Patent US6847853B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6847853B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fabrication rules based automated design and manufacturing system and method
Assignee: VLT Corp
•
Filing: 2000-05-11
•
Granted: 2005-01-25
•
Expires: 2020-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An automated custom power supply design system uses an expert system containing a set of rules, including manufacturing limitations to limit design choices and ensure feasibility and manufacturability of the design. A design interface collects specifications from a user. A complement of power components for satisfying the electrical specifications is defined and mechanical specifications for each component are provided by the system for use in creating the mechanical design. After the mechanical design is established a thermal analysis is performed and the completed design is returned to a host computer. After an order is received, a computer integrated manufacturing system generates all of the specifications required to manufacture the components for the system and the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrizio Vinciarelli
- 👤 Jeremiah Noel Foley
- 👤 Scott William Nowak
- 👤 Charles Steven Skoolicas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F2113/00; G06F2113/16; G06F2119/00; G06F2119/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 120
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An automated power supply design system for aiding a user to design a custom power supply to be manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing system characterized by a predefined set of tools and processes, the design system comprising: a storage device; information stored on said storage device, said information representing predetermined limitations which, if observed, ensure that said custom power supply can be fabricated using said predefined set of tools and processes; an interface for receiving power supply specifications from said user; a component definition feature having an input for receiving said power supply specifications, said component definition feature generating a complement of components based on said power supply specifications; said power supply design system generating a custom power supply design for said custom power supply constrained using said information, said power supply design system preventing generation of a design that requires tools or processes other than the predefined set of tools and processes; and an automated manufacturing specifications generator having an input for receiving said custom power supply design and supplying manufacturing specifications needed by said manufacturing system to manufacture said custom power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
An automated power supply design system for aiding a user to design a custom power supply to be manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing system characterized by a predefined set of tools and processes, the design system comprising: a storage device; information stored on said storage device, said information representing predetermined limitations which, if observed, ensure that said custom power supply can be fabricated using said predefined set of tools and processes; an interface for receiving power supply specifications from said user; a component definition feature having an input for receiving said power supply specifications, said component definition feature generating a complement of components based on said power supply specifications; said power supply design system generating a custom power supply design for said custom power supply constrained using said information, said power supply design system preventing generation of a design that requires tools or processes other than the predefined set of tools and processes; and an automated manufacturing specifications generator having an input for receiving said custom power supply design and supplying manufacturing specifications needed by said manufacturing system to manufacture said custom power supply.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for aiding a user to design a custom power supply to be manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing system characterized by a predefined set of tools and processes, the method comprising: providing a user interface to said user; receiving specifications from said user through said user interface; generating a complement of components; providing mechanical parameters for said components; collecting, from said user, mechanical design information for said custom power supply; generating a design for said custom power supply constrained using information representing predetermined limitations which, if observed, ensure that said custom power supply can be manufactured using said predefined tools and processes, said method preventing generation of a design that requires tools or processes other than the predefined set of tools and processes.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for aiding a user to design a custom power supply to be manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing system characterized by a predefined set of tools and processes, the method comprising: providing a user interface to said user; receiving specifications from said user through said user interface; generating a complement of components; providing mechanical parameters for said components; collecting, from said user, mechanical design information for said custom power supply; generating a design for said custom power supply constrained using information representing predetermined limitations which, if observed, ensure that said custom power supply can be manufactured using said predefined tools and processes, said method preventing generation of a design that requires tools or processes other than the predefined set of tools and processes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising: generating manufacturing specifications needed by said manufacturing system to manufacture said custom power supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising: providing a custom power supply design to a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) facility including at least one fabrication station for automatically manufacturing at least one component for said custom power supply.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising: providing a layout feature allowing component locations to be defined within a virtual space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising: providing component icons representative of said complement of components; and allowing said user to move said icons in said virtual space to define said component locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising automatically arranging said component locations and adjusting said virtual space to fit said arrangement of said component locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said complement of components further comprises an electrical power converter module and said method further comprises generating an electrical design for said electrical power converter module.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for aiding a user to design a custom power supply to be manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing system characterized by a predefined set of tools and processes, the method comprising: providing a user interface to said user; receiving power supply design specifications from said user through said user interface; generating a complement of components based upon said specifications; generating a design for said custom power supply constrained using information representing predetermined limitations which, if observed, ensure that said custom power supply can be manufactured using said predefined set of tools and processes, said method preventing generation of a design that requires tools or processes other than the predefined set of tools and processes; and generating manufacturing specifications needed by said manufacturing system to manufacture said custom power supply.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for aiding a user to design a custom power supply to be manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing system characterized by a predefined set of tools and processes, the method comprising: providing a user interface to said user; receiving power supply design specifications from said user through said user interface; generating a complement of components based upon said specifications; generating a design for said custom power supply constrained using information representing predetermined limitations which, if observed, ensure that said custom power supply can be manufactured using said predefined set of tools and processes, said method preventing generation of a design that requires tools or processes other than the predefined set of tools and processes; and generating manufacturing specifications needed by said manufacturing system to manufacture said custom power supply.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said automated manufacturing specifications generator supplies specifications for manufacturing cables for said custom power supply.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said automated manufacturing specifications generator supplies specifications for manufacturing a mounting plate for said custom power supply.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said automated manufacturing specifications generator supplies specifications for manufacturing heatsinks for said custom power supply.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said automated manufacturing specifications generator supplies specifications for manufacturing electrical power converter modules for said custom power supply.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said automated manufacturing specifications generator supplies specifications for manufacturing front-end assemblies for said custom power supply.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 14 wherein said automated manufacturing specifications generator supplies specifications for programming a programmable memory device with output control information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 further comprising: a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) facility including at least one fabrication station for manufacturing at least one component for said custom power supply, said CIM facility having an input for receiving component specifications from said automated manufacturing specifications generator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 16 further comprising: a production scheduler connected to receive said component specifications and to allocate a time slot for production of said at least one component by said CIM facility.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 16 wherein said CIM facility further comprises: a wiring station having an input for receiving interconnection specifications for fabricating interconnection components.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 18 wherein said interconnection specifications are for a circuit board and said wiring station fabricates circuit boards.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 18 wherein said interconnection specifications are for a wiring harness and said wiring station fabricates wiring harnesses.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 20 wherein said wiring harness comprises a flat multi-conductor cable element and at least two tap elements and said interconnection specifications include at least a length and a tap location specification.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 21 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise fold and bend location specifications.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 17 wherein said CIM facility further comprises: a heatsink station having an input for receiving heatsink specifications.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 23 wherein said heatsink specifications comprise machining instructions and said heatsink station comprises machining equipment for fabricating a heatsink from metal stock.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 23 wherein said heatsink specifications comprise position information and instructions for selecting and installing prefabricated heatsink components.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said information representing predetermined limitations comprises at least one of the following characteristics: (a) a limitation imposed by tooling restrictions of a manufacturing line; (b) a minimum component spacing limitation imposed to allow for wiring components; or (c) a component orientation limitation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said power supply specifications further comprises power supply input specifications and output specifications and said interface accepts numerical entries.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 27 wherein said power supply specifications further comprise thermal specifications.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 27 wherein said power supply specifications further comprise safety agency specifications.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 27 wherein said power supply specifications further comprise information about the timing of turning on or off at least one output.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 27 wherein said power supply specifications further comprise information about the sequence for turning on or off at least two outputs.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 27 wherein said power supply specifications further comprise information regarding at least one of the following: (a) an output voltage, (b) an output power, (c) a current limiting set point, (d) an over voltage set point, (e) output ripple, (f) output input voltage range, or (g) a noise level.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said power supply specifications further comprises power supply input specifications and output specifications and said interface provides a list of choices for at least one input specification.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 33 wherein said list of choices further comprises button selectable options.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 33 wherein said list of choices further comprises a pull-down list of options.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said complement of components further comprises an electrical power converter module and said component definition feature generates an electrical design for said electrical power converter module.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 36 wherein said component definition feature calculates an efficiency for said electrical power converter module.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 36 wherein said component definition feature generates an electrical design which is optimized with respect to an optimization parameter such as efficiency, reliability, or cost.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 38 wherein two or more of said optimization parameters are assigned relative weights and said component definition feature generates said electrical design optimizing said optimization parameters according to assigned relative weights.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
90 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said complement of components further comprises a plurality of electrical power converter modules and said component definition feature generates an electrical design for each of said electrical power converter modules and provides an efficiency rating for each of said electrical power converter modules; said power supply design system calculates the total input power required by said electrical power converter modules using said efficiency ratings and the power output of said custom power supply, and selects circuitry for a front-end assembly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 40 wherein said power supply design system further calculates a total power dissipation of said custom power supply and calculates at least one heatsink dimension.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
49 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said power supply design system provides feasibility information to said user regarding at least one of the following conditions: (a) cooling requirements; (b) heatsink dimensions; (c) component orientation; (d) component spacing; (e) safety agency requirements; or (f) output orientation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
75 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said custom power supply further comprises a user-defined package and said power supply specifications further comprise at least one of the following details: (a) a shape of said user-defined package; (b) a dimension of said user-defined package; (c) a position of at least one of said components in said user-defined package; (d) an orientation of at least one of said components in said user-defined package.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said power supply design system provides feasibility information to said user, said feasibility information comprising acceptable relative locations and orientations for said components.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
48 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said information representing predetermined limitations comprises at least one of the following: (a) safety agency specifications; (b) limitations imposed to allow two or more power converters to be connected into a load sharing array; or (c) thermal constraints.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said complement of components comprises electrical power converter modules.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated power supply design system of claim 1 wherein said complement of components comprises a front end module.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising allocating a time slot for production of said at least one component by said CIM facility.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising providing interconnection specifications to said CIM facility for fabrication of interconnection components.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise circuit board specifications for fabrication of a circuit board by said CIM facility.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise wiring harness specifications for fabrication of a wiring harness by said CIM facility.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said interconnection specifications include at least a length and a tap location specification and said wiring harness comprises a flat multi-conductor cable element and a tap element.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise a fold location specification.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising providing heatsink specifications to said CIM facility for fabrication of a heatsink.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said heatsink specifications further comprise automatic machining instructions for fabricating a heatsink from metal stock.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said heatsink specifications further comprise position information and instructions for selecting and installing prefabricated heatsink components.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising: receiving numerical entries from said user for said specifications; and said specifications further comprise power supply input and output specifications.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising allowing manipulation of the size or shape of said virtual space.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising automatically adjusting said virtual space to fit an arrangement of said component icons.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said arrangement is created by said user.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 , 6 , 7 , 58 , 59 , or 60 , wherein said virtual space comprises a representation of a flat surface.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 , 6 , 7 , 58 , 59 , or 60 , wherein said virtual space comprises a representation of at least two separate flat surfaces.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 5 , 6 , 7 , 58 , 59 , or 60 , wherein said component locations and said virtual space define the mechanical design information for said custom power supply, including a mounting surface and mounting features.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said specifications further comprise thermal specifications.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said specifications further comprise safety agency specifications.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said specifications further comprise information about the timing of turning on or off at least one output.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said specifications further comprise information about a sequence for turning on or off at least two outputs.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said specifications further comprise information regarding at least one of the following: (a) an output voltage, (b) an output power, (c) a current limiting set point, (d) an over voltage set point, (e) output ripple, (f) output input voltage range, or (g) a noise level.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving further comprises providing a list of choices for selection by said user and said specifications further comprise power supply input specifications and output specifications.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 69 wherein said list of choices further comprises button selectable options.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 69 wherein said list of choices further comprises a pull-down list of options.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising calculating an efficiency for said electrical power converter module.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said generating an electrical design further comprises optimizing said electrical design with respect to an optimization parameter such as efficiency, reliability, or cost.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said optimizing said design comprises assigning relative weights to two or more of said optimization parameters and carrying out said optimizing according to the assigned relative weights.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said custom power supply further comprises a user-defined package and said specifications further comprise at least one of the following details: (a) a shape of said user-defined package; (b) a dimension of said user-defined package; (c) a position of at least one of said components in said user-defined package; (d) an orientation of at least one of said components in said user-defined package.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising providing, to said user, feasibility information regarding acceptable relative locations and orientations for said components.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said information representing predetermined limitations further comprises at least one of the following: (a) safety agency specifications; (b) limitations imposed to allow two or more power converters to be connected into a load sharing array; or (c) thermal constraints.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said manufacturing specifications further comprise at least one of the following: (a) specifications for manufacturing cables for said custom power supply; (b) specifications for manufacturing a mounting plate for said custom power supply; (c) specifications for manufacturing heatsinks for said custom power supply; (d) specifications for manufacturing electrical power converter modules for said custom power supply; (e) specifications for manufacturing front-end assemblies for said custom power supply; or (f) specifications for programming a programmable memory device with output control information.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising: providing said custom power supply design to a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) facility including at least one fabrication station for automatically manufacturing at least one component for said custom power supply.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 79 further comprising allocating a time slot for production of said at least one component by said CIM facility.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 79 further comprising providing interconnection specifications to said CIM facility f or fabrication of interconnection components.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 81 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise circuit board specifications for fabrication of a circuit board by said CIM facility.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 81 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise wiring harness specifications for fabrication of a wiring harness by said CIM facility.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 83 wherein said interconnection specifications include at least a length and a tap location specification and said wiring harness comprises a flat multi-conductor cable element and a tap element.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 84 wherein said interconnection specifications further comprise fold and bend location specifications.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 79 further comprising providing heatsink specifications to said CIM facility for fabrication of a heatsink.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 86 wherein said heatsink specifications further comprise automatic machining instructions for fabricating a heatsink from metal stock.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 86 wherein said heatsink specifications further comprise position information and instructions for selecting and installing prefabricated heatsink components.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said information representing predetermined limitations comprises at least one of the following characteristics: (a) a limitation imposed by tooling restrictions of a manufacturing line; (b) a minimum component spacing limitation imposed to allow for wiring components; or (c) a component orientation limitation.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising: receiving numerical entries from said user for said power supply design specifications; and said power supply design specifications further comprise power supply input and output specifications.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 90 further comprising: providing a layout system allowing component locations to be defined within a virtual space.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 91 further comprising: providing component icons representative of said complement of components; and allowing said user to move said icons in said virtual space to define said component locations.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 92 further comprising allowing manipulation of the size or shape of said virtual space.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 92 further comprising automatically adjusting said virtual space to fit arrangement of said component icons.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 94 wherein said arrangement is created by said user.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 91 further comprising automatically arranging said component locations and adjusting said virtual space to fit said arrangement of said component locations.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , or 96 wherein said virtual space comprises a representation of a flat surface.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , or 96 wherein said virtual space comprises representation of at least two separate flat surfaces.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , or 96 wherein said component locations and said virtual space define mechanical specifications for said custom power supply, including a mounting surface and mounting features.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 90 wherein said power supply design specifications further comprise thermal specifications.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 90 wherein said power supply design specifications further comprise safety agency specifications.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 90 wherein said power supply design specifications further comprise information about the timing of turning on or off at least one output.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 90 wherein said power supply design specifications further comprise, information about the sequence for turning on or off at least two outputs.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 90 wherein said power supply design specifications further comprise information regarding at least one of the following: (a) an output voltage, (b) an output power, (c) a current limiting set point, (d) an over voltage set point, (e) output ripple, (f) output input voltage range, or (g) a noise level.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said receiving further comprises providing a list of choices for selection by said user and said power supply design specifications further comprise power supply input specifications and output specifications.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 105 wherein said list of choices further comprises button selectable options.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 105 wherein said list of choices further comprises a pull-down list of options.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said complement of components further comprises an electrical power converter module and said method further comprises generating an electrical design for said electrical power converter module.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising calculating an efficiency for said electrical power converter module.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 108 wherein said generating an electrical design further comprises optimizing said electrical design with respect to an optimization parameter such as efficiency, reliability, or cost.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 110 wherein said optimizing said electrical design comprises assigning relative weights to two or more of said optimization parameters and carrying out said optimizing according to the assigned relative weights.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said complement of components further comprises a plurality of electrical power converter modules and said method further comprises: generating an electrical design for each of said electrical power converter modules and provides an efficiency rating for each of said electrical power converter modules; calculating the total input power required by said electrical power converter modules using said efficiency ratings and the power output of said custom power supply; and selecting circuitry for a front-end assembly.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 112 further comprising calculating a total power dissipation of said custom power supply and calculating at least one heatsink dimension.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising providing feasibility information to said user regarding at least one of the following conditions: (a) cooling requirements; (b) heatsink dimensions; (c) component orientation; (d) component spacing; (e) safety agency requirements; or (f) output orientation.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said custom power supply further comprises a user-defined package and said power supply design specifications further comprise at least one of the following details: (a) a shape of said user-defined package; (b) a dimension of said user-defined package; (c) a position of at least one of said components in said user-defined package; (d) an orientation of at least one of said components in said user-defined package.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising providing, to said user, feasibility information regarding acceptable relative locations and orientations for said components.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said information representing predetermined limitations further comprises at least one of the following: (a) agency safety specifications; (b) shared load limitations; or (c) thermal constraints.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-01-25 | 2008-07-26 | 2009-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-01-25 | 2012-07-26 | 2013-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-01-25 | 2016-07-26 | 2017-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |