Abstract: A heating assembly (36) for heating a cathode (38) of an electron gun (30) of an exposure apparatus (10) includes a radiation source (42) and a beam shaper (44). The radiation source (42) generates a source beam (46). The beam shaper (44) receives the source beam (46) and selectively shapes the source beam (46) into a shaped beam (48) that is directed to the cathode (38). In certain embodiments, the beam shaper (44) can readily change the shape and intensity profile of the shaped beam (48) to achieve a desired electron beam (32) from the electron gun (30). In one embodiment, the radiation source (42) generates a pulsed source beam (46).

Abstract: A concrete tool assembly (10) used on a concrete surface (16) includes a surfacing apparatus (12) including a frame (18) and one or more trowel assemblies (34A, 34B). Each trowel assembly (34A, 34B) includes one or more trowels (54). The concrete tool assembly (10) also includes a remote control unit (14) that controls movement of the trowel assemblies (34A, 34B) relative to the concrete surface (16). Further, the surfacing apparatus (12) can include a controller (24) that receives commands from the remote control unit (14). The controller (24) can control movement of at least one of the trowel assemblies (34A, 34B) relative to the surface (16). The surfacing apparatus (12) can also include a pitch mover (990) that simultaneously adjusts the pitch of each of the trowels (54) relative to the surface (16).

Abstract: A stage assembly (220) for moving and positioning a device (200) includes a stage base (202), a stage (206), a stage mover assembly (204), and a reaction assembly (226). The stage mover assembly (204) moves the stage (206) relative to the stage base (202). The reaction assembly (226) is coupled to the stage mover assembly (204). The reaction assembly (226) reduces the reaction forces created by the stage mover assembly (204) that are transferred to the stage base (202). In one embodiment, the reaction assembly (226) includes a pair of masses (250A), (250B) and a connector assembly (236) that connects the masses (250A), (250B) together, allows the masses to move independently along a first axis, and causes the masses (250A), (250B) to move concurrently along a second axis.

Abstract: A storage system (12) for securing a first piece of sports equipment (10A) and a second piece of sports equipment (10B) to a rigid structure (14) includes a first storage subassembly (16A) and a second storage subassembly (16B). The first storage subassembly (16A) includes a left first frame (18A) and a spaced apart right first frame (18B) that are coupled to the rigid structure (14). The first frames (18A) (18B) cooperate to support the first piece of sports equipment (10A). The second storage subassembly (16B) includes a left second frame (20A) and a spaced apart right second frame (20B). The second frames (20A) (20B) are selectively coupled to the first storage subassembly (16A). The second frames (20A) (20B) cooperate to support the second piece of sports equipment (10B).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), one or more electronic components (221), and a unit control system (240). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The unit control system (240) can perform a self-test on the irrigation unit (20) to make sure that the irrigation unit (20) is functioning properly. Additionally, the irrigation unit (20) can include a cleaner (259u) that is coupled to the housing (200). The cleaner (259u) can clean one or more electronic components (221) that are part of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: A polishing apparatus (10) for polishing a device (12) with a polishing pad (48) includes a pad holder (50) and an actuator assembly (432). The pad holder (50) retains the polishing pad (48). The actuator assembly (432) includes a plurality of spaced apart actuators (438F) (438S) (438T) that are coupled to the pad holder (50). The actuators (438F) (438S) (438T) cooperate to direct forces on the pad holder (50) to alter the pressure of the polishing pad (48) on the device (12). At least one of the actuators (438F) (438S) (438T) includes a first actuator subassembly (440) and a second actuator subassembly (442) that interacts with the first actuator subassembly (440) to direct a force on the pad holder (50). The second actuator subassembly (442) is coupled to the pad holder (50) and the second actuator subassembly (442) rotates with the pad holder (50) relative to the first actuator subassembly (440).

Abstract: A sensor assembly (10) for monitoring movement of an object (13) near a first body region (11) of an animal (12) includes one or more sensors (16) and a signaling unit (24). The sensor (16) is coupled to the animal (12) and detects movement of the object (13) near the first body region (11) of the animal (12). The signaling unit (24) generates a sensory signal that is received by the animal (12) when the sensor (16) detects movement of the object (13) near the first body region (11). In one embodiment, the sensor (16) can include an infrared sensor. Alternatively, one or more of the sensors (16) can include a directional sensor, a positional sensor, an inclination sensor and/or another suitable type of sensor (16). The sensory signal can be an audible sound, a vibration, a visual signal and/or an electrical impulse. The sensor assembly (10) can also include a counter (26) that monitors the number of times that the sensor (16) detects movement of the object (13) within or near the first body region (11).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (226), an actuator (230), and a control system (18). The mover output (226) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (230) causes the mover output (226) to move. The control system (18) selectively directs a drive signal to the actuator (230) in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, a peak voltage and a baseline voltage are sequentially directed to the actuator (230). In the second mode an intermediate voltage is directed to the actuator (230), the intermediate voltage being intermediate the peak voltage and the baseline voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for positioning a device (228) includes a stage assembly (218) and a first transfer device (268A). The stage assembly (218) positions the device (228) and includes a device stage (250) that retains the device (228). The stage assembly (218) positions the device (228) in a work area (238) and a transfer area (240). The transfer device (268A) transfers a first utility to or from the device stage (250) in a non-contact fashion when the device stage (250) is in the transfer area (240) and does not transfer the first utility to or from the device stage (250) when the device stage (250) is in the work area (238). The first utility can be electrical power and/or electrical signals. Additionally, the apparatus (10) can include a loader (242) that loads the device (228) onto the device stage (250) when the device stage (250) is in the transfer area (240).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), an electronic component (221), and a power generator (230). The nozzle (220) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The electronic component (221) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200). The power generator (230) generates electrical energy that is transferred to the electronic component (221). The power generator (230) directly transfers at least a portion of the electrical energy to the electronic component (221) of the irrigation unit (20). The electronic component (221) can be a power storage unit (222) for storing electrical energy for use by the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: A vibration isolator (200) for isolating a first assembly (206) from vibration from a second assembly (208) includes a first system (202) and a second system (204) coupled to the first system (202). In one embodiment, the first system (202) supports the majority of the first assembly (206) relative to the second assembly (208) and the second system (204) adjusts for a change in the location of the center of gravity of the first assembly (206). Further, the second system (204) can be used to compensate for fluctuations in the atmospheric pressure near the vibration isolator (200).

Abstract: An adjuster assembly (12) that adjusts the location where an image (18) from an object (20) is transferred onto a device (16) includes an adjuster (54) and a stage mover assembly (244). The stage mover assembly (244) adjusts the position of the adjuster (54). This moves the position where the image (18) is transferred onto the device (16). The adjuster assembly (12) can include a damper assembly (250) that is coupled to the stage mover assembly (244) and reduces the effect of vibration from the stage mover assembly (244) causing vibration on the rest of the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable power source (10) includes a housing (12), a stator component (20), a rotor component (18), a crank assembly (14), and a control system (24). The stator component (20) is secured to the housing (12), the rotor component (18) rotates relative to the stator component (20) and the crank assembly (14) is coupled to the rotor component (18). The crank assembly (14) is rotated by the user relative to the housing (12). As provided herein, rotation of the crank assembly (14) by the user results in rotation of the rotor component (18) relative to the stator component (20). In one embodiment, the control system (24) controls the amount of torque required to rotate the crank assembly (14). For example, the amount of torque required to rotate the crank assembly (14) is varied according to the rotational position of the crank assembly (14).

Abstract: A stage assembly (220) for moving a device (200) includes a stage (208), an attraction-only type actuator pair (426) that moves the stage (208), and a control system (24). In one embodiment, the actuator pair (426) includes a first electromagnet (436F), a first conductor (438F) and a first target (440F) having a first target surface (442F). The actuator pair also includes a second electromagnet (436S), a second conductor (438S) and a second target (440S) having a second target surface (442S). The first electromagnet (436F) is positioned at a first angle ?1 relative to a first target surface (442F) and the second electromagnet (436S) is positioned at a second angle ?2 relative to the second target surface (442S). The control system (24) directs a first current to one or more of the electromagnets based on at least one of the angles ?1, ?2. Further, one or more electromagnets (436) can include a first measurement point and a second measurement point.

Abstract: A mover (36) for an exposure apparatus (10) includes a conductor array (358) and a circulation housing (362) that defines at least a portion of a fluid passageway (364) near the conductor array (358). The circulation housing (362) includes a wall (366A) having a wall thickness. In one embodiment, the wall thickness at a first position on the wall (366A) is different than the wall thickness at a second position on the wall (366A). The wall (366A) can be curved and the shape of the curve is different at the first position than at the second position. Further, a cross-sectional shape of the wall (366A) at the first position is different from a cross-sectional shape of the wall (366A) at the second position.

Abstract: A circulation system (330) for a mover (328) includes a fluid source (360) that directs a first fluid (356) into a first inlet (364A) of the mover (328) and a second fluid (358) into a second inlet (366A) of the mover (328). In one embodiment, a temperature of the second fluid (358) at the second inlet (366A) is different than a temperature of the first fluid (356) at the first inlet (364A). For example, in one embodiment, the temperature of the first fluid (356) at the first inlet (364A) is at least approximately 10 degrees greater than the temperature of the second fluid (358) at the second inlet (366A). In alternative embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid (356) is at least approximately 2, 5, or 15 degrees greater than the temperature of the second fluid (358).