Abstract: A battery pack comprising: at least one battery including at least one electrode and at least one terminal in electrical connection with the electrode; a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising at least one layer having an electrical circuit in electrical connection with the at least one battery, the PCB including at least one PCB interconnect for electrical connection with the at least one battery; and at least one battery-pack interconnect in electrical connection with the at least one PCB interconnect and the at least one terminal of the battery. The PCB interconnect comprises a PCB-interconnect aperture formed therein and having an electrically conductive inner surface structured to receive the battery-pack interconnect for direct electrical connection between the two.

Abstract: An impact recovery assembly generally includes an object, an impact recovery device, and an adaptor for attaching the object to the impact recovery device. The adaptor includes a body having a first attachment portion configured for interfacing with the impact recovery assembly and a second attachment portion configured for interfacing with an object, wherein the first attachment portion is different at least in part from the second attachment portion.

Abstract: A battery pack comprising: at least one battery including at least one electrode and at least one terminal in electrical connection with the electrode; a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising at least one layer having an electrical circuit in electrical connection with the at least one battery, the PCB including at least one PCB interconnect for electrical connection with the at least one battery; and at least one battery-pack interconnect in electrical connection with the at least one PCB interconnect and the at least one terminal of the battery. The PCB interconnect comprises a PCB-interconnect aperture formed therein and having an electrically conductive inner surface structured to receive the battery-pack interconnect for direct electrical connection between the two.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for measuring spatial characteristics of a test object with stacked features. First and second measurement assemblies for measuring opposing first and second planar features, respectively, of a test object, by directing light beams into a gap between the features to measure a position and a static attitude of each feature.

Abstract: Tools for compacting composite parts are disclosed. These tools are used while layers of composite material, such as tows or laminae, are being deposited onto a fabricating surface, such as a mold or other forming tool. The compacting tool is typically divided into a series of narrow segments, each segment able to advance or retreat individually so as to conform to the surface of a composite part being formed. Pressurized fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid, or non-pressurized internal bladders with incompressible fluid, are used to evenly apply pressure to the segments in order to compact the material with which the tool and the segments are in contact. The compacting tool thus helps eliminate voids and helps the material conform to the desired shape on the forming tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for software development in which the development of a base product proceeds concurrently with the internationalization and localization of the base product to produce multiple language versions of the product for polylingual simultaneous shipment to customers wherein one or more of the multiple languages can be uploaded by the customer in a single installation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, for handling the backing film in a fiber placement process, by winding-up the backing film, into a roll, as the backing film is separated from a fiber tow. The backing film is wound-up in such a manner that it can be fed back out to rejoin the tow, should it be necessary to rewind a portion of the tow during the fiber placement process. The backing film may be wound onto a paper or cardboard core for ease of removal and handling.

Abstract: A network security module for protecting computing devices connected to a communication network from security threats is presented. The network security module is interposed, either logically or physically, between the protected computer and the communication network. The network security module receives security information from a security service. The security information comprises security measures which, when enforced by the network security module, protect the computer from a security threat to the computer. The network security module implements the security measures by controlling the network activities between the protected computer and the network. The network security module also temporarily implements security patches until corresponding patches are installed onto the protected computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and invention are provided for accelerating an added tow to match the lay-down speed of other tows exiting a compaction roller of a fiber placement head, by driving the added tow with an add roller operatively coupled to be driven at the same peripheral speed as a feed roller having a peripheral speed matching the peripheral speed of the compaction roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for replacing a creel in a fiber placement machine, by sequentially moving replaceable creels into place on the fiber placement machine, via tracks and/or guide rails, as one or more spools in a previously operating creel are exhausted, and removing the creel having the one or more exhausted spools, to thereby allow fiber placement to continue from the replacement creel while the creel having one or more exhausted spools of material is replenished. An auto-splice apparatus and method are incorporated into the replaceable creel and fiber placement machine, for assisting in the exchange of replaceable creels.

Abstract: An apparatus and invention are provided for accelerating an added tow to match the lay-down speed of other tows exiting a compaction roller of a fiber placement head, by driving the added tow with an add roller operatively coupled to be driven at the same peripheral speed as a feed roller having a peripheral speed matching the peripheral speed of the compaction roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing, and is thereby selectively operable between an expanded mode and a retracted mode. In the expanded mode, a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the retracted mode, a contacting engagement is defined with the component as well as a simultaneous longitudinal force that is transferred by the contacting engagement to the component capable of pressingly engaging the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for creating a prototype GUI for conversion into an actual GUI whose appearance when displayed matches the appearance of the prototype GUI. In some situations, multiple personnel may participate in the process, such as a non-technical GUI designer that specifies the prototype GUI appearance information and a technical GUI developer that specifies various non-appearance information for a corresponding actual GUI. A prototype GUI is first created based on layout and other appearance information specified for various GUI elements, and corresponding proxy GUI objects are generated that store appearance information but not various non-appearance information used as part of an actual GUI. Proxy GUI objects for a prototype GUI can then be converted into actual GUI objects for use with an actual GUI, and various non-appearance information can be specified for the actual GUI objects in various ways.

Abstract: A method for repairing a shorted tunnel device includes the step of applying a stressing signal to the tunnel device. The stressing signal has an amplitude that is greater than an amplitude of a bias signal applied to the device during normal operation. One or more characteristics of the stressing signal are selected so as to substantially optimize a repair of the device. The amplitude and/or the duration of the stressing signal are preferably selected so as to remove a conductive filament shorting the device via a thermal mechanism (e.g., heating).

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing, and is thereby selectively operable between an expanded mode and a retracted mode. In the expanded mode, a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the retracted mode, a contacting engagement is defined with the component as well as a simultaneous longitudinal force that is transferred by the contacting engagement to the component capable of pressingly engaging the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: An electronic circuit tester is disclosed which is utilized for the testing and troubleshooting of the various lighting, control and signaling circuits required in the towing of a trailer, vehicle or other conveyance. The tester generally comprises an enclosure, which may be included as a part of a wiring harness connector, or separately attached to a wiring harness connector by means of electrical wiring. The testing circuit includes a plurality of input lines, logic means, and an alerting means. The testing circuits cause a distinct alert to be produced in response to each distinct test of the trailer device driving circuits of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described is a removable assembly for use on a fixed surface. The assembly includes a post having a base (42) and an attachment assembly (8). The attachment assembly includes a base plate (10) and a magnet assembly (12), both capable of carrying a magnetic current. The magnet assembly includes a housing (20) and a magnet (22) disposed within the housing. To use, the magnet assembly is placed adjacent the base plate, the magnetic forces attracting and holding them together. The magnet is positioned apart from the base plate while the housing contacts the base plate to form the magnet circuit. An attachment plate (30) is connected to the housing upper wall adjacent its outer surface. The attachment plate includes one or more outwardly projecting attachment bolts (26). As assembled, the bolts engage corresponding openings (48) in the post base (42).

Abstract: Apparatus for repairing one or more shorted memory cells in a memory circuit includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is operative in one of at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the control circuitry is operative to apply a first signal to a selected memory cell in the memory circuit for reading a logic state of the selected memory cell and to determine whether or not the selected memory cell is shorted. In the second mode, the control circuitry is operative to apply a second signal to a selected memory cell which has been determined to be shorted for initiating a repair of the selected memory cell, the second signal being greater in magnitude than the first signal.