Abstract: A power distribution unit may include a power distribution unit frame, where the power distribution unit frame has a 2U form factor, and where the power distribution unit frame is coupled to mount in an embedded computer frame. A plurality of power ingress sites may be coupled to a rear portion of the power distribution unit frame, where each of the plurality of power ingress sites has a current capacity of at least 100 amperes, where each of the plurality of power ingress sites includes an ingress pin coupled to interface with an ingress in-line, hyperboloid radial socket, and where the power distribution unit has a current capacity density of the plurality of power ingress sites of at least 600 amperes per power distribution unit.

Abstract: A power distribution unit (306) may include a power distribution unit frame (310), where the power distribution unit frame has a 2U form factor (312), and where the power distribution unit frame is coupled to mount in an embedded computer frame (102). A plurality of power ingress sites (330) may be coupled to a rear portion (320) of the power distribution unit frame, where each of the plurality of power ingress sites has a current capacity of at least 100 amperes, where each of the plurality of power ingress sites includes an ingress pin (332) coupled to interface with an ingress in-line, hyperboloid radial socket (334), and where the power distribution unit has a current-capacity density of the plurality of power ingress sites of at least 600 amperes per power distribution unit.

Abstract: A connector adaptor (205) and method may include a terminal block (210) and a power conductor (215). The power conductor includes in-line, hyperboloid radial sockets (220) to be applied to pins 235 mounted in an array on a power distribution unit (106), and two-hole terminal connectors 225, where the two-hole terminal connectors are each coupled to a pair of threaded studs (230) extending from the terminal block, and where the connector adaptor is adapted to conduct power to an embedded computer chassis.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a power distribution unit (306) may include providing a power distribution unit frame (310), where the power distribution unit frame has a 2U form factor (312), and where the power distribution unit frame is coupled to mount in an embedded computer frame (102). An alarm module (418) may be coupled to a circuit breaker connection site (214) in the power distribution unit frame. The alarm module may detect whether a circuit breaker (416) is coupled to the circuit breaker connection site via a set of auxiliary contacts (439). If the alarm module detects the circuit breaker, the alarm module monitors a set of shelf conditions. If the alarm module fails to detect the circuit breaker, the alarm module does not monitor the set of shelf conditions.

Abstract: An integrated power supply air inlet unit (124) coupled to slidably insert into a first interspace region (120) of an embedded computer chassis (100), where the first interspace region is defined by a module portion (102), a rear surface (110) and a first side surface (112), includes a power supply (128) coupled to supply power to the embedded computer chassis, and a front surface (130) that is substantially perpendicular to the first side surface. A cooling air mass (140) is drawn into the embedded computer chassis through the front surface in a direction substantially perpendicular (150) to the front surface, where upon entering the integrated power supply air inlet unit the cooling air mass is turned substantially ninety degrees to flow over the module portion in a direction substantially parallel the front surface, and where the integrated power supply air inlet unit is hot-swappable in the embedded computer chassis.

Abstract: A method of directly transferring data across a CompactPCI™ backplane (170) via a fully meshed orthogonal network (370). The CompactPCI backplane (170) incorporates a different type connector at its P4 location, in conjunction with a standard family of IEC 61074 connectors at its P1, P2, P3, and P5 locations, to provide high speed data transfer with additional shielding and noise control.

Abstract: A method of directly transferring data across a CompactPCI™ backplane (170) via a fully meshed orthogonal network (370). The CompactPCI backplane (170) incorporates a different type connector at its P4 location, in conjunction with a standard family of IEC 61074 connectors at its P1, P2, P3, and P5 locations, to provide high speed data transfer with additional shielding and noise control.

Abstract: A method of directly transferring data across a CompactPCI™ backplane (170) via a fully meshed orthogonal network (370). The CompactPCI backplane (170) incorporates a different type connector at its P4 location, in conjunction with a standard family of IEC 61074 connectors at its P1, P2, P3, and P5 locations, to provide high speed data transfer with additional shielding and noise control.

Abstract: A power system includes a cable connector (120), a cable (110) comprised of a plurality of wires (211, 212, and 213), and a circuit (230, 421, 422, or 500) for sensing a connection for the cable connector. The circuit is located adjacent to the cable connector and is capable of sensing a predetermined connection condition of the connection of the cable connector. Each wire has an end located within the cable connector.

Abstract: The internal quality of continuously cast and other steel samples in the form of ingots, billets, blooms, slabs and bars is determined in rapid manner to enable potentially problem-causing casting conditions to be identified and corrected in timely manner. A steel sample from the casting, after grinding to remove any heat-affected zone and to provide a desired degree of surface roughness, is anodically etched using dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature to etch away metal from the surface to reveal the internal quality. After removal of the sample from the etching apparatus, the sample is washed, dried, and visually examined to determine the internal quality.

Abstract: The internal quality of continuously cast and other steel samples in the form of ingots, billets, blooms, slabs and bars is determined in rapid manner to enable potentially problem-causing casting conditions to be identified and corrected in timely manner. A steel sample from the casting, after grinding to remove any heat-affected zone and to provide a desired degree of surface roughness, is anodically etched using dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature to etch away metal from the surface to reveal the internal quality. After removal of the sample from the etching apparatus, the sample is washed, dried, and visually examined to determine the internal quality.

Abstract: A process control system is disclosed in which process variables are treated as mapped in n-dimensional space, where n is the number of orthogonal directions. Three functions, set, check, and term, provide the link between expected and actual conditions. The check and term functions operate on orthogonal coordinates. Each parameter has a guard band to provide a soft boundary for the parameter.

Abstract: The internal quality of continuously cast and other steel samples in the form of ingots, billets, blooms, slabs and bars is determined in rapid manner to enable potentially problem-causing casting conditions to be identified and corrected in timely manner. A steel sample from the casting, after grinding to remove any heat-affected zone and to provide a desired degree of surface roughness, is anodically etched using dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature to etch away metal from the surface to reveal the internal quality. After removal of the sample from the etching apparatus, the sample is washed, dried, and visually examined to determine the internal quality.

Abstract: Analog data is collected by conversion to a digital representation thereof via an analog to digital converter. Reference voltages for the converter are provided by digital to analog converters. The reference voltages are varied under the control of a central processing unit to establish a range of interest in the analog data. The range of interest is narrower than the conversion range of the analog to digital converter.

Abstract: A method of fluxing an oxide sample includes placing the sample in a crucible which has a central axis and a bottom, and heating the crucible and thus the oxide sample. A motion is applied to the crucible whereby the central axis moves to describe a conical surface with an apex on the central axis and spaced from the bottom of the crucible by a distance equal to or less than the crucible height. The crucible itself is restrained against rotation about its own axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame and a crucible having a central axis and a bottom. The crucible is supported and is moved so that the central axis of the crucible describes a substantially conical surface with an apex located substantially on the central axis and spaced from the bottom of the crucible by a distance equal to or less than the crucible height. The crucible is restrained against rotation about its own axis.

Abstract: Wet chemical, microcomputer-controlled procedure for the rapid dissolution of metal followed by accurate determination of elements in the sample and, more specifically, suited to meet steel industry requirements for control of the level of acid-soluble aluminum in steel during the making of steel, is described. A sample of steel to be tested is normally placed in an electrolytic cell wherein a known portion of the sample is dissolved electrolytically in dilute cold acid. The aluminum content of the resulting solution is determined spectrophotometrically. The apparatus is compact and readily installed near the steelmaking operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and apparatus for determining the energy absorbed by a test-piece of material during its fracture. The test-piece is supported horizontally between two separated anvils, and a dropweight is released from a position above the test-piece so that the same can be struck and fractured. Means are provided for determining, by measuring a determining characteristic of the motion of the dropweight after the test-piece has been fractured, the theoretical height from which the dropweight would have had to be released in order to have that post-fracture motion if the test-piece had not been in the way. The difference between this calculated theoretical height and the actual height of release, multiplied by the weight of the dropweight, provides a measure of the energy absorbed by the test-piece during its fracture.