Abstract: A method of making stepper motor includes: providing a permanent magnet rotor carried by an output shaft; forming a bobbin having an alignment feature, a bearing opening for supporting the shaft, and a passage for receiving the permanent magnet rotor; forming a magnetically soft stator-yoke located around the inside of the passage; winding a coil of electrically conducting wire around the bobbin; and providing a motor housing for receiving the bobbin and where the motor housing has a corresponding alignment feature to align the bobbin with the housing.

Abstract: An hard stop is disclosed for use with an aperture mechanism that has at least one blade moveable along a path between a closed position and at least one open position, and at least one hard stop piston that is moveable between a first position, out of the blade path, and a second position, in the blade path, to position the blade in the open position when an edge of the blade contacts the hard stop piston. The hard stop includes a nonmagnetic piston; a ferromagnetic C-core, having first and second pole tips, a magnet attached to the piston and a coil wrapped around the midportion of the C-core.

Abstract: A bias-field device for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording element which includes a conductive substrate and which moves through a magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information is selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprises: a rotatable magnet that rotates so that when the recording element rotates the conductive substrate creates a magnetic coupling with the magnet for causing the magnet to rotate; and an escapement mechanism that releases and latches the magnet for permitting the magnet to be selectively rotated.

Abstract: A translational, bias-field device for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording element moving through a first magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information is selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprises a housing and a first rail for enabling translational movement attached to said housing. A permanent magnet structure is polarized through its cross-section having a first set of north and south poles on a first surface positioned adjacent the magneto-optic recording element for providing the first magnetic field to the recording element, and a second set of north and south poles on a second surface, and the permanent magnet structure attached to the first rail which enables translational movement of the magnet structure.

Abstract: An hard stop for use with an aperture mechanism includes at least one blade moveable along a path between a closed position and at least one open position. At least one hard stop piston is moveable between a first position, out of the blade path, and a second position, in the blade path, to position the blade in the open position when an edge of the blade contacts the hard stop piston. The hard stop includes a magnetic piston, an electromagnet coil proximate to the magnetic piston, and a ferromagnetic ring arranged such that when current is applied in one direction through the coil it causes the magnetic piston to move to the first position in a first direction and held in such position by the attraction of the magnetic piston to the ferromagnetic ring and causes the magnetic piston to move to the second position when current is applied in an opposite direction to the coil and the magnetic piston is held in such position by the attraction of the magnetic piston to the ferromagnetic ring.

Abstract: A camera for containing film which captures an image and indication of camera orientations thereon, the camera has a camera housing having a magnet rotatably connected to it for rotating the magnet in response to orientations of the camera housing. A first, second and third sensor are attached to the camera body for sensing a magnetic field from the magnet. An electrical circuit generates a logic table which indicates orientations of the camera housing in response to a signal from the first, second and third sensors. A record head indicates on the film the orientation of the camera derived from the logic table.

Abstract: A translational, bias-field device for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording element moving through a first magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information can be selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprises a housing. Two bars are positioned in a spaced apart relationship, disposed substantially parallel to each other and supported by the housing. A permanent magnet is positioned adjacent the recording element for providing the first magnetic field to the recording element, and is attached to the bars which induce translational movement to the magnet when the magnet is induced with a second magnetic field. A coil is positioned adjacent to the magnet which, when energized, imparts the second magnetic field to the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A fluid bearing includes a rotor and a stator. A DC motor drives the rotator. The DC motor has (1) a multi-phase set of coils on one of the rotor and stator and (2) a multi-pole magnet on the other of the rotor and stator opposed to the coils, the number of magnet poles being an even number which is different from the number of phases and the coils and magnet poles being arranged such that, at a predetermined position of the rotor, at least one of the coils is opposed by only one magnet pole. Commutation selectively applies DC current to the at least one coil, and not to a coil opposed by more than one magnet pole, when the rotor assembly is at the predetermined position of a polarity to cause the at least one coil to repel the opposed magnet pole, creating a magnetic force urging the bearing surfaces apart.

Abstract: A sheet media handling apparatus includes an air plenum having a first set of openings for passing air in the vicinity of a sheet media being handled and a second opening; and a fan including a flat brushless DC motor mounted adjacent the second opening and a centrifugal impeller attached to the motor and positioned so as to move air through the second opening when rotated by the motor. A pressure sensor connected to the motor drive circuit controls the speed of the motor in an inverse relationship to atmospheric pressure so that sufficient air pressure is provided for the sheet handling apparatus while minimizing the noise generated by the apparatus.