A vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which includes an active chock and an anchor chock configured to co-act to secure a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. In various embodiments, each chock has a chock body including a substantially diamond shaped elongated tube which includes four integrally connected elongated walls. In various embodiments, for each chock, various components of that chock extend substantially along longitudinal axis that lie in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the apex and trough of the substantially diamond shaped elongated tube of the chock body. The active and anchor chocks: (a) have a lower height than known commercially available vehicle restraints; (b) have a smaller width than known commercially available vehicle restraints; (c) position the strap and the torque tube closer to the tire of the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle restraints; (d) take up a smaller area of each safe zone adjacent to the wheel than known commercially available vehicle restraints; (e) provide a greater strength to size ratio than known commercially available vehicle restraints; and (f) are easy to operate, install, and remove.

There is provided a transport vehicle for transporting wind power installation rotor blades and/or pylon segments. The transport vehicle has a transport support structure having a main frame, a receiving frame fixedly connected to the main frame at a first angle, and a rotary displacement unit which is fixed with one end to the receiving frame and which at its second end has a blade adaptor for receiving a rotor blade or a pylon segment. The main frame spans a main plane. The rotary displacement unit has at least one first rotary mounting, wherein there is provided a second angle between the second rotary plane of the second rotary mounting.

A transportation and storage system for a wind turbine rotor blade comprises a tip end frame assembly comprising a tip end receptacle and a tip end frame. The tip end receptacle comprises an upwardly open tip end-receiving space for receiving a portion of the tip end of the blade and having a supporting surface for supporting the blade, a lower surface allowing the tip end receptacle to rest upright on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground, and releasable retaining means for releasably retaining the tip end of the blade in the receiving space of the tip end receptacle. The tip end frame comprises an upwardly open receptacle-receiving space for receiving the receptacle and provided with positioning means for positioning the receptacle in the tip end frame. A base part defines a bottom surface allowing the tip end frame to rest upright on the ground.

An apparatus for securing a cargo item within a cargo area that is defined by a pickup truck bed and a bed liner that is disposed within the pickup truck bed, the bed liner defining a plurality of elongate grooves. The apparatus includes a rod that extends along an axis in an axial direction of the rod. An engaging structure is receivable within at least one groove from the plurality of elongate grooves of the bed liner for engagement with the bed liner. An adjustable connecting structure connects the engaging structure to the rod and allows adjustment of an axial position of the engaging structure along the rod in the axial direction of the rod. A body is connected to the rod for engaging the cargo item.

Some embodiments include a novel laced strapping system that provides a plurality of attachment points by which a tie-down lace can adjust the fit of a cargo mesh webbing to secure loads of items in an open bed of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a pick-up truck with a cargo bed. In some embodiments, the mesh webbing comprises a first truck bed mesh, a second truck bed mesh, and the plurality of attachment points. In some embodiments, tie-down lace interconnects the attachment points to secure together the first mesh and the second mesh.

A vehicle load securing apparatus comprising a frame including opposite side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls, with the frame having open sides positioned in opposition to each other. A spool is rotatably mounted on the frame and includes a rotating shaft, and a length of an elongate member at least partially wrapped about the spool with a hook mounted thereon. A ratcheting structure may control rotation of the spool with engaged position in which the ratcheting structure resists rotation of the spool in an unwind direction and a disengaged position in which the ratcheting structure permits rotation of the spool in the unwind direction. The shaft may have a first end portion extending through one of the side walls of the frame, and a section of the first end portion having a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape for engagement by a tool.

A rail mounting system includes a mounting rail that has a channel profile. The mounting rail is secured to a cargo area surface. Further, the rail mounting system includes a slide member that has a securement receiving area for securing a cargo product and the slide member within the channel profile of the mounting rail. The slide member is received within the channel profile.

A bull ring for a vehicle comprises a top plate coupled to a rotating plate having a tie-down. Two opposing rail flanges extend from the rotating plate and a fastener selectively couples the rotating plate in a securing position relative to the top plate. The rail flanges extend beyond an outer edge of the top plate to define a clamping region with the top plate.

A pallet system includes a pallet upon which cargo or other payloads may be carried. The pallet has a plurality of tie-down locations at which the pallet may be tied-down on a base, and at least one tie-down device for tying down the pallet on the base at any of the tie-down locations. The pallet further includes structure for mounting the tie-down device on the pallet at any of the tie-down locations.

A working portion of load restraint strip may include an attachment region. The attachment layer may include an adhesive layer. When the adhesive layer is exposed, at least part of the attachment region on an exterior side of the load restraint strip is colored differently from regions on the exterior side outside the attachment region.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to function elements for fixing in seat rails of aircraft. The function element according to the invention may include: a fixing rail with a web running in the x direction and a multiplicity of extensions which protrude beyond the web in a y direction to form a T profile, wherein the fixing rail is formed corresponding to the seat rail such that the fixing rail can be inserted in the seat rail and moved along the x direction into a holding position in which the extensions sit between the holes below the slots, at least one fixing peg which is arranged mobile on the fixing rail and can be brought into a blocking position in which the fixing peg engages in a hole of the seat rail so that the function element is fixed in the x direction.

An improved captive beam decking system is disclosed for use in a cargo trailer. The system includes a beam assembly and a foot assembly that is selectively engagable to a vertical sliding track system. The sliding track system is attached to the sidewall of a trailer vertically. The beam can be easily moved at different heights that are selected based upon the configuration of the cargo trailer.

Stake pocket formations are secured to a cargo bed frame of a land vehicle such as trailers and flatbed trucks for removably supporting sidewall supporting members. The formations include sidewalls secured to and projecting from the frame and an end wall extending between the sidewalls. An opening extends through the end wall and is adapted to receive the terminal end of a J-hook therethrough. The J-hook is secured to the formation by inserting the terminal end thereof into the pocket placing an upper edge of the end wall into the J-hook gap and rolling/rotating the J-hook thereby inserting the terminal end into the opening. The J-hook cannot be removed from the pocket unless it is rolled/rotated in the opposite direction. While within the stake pocket and without strap tension, the J-hook abuts the trailer frame and formation end wall and is, thereby, maintained within the pocket.

A blade holding apparatus for holding one end of a wind turbine blade during handling, which blade holding apparatus includes a support structure including an opening for accommodating one end of the wind turbine blade, a clamping arrangement arranged in the opening, which clamping arrangement is realized to exert a clamping force on the wind turbine blade, and a locking arrangement for locking the clamping arrangement relative to the support structure. A method of operating such a blade holding apparatus during a handling procedure of a wind turbine blade is also provided.

A side rail of a floor assembly of a trailer, such as a flatbed trailer, including a channel formed in a top wall of the side rail and an aperture formed in the top wall of the side rail at a location spaced-apart from the channel. The channel extends along a length of the side rail and is configured to receive a first cargo restraint device therein. The aperture is configured to receive a second cargo restraint device therein.

A cargo securing device for use in carrying cargo in pickup trucks and the like. The cargo securing device is formed of a flexible panel having straps on opposed sides which extend across the panel to attachment devices such as rings. The flexible panel may include apertures with removable covers to permit the ends of long devices to extend through and to be held from movement sideways.

A fixture for attachment of an end of a member, such as a wind turbine tower section, blade or hub for a wind turbine characteristically has an end flange. To enable clamping while being able to compensate for different hole patterns in the flanges, by the invention, the fixture provides for retaining of ends of members with flanges, regardless of flange diameter and hole patterns, and which is also quickly and easily installed. Additionally, it is possible to firmly clamp the flange end to upstanding frame parts of the fixture with fastening elements, thereby providing a stable connection between a console of the fixture and the upstanding frame parts.

An extendable, intermodal transport platform is disclosed. The invention comprises a standard ISO-length loading platform supported by main beams and crossmembers. The platform has ISO lifting and stacking fitments at its four corners. The platform has extendable supplemental platforms at each end, the extendable supplemental platforms fitting beneath the deck bed of the platform, or extendable to position stacking fitments at over-the-road trailer positions for North American fleet. Inner stacking fitments may laterally expand and retract so as to slide underneath the deck bed between the main beams. In some embodiments the platform includes posts that extend upward to position ISO lifting fitments at standard heights, such as under hydraulic power.

Method and apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades that provide a versatile means for handling aerogenerator blades without an unbalanced distribution of the loads in the blade. The method comprises positioning an upper mounting part (103) over the blade after the upper mold has been retracted; lifting the blade with the upper mounting part from the under mold using a lifting means; positioning the blade over an under mounting part (104) which is fixedly attached to an inferior movable support (102); attaching the upper mounting part to the under mounting part, wherein the upper and under mounting parts together have the inner surface substantially corresponding to the shape of the blade outer profile section. The invention further comprises an apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades.

An example wheel restraint includes a track to be positioned adjacent a vehicle approach path of a loading dock. A shuttle is pivotally coupled to the track via a track follower and pivots between a home position and a deployed position about a shuttle axis substantially parallel to and offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the track. A barrier is pivotally coupled to the shuttle and pivots between a non-blocking position and a blocking position about a pivot axis substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the track such that the shuttle rotates in a first direction about the shuttle axis when the shuttle moves from the home position to the deployed position and bather rotates in a second direction about the pivot axis when the barrier moves from the non-blocking position to the blocking position, where the first direction being different than the second direction.

A transport system for a wind turbine blade is provided. The transport system is configured for increasing a curvature of the wind turbine blade in response to an obstacle during transport of the wind turbine blade. Further, a method for transporting a wind turbine blade in order to avoid obstacles is provided.

An automatic lock affixed to a cargo container for interconnecting two stacked containers, and for automatically locking and unlocking without reliance upon the overcoming of a friction force to release the device.

A fastening system includes an energy absorbing or impact indicator and at least one or more of the following: (1) a fastening base for mounting in an emergency vehicle, (2) a patient support engageable with a base, (3) a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient on a patient support, (4) a patient securement mechanism for securing a patient to a vehicle, (5) a patient support securement mechanism operable to secure a patient support in an emergency vehicle, or (6) a patient support securement mechanism operable to secure a patient support to a base, wherein the energy absorbing or impact indicator is located (1) at the patient securement mechanism, or (2) at the patient support securement mechanism, or wherein the energy absorbing or impact indicator is between (1) the base and the vehicle, (2) the patient support and the base, (3) the patient securement mechanism and the patient support, (4) the patient support and the emergency vehicle, (5) the patient and the emergency vehicle, or (6) the patient securement mechanism and the emergency vehicle, wherein the energy absorbing device or impact indicator has at least an energy absorbing state and a rigid state or indicates a level of impact at or between any of the respective component or components.

A cargo rack for transferring loads between a marine vessel and an offshore marine platform provides a frame having a front, a rear, and upper and lower end portions. The lower end of the frame has a perimeter beam base, a raised floor and a pair of open-ended parallel fork tine tubes that communicate with the perimeter beam at the front and rear of the frame. The frame includes a plurality of fixed side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter beam. A plurality of gates are movably mounted on the frame, each gate being movable between open and closed positions, the gates enabling a forklift to place loads on the floor. The frame has vertically extending positioning beams that segment the floor into a plurality of load-holding positions. Each load holding position has positioning beams that laterally hold a load module in position on the floor.

A seat fixing device for fixing an air passenger seat to a floor of an aircraft includes at least one fastening rail (10) in the form or a hollow profile, which is provided with a longitudinal channel (14) delimiting the free flanks (16) of the profile on the top part thereof (12) oriented to the seat. The channel includes through openings (18) located in a predetermined modular dimension, which enlarge the free input section and are used for inserting at least one snap-locking part (24) of a locking body (26). The looking body (26) is movable to a clamping position with the profile (16) of the hollow profile (14) by the relative displacement of each snap-locking part (24) in a perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (28) of the fastening rail (10). The fixing device provides an eccentric drive (30) of the locking body (26) for carrying out relative displacement, which reduces assembly costs.

An apparatus for selectively securing a boat to a trailer may include a hull contact structure for abutting against the boat hull, and a releasable gripping structure positioned adjacent the hull contact structure to engage the boat's securing loop and selectively lock onto the loop to hold the boat to the trailer.

An apparatus and method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo are provided. The underlayment layer may be formed into a roll with a rod disposed therethrough. The roll may be supported by a frame. The roll can be configured to move vertically with respect to the ground. A trailer carrying trucking cargo can be stationed beneath the frame. The underlayment layer may unwound and dispensed from the roll. In order to drape the trucking cargo with the underlayment layer, the roll may be moved horizontally over the frame in addition to or alternatively to having the trucking cargo driven horizontally with respect to the roll.

An edge protector for insertion between a load to be lifted and a lifting member which facilitates the lifting of the load, preventing damage to either the load or the lifting member. The edge protector has a pair of flanges which extend from a radiused or curved center portion. Each flange has an inner surface and an outer surface. A portion of each respective outer surface of each flange is spaced from and is essentially parallel to the inner surface of the respective flange.

A novel configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has several configurable circuits for configurably performing different operations is provided. During the operation of the IC, each particular configurable circuit performs a particular operation that is specified by a particular configuration data set for the particular configurable circuit. While the IC operates and a first set of configurable circuits performs a first set of operations, configuration data is loaded from the outside of the IC for configuring a second set of configurable circuits. The configurable IC includes a configuration network for rapid loading configuration data in the IC from outside of the IC. The configuration network is a pipelined network.

A programmable routing scheme provides improved connectivity both between Universal Digital Blocks (UDBs) and between the UDBs and other micro-controller elements, peripherals and external Inputs and Outputs (I/Os) in the same Integrated Circuit (IC). The routing scheme increases the number of functions, flexibility, and the overall routing efficiency for programmable architectures. The UDBs can be grouped in pairs and share associated horizontal routing channels. Bidirectional horizontal and vertical segmentation elements extend routing both horizontally and vertically between different UDB pairs and to the other peripherals and I/O.

An anti-disassembling device for an electronic product includes a case, a linear movement device, a circular movement device and an optical encoder. At least one retractable transmission member is connected to the case. The circular movement device is located in the case and has an encoding disk, which has multiple slots defined therethrough and teeth are defined in the periphery thereof. The at least one retractable transmission member is engaged with the teeth to rotate the encoding disk. The optical encoder has a lighting module which emits light beams through the slots of the encoding disk and a photosensitive module receives the light beams and sends a signal to the storage unit of the electronic product. The retractable device rotates when the electronic product is disassembled.

A method for quickly calibrating a memory interface circuit from time to time in conjunction with operation of a functional circuit is described. The method uses controlling the memory interface circuit with respect to read data capture for byte lanes, including controlling CAS latency compensation for the byte lanes. In the method control settings for controlling CAS latency compensation are determined and set according to a dynamic calibration procedure performed from time to time in conjunction with functional operation of a circuit system containing one or more memory devices connected to the memory interface circuit. In the method, determining and setting the control settings for controlling CAS latency compensation is performed independently and parallely in each of the byte lanes.

A bridge output circuit includes an output terminal, a high side transistor, a low side transistor, a high side driver for controlling a gate voltage of the high side transistor, a low side driver for controlling a gate voltage of the low side transistor, and a controller for controlling the high side and low side drivers. The low side driver includes a first current source, a second current source, and a first assist circuit. The controller is configured to control the turning-on and turning-off states of the first current source, the second current source and the first assist circuit.

There is provided an input buffer circuit having hysteresis characteristics. The input buffer circuit includes: a first operating unit performing a NOR operation on an input signal and a first signal; a second operating unit performing a NAND operation on the input signal and a second signal; and an inverting unit inverting outputs of the first and second operating units to generate a second signal and a first signal, respectively, wherein reference levels of the first and second operating units determining a high or low level of the input signal are set to be different.

An active termination circuit for a differential receiver includes a first receiver element configured to receive a first component of a differential signal, a second receiver element configured to receive a second component of a differential signal, a common mode measurement element configured to receive the differential signal and generate a transmit common mode signal (Vcm) representing an average value of the differential signal, and a receiver (RX) common mode signal node. The termination circuit also comprises an active element configured to receive the transmit common mode signal (Vcm) and provide an output to the receiver common mode signal node, the output configured to drive the value of the signal at the receiver common mode signal node to the value of the transmit common mode signal (Vcm), and a capacitive element coupled to the receiver common mode signal node in parallel with the active element.

Methods and circuits related to a driving circuit with zero current shutdown are disclosed. In one embodiment, a driving circuit with zero current shutdown can include: a linear regulating circuit that receives an input voltage source, and outputs an output voltage; a start-up circuit having a threshold voltage, the start-up circuit receiving an external enable signal; a first power switch receiving both the output voltage of the linear regulating circuit and the external enable signal, and that generates an internal enable signal, the internal enable signal being configured to drive a logic circuit; when the external enable signal is lower than a threshold voltage, the driving circuit is not effective; when the external enable signal is higher than the threshold voltage, the start-up circuit outputs a first current; and where the output voltage at the first output terminal is generated by the linear regulating circuit based on the first current.

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a main-interconnect to which supply voltage or reference voltage is applied; a plurality of sub-interconnects; a plurality of circuit cells configured to be connected to the plurality of sub-interconnects; a power supply switch cell configured to control, in accordance with an input control signal, connection and disconnection between the main-interconnect and the sub-interconnect to which a predetermined one of the circuit cells is connected, of the plurality of sub-interconnects; and an auxiliary interconnect configured to connect the plurality of sub-interconnects to each other.

A system and methods that generates a physical unclonable function (“PUF”) security key for an integrated circuit (“IC”) through use of equivalent resistance variations in the power distribution system (“PDS”) to mitigate the vulnerability of security keys to threats including cloning, misappropriation and unauthorized use.

A multi-chip package may include first and second integrated circuit dies that are each partitioned into multiple logic regions. The logic regions of the first and second dies may be coupled via interconnects. Each integrated circuit die may include at least one spare logic region. Multiple logic groups may be formed with each logic group including logic regions from the first and second integrated circuit dies and the interconnects that couple those logic regions. The logic groups may be evaluated to identify defective logic groups. In response to identifying a defective logic group, the defective logic group may be repaired by configuring the first and second integrated circuit dies to stop using the defective logic group and to use a spare logic group. The spare logic group may include spare logic regions of the first and second dies that are coupled by spare logic region interconnects.

An intelligent current drive is disclosed that couples an active current source to a bus line to increase the rate of pull-up and decouples the active current source from the bus line prior to reaching the desired pull-up voltage.

An impedance tuning circuit includes a calibration unit and a post-processing unit. The calibration unit generates an initial pull-up code and an initial pull-down code by performing a calibration operation using an external resistor during an initial impedance tuning operation. The post-processing unit outputs the initial pull-up code and the initial pull-down code as a final pull-up code and a final pull-down code during the initial impedance tuning operation, and generates the final pull-up code and the final pull-down code by using the initial pull-up code and the initial pull-down code during a subsequent impedance tuning operation.

Disclosed herein is a device that includes first and second buffer circuits connected to a data terminal and a first control circuit controlling the first and second buffer circuits. The first control circuit receives n pairs of first and second internal data signals complementary to each other from 2n input signal lines and outputs a pair of third and fourth internal data signals complementary to each other to first and second output signal lines, where n is a natural number more than one. The first and second buffer circuits are controlled based on the third and fourth internal data signals such that one of the first and second buffer circuits turns on and the other of the first and second buffer circuits turns off.

There is disclosed a gate driver, a driving circuit, and a liquid crystal display (LCD), wherein the gate driver comprises input terminals for inputting a CPV signal, an OE signal, and an STV signal, and output terminals for outputting a CKV signal and a CKVB signal, and a processing circuit is connected between the input terminals and the output terminals for processing the CPV signal, the OE signal, and the STV signal such that a preset time interval is present between the falling edge of the CKV signal and the rising edge of the CKVB signal during one period of the CKV signal, or a preset time interval is present between the rising edge of the CKV signal and the falling edge of the CKVB signal during one period of the CKVB signal.

An embodiment of this invention uses a massive parallel interconnect fabric (MPIF) at the flipped interface of a core die substrate (having the core logic blocks) and a context die (used for in circuit programming/context/customization of the core die substrate), to produce ASIC-like density and FPGA-like flexibility/programmability, while reducing the time and cost for development and going from prototyping to production, reducing cost per die, reducing or eliminating NRE, and increasing performance. Other embodiments of this invention enable debugging complex SoC through large contact points provided through the MPIF, provide for multi-platform functionality, and enable incorporating FGPA core in ASIC platform through the MPIF. Various examples are also given for different implementations.

A method and apparatus that controls the clock of a digital circuit, and therefore power consumption, without substantially comprising performance is provided. The apparatus may include monitoring the utilization of a First in First Out (FIFO) buffer. For example in a systems and methods according to the invention, clock speed may be reduced when the FIFO is relatively empty and increased when the FIFO is relatively full. The clock speed may be controlled by a phase locked loop, a clock divider, a clock masking device or a combination of more than one of these methods. Power reduction may also be obtained by controlling the clocking of different stages of a pipelined device. One or more aspects of the inventions may be implemented in combination with other aspects of the invention to further reduce power use.

Embodiments described herein provide approaches for improving a standard cell connection for circuit routing. Specifically, provided is an IC device having a plurality of cells, a first metal layer (M1) pin coupled to a contact bar extending from a first cell of the plurality of cells, and a second metal layer (M2) wire coupled to the contact bar, wherein the contact bar extends across at least one power rail. By extending the contact bar into an open area between the plurality of cells to couple the M1 pin and the M2 wire, routing efficiency and chip scaling are improved.

The present invention relates to a method for downloading a binary configuration file in a programmable circuit implemented in a device. The device comprises at least one central processing unit, a plurality of connectors, and a programmable circuit enabling all or a part of the signals received by said connectors to be processed and transmitted to at least one other circuit of the device. The device analyzes the signals present on the connectors in order to define what other devices are connected and whether the connections are operational. Then, a configuration file is selected from among a set of configuration files according to the operational connections and is downloaded from a memory of the device into the programmable circuit. The invention also relates to a device having a component programmed according to the method previously described.

The disclosure relates generally to triple-redundant sequential state (TRSS) machines formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate, such as CMOS, and computerized methods and systems of designing the triple-redundant sequential state machines. Of particular focus in this disclosure are sequential state elements (SSEs) used to sample and hold bit states. The sampling and holding of bits states are synchronized by a clock signal thereby allowing for pipelining in the TRSS machines. In particular, the clock signal may oscillate between a first clock state and a second clock state to synchronize the operation of the SSE according to the timing provided by the clock states. The SSEs has a self-correcting mechanism to protect against radiation induced soft errors. The SSE may be provided in a pipeline circuit of a TRSS machine to receive and store a bit state of bit signal generated by combinational circuits within the pipeline circuit.

A method for configuring the placement of a plurality of storage cells on an integrated circuit includes grouping the plurality of storage cells into a plurality of words, where each of the plurality of words is protected by an error control mechanism. The method also includes placing each of the storage cells on the integrated circuit such that a distance between any two of the storage cells belonging to one of the plurality of words is greater than a minimum distance. The minimum distance is configured such that a probability of any of the plurality of words experiencing multiple radiation induced errors is below a threshold value.

Embedded logic is implemented in a partially reconfigurable programmable logic device (PLD), thus allowing debugging of implemented instantiations of logic after partial reconfiguration. Several instantiations of logic are received at the PLD. One instantiation of logic is implemented in a reconfigurable region of logic within the PLD. The instantiation of logic includes a port that provides a constant interface between the reconfigurable region of logic and a fixed region of logic within the PLD. The port may receive signals from probe points implemented within the reconfigurable region of logic. The port may provide the signals to a signal interface implemented within a fixed region of logic. Furthermore, an embedded logic analyzer may be implemented in either the reconfigurable region of logic or the fixed region of logic. The embedded logic analyzer receives signals from the probe points and provides signal visibility to an external computing system.