer devices, wherein the support structure is positioned within the internal chamber of the cabinet. The air distribution device comprises an elongated duct defining a passageway for air distribution. The duct is positioned within the internal chamber and has a plurality of adjustable air discharge ports that are in fluid communication with the passageway. The air distribution device further includes an inlet fan in fluid communication with the passageway. By precisely directing cool air to a frontal portion of the computer devices, the air distribution device reduces the temperature gradients within the cabinet and the quantity of heat that accumulates in the cabinet during operation of the computer devices.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an electrical component having a tab-type electrical terminal to a conductor or wire includes a non-conducting housing base having a bottom wall, an upstanding front wall and upstanding, opposing side walls generally transverse to the front wall. The base defines a well. The front wall has a notch formed therein for receiving the conductor and the bottom wall has an opening for receiving the tab-type electrical terminal. A conductive contact is carried by the base, disposed in the well. The contact has conductor receiving elements generally aligned with and on opposing sides of the base front wall notch. The conductor receiving elements are configured to receive the conductor therebetween. The contact also includes first and second terminal engaging portions that define a tab-receiving region. The contact is carried by the base to dispose the tab-receiving region in overlying relation to the housing base bottom wall opening.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a plurality of wires to a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin includes a molded, one-piece housing and a plurality of terminals for joining the plurality of wires to the tabs and ground pin. A plurality of openings are formed within the housing, accepting both the plurality of terminals and the tabs and ground pin of the assembly, and allowing the terminals to connect with the tabs and ground pin. The plurality of openings are formed within the bottom, front, and back faces of the housing. A method of connecting a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin to a plurality of wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a plurality of wires to a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin includes a molded, one-piece housing and a plurality of terminals for joining the plurality of wires to the tabs and ground pin. A plurality of openings are formed within the housing, accepting both the plurality of terminals and the tabs and ground pin of the assembly, and allowing the terminals to connect with the tabs and ground pin. The plurality of openings are formed within the bottom, front, and back faces of the housing. A method of connecting a sub-miniature switch and lamp socket assembly having tabs and a ground pin to a plurality of wires is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided for an automobile mirror assembly or the like, and includes a flexible membrane having electrical traces electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system, and connecting sites for electrically connecting to various power consumers in the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A bulkhead header for electrically connecting electrical connectors on first and second sides of a bulkhead having first and second surfaces and defining an opening therein includes a body configured for insertion into the bulkhead opening. The header includes at least a pair of tangs for engaging the first surface of the bulkhead. A plurality of pins are disposed in the body and extend from a flange side of the header through to a body side of the header. A flange is formed integral with the body for resting against the second surface of the bulkhead. A portion of the bulkhead is engaged between the tangs and flange to secure the header to the bulkhead. The pins provide electrical connection across the first and second surfaces of the bulkhead.