Abstract: An electromechanical machine having a stator and a rotor, the stator including at least one stator module of N toroid shaped electromagnets, the electromagnets arranged along an arc a predetermined distance apart defining a stator arc length. Each of the electromagnets has at least one gap. The rotor includes a disc adapted to pass through the at least one gap. The disc includes a plurality of permanent magnets spaced side by side about a periphery thereof and arranged so as to have alternating north-south polarities. The permanent magnets are sized and spaced such that within the stator arc length the ratio of permanent magnets to electromagnets is N+1 to N, where N is the number of electrical excitation phases applied to the electromagnets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic safety gate for covering a gap or opening in a protective barrier installed on an upper floor or mezzanine. The automatic safety gate broadly includes a frame which defines an opening, a netting for closing the opening, and devices for raising and lowering the netting to move the netting between a first position where the opening is closed and a second position where the opening is accessible. The frame preferably includes a lower bar which can be raised and lowered to which the netting is attached. The raising and lowering devices preferably comprise a pair of air cylinders connected to the lower bar.