Abstract: An apparatus for component cooling includes a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) device configured to be thermally coupled to a first processor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive at least one first parameter indicative of a first activity level of the first processor; determine a TEC power level from among a plurality of TEC power levels based on the at least one first parameter; and control providing of power to the TEC device at the determined TEC power level.

Abstract: An apparatus for component cooling includes a first heat transfer element configured to be thermally coupled to a heat-generating electronic component, and a second heat transfer element. The apparatus further includes a plurality of heat transfer paths thermally coupled between the first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element. Each of the plurality of heat transfer paths configured to provide a separate heat conduction path from the first heat transfer element to the second heat transfer element. The apparatus further includes a manifold including a first fluid passage providing a first portion of a heat transfer fluid in thermal contact with the first heat transfer element, and a second fluid passage providing a second portion of the heat transfer fluid in thermal contact with the second heat transfer element.

Abstract: A rapid-access gun safe includes a portable enclosing structure and a communication module. The portable enclosing structure encloses a firearm. The portable enclosing structure includes a fixed portion and a collapsing wall. The collapsing wall provides rapid access to the firearm. The communication module is coupled to the fixed portion of the enclosing structure. The communication module facilitates incoming and outgoing electronic communication of at least one access signal from a device external to the rapid-access gun safe.

Abstract: A rapid-access gun safe includes a portable enclosing structure and a communication module. The portable enclosing structure encloses a firearm. The portable enclosing structure includes a fixed portion and a collapsing wall. The collapsing wall provides rapid access to the firearm. The communication module is coupled to the fixed portion of the enclosing structure. The communication module facilitates incoming and outgoing electronic communication of at least one access signal from a device external to the rapid-access gun safe.

Abstract: Described is a battery cell housing comprising a battery cell compartment and a latching compartment separated by an inner wall, where the battery housing is made of metal formed by combination extrusion or dual impact extrusion. This permits battery compartment wall to be thin, so that the maximum size battery cell may be inserted into it, and the latching compartment wall to be thic,k so it can be securely fastened to an electronic device. The inner wall provides an impenetrable barrier to moisture migrating from the latching compartment to the battery compartment.

Abstract: An electrical device (40) has a contact (58) for electrically interconnecting with a second device. The contact (58) is disposed on a rib (60) extending downward from the top of an upper housing (42) of the electrical device. The contact (58) has a cantilevered arm extending from a downward portion (68), and terminates in a contact head (78) which extend upwards through an opening (56). The downward portion (68) of the contact (58) has a contact point (72) for contacting an exposed conductor (50) deflectably mounted on a printed circuit board (46), which is disposed in a lower housing (44). When the upper and lower housings (42) and (44) are assembled together, the contact point (72) is pressed against the exposed conductor (50), deflecting it, and forming a gas tight solderless electrical connection.

Abstract: A device (100) having an external contact electrical connection (155) for providing an electrical interface to the device includes a housing member (222) having apertures (235, 335), and a flexible film substrate (270) having an electrically conductive pattern (275). Portions of the electrically conductive pattern defines contact areas (255, 355) for presenting the electrical interface of the device (100). These contact areas (255, 355) are rigidly positioned adjacent to the interior surface (324) of the housing (222) about the apertures (235, 335) such that the contact areas (255) are externally exposed through the aperture (235, 335).

Abstract: A process for joining at least two ultrathin plastic pieces by an ultrasonic welding method is disclosed. The process includes providing a plurality of energy directors for enhancing weld strength, and reducing unacceptable welds. The process also includes providing a groove in a flanged attachment member to assist in properly orienting the pieces to be joined.

Abstract: A contact array (20) for electrically connecting an energy source (10) to a radio (35) and a charger (15), comprising a circuit assembly (40) having integral radio, charger, and circuit package contacts (52, 54, 56) extending from one end of the circuit assembly (40). Terminals (66) extend from a second end of the circuit assembly (40) for connecting to the energy source. A circuit package (60) is disposed adjacent the charger contacts (54) to electrically and mechanically support the contacts.

Abstract: A configurable flexible circuit substrate (100) is disclosed. The substrate (100) has an electrical circuit pattern (120) and an integral separable segment (130) containing a portion (132) of the circuit pattern (120). The substrate (100) also includes an integral extraction initiator portion (132), which is pivotable between a first position substantially planar with the surface of the substrate (100), and a second position away from the surface of the substrate (100). The extraction initiator portion (132) develops stress raisers (137) when pivoted toward the second position, and the extraction initiator portion (132) also effects a removal of the separable segment (130) from the substrate (100) when the extraction initiator portion (132) is pulled across the separable segment (130).

Abstract: A method is provided for positioning an object (133) relative to a structural member (103). The method includes providing a first and second member (103, 113), a positioning member (123) with a first end (126) and a second end (124), and the object (133). The first end (126) is positioned proximal to the object (133), and a first energy director (107) is positioned between, and is in contact with, the first end (126) and the first member (103). A second energy director (125), having a slower characteristic melting rate than that of the first energy director (107), is positioned between, and is in contact with, the second end (124) and the second member (123). Energy is first imparted to cause at least one of the first and second energy directors (107, 125) to begin melting. Imparting the energy is discontinued after the first energy director (107) is substantially melted and the object (133) is properly positioned, while the second energy director (125) is not substantially melted.

Abstract: Apparatus associated with a remote communication station responds to predetermined sequences of characters received over a communication channel by initializing or conditioning equipment located at the remote station. The predetermined sequences include a plurality of synchronization characters followed by a plurality of identification characters, the latter of which identify the nature of the initialization or conditioning to occur at the remote station. The apparatus "looks" bit by bit at received data to determine when a synchronization character is received. When such a character is detected, the apparatus "looks" at the succeeding characters on a character by character basis to ascertain whether the predetermined sequence of characters is received. For each character received, a programmable read only memory produces an output which is compared with reference signals produced by another programmable read only memory.

Abstract: A system for and a method of automatically determining the terminal characteristics and line speed of an unknown asynchronous line terminal are disclosed. The automatic terminal and line speed detector (ATLSD) is a feature that is selectably addable to an existing communications multiplexer module (CMM) of an existing communications controller (CC). The CMM provides the means for selectively intercoupling one of a plurality of different line terminals (LT) at a plurality of remote sites to a central processor (CP) at a central site. The ATLSD includes an ATLSD Table in which are stored a plurality of multibit terminal identifier characters (TICs), each of which TICs defines the terminal identity, terminal characteristics and line speed of the LT that is identified thereby. When ATLSD is desired, a command from the CP places the ATLSD in the scan mode and loads a count transition number (CTN) and a character transition number (KTN) into associated registers of the CMM.