Abstract: A thermally conductive polymer composition is applied to mounted components to provide both thermal control and RF radiation attenuation. In order to improve the RF attenuation performance, a plurality of discrete conductive elements may be incorporated into the polymer composition, with the sizing, spacing and configuration of the suppressed most efficiently by the particular composition. The discrete conductive elements are significantly larger, on the order of 1-5 mils (approximately 25-127 ?m) than the filler materials utilized to render the base polymer conductive. Also disclosed is an apparatus and a method for preparing and applying such a polymer composition to an electronic component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of recycling exhaust tubes used to manufacture optical fiber includes the automated use of 1) a machine vision system that signals a conveyor system when to stop so that a cutting machine will cut contaminates and discoloration from an exhaust tube at the correct place and provides an indication on whether the exhaust tube is reusable, 2) a conveyor system to transport reusable exhaust tubes to different stations, and 3) a robotic arm to load exhaust tubes onto the conveyor system, and unload exhaust tubes from the conveyor system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus having an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for an electronic component. The EMI shield and the electronic component are adapted to be assembled onto a circuit board. The EMI shield provides EMI shielding for the electronic component. The EMI shield includes a thermally conductive material, such as a metal. The EMI shield is deformed, e.g., with a dimple or a tab, to form a contacting portion to contact the electronic component. After the assembly of the EMI shield and the electronic component onto the circuit board, the contacting portion of the EMI shield contacts the electronic component, thereby allowing conductive transfer of thermal energy between the electronic component and the EMI shield and enhanced heat dissipation for the electronic component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an enclosure for housing electrical components, such as circuit boards or the like, has one or more double-walled sides that distribute a cooling fluid to the electrical components. Each of the double-walled sides has a cavity and the cavities may be coupled together along the sides where the double-walled sides join together. A supply of pressurized fluid, such as air, is supplied to the outside wall of one double-walled side. Openings in the inner walls of the double-walled sides discharge the cooling fluid into the enclosure. The openings are positioned to provide cooling fluid where needed. Nozzles may be placed in the openings to further direct and regulate the flow of the cooling fluid into the enclosure. Baffles may be placed in the cavities to direct/deflect cooling fluid to/from the inner wall openings. The walls may be made of plastic or metal and fabricated with conventional techniques.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for electronic equipment has a bristle pad having an anchor end and a free end, wherein the bristle pad has a plurality of flexible bristles each having an anchor end corresponding to the anchor end of the bristle pad and a free end corresponding to the free end of the bristle pad. The bristle pad is adapted to be placed between an electronic component and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for the electronic component, wherein the EMI shield provides EMI shielding for the electronic component. The plurality of flexible bristles are adapted to provide a conductive thermal path between the electronic component and the EMI shield, and one or more of the flexible bristles are adapted to flex when the RF shield is attached to a circuit pack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting whether a vehicle has been altered to conceal contraband. The invention involves receiving a detected signature of sensors embedded in a vehicle, in which the detected signature is a function of i) a distinctive characteristic of the sensors embedded in areas of the vehicle, ii) a number of the sensors embedded in areas of the vehicle, and iii) locations of the sensors in the vehicle. Afterwards, the detected signature is compared to a stored reference signature to determine whether there exists at least one difference between the stored reference signature and the detected signature. If a difference exits, then an alert is produced to notify inspectors that a detailed search is required in a specific area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A solar tracking system has a first set of solar heat gain transducers (700) that produce respective first output signals to drive a reversible first motor (300) for changing a vertical angle of a solar collector (200); and a second set of solar heat gain transducers (700) that produce respective second output signals to drive a reversible second motor (608) for changing a horizontal angle of the solar collector (200); each of the transducers (700) having a thermistor (702) in thermal contact with a thermal mass (706); and a communications apparatus (900) receiving output voltage from solar cells (202) on the solar collector (200).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of recycling exhaust tubes used to manufacture optical fiber includes the automated use of 1) a machine vision system that signals a conveyor system when to stop so that a cutting machine will cut contaminates and discoloration from an exhaust tube at the correct place and provides an indication on whether the exhaust tube is reusable, 2) a conveyor system to transport reusable exhaust tubes to different stations, and 3) a robotic arm to load exhaust tubes onto the conveyor system, and unload exhaust tubes from the conveyor system.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting a vehicle in order to determine whether portions of the vehicle have been altered to conceal contraband or explosives. The apparatus captures an image of an area of a vehicle that should not be altered from a known configuration and compares the image to a reference image of the area as it should appear if it is unaltered. If the captured image and the reference image match, the vehicle is considered unaltered, and hence safe to pass. If the captured image and the reference image do not match, the vehicle is identified as likely to have been altered, and hence a candidate for further inspection. An alert is produced if at least one such difference is found.

Abstract: A protective enclosure includes one or more walls for surrounding an electronic device. At least one of the walls includes energy absorbing protrusions for absorbing the energies, etc., created when, and if, the electronic device unfortunately explodes due to a lightning strike.

Abstract: A large programmable display includes a thin flat sheet of flexible non-conducting material on which wires are mounted via an adhesive. The wires have low impedance segments and are coupled to light emitting displays. An additional sheet of a flexible non-conducting material may be used to create a seal to protect against infiltration to the wires and LEDs of external environmental elements. Advantageously, the display may be rolled up to be transported, and, later unfurled to be operated.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield structure (100) has an elongated conductive wall (102) that continuously or discontinuously defines a shielding perimeter and has a flange (104) laying over laterally to form a J-shaped hook (106) in cross section. A conductive cover or lid (108) engages over the standing wall (102) and has a depending side wall skirt (110) that has a flange (112) and forms a J-shaped hook (114) facing opposite from the hook (106) of the elongated wall (102). The cover (108) is pressed onto the wall (102) for assembly, causing the flanges (104) and (112) to deflect and snap over one another in the space between the overlapping skirt (110) and wall (102). The shield enclosure (122) can be disassembled without damage by applying a tool (116) through an opening (118) in the outer one of either the skirt (110) or wall (102), to deflect and disengage the flanges (104) and (112) in the space between the overlapped skirt (110) and wall (102).

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding structure has conductive parts for blocking propagation of electromagnetic interference, whereof at least one has an appendage or an edge configuration that is shaped so as to bite into the edge of the other of the conductive parts, such as along a narrowing groove. The appendage or edge can have a structure resembling an insulation displacement connector, but is arranged to engage the edge of a sheet-like or planar shielding element, as opposed to biting into an insulated wire. The connection achieves both electrical and mechanical connection between the parts, preferably thereby completing at least part of a shielding enclosure.

Abstract: A protective enclosure includes one or more walls for surrounding an electronic device. At least one of the walls includes energy absorbing protrusions for absorbing the energies, etc., created when, and if, the electronic device unfortunately explodes due to a lightning strike.

Abstract: Electrical enclosures are formed from a plurality of subcomponents, each of a predetermined size. By varying the positions of some of the subcomponents, the size of the enclosure may also be varied. The use of such subcomponents to form enclosures is less labor-intensive than previous techniques.

Abstract: A thermally conductive polymer composition is applied to mounted components to provide both thermal control and RF radiation attenuation. In order to improve the RF attenuation performance, a plurality of discrete conductive elements may be incorporated into the polymer composition, with the sizing, spacing and configuration of the suppressed most efficiently by the particular composition. The discrete conductive elements are significantly larger, on the order of 1-5 mils (approximately 25-127 ?m) than the filler materials utilized to render the base polymer conductive. Also disclosed is an apparatus and a method for preparing and applying such a polymer composition to an electronic component.

Abstract: A self-contained temperature monitor is provided for use in combination with a range of plumbing fixtures and piping through which liquid will flow either continuously or periodically. The temperature monitor typically includes a main body, a temperature sensor, a processing unit and a indicator means, such as a digital display or an array of light emitting devices, for conveying the sensed temperature information to a user. Various configurations of the temperature monitor provide for temporary or more permanent mounting on plumbing fixtures, particularly faucets, and pipes.

Abstract: A solar tracking system has a first set of solar heat gain transducers (700) that produce respective first output signals to drive a reversible first motor (300) for changing a vertical angle of a solar collector (200); and a second set of solar heat gain transducers (700) that produce respective second output signals to drive a reversible second motor (608) for changing a horizontal angle of the solar collector (200); each of the transducers (700) having a thermistor (702) in thermal contact with a thermal mass (706); and a communications apparatus (900) receiving output voltage from solar cells (202) on the solar collector (200).

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield structure (100) has an elongated conductive wall (102) that continuously or discontinuously defines a shielding perimeter and has a flange (104) laying over laterally to form a J-shaped hook (106) in cross section. A conductive cover or lid (108) engages over the standing wall (102) and has a depending side wall skirt (110) that has a flange (112) and forms a J-shaped hook (114) facing opposite from the hook (106) of the elongated wall (102). The cover (108) is pressed onto the wall (102) for assembly, causing the flanges (104) and (112) to deflect and snap over one another in the space between the overlapping skirt (110) and wall (102). The shield enclosure (122) can be disassembled without damage by applying a tool (116) through an opening (118) in the outer one of either the skirt (110) or wall (102), to deflect and disengage the flanges (104) and (112) in the space between the overlapped skirt (110) and wall (102).

Abstract: A system having a steerable antenna coupled to a temperature-dependent driver. The driver has a shape-memory element fabricated using a shape-memory alloy (SMA) and having the ability to change its shape as a function of temperature. The element is adapted to steer the antenna to improve signal reception and is controlled by a control circuit, which resistively heats the element while using the strength of the electrical signal generated by the antenna in response to a received radio-frequency signal as a feedback signal. The temperature of the element is adjusted to optimize the signal strength. Systems of the invention may enable customer-performed antenna alignment and are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.