Abstract: A two-phase electro-mechanical stepper motor has a first and second rotor fixed on a shaft. Permanent magnets are mounted on each of the rotors. The magnets each have several north and south pole magnet regions that are oriented such that the magnet's north and south pole magnet regions are misaligned with respect to the other magnet's north and south pole magnet regions. A first and second stator are mounted around the shaft and positioned adjacent to the permanent magnets. The stators have coils that are wrapped around poles to allow the formation of electromagnets by passing electrical current through the wire coils. A gear train is positioned between the first and second rotors to obtain a higher torque output.

Abstract: A magnet molding tool for controlling the orientation of magnetic particles in a polymer bonded magnet during injection molding. The tool has magnet mold having a mold cavity. A flux generator is connected to the magnet mold. The flux generator applies a magnetic field in the cavity. A non-magnetic cap is attached to the magnet mold and is dimensioned to modify the magnetic field in the cavity such that the orientation of the magnetic particles in the cavity varies proportionally to the dimensions of the non-magnetic cap. In an alternative embodiment, a slot is formed in the magnet mold and dimensioned to modify the magnetic field in the cavity.

Abstract: A dual in line switch apparatus selects between several switch positions. A housing has several slides. A row of terminals is attached to the housing. A contact sheet is located between the slides and the terminals. The contact sheet operates, as the slide is moved, to make and break electrical connections between the terminals. The contact sheet includes a flexible film having a contact pad and a detent notch and an adhesive tape that is attached to the flexible film. The tape has a slot formed therein and the contact pad is pressed through the slot by the slide to electrically connect with the terminals. The switch provides electrical contacts that are sealed from detrimental environmental effects. The detent notch provides a positive mechanical stop with tactile feedback for each of the switch positions. An alternative embodiment uses another flexible film with conductive vias that connect to solder spheres.

Abstract: A position sensor for sensing the position of an attached device. There is a housing having terminals and a cover attached to the housing. Resistors, conductors and conductive traces are located on the cover and electrically connected to the terminals. A rotor is positioned between the housing and the cover, and has a contactor mounted thereon for contacting the resistor and the conductor such that as the rotor rotates a resistance value indicative of the sensor position is varied. The cover has a terminal insert which connect between the conductive traces and the terminals. A leaf spring rotates the rotor back to a starting position.

Abstract: A variable resistance control device and switch has a base, made of insulating material, a rheostat, mounted to the base, and a switch, mounted to the base. The rheostat includes a variable resistor trace, positioned on the base, a collector trace, positioned on the base next to and insulated from the variable resistor trace. The rheostat includes an actuator, slidably coupled to the base, for sliding over a length of both the variable resistor trace and the collector trace to make electrical contact therebetween. The rheostat also includes a first set of contacts, that are 1) electrically coupled during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically isolated during operation of the switch; and a second set of contacts, that are 1) electrically isolated during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically coupled during the operation of the switch.