Abstract: A sensing apparatus for characterizing current flow through a conductor includes a plurality of magnetic sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are grouped in pairs to achieve common mode rejection of signals generated in response to magnetic fields not resulting from current flow through the conductor. Sensors having different levels of sensitivity are used to collect information regarding the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor, where such information is processed in order to characterize the magnetic field. In some cases the sensors are included on or in flexible material that can be wrapped around the conductor.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for characterizing current flow through a conductor includes a plurality of magnetic sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are grouped in pairs to achieve common mode rejection of signals generated in response to magnetic fields not resulting from current flow through the conductor. Sensors having different levels of sensitivity are used to collect information regarding the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor, where such information is processed in order to characterize the magnetic field. In some cases the sensors are included on or in flexible material that can be wrapped around the conductor.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for characterizing current flow through a conductor includes a plurality of magnetic sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are grouped in pairs to achieve common mode rejection of signals generated in response to magnetic fields not resulting from current flow through the conductor. Sensors having different levels of sensitivity are used to collect information regarding the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor, where such information is processed in order to characterize the magnetic field. In some cases the sensors are included on or in flexible material that can be wrapped around the conductor.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a thermal management system which includes providing a set of synthetic jet actuators A={a1, . . . , an} (309, 311, 313), wherein n?3, and wherein each member of A has a diaphragm which oscillates along a principle axis. The members of set A are arranged and operated such that they have corresponding forces F1, . . . , Fn at any given time during their operation, wherein any force Fk ? {F1, . . . , Fn} has vector components along mutually orthogonal axes x, y and z of Fkx, Fky, and Fkz, wherein at least one of the sets Sx={|F1x|, . . . , |Fnx|}, Sy={|F1y|, . . . , |Fny|} and Sz={|F1z|, . . . , |Fnz|} has more than one member, and wherein the sum TF=?i=1n Fi is essentially zero.

Abstract: A method for making a diaphragm is provided. The method includes providing a first ring (305) having a first diameter and a second ring (307) having a second diameter which is greater than said first diameter, wherein at least one of said first and second rings comprises a first elastomeric material; and overmolding the first and second rings with a second material (303) which is distinct from said first material, thereby forming a diaphragm (301).

Abstract: A synthetic jet actuator is provided which includes a voice coil, a yoke consisting of a back iron (303) and pole piece, a plate (307), a first magnet (305) disposed on a first side of said plate, and a second magnet (309) disposed on a second side of said plate. The second magnet is disposed on said pole piece, and the first and second magnets and the plate cooperate to produce and direct magnetic flux which drives the voice coil.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (101) is provided herein which comprises a diaphragm (119), a first voice coil (121) disposed on a first side of the diaphragm, and a second voice coil (123) disposed on a second side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A computing device is provided which comprises (a) a chassis having an array of printed circuit boards (PCBs) disposed therein, wherein said chassis has a first wall with a first opening therein, and a second wall with a second opening therein, wherein each PCB is equipped with a microprocessor and a heat sink, and wherein each heat sink comprises a plurality of heat fins that define a plurality of longitudinal channels; (b) a fan which creates a fluidic flow that enters through said first opening and exits through said second opening, said fluidic flow being essentially parallel the longitudinal axes of said plurality of longitudinal channels; and (c) a synthetic jet ejector which directs at least one synthetic jet through at least one of said plurality of channels.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided which comprises (a) a synthetic jet actuator; and (b) a frame having at least one element therein which pressingly engages said synthetic jet actuator.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector is provided which includes (a) a first actuator comprising a first diaphragm driven by a first actuator coil, wherein said first actuator coil is disposed on a first side of said first diaphragm; (b) a second actuator comprising a second diaphragm driven by a second actuator coil, wherein said second actuator coil is disposed on a first side of said second diaphragm; and (c) an airtight enclosure which encloses said first and second actuator coils; wherein at least one of said first and second diaphragms is in fluidic communication with the environment external to said enclosure.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming tinsel on a synthetic jet actuator. The method comprises (a) providing a synthetic jet actuator assembly (201) comprising a bobbin (203), a voice coil (213), driver electronics (215), and a surround (205); and (b) printing polymer thick film (PTF) conductive ink (209) across the surround, thus connecting the voice coil to the driver electronics.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a synthetic jet ejector is provided. The method includes (a) taking a first measurement DCR0 of the DC resistance of the coil; (b) adjusting the actuator drive voltage Vd to achieve a desired maximum displacement dmax1 at a frequency f1; (c) measuring the input current Iin and input voltage Vin; (d) calculating the back electromagnetic frequency BEMF, wherein BEMF=Vin?Iin*DCR; and (e) storing the calculated value of BEMF in a memory device associated with the synthetic jet actuator.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a housing (205) having an orifice (207) defined in a wall thereof from which a synthetic jet (209) is emitted, and a barrier (211) disposed about the orifice. The barrier has a first end which is disposed proximal to the orifice and which has a first perimeter. The barrier also has a second end which is disposed distal to the orifice and which has a second perimeter. The second parameter has a larger area than the first perimeter.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a housing (205) having an orifice (207) defined in a wall thereof from which a synthetic jet (209) is emitted, and a barrier (211) disposed about the orifice. The barrier has a first end which is disposed proximal to the orifice and which has a first perimeter. The barrier also has a second end which is disposed distal to the orifice and which has a second perimeter. The second parameter has a larger area than the first perimeter.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a synthetic jet ejector is provided which comprises (a) taking a first measurement DCR0 of the DC resistance of the coil; (b) adjusting the actuator drive voltage Vd to achieve a desired maximum displacement dmax1 at a frequency f1; (c) measuring the input current Iin and input voltage Vin; (d) calculating the back electromagnetic frequency BEMF, wherein BEMF=Vin?Iin*DCR; and (e) storing the calculated value of BEMF in a memory device associated with the synthetic jet actuator.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector is provided which comprises (a) an LED (119), (b) a heat sink (121), (c) a first synthetic jet actuator (111) equipped with a first diaphragm (162) which is adapted to vibrate such that it undergoes displacements along a first axis, and (d) a second synthetic jet actuator (113) equipped with a second diaphragm (163) which is adapted to vibrate such that it undergoes displacements in an opposite direction along said first axis from said first diaphragm.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (101) is provided herein which comprises a diaphragm (119), a first voice coil (121) disposed on a first side of said diaphragm, and a second voice coil (123) disposed on a second side of said diaphragm.

Abstract: A low resistance magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device has a bilayer or multilayer as the insulating tunnel barrier. In one embodiment the tunnel barrier is a bilayer of a first layer of magnesium oxide on the bottom magnetic electrode and an aluminum oxide layer on the magnesium oxide layer. This bilayer is formed by oxidizing a bilayer of Mg/Al. In a second embodiment the tunnel barrier is a bilayer of first layer of aluminum nitride and a second layer of aluminum oxide on top of the aluminum nitride first layer, with this bilayer formed by oxidizing a bilayer of AlN/Al. MTJ devices with trilayer barriers, such as AlN/Al2O3/AlN, MgO/Al2O3/MgO and Al2O3/MgO/Al2O3 are also possible. The resulting magnetic tunnel junction devices have resistance-area values less than 1000 &OHgr;(&mgr;m)2 and preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 &OHgr;(&mgr;m)2, making the devices suitable for magnetic read sensors.