Abstract: A motor (1) has a pair of journal supports (2), between which is journalled a rotor (3) on a shaft (4). The rotor has a disc (5) fast with the shaft and at right angles to it, whereby it rotates without wobble. At the circumference of the disc, a plurality of short, circular cylindrical permanent magnets (6) are provided at the same radial distance (7) from the shaft to their polar axes, tangential to the disc at their mid-point, with their polar axes in the central plane of the disc and the midpoints of the axes on a circular path (9) of radius (7), and equally spaced around the disc with an angular pitch (10) equal to double their polar length (11). A stator (12) carried by the supports on rods (14). It included two formers (15,16).

Abstract: A motor (1) has a pair of journal supports (2), between which is journalled a rotor (3) on a shaft (4). The rotor has a disc (5) fast with the shaft and at right angles to it, whereby it rotates without wobble. At the circumference of the disc, a plurality of short, circular cylindrical permanent magnets (6) are provided at the same radial distance (7) from the shaft to their polar axes, tangential to the disc at their mid-point, with their polar axes in the central plane of the disc and the midpoints of the axes on a circular path (9) of radius (7), and equally spaced around the disc with an angular pitch (10) equal to double their polar length (11). A stator (12) carried by the supports on rods (14). It included two formers (15,16).

Abstract: An artificial muscle (10) comprises a chamber (12) having a flexible wall of plastics material, a device for heating and/or cooling a low-boiling-point fluid contained in, or in communication with, the chamber so that at least some of the fluid changes state between liquid and gaseous so that the force in the chamber on the flexible wall changes and/or the flexible wall moves to change the volume of the chamber, and a tendon (14) which at least partly encircles the chamber over an extent that varies with variations in the chamber volume for transmitting force between the flexible wall and a load. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point enables plastics materials to be used without thermal damage, and the use of plastics materials enables low production costs. The use of a flexible wall to convey an effort to a load avoids the need for sliding parts and can provide advantages such as reduced friction and ease of sealing.

Abstract: An artificial muscle (10) comprises a chamber (12) having a flexible wall of plastics material, a device for heating and/or cooling a low-boiling-point fluid contained in, or in communication with, the chamber so that at least some of the fluid changes state between liquid and gaseous so that the force in the chamber on the flexible wall changes and/or the flexible wall moves to change the volume of the chamber, and a tendon (14) which at least partly encircles the chamber over an extent that varies with variations in the chamber volume for transmitting force between the flexible wall and a load. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point enables plastics materials to be used without thermal damage, and the use of plastics materials enables low production costs. The use of a flexible wall to convey an effort to a load avoids the need for sliding parts and can provide advantages such as reduced friction and ease of sealing.

Abstract: A system for determining the position, orientation and deformation in 3 dimensional space of a moving object in real-time is provided having a plurality of activatable markers which are mounted onto the object and a sensor section comprising a plurality of individual sensors as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Individual markers are activated in sequence with only one marker energized at any time. Energy emitted by each activated marker is detected by the plurality of sensors positioned remotely. Since only one marker is activated at any time individual determination of the position of the particular energized marker is simplified. Individual sensors are arranged such that each sensor receives a different energy level from an energized marker depending on the relative position of the marker to the sensor. A control unit analyzes the energy distribution range to determine the actual marker position. The system compensates for ambient energy and sensor saturation.

Abstract: A system for determining the position, orientation and deformation in 3 dimensional space of a moving object in real-time is provided having a plurality of activatable markers which are mounted onto the object and a sensor section comprising a plurality of individual sensors as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Individual markers are activated in sequence with only one marker energised at any time. Energy emitted by each activated marker is detected by the plurality of sensors positioned remotely. Since only one marker is activated at any time individual determination of the position of the particular energised marker is simplified. Individual sensors are arranged such that each sensor receives a different energy level from an energised marker depending on the relative position of the marker to the sensor. A control unit analyses the energy distribution range to determine the actual marker position. The system compensates for ambient energy and sensor saturation.