Abstract: A device (20) has an electrically-operated brake (37) and a manually-operated auxiliary brake (27). The electrically-operated brake includes a coil (70), a core (68), an armature (69), and an alternating series of friction pads (74) and brake disks (75), that are arranged to be compressed between the housing and the armature. The shaft brake (27) includes a collar (22) mounted on the housing for combined axial and rotative movement relative thereto, a first interlock portion (106, 110) mounted on the shaft (24), an annular member (84) surrounding the shaft and having a second interlock portion (85) and a spring (124) urging the member to move toward the shaft. The collar (22) is adapted to be selectively moved relative to the housing between a first portion at which the first (106, 110) and second (85) interlock portions are physically engaged with one another, and a second position at which the first (106, 110) and second (85) interlock portions are physically separated from one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved transformer (20), which broadly includes: a substrate (21) having first and second surfaces (22, 23); a first board (24) mounted on the substrate first surface; a second board (25) mounted on the substrate second surface; the boards being identical to one another and being mounted on the respective proximate substrate surfaces as mirror images of one another; each of the boards having a plurality of dielectric layers with electrically-conductive sheet windings (35, 36, 37, 38) embedded therein; and an assembled core (26, 28) operatively arranged to provide a path for magnetic flux attributable to a current in some of the windings. Third and fourth boards (71, 72) may be piggy-backed onto the first and second boards, respectively, to selectively vary the properties of the transformer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system of improving the efficiency, and ensuring the integrity, of a data transfer in a serverless backup, or third party copy, system having one or more physical storage devices. The present invention provides improvements to the processing of serverless copy, or EXTENDED COPY, commands, and transfers of data associated with such commands. These improvements increase the speed at which such commands are executed and completed, and increase the capabilities of copy managers in serverless backup systems. The improvements also make better use of the storage devices involved in the data backup process. Certain aspects of the invention allow for execution of data segments of any size, and providing a compiler for generating input/output actions.

Abstract: A twist capsule (10) broadly includes: a flexible tape (13), and a pre-emphasis circuit (11) operatively associated with said tape to compensate for attenuation of high-frequency digital waveform constituents attributable to skin effect and/or dielectric loss, such that the operational bandwidth of signal transmitted over said tape may be increased. An equalization circuit (14) may be arranged at the output end of the tape to further extend the operational bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, improved methods of mounting such optical rotary joints on supporting structures such that the rotor and stator remain properly aligned, and to improved optical reflector assemblies for use in such optical rotary joints.

Abstract: The invention disclosed includes a method for determining the magnitude and phase calibration of dynamic motion sensors (SUTs), such as accelerometers, velocimeters, and dynamically responding displacement transducers at low vibration frequencies, using an optical encoder as the reference. To calibrate the sensitivity, the dynamic motion sensor is mounted to a shaker mechanism which imparts harmonic linear motion in the axis of the sensitivity of the sensor. In the case of an accelerometer, the mechanism commonly includes another accelerometer as a reference sensor. However, the output of conventional reference accelerometers becomes inadequate at low frequencies. The subject of this patent is an optical encoder to measure the displacement, at frequencies at which the optical measurement is more accurate than that of an accelerometer or other dynamic motion sensor.

Abstract: An improved method of appraising a mammal's health includes the steps of: measuring the values of a plurality of factors indicative of different health parameters at a first time; normalizing the measured values of said factors at the first time; and arranging such normalized measured values at said first time in a first sequence; thereby to have said first sequence represent the mammal's health at the first time. The method may include the additional steps of: measuring the values of such plurality of factors at a second time; normalizing the measured values of such factors at the second time; arranging such normalized measured values in a second sequence; and comparing the second sequence with the first sequence or with a similar sequences from a plurality of similar animals recording the same primary afflicting condition.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a control stick (e.g., joystick, side-stick, etc.) (20) adapted to control the movement of an object (e.g., an airfoil surface). The improvement includes: a support (21); an intermediately-pivoted upper member (23) mounted on the support, the upper member having an upper portion (24), and lower portion (25); an intermediate member (26) having an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper member lower portion, and having a lower portion; and a lower member (29) having a lower portion pivotally mounted on the support, and having an upper portion; and wherein the intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on the lower member such that pivotal movement of the upper member upper portion relative to the support will produce pivotal movement of the intermediate and lower members relative to the support; and a resilient member (31) arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between the intermediate and lower members.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a control stick (e.g., joystick, side-stick, etc.) (20) adapted to control the movement of an object (e.g., an airfoil surface). The improvement includes: a support (21); an intermediately-pivoted upper member (23) mounted on the support, the upper member having an upper portion (24), and lower portion (25); an intermediate member (26) having an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper member lower portion, and having a lower portion; and a lower member (29) having a lower portion pivotally mounted on the support, and having an upper portion; and wherein the intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on the lower member such that pivotal movement of the upper member upper portion relative to the support will produce pivotal movement of the intermediate and lower members relative to the support; and a resilient member (31) arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between the intermediate and lower members.

Abstract: A transducer, including: a housing; a bridge sensor circuit disposed within the housing and including at least one micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensing elements and first and second output ports; circuitry disposed within the housing; and an input/output (I/O) line electrically connected to the circuitry, accessible at an exterior of the housing, and adapted for receipt of input voltage or current. The circuitry is for generating a single data signal that combines respective outputs of the first and second output ports, and transmitting the DC-coupled single data signal on the I/O line. The circuitry is for generating and transmitting to the bridge sensor circuit an excitation current or voltage using the input voltage or current.

Abstract: A filter body having a housing, a cavity for holding a filter media, intake ports each configured to receive an intake tube, and a plurality of intake port flaps configured for movement between a first position which restricts passage of a gas or liquid and a second position which allows passage of a gas of liquid. In one aspect, a filter body has flaps that have a magnet and the housing has an attracting material configured to attract the magnet in at least one of the flaps and configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter in which a portion of the housing comprises an attracting means is configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter having a housing configured to hold a filter media has a plurality of fluid passage holes and hole covers, in which the hole covers and an area adjacent to the holes on the filter housing each have an attracting material for holding the hole covers in a position.

Abstract: An improved vehicle support apparatus, also referred to as a hub stand, for use with a vehicle. Certain aspects of the invention include a vertically disposed plate-like body or hub plate (20) which is adapted to receive a vehicle hub. In one embodiment, the plate-like body defines a plurality of openings (e.g. 21, 22) adapted to receive a vehicle hub and/or hub bolt. In certain aspects, the plate-like body is vertically adjustable and/or slidably received between clamp members. In another aspect, the plate-like body has openings adapted to receive pins, rods or bolts, and a clamp member has corresponding openings adapted to receive pins, rods or bolts, whereby the hub plate may be adjusted vertically relative to a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved run flat tire and system for use with a two-piece or multi-piece wheel and tire to provide for continued operation of vehicles after tire deflation. Certain aspects of the invention include a plurality of arcuate sections releasably aligned and secured to each other for positioning around a wheel, wherein extended lip portions of each arcuate section extend laterally from the inner base portion of each arcuate section to limit lateral movement of the run flat device relative to the wheel.

Abstract: A composite ring gear (10) with a metallic gear insert (30) has at least one filament (34) wound about the gear insert and an eyelet (32) a plurality of times. The filament is adapted to withstand a portion of a tensile load transmitted between the insert and the eyelet. The insert, eyelet and filament are then embedded in a composite material.

Abstract: An evacuation system includes at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, at least one operational component such as an evacuation motor, and a first read/write device such as an RFID tag for transmitting, receiving, or storing information. The evacuation system also includes a filter having a second read/write device for transmitting information to the first read/write device. A microcontroller, which is in functional communication with the first read/write device and the operational component, interprets the information received by said first read/write device and controls the operational component based on said interpreted information.

Abstract: The invention utilizes single and multiple frequency ultrasound generators driving single and multiple frequency resonant and harmonic transducer arrays at frequencies into the megasonic range. Generator signals that increase cavitation efficiency improve the performance of the cleaning, microbiological inactivation, sonochemistry or processing systems.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a control stick (e.g., joystick, side-stick, etc.) (20) adapted to control the movement of an object (e.g., an airfoil surface). The improvement includes: a support (21); an intermediately-pivoted upper member (23) mounted on the support, the upper member having an upper portion (24), and lower portion (25); an intermediate member (26) having an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper member lower portion, and having a lower portion; and a lower member (29) having a lower portion pivotally mounted on the support, and having an upper portion; and wherein the intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on the lower member upper portion such that pivotal movement of the upper member upper portion relative to the support will produce pivotal movement of the intermediate and lower members relative to the support; and a resilient member (31) arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between the intermediate and lower members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement for a wind turbine (20) having at least one blade (21) mounted on a hub (22) for controlled rotation about a blade axis (yb-yb) to vary the pitch of the blade relative to an airstream. The hub is mounted on a nacelle (23) for rotation about a hub axis (xh-xh). The wind turbine includes a main pitch control system for selectively controlling the pitch of the blade, and/or a safety pitch control system for overriding the main blade pitch control system and for causing the blade to move toward a feathered position in the event of an overspeed or fault condition.