Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: A connector suitable for providing an electrical connection between a plurality of modules with card edge connections and the motherboard in a stacked configuration is disclosed. This connector includes a plurality of housings, each containing a socket with contacts suitable for providing an electrical contact between a module and the motherboard. These housings are stacked in a direction normal to the surface on which the connector is mounted, such as the motherboard. These housings can also be offset with respect to each other such that the modules are secured to the connector in a stacked and stepped configuration.

Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base having a heat producing electronic component mounted therein. A heat sink, also referred to as a remote heat exchanger, is positioned in the base adjacent to the heat producing component. A heat pipe has a first end permanently bonded to the heat sink and extends to a second end thermally engaged with the heat producing component. The heat sink and heat pipe assembly is rotatable about an axis of the heat sink so as to move the second end of the heat pipe into and out of thermal engagement with the heat producing component.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus including a semiconductor device mounted on a substrate. A support member is disposed between the semiconductor device and the substrate. A heat dissipating body has a cavity formed therein. The heat dissipating body is positioned adjacent to the support member with the heat generating device received within the cavity. The cavity is sized to define a gap between the heat dissipating body and the semiconductor device. A flowable thermally conductive material is disposed within a portion of the gap. A sealing member is disposed between the heat dissipating body and the support member. A principal advantage is that the flowable material can be used in mass produced devices such as electronic packages for computers. Preferred interface materials are phase change materials and thermally conductive greases.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for installing and connecting one or more expansion boards in a computer system while the computer system is being manufactured as well as when a user upgrades or reconfigures the computer system. An expansion board bay for receiving the expansion board is located within the computer system, typically on a circuit board such as the motherboard. A connector module that is separate from the expansion board and the expansion board bay is positioned within the computer system. The connector module is positioned to provide easy external access to a contact portion of the connector module, thereby allowing a user to connect an external data signal line to the connector module. A connector cable operably connects the expansion board with the connector module to establish communication between the data processor and the external data line through the expansion board.

Abstract: A docking station having an electrical connector for mating with the electrical connector of the portable computer when the portable computer is operably coupled to the docking station. The docking station electrical connector is movable with respect to the housing between at least two mating positions to accommodate for variations in location of portable computer electrical connectors of different portable computer types. The docking station electrical connector extends out from a slot in a back wall of the docking station housing. The docking station electrical connector can be manually moved or moved by a motor. With some docking stations according to the present invention, the docking station electrical connector is moveable between mating positions at different elevations. For some docking stations, the slot that the docking station electrical connector extends out from has at least two levels each at a different elevation.

Abstract: A computer system operable on a DC voltage is provided. The computer system includes a microprocessor, a system memory coupled to the microprocessor, a bus coupled to the microprocessor, an input device coupled to the bus, and a voltage adapter system for providing a DC voltage to the computer system. The voltage adapter system includes a voltage modifying device adapted for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage. A first cable assembly is electrically connected to supply the AC voltage from an AC power supply to the voltage modifying device. A second cable assembly is provided for selectively supplying the DC voltage to the system from the voltage modifying device or from a remote DC voltage power supply. The second cable assembly is connectable at a first end to the system and connectable at a second end to the voltage modifying device and to the remote DC voltage power supply.

Abstract: A display screen assembly apparatus and method are disclosed including a base assembly and a rotatable coupling attached to the base assembly. The rotatable coupling preferrably includes a display screen interface and a first electrical interface conductively connected to the base assembly. A display screen assembly releasably secures to the display screen interface. The display screen assembly has a second electrical interface operable to releasably engage the first electrical interface and conduct electrical signals from the base assembly through the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface to the display screen assembly.

Abstract: A system and method which will generate power from waste heat in a data processing system in such a way that system waste heat is reduced within, and no additional power is drawn from, the data processing system. The system includes a thermoelectric regenerator having a hot junction formed between a first material and a second material and a cold junction formed between the first material and the second material; the hot junction located at a hot junction position defined by a hot junction horizontal location and a hot junction vertical location defined relative to a point on a heat source; and the cold junction located at a cold junction position defined by a cold junction horizontal location and a cold junction vertical location defined relative to the point on the heat source such that the difference between the hot junction horizontal location and the cold junction horizontal location yields a non-zero horizontal location difference.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition suitable for use in a low or medium speed diesel engine comprising a fuel oil with a residual oil content is characterised in that the lubricating oil composition further comprises a hydrocarbyl substituted amine or polyamine. The effect of such an amine is to reduce deposits due to the residual oil. A method of reducing deposits in a low or medium speed diesel engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lubricating oil additive concentrate having a TBN greater than 300 comprises reacting at elevated temperaturecomponent (A) a defined salicylic acid derivative,component (B) an alkaline earth metal base added either in a single addition or in a plurality of additions at internediate points during the reaction,component (C) at least one compound which is (i) water, (ii) a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) a di- (C.sub.3 or C.sub.4) glycol, (iv) a tri- (C.sub.2 -C.sub.4) glycol, (iv) a mono- or poly-alkylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula (I)R(OR.sup.1).sub.x OR.sup.2 (I)wherein R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group, R.sup.1 is an alkylene group R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group and x is an integer from 1 to 6, (vi) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 monohydric alcohol, (vii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ketone, (viii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 carboxylic acid ester, or (ix) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lubricating oil additive concentrate having a TBN greater than 300 which process comprises reactingcomponent (A) a defined derivative of phenolcomponent (B) an alkaline earth metal base added either in a single addition of in a plurality of additions at intermediate points during the reaction,component (C) at least one compound which is (i) water, (ii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 monohydric alcohol, (iii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ketone, (iv) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 carboxylic acid ester or (v) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lubricating oil additive concentrate having a TBN greater than 300 which process comprises reacting at elevated temperaturecomponent (A) a defined mixture selected from defined sulphurized or non-sulphurized acids or calcium salts thereof,component (B) an alkaline earth metal base added either in a single addition or in a plurality of additions at intermediate points during the reaction,component (C) at least one compound which is (i) water, (ii) a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) a di- (C.sub.3 or C.sub.4) glycol, (iv) a tri-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.4) glycol, (v) a mono- or poly-alkylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula (I)R(OR.sup.1).sub.x OR.sup.2 (I)wherein R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group, R.sup.1 is an alkylene group, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group and x is an integer from 1 to 6, (vi) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 monohydric alcohol, (vii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ketone, (viii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 carboxylic acid ester, or (ix) a C.

Abstract: An additive concentrate composition having a TBN greater than 300 suitable for incorporation into a finished lubricating oil composition comprising:(I') a first alkaline earth metal sulphurised hydrocarbyl phenate, and(II') a lubricating oil,the first alkaline earth metal sulphurised hydrocarbyl phenate (I') being obtained by overbasing a second alkaline earth metal sulphurised hydrocarbyl phenate containing at least 4% by weight sulphur, or its precursors, in the presence of the lubricating oil (II'), the amount of the lubricating oil (II') being such that the ratio of the weight of the additive concentrate to the weight of the second alkaline earth metal sulphurised hydrocarbyl phenate, or its precursors, is at least 3.0.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lubricating oil additive concentrate comprises reacting at elevated temperaturecomponent (A) a calcium hydrocarbyl-substituted sulphonate,component (B) an alkaline earth metal base added either in a single addition or in a plurality of additions at intermediate points during the reaction,component (C) at least one compound which is (i) a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, (ii) a di- (C.sub.3 or C.sub.4) glycol, (iii) a tri- (C.sub.2 -C.sub.4) glycol, (iv) a mono- or poly-alkylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula (I)R(OR.sup.1).sub.x OR.sup.2 (I)wherein R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group, R.sup.1 is an alkylene group, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group and x is an integer from 1 to 6, (v) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 monohydric alcohol, (vi) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ketone, (vii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 carboxylic acid ester, or (viii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing a dispersant/VI improver for use in finished lubricating oil compositions comprises reacting in a normally liquid substantially inert organic solvent (a) a copolymer of an olefin and a monomer having the structure (I), wherein X and X.sup.1 are the same or different provided that at least one of X and X.sup.1 is such that the copolymer can function as carboxylic acylating agent, (b) a succinimide, and (c) a primary or secondary amine or a mixture thereof. Preferred copolymers comprise maleic anhydride as a comonomer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amine is a monoamine, and a polyamine is also added; the monoamine and polyamine are added to the reaction medium prior to addition of the succinimide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion fuel concentrate comprising: (a) from 1 to 95% of a chlorine-free carbamate prepared by reacting a carbamate of formula ##STR1## with a compound of the formula R OH (VI) in the presence of either a strone organic base or a tetra hydrocarbyl titanate so as to exchange the group R in formula (I) with a group R.sup.1 in formula (II), and (b) a fuel compatible solvent therefor. In the formula (I) R is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group and R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl or a hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl group different from R. In formula (I), X and Y are independently any of hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, or the group of the formula ##STR2## where Z is either a divalent hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl group or the group of formula(alkylene).sub.m (NH.sub.n (alkylene).sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lubricating oil additive concentrate comprises reacting at elevated temperature the following components:component (A) a defined acidcomponent (B)--a calcium base added either in a single addition or in a plurality of additions at intermediate points during the reaction,component (C)--at least one compound which is (i) water, (ii) a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) a di- (C.sub.3 or C.sub.4) glycol, (iv) a tri-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.4) glycol, (v) a mono- or poly-alkylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula (I)R(OR.sup.1).sub.x OR.sup.2 (I)wherein R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group, R.sup.1 is an alkylene group, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group and x is an integer from 1 to 6, (vi) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 monohydric alcohol, (vii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ketone, (viii) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 carboxylic acid ester, or (ix) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.