Abstract: Novel methods and devices to operate internal combustion engines on ethane fuel and blends of ethane fuel are provided where the pressure is controlled to maintain a liquid or vapor phase of the fuel and the fuel is admitted into the engine in a controlled and consistent manner for highly efficient engine performance.

Abstract: A helmet for baseball pitchers and fielders includes features to protect a player's head and face from being struck by a batted ball. The helmet optionally includes side protection, which may include cheek, jaw, temple, or chin protection. The helmet also may optionally include a face mask. The helmet may be used in lacrosse and other sports, as well.

Abstract: A helmet for baseball pitchers and fielders includes features to protect a player's head and face from being struck by a batted ball. The helmet optionally includes side protection, which may include cheek, jaw, temple, or chin protection. The helmet also may optionally include a face mask.

Abstract: Venting for component mounting pads of surface mount circuit boards allows the escape of gases from the junction between an electrical component and its associated mounting pad during soldering and facilitates a more complete and effective solder joint between the component base and pad. The venting may be accomplished by either one or more through holes in the board through the pads to allow undesirable gases to escape to the underside of the board, or by one or more solder free channels formed in the pad to allow the gases to escape through the periphery of the pad.

Abstract: Venting for component mounting pads of surface mount circuit boards allows the escape of gases from the junction between an electrical component and its associated mounting pad during soldering and facilitates a more complete and effective solder joint between the component base and pad. The venting may be accomplished by either one or more through holes in the board through the pads to allow undesirable gases to escape to the underside of the board, or by one or more solder free channels formed in the pad to allow the gases to escape through the periphery of the pad.

Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing plastic holsters for handguns which utilize a standardized outer shell which is bonded with an inner shell. The interior surface of the inner shell is configured to correspond to the surface features of a handgun. The inner shell is bonded to the outer shell to form one unitary piece. A mold core may be used, with the core including ridges which form ribs in the inner surface of the holster or the inner shell of the holster, with the ridges being closely configured to match the surface features of the specific handgun for which it is adapted. By modifying the depth of the grooves between ridges on the core, interior surfaces for holsters for various models of handguns can be quickly and inexpensively designed.

Abstract: A system and method for memory incoherent verification of functionality of an HDL (Hardware Description Language) design of a computer system component is disclosed. A simulated model of the HDL design receives a memory read stimulus from a stimulus file through a simulated first bus. The simulated model of the HDL design is configured to send its response to the stimulus onto a simulated second bus. A transaction checker receives the response from the simulated second bus and analyzes it to verify operation of the HDL design of the computer system component. The stimulus file and the transaction checker are both stored in the computer system memory. The simulated model's response to the memory read stimulus is evaluated by the transaction checker independently of any previous memory write stimulus from the stimulus file. There is no need to have a previous memory write operation or a master initialization of the system memory for every memory read operation.

Abstract: A verification system and method for verifying operation of an HDL (Hardware Description Language) design of a computer system component are disclosed. The computer system is configured to interface between a first bus and second bus. During verification, a simulated model of the HDL design is coupled to a simulated first bus and a simulated second bus. A designated stimulus is applied to the simulated model through the simulated first bus. A stimulus file stored in the computer system memory is configured to specify the designated stimulus to be applied. In response to the designated stimulus, the simulated model initiates bus cycles on the simulated second bus. A transaction checker is provided in the computer system memory to receive information relating to these bus cycles from said simulated second bus.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic verification of functionality of an HDL (Hardware Description Language) design of a computer system component is disclosed. A simulated model of the HDL design is created. A test configuration for the simulated model is selected through a configuration interpretation mechanism, based on a plurality of user-supplied parameters. The user-supplied parameters, for example, include the amount of the memory in the system, the number of memory banks, addresses of various PCI devices, the type of the CPU etc. The test configuration is then compiled. At run-time, the test configuration is simulated. The responses by the simulated model of the HDL design to various test stimuli from a stimulus file are then evaluated under the chosen test configuration. One or more different test configurations may be simulated at run-time, and the stimulated model's responses to a pre-determined set of test stimuli may be reevaluated for each such test configuration.