Author: claimsbot

1. A method of regulating engagement of a torque transfer device by superimposing a dithering signal onto a digital control signal having multiple pulses to provide a dithered control signal, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) nulling blocks of pulses of the digital control signal having at least one nulled pulse per block, such that each successive block of nulled pulses has at least the same number of nulled pulses as the block that immediately precedes the succeeding block;
(b) nulling blocks of pulses of the digital control signal having at least one nulled pulse per block, such that each successive block of nulled pulses has an equal or less number of nulled pulses than the block that immediately precedes the succeeding block; and
(c) regulating engagement of the torque transfer device based on the dithered control signal.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
determining a period of the dithering signal;
wherein step (a) occurs over a first half of the dithering period and step (b) occurs over a second half of the dithering period.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulses are voltage pulses.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the nulled pulses have a voltage that is substantially equal to zero.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the control signal has a duty cycle that can be varied by modulating a pulse width.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein each block of nulled pulses consists of consecutively nulled pulses with no intervening non-nulled pulses.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein there is at least one pulse between succeeding blocks of nulled pulses.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulses are spaced at intervals that are substantially equal to the reciprocal of a frequency of the control signal.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for forming an internal gear member having a plurality of gear teeth comprising:
providing a broaching tool having a first set of broaching teeth and a second set of broaching teeth;
providing a gear blank defining an internal aperture;
passing the broaching tool through the internal aperture of the gear blank;
rotating the broaching tool at a first predefined rate as the broaching tool passes through the internal aperture of the gear blank such that the first set of broaching teeth cut only a first flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth; and
rotating the broaching tool at a second predefined rate as the broaching tool passes through the internal aperture of the gear blank such that the second set of broaching teeth cut only a second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth;
wherein the broaching tool is rotated sufficiently such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing a broaching tool includes providing a broaching tool having a third set of broaching teeth.
3. The method of claim 2, rotating the broaching tool at a third predefined rate as the broaching tool passes through the internal aperture of the gear blank such that the third set of broaching teeth cut both the first flank portion and the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising rotating the broaching tool in one direction as the first flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth is being cut, and rotating the broaching tool in an opposite direction as the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth is being cut.
5. A broaching tool configured to form an internal gear member comprising:
a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a first flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth; and
a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth;
such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions.
6. The broaching tool of claim 5, further comprising a third set of broaching teeth configured to cut both the first flank portion and the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth.
7. The broaching tool of claim 6, further comprising a shank.
8. The broaching tool of claim 7, further comprising an end portion.
9. A broaching machine configured to produce an internal gear member comprising:
a broaching tool defining a central axis including:
a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a first flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth; and
a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth;
such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions; and

a motor configured to rotate the broaching tool about the central axis at a selectable rate and in a selectable direction to form said tapered flank portions.
10. The broaching machine of claim 9, wherein the broaching tool includes a third set of broaching teeth configured to cut both the first flank and the second flank portions of the plurality of gear teeth.
11. The broaching machine of claim 10, wherein the broaching tool includes a shank.
12. The broaching machine of claim 11, wherein the broaching tool includes an end portion.
13. The broaching tool of claim 5, wherein said first set of broaching teeth extend along a first length of said broaching tool; wherein said second set of broaching teeth extend along a second length of said broaching tool different from said first length; and wherein said third set of broaching teeth extend along a third length of said broaching tool different from said first length and said second length.
14. The broaching machine of claim 9, wherein said first set of broaching teeth extend along a first length of said broaching tool; wherein said second set of broaching teeth extend along a second length of said broaching tool different from said first length; and wherein said third set of broaching teeth extend along a third length of said broaching tool different from said first length and said second length.
15. The broaching machine of claim 9, wherein said motor is further configured to rotate said broaching tool in a counter-clockwise direction about said central axis to thereby cut only said second flank portion of said plurality of gear teeth via said second set of broaching teeth.
16. The broaching machine of claim 15, wherein said motor is further configured to rotate said broaching tool in a clockwise direction about said central axis to thereby cut only said first flank portion of said plurality of gear teeth via said first set of broaching teeth.

1. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing and a display defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device;
a plurality of electronic components at least partially within the interior of the device, the plurality of electronic components comprising a processing element;
a moisture sensor associated with the processing element, the moisture sensor andor the processing element being configured to:
cause the electronic device to exit a normal operation mode and to enter into a moisture response mode when the moisture sensor is exposed to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold;
maintain a tally of a number of times the electronic device has entered the moisture response mode; and
inform a user of the electronic device of a need to service the electronic device when the tally reaches a predetermined protection threshold.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the moisture sensor continues to monitor the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed.
3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the moisture sensor andor the processing element is configured, when the moisture sensor detects an amount of moisture below a predetermined reset threshold, to cause the electronic device to exit the moisture response mode and enter into the normal operation mode.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, in the moisture response mode, at least one of the moisture sensor and the processor causes a switch to terminate communication between a power supply and at least some electronic components of the plurality of electronic components.
5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the switch prevents communication of power to all electronic components of the electronic device other than moisture response components involved in:
monitoring the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed; or
reporting exposure of the electronic device to the amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold.
6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, in the moisture response mode, moisture response components are involved in reporting exposure of the electronic device to the amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold.
7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the switch prevents communication of power to a charging port.
8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, in the moisture response mode:
the switch prevents communication of power to all electronic components of the electronic device other than moisture response components involved in reporting exposure of the electronic device to the amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold; and
the moisture response components report exposure of the electronic device to:
the user of the electronic device;
a data storage element of the electronic device; or
a remote monitoring service.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the moisture response components report exposure of the electronic device to the user by:
generating an alarm perceivable by the user of the electronic device; or
causing the moisture response components to visually indicate to the user that the electronic device has been exposed to the amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold.
10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the moisture response components report exposure of the electronic device to the user by:
generating and transmitting a message to the user.
11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the moisture response components report exposure of the electronic device to the user and to the remote monitoring service.
12. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, in the moisture response mode, the switch prevents communication of power to all electronic components of the electronic device.
13. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one moisture-resistant element.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the at least one moisture-resistant element comprises a moisture-resistant coating on at least one electronic component of the plurality of electronic components.
15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the moisture sensor is exposed to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold, the processing element launches an app to provide at least one of the user of the electronic device and a remote monitoring service with information about exposure of the electronic device to moisture.
16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the moisture sensor andor the processing element is further configured to:
inform the user of the electronic device of a need to apply a moisture-resistant coating to internal surfaces of the electronic device.
17. A moisture response system for use with an electronic device, comprising:
a moisture sensor;
a control element in communication with the moisture sensor, the control element configured to maintain a tally of a number of times the electronic device has entered a moisture response mode;
a warning element for generating a warning perceivable by a user of the electronic device or sending a message to a remote monitoring service, the warning element in communication with the control element and configured to inform a user of the electronic device of a need to service the electronic device when the tally reaches a predetermined protection threshold; and
a switch in communication with at least one of the moisture sensor and the control element, and located to control communication of power from a power supply of the electronic device to other circuitry of the electronic device.
18. The moisture response system of claim 17, wherein the switch is configured to electrically isolate the moisture response system from other circuitry of the electronic device.
19. The moisture response system of claim 18, wherein the switch is configured to discontinue communication of power to a charging port of the electronic device.
20. The moisture response system of claim 17, further comprising:
an app configured to be executed by a processing element of the electronic device upon exposure of the moisture sensor to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold.
21. The moisture response system of claim 20, wherein the app is configured to provide at least one of a user of the electronic device and a remote monitoring service with information about exposure of the electronic device to moisture.
22. The moisture response system of claim 17, wherein the warning element is configured to inform the user of a need to apply a moisture-resistant coating to internal surfaces of the electronic device.
23. A method for responding to exposure of an electronic device to moisture, comprising:
monitoring an amount of moisture to which an electronic device is exposed, including determining whether the amount of moisture meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture response threshold;
if the amount of moisture meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold:
exiting a normal operational mode of the electronic device; and
entering a moisture response mode of the electronic device;

maintaining a tally of a number of times the electronic device has entered the moisture response mode; and
when the tally reaches a predetermined protection threshold, informing a user of the electronic device of a need to service the electronic device.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein exiting the normal operational mode includes terminating communication of power from a power supply of the electronic device to selected circuitry of the electronic device.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein exiting the normal operational mode includes terminating communication of power at a charging port of the electronic device.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein exiting the normal operational mode includes terminating charging of the electronic device.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein entering the moisture response mode includes:
generating a user-perceptible output indicative of exposure of the electronic device to the amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein generating the user-perceptible output comprises launching an app that corresponds to detection of exposure of the electronic device to the amount of moisture that meets or exceeds the predetermined moisture response threshold amount of moisture.
29. The method of claim 23, wherein entering the moisture response mode includes:
generating a signal indicative of exposure of the electronic device to the amount of moisture that exceeds the predetermined threshold; and
transmitting the signal to a remote monitoring service.
30. The method of claim 23, wherein entering the moisture response mode includes:
continuing to monitor the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein, while continuing to monitor the amount of moisture:
if the amount of moisture to which the electronic device is exposed falls below a predetermined reset threshold:
exiting the moisture response mode; and
reentering the normal operational mode.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein reentering the normal operational mode comprises automatically reentering the normal operational mode.
33. The method of claim 23, wherein informing the user of the electronic device of the need to service the electronic device comprises informing the user of a need to apply a moisture-resistant coating to internal surfaces of the electronic device.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

I claim:

1. A flexible insulated pouch comprising:
(a) a pouch having multiple plies of closed cell polypropylene foam;
(b) a film bag surrounding the pouch, the film bag made of material which acts as a moisture and oxygen barrier; and
(c) a heat seal on the film bag joining the film bag to one side of the pouch.
2. A flexible insulated pouch as recited in claim 1 including a film on the inside of the pouch.
3. A flexible insulated pouch as recited in claim 2 wherein the film on the inside of the pouch is polypropylene.
4. A flexible insulated pouch as recited in claim 1 wherein the film bag is comprised of a polymer extrusion that is cooled into a sheet form of varying thickness.
5. A flexible insulated pouch as recited in claim 1 in which the pouch is a dual inner pouch that encapsulates two flexible panels of multiple plies comprised of flexible insulation material.
6. A flexible insulated pouch as recited in claim 5 in which the flexible panels are comprised of polypropylene foam.
7. A flexible insulated pouch as recited in claim 6 in which the polypropylene foam is multiple plies and closed cell.
8. A method for assembling a dual inner flexible insulated pouch comprising:
(a) folding a flat sheet of heat-sealable film in such a manner as to form a dual inner pouch with two pocket openings at a bottom side and a pouch opening at a top side;
(b) sealing the film with heat to form a permanent dual inner pouch structure containing two pockets each having an opening at the bottom side;
(c) inserting one flexible panel into each of the openings of the two pockets of the dual inner pouch at the bottom side;
(d) placing the bottom side of the pouch into a film bag so that the open end of bottom side of the pouch is at a bottom closed end of the film bag; and
(e) heating by induction the film bag so that it is sealed to the dual inner pouch.