Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding approaches for a combined energy dissipation include an energy dissipater forming a hollow chamber therein containing a partial pressure working fluid and a first adjustable thermal connector configured to be placed in an opening of the energy dissipater between an energy generating component to transfer energy there between. The first adjustable thermal connector includes a heat spreader at least partially disposed within the opening of the dissipater, an elastic member operably coupled to the energy dissipater, a flexible membrane coupled to the energy dissipater and the heat spreader, and a phase change material configured to at least partially fill an area defined by the opening, heat spreader, elastic member, and flexible membrane. Upon changing the phase change material to a first material phase, the elastic member applies a biasing force to the energy generating component to align the heat spreader with the energy generating component.

Abstract: A programmable logic processor (PLC) with multiple PLC functions is disclosed. The PLC includes at least one memory storing at least one of a plurality of programs or data, and one or more processor assigned to each of the PLC function and couple to the memory. The PLC functions are run in parallel. A method of operating the PLC and a PLC system with multiple processors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling a process are provided. The control device apparatus includes an input section configured to receive input signals from a controlled process, a first output section communicatively coupled to the input section wherein the first output section is configured to transmit the received input signals to a controller, and a second output section communicatively coupled to the controller, the second output section is configured to transmit control signals from the controller to the controlled process. The apparatus further includes a safety logic block communicatively coupled to the input section in parallel with the received input signals that are transmitted to the controller, the safety logic block is configured to generate a safety output signal using the received input signals, the safety logic block is further configured to transmit the safety output signal to the controlled process independent of the control signals.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an embedded environment is described. The thermal management system includes a pleumo-jet that has at least one wall defining a chamber, at least one piezoelectric device on the at least one wall, and a compliant material within the at least one wall and encompassing the chamber. The compliant material has at least one opening providing fluid communication between said chamber and the embedded environment. A cooling system is also described. A method for making a pleumo-jet is also described.

Abstract: A method for providing redundant power control to a load using a digital output module includes coupling at least one sourcing driver to a voltage supply and to a first output terminal, coupling at least one sinking driver to a voltage return and to a second output terminal, and coupling a load to the first output terminal and to the second output terminal. The method also includes sensing a failure in one of the at least one sourcing driver and the at least one sinking driver.

Abstract: Implementing serial communications between a master module and at least one slave module in a communications network includes initializing a first receiver/transmitter of the master module to space parity, initializing a second receiver/transmitter of the master module to mark parity, and determining whether a first byte of a message is a command byte or a data byte. If the first byte is a data byte, the first byte is transmitted to the at least one slave module using the first receiver/transmitter. If the first byte is a command byte, the first byte is transmitted to the at least one slave module using the second receiver/transmitter.

Abstract: A programmable logic processor (PLC) with multiple PLC functions is disclosed. The PLC includes at least one memory storing at least one of a plurality of programs or data, and one or more processor assigned to each of the PLC function and couple to the memory. The PLC functions are run in parallel. A method of operating the PLC and a PLC system with multiple processors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an embedded environment is described. The thermal management system includes a pleumo-jet that has at least one wall defining a chamber, at least one piezoelectric device on the at least one wall, and a compliant material within the at least one wall and encompassing the chamber. The compliant material has at least one opening providing fluid communication between said chamber and the embedded environment. A cooling system is also described. A method for making a pleumo-jet is also described.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling a process are provided. The control device apparatus includes an input section configured to receive input signals from a controlled process, a first output section communicatively coupled to the input section wherein the first output section is configured to transmit the received input signals to a controller, and a second output section communicatively coupled to the controller, the second output section is configured to transmit control signals from the controller to the controlled process. The apparatus further includes a safety logic block communicatively coupled to the input section in parallel with the received input signals that are transmitted to the controller, the safety logic block is configured to generate a safety output signal using the received input signals, the safety logic block is further configured to transmit the safety output signal to the controlled process independent of the control signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing stiction in control devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for controlling dither in a control device includes coupling a signal input of the control device to an analog output module, generating an output signal, and transmitting the output signal from the analog output module to the signal input, wherein the output signal causes the control device to oscillate about an output position to facilitate preventing stiction within the control device.

Abstract: A controller for a washing machine including an agitation element operable at a plurality of speeds during an agitation phase of a wash cycle is provided. The controller comprises a microcomputer configured to adjust an actuation of the agitation element in response to at least one input, said at least one input indicative of a characteristic of a laundry load.

Abstract: A circuit is provided. The circuit includes a processor programmed to prevent overfilling of a cabinet with a fluid and a backup circuit having fixed logic. The backup circuit is electrically coupled to the processor to redundantly prevent overfilling the cabinet with the fluid.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an embedded environment is described. The thermal management system includes a pleumo-jet that has at least one wall defining a chamber, at least one piezoelectric device on the at least one wall, and a compliant material within the at least one wall and encompassing the chamber. The compliant material has at least one opening providing fluid communication between said chamber and the embedded environment. A cooling system is also described. A method for making a pleumo-jet is also described.

Abstract: A control panel for a laundry appliance includes a cycle type section comprising a reconfigurable display, and a cycle parameter section graphically illustrating selected laundry cycle parameters.

Abstract: A circuit is provided. The circuit includes a processor programmed to prevent overfilling of a cabinet with a fluid and a backup circuit having fixed logic. The backup circuit is electrically coupled to the processor to redundantly prevent overfilling the cabinet with the fluid.

Abstract: A processing and information storage system having a processor with a communication port, and a removably connectable storage medium connected to the communication port. Control logic is implemented whereby, at the beginning of a write cycle, an information flag is transmitted by the processor for storage in the storage medium. The information desired to be stored in the storage medium is then transmitted by the processor. The control logic then performs a test to determine whether or not the storage medium is still connected to the communication port. If the test indicates that the storage medium is still connected, then the information flag is removed from the storage medium.

Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer including a temperature sensor and a thermostat for regulating at least one dryer heating element is provided. The control system includes a microcomputer programmed to compensate for a conflict between the thermostat temperature regulation and the temperature sensor temperature regulation during dryer operation at a selected operating temperature.

Abstract: A control panel for a laundry appliance includes a cycle type section comprising a reconfigurable display, and a cycle parameter section graphically illustrating selected laundry cycle parameters.

Abstract: A controller for a washing machine including an agitation element operable at a plurality of speeds during an agitation phase of a wash cycle is provided. The controller comprises a microcomputer configured to adjust an actuation of the agitation element in response to at least one input, said at least one input indicative of a characteristic of a laundry load.

Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer including a temperature sensor and a thermostat for regulating at least one dryer heating element is provided. The control system includes a microcomputer programmed to compensate for a conflict between the thermostat temperature regulation and the temperature sensor temperature regulation during dryer operation at a selected operating temperature.