Abstract: Analyzing system malfunction data and associated direct and indirect effects in a collaborative tool to determine relationships between the effects and the system malfunction information. System malfunction cases and other data are received and stored. A user may view and/or modify the system malfunction data. The data may be presented in a relational structure. Each system malfunction case is linked to one or more direct effects, and each direct effect is linked to one or more indirect effects.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and articles for receiving system malfunction effects data including at least one malfunction and a plurality of direct and indirect effects associated with each of the at least one malfunction and storing the received system malfunction effects data, are described herein. The embodiments may also facilitate a user in viewing and/or modifying the system malfunction effects data, and the viewing includes presenting the data in a relational fashion, with each malfunction linked to one or more direct effects, and each direct effect linked to one or more indirect effects.

Abstract: A fast resume of a computer from a low power mode to a normal operating mode captures a power down message from the operating system of the computer to devices connected thereto. In response to the captured message, the device manager is instructed to remove the device from the operating system. The computer is powered down with the device removed. The system is later powered up with the device removed, allowing for faster resume to normal operation. After the computer has returned to normal operation, the device manager reinstates the removed device. The program to capture the power down message can be above the device driver in the driver stock or be an application running in the user mode of the operating system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for an electrically conductive structure on a printed circuit board for connecting an element on the printed circuit board with other elements. The electrically conductive structure may include a contact pad on a first side of the printed circuit board and two or more connection pads on the first side of the printed circuit board. The two or more connection pads are in close physical proximity to the contact pad and electrically connected to the contact pad. The element on the printed circuit board is directly connected to one the two or more connection pads electrically. The structure permits various engineering changes to the electrical connections of elements on the printed circuit board by desoldering electrical connections to the two or more connection pad, by severing traces to the connection pads, or by severing the electrical connection between the connection pads and the contact pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web based system for handling commodity transactions. The system is an electronic system, and allows for the central filing, storage, issuance, maintenance, cancellation and other actions associated with electronic warehouse receipts, electronic price later credit sales contracts and electronic reports, including status and position reports.

Abstract: A flame-retardant shield or cap for isolating a fastener securing a high current connection to a conductor in a power distribution box (PDB) is manufactured separately from a much larger PDB cover that is not made from flame-retardant material. The cap has a closed end and sides forming an inner chamber for isolating the fastener from the cover and a surface of the PDB on which electrical components are received and mounted. The closed end and sides of the cap snap into a cup-shaped extension positioned on an underside of the cover such that when the cover is closed over the PDB an open end of the cap receives the fastener.

Abstract: A process to produce a fully oriented polyester yarn from a POY polyester yarn by drawing the POY yarn at a high draw ratio in the range of 1.8–2.3.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include neutral fault test simulation.

Abstract: A novel thin wire connector cable and method for connecting an electrical test instrument to an electrical node of interest sealable within a vacuum chamber of an electrical testing device is presented. The thin wire connector cable includes a thin wire cable with a first end connectable to the test instrument and a second end comprising a connector electrically connectable to the electrical node of interest that lies within the vacuum-sealable chamber. The thin wire cable is routed from the vacuum-sealable chamber to the test instrument in between a flexible vacuum seal and an opening to the vacuum-sealable chamber such that when the vacuum is actuated, the thin wire cable is wedged between the seal and testing device. The thin wire cable is substantially thin enough so as to prevent more than a negligible amount of leakage between the thin wire cable and the flexible vacuum seal, which allows a vacuum to be generated and maintained.

Abstract: An electrically conductive structure and method for making circuit changes on a printed circuit board involves the use of electrically conductive tape to connect two previously unconnected points on the board. One or more sections of the tape may be used to form a low-profile contiguous path between two previously unconnected points on the board.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for an electrically conductive structure on a printed circuit board for connecting an element on the printed circuit board with other elements. The electrically conductive structure may include a contact pad on a first side of the printed circuit board and two or more connection pads on the first side of the printed circuit board. The two or more connection pads are in close physical proximity to the contact pad and electrically connected to the contact pad. The element on the printed circuit board is directly connected to one the two or more connection pads electrically. The structure permits various engineering changes to the electrical connections of elements on the printed circuit board by desoldering electrical connections to the two or more connection pad, by severing traces to the connection pads, or by severing the electrical connection between the connection pads and the contact pad.

Abstract: The modular electrical component for electrical wiring systems is provided. The modular electric component includes a removable electrical device, a base unit that fits within a junction box in the electrical wiring system and a mounting strap used to secure the base unit to the junction box. Typically, the removable electrical device has a plurality of power contacts that extend from a rear cover of the device, and the base unit has a plurality of terminal connections. The power contacts electrically connect to the terminal connections, when the replaceable electrical device is mated with the base unit. The movable electrical device may be, for example, a receptacle or switch. Preferably, the removable electrical device is a circuit interrupting device, such as a ground fault circuit interrupting device.

Abstract: A novel thin wire connector cable and method for connecting an electrical test instrument to an electrical node of interest sealable within a vacuum chamber of an electrical testing device is presented. The thin wire connector cable includes a thin wire cable with a first end connectable to the test instrument and a second end comprising a connector electrically connectable to the electrical node of interest that lies within the vacuum-sealable chamber. The thin wire cable is routed from the vacuum-sealable chamber to the test instrument in between a flexible vacuum seal and an opening to the vacuum-sealable chamber such that when the vacuum is actuated, the thin wire cable is wedged between the seal and testing device. The thin wire cable is substantially thin enough so as to prevent more than a negligible amount of leakage between the thin wire cable and the flexible vacuum seal, which allows a vacuum to be generated and maintained.

Abstract: An electrically conductive structure and method for making circuit changes on a printed circuit board involves the use of electrically conductive tape to connect two previously unconnected points on the board. One or more sections of the tape may be used to form a low-profile contiguous path between two previously unconnected points on the board.

Abstract: A technique for minimizing the area occupied by traces on wireless fixture printed circuit boards of a printed circuit board tester on a per trace basis which ensures meeting maximum trace resistance and/or proper current delivery requirements for tests to be performed using the traces is presented. A printed circuit board implemented in accordance with the invention includes a plurality of conductive pads and a plurality of traces, each of which conductively connects at least two of said conductive pads. At least two of the traces may have differing respective cross-sectional areas predetermined to allow sufficient current to flow therethrough to drive devices connectable to said conductive pads. The cross-sectional area of each trace is calculated based on the minimum sufficient amount of current required to be delivered across the trace, the maximum allowed resistance of the trace, the trace length, and the characteristic resistance of the trace material.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include neutral fault test simulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining the electrical continuity of an element of an electrical component, for example, a pin of a printed circuit assembly. The method comprises the steps of supplying an electrical stimulus to the element of the electrical component, positioning a sensor adjacent the element of the electrical component, the sensor having multiple axes along which the sensor is responsive to magnetic fields, receiving magnetic field signals created by the element of the electrical component with the sensor, producing electrical signals indicative of the magnetic field strength sensed by the sensor in multiple directions that correspond to the multiple axes, and comparing the electrical signals with predetermined limits associated with the element being tested. In a preferred arrangement, the sensor is provided with three axes which are oriented in orthogonal directions such that the magnetic signals from the element can be detected in three dimensional space.

Abstract: A collectible trading card, investment game using a set of trading cards, and a method of playing the investment game designed to raise awareness in the concepts of investing in the equities market. Each trading card features a unique publicly traded corporate business entity and includes printed indicia including at least one of corporate, product, service and financial information of a corporate business entity associated with the card and represents at least one theoretical share of stock in a corporate business entity. The printed indicia allows a collector to engage in a trade of at least one card to another collector based on at least the actual stock price of the corporate business entity associated with the card.