Abstract: A system and method for determining orientation of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a vehicle having a hinge joint such that sections of the chassis are capable of rotation with respect to each other. A first and second wheel is mounted to one and the other of the chassis sections, respectively. Vehicle geometric data defining a distance between the hinge joint and the centers of the first and second wheels, respectively, and the diameter of the wheels is provided. Surface geometric data defining the curvature of the surface can be provided. The angle of rotation about the hinge joint is measured. An orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on the vehicle geometric date, the surface geometric data, and the measured angle of rotation can be determined. A system and method for determining the orientation of an object is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing, comprising: a magnetic base; at least three actuator bobbins mounted on the magnetic base; and magnetic sensors associated with the actuator bobbins. At least one magnetic system amidst the magnetic actuators and the magnetic sensors comprises together: a coil holder; a coil wound up around the coil holder; and a connector device integrated to the coil holder and designed for plugging at least one wire. Additionally disclosed is an apparatus comprising such a magnetic bearing and a method for manufacturing such a magnetic bearing.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.

Abstract: A vacuum pump having substrates which can be wired together easily and cooled easily. A substrate unit structure is formed by covering the opening of the casing of the pump main unit with a plate functioning also as the casing of the control unit. Pins of a terminal fixed while penetrating the plate are soldered directly to an active magnetic bearing (AMB) control substrate and an aerial connection substrate in order to integrate these components. The casing and sealing structures can be of simple construction. A drip-proof structure can be made with the terminal at low cost without using expensive drip-proof connectors. Further, by cooling the plate, electronic components mounted respectively on the AMB control substrate in a vacuum atmosphere and the aerial connection substrate in an air atmosphere can be cooled simultaneously.

Abstract: A turbo-machine for compressing or expanding a fluid comprises a housing (201), a rotary shaft (203), an electric machine (207), an impeller (202) mounted at an end of the rotary shaft (203), radial magnetic bearings (208), an axial magnetic bearing (210), an axial detector (240), radial detectors (209), a control circuit, and auxiliary bearings (290). An auxiliary bearing (290) is integrated within a stator portion (211, 212) of the axial magnetic bearing (210) and this stator portion (211, 212) of the axial magnetic bearing (210) is located opposite a rotor armature (220) of the axial magnetic bearing (210). The rotor armature (220) is made of iron or of a material which is adapted to be attracted in a magnetic field and is constituted by a rear face (221) of the impeller (202).

Abstract: A modular motor and magnetic bearing assembly comprising a positioning casing having a plane reference surface, an outer cylindrical reference surface, a central portion provided on an outer face with cooling liquid flow channels, and intermediate portions provided with openings for gaseous fluid entry and exit; a rotor presenting an inner cylindrical reference surface and a plane reference surface; an electric motor; radial magnetic bearings; an axial abutment; and auxiliary mechanical bearings. The modular assembly can then be incorporated in a main casing simply by sliding and it can be connected directly to a functional unit without reworking adjustments of the magnetic bearings.

Abstract: A rotor sensor target for magnetic bearings, the rotor sensor target comprising a ring-shaped assembly of magnetic material mounted on a generally ring-shaped assembly of non-magnetic material. The magnetic and non-magnetic ring shaped assemblies are coaxially arranged and mounted on a shaft having a longitudinal axis of rotation X?-X. The generally ring-shaped assembly of non-magnetic material comprises at least one ring-shaped slit having the longitudinal axis X?-X and may be made of a cheaper material, such as aluminum. The ring-shaped slit provides flexibility which permits operation over a wide range of temperatures without risking of damaging the ring-shaped assembly of magnetic material.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor assembly comprises a cylindrically shaped shaft having an outer surface, a plurality of permanent magnets constituting portions of annular segments and an outer retaining cylindrical sleeve surrounding the plurality of permanent magnets. The assembly further comprises a cylindrical magnet housing mounted on the cylindrically shaped shaft for supporting the plurality of permanent magnets. The cylindrical magnet housing is formed of a magnetic material. The retaining cylindrical sleeve is preloaded by a resultant interference fit IF2 which is defined by the following formula: IF2=?ØY+?{square root over (((ØY+IF1)?2+ØY?2?ØX?2))}. where ØY is an external diameter of the plurality of permanent magnets, ØX is an internal diameter of the cylindrical magnet housing, and IF1 is a primary interference fit between an external diameter of the cylindrically shaped shaft and the internal diameter of the cylindrical magnet housing.

Abstract: A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface that includes at least one hub is provided. The hub defines a first axial direction of rotation. A plurality of rollers are disposed around an outer periphery of the hub. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction. The wheel includes at least one magnet that is mounted to the hub. The hub is made of a magnetically inducible material that concentrates the flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining orientation of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a vehicle having a hinge joint such that sections of the chassis are capable of rotation with respect to each other. A first and second wheel is mounted to one and the other of the chassis sections, respectively. Vehicle geometric data defining a distance between the hinge joint and the centers of the first and second wheels, respectively, and the diameter of the wheels is provided. Surface geometric data defining the curvature of the surface can be provided. The angle of rotation about the hinge joint is measured. An orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on the vehicle geometric date, the surface geometric data, and the measured angle of rotation can be determined. A system and method for determining the orientation of an object is also provided.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.

Abstract: A modular inspection vehicle having at least first and second motion modules is provided. The first and second motion modules are connected to a chassis. The first motion module includes a first wheel mounted to the chassis. The second motion module includes second wheel mounted to the chassis, the second wheel being at an angle to the first wheel. The vehicle further includes a navigation module configured to collect position data related to the position of the vehicle, an inspection module configured to collect inspection data related to the vehicle's environment, and a communication module configured to transmit and receive data. The vehicle can also include a control module configured to receive the inspection data and associate the inspection data with received position data that corresponds to the inspection data collect at a corresponding position for transmission via the communication module.

Abstract: To be provided is a vacuum pump having substrates which can be wired together easily and cooled easily. A substrate unit structure is formed by covering the opening of the casing of the pump main unit 100 with the plate 201 functioning also as the casing of the control unit 200. Pins 207 of a terminal 210 fixed while penetrating the plate 201 are soldered directly to an AMB control substrate 209 and an aerial connection substrate 211 in order to integrate these components. Therefore, the casing and sealing structures can be made simple. Accordingly, a drip-proof structure can be made with the terminal 210 at low cost without using expensive drip-proof connectors 1 and 3. Further, by cooling the plate 201, electronic components mounted respectively on the AMB control substrate 209 in a vacuum atmosphere and the aerial connection substrate 211 in an air atmosphere can be cooled simultaneously.

Abstract: To be provided is a vacuum pump reducing the influence of thermal expansion of connector pins to prevent cracks in soldered parts while preventing damage to electronic elements. Pins 207 linearly expand with the heat accumulated in a bottom space 301. The bottom space 301 is heated quite easily since it is in a vacuum environment. A screw 235A is arranged near the left edge of an AMB control substrate 209. Since no screw is arranged on the right of the screw 235A, the AMB control substrate 209 is released toward the right. When the pins 207 expand with heat, the AMB control substrate 209 bends by an angle ?2 from the screw 235A as a fulcrum, but this bend angle is gradual, which means that the possibility of causing cracks in solder connection parts between the AMB control substrate 209 and the pins 207 is extremely small. Since deforming pressure of the AMB control substrate 209 is reduced, influence on the electronic elements can be reduced correspondingly.

Abstract: The axially adjustable magnetic bearing comprises an annular body secured to a support, a magnetic bearing stator structure having an annular sheath for supporting electromagnet windings placed concentrically relative to said body, and an annular rotor armature placed concentrically relative to the stator structure, leaving an airgap relative thereto. The annular body includes at least one radial slot associated with clamping means, and includes a set-back portion in its face facing towards the stator structure. The face of the annular body facing towards the stator structure includes a sliding surface that co-operates with a facing portion of said sheath, and the set-back portion of the annular body presents a threaded portion that co-operates with a threaded portion of an adjustment ring engaged in an annular groove formed in the face of the sheath that faces towards the body. The adjustment ring is prevented from moving in the axial direction in said annular groove.

Abstract: The axially adjustable magnetic bearing comprises an annular body secured to a support, a magnetic bearing stator structure having an annular sheath for supporting electromagnet windings placed concentrically relative to said body, and an annular rotor armature placed concentrically relative to the stator structure, leaving an airgap relative thereto. The annular body includes at least one radial slot associated with clamping means, and includes a set-back portion in its face facing towards the stator structure. The face of the annular body facing towards the stator structure includes a sliding surface that co-operates with a facing portion of said sheath, and the set-back portion of the annular body presents a threaded portion that co-operates with a threaded portion of an adjustment ring engaged in an annular groove formed in the face of the sheath that faces towards the body. The adjustment ring is prevented from moving in the axial direction in said annular groove.