Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by spray deposition including a powder conveyance line A arranged to channel a flow of spray material entrained in a carrier gas to a nozzle (a first flow). The apparatus also has a process line B arranged to channel a flow of gas to the nozzle (a second flow). The apparatus also has a spray nozzle. The apparatus is such that pressure and temperature parameters of the first flow are controlled in real time, but for the second flow these parameters are not controlled in real time. The two flows merge to cause spray material to be propelled from the nozzle to a substrate to create a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of 3D printing an item, includes printing part of the item in three dimensions on a substrate, reorienting the part with respect to holding means that holds the part or substrate, and printing a further part of the item in three dimensions on the first mentioned part.

Abstract: A method of 3D printing an item, includes printing part of the item in three dimensions on a substrate, reorienting the part with respect to holding means that holds the part or substrate, and printing a further part of the item in three dimensions on the first mentioned part.

Abstract: Tins invention relates to apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by spray deposition. The apparatus has a powder conveyance line A line arranged to channel 5 a flow of spray material entrained in a carrier gas to a nozzle (a first flow). The apparatus also has a process line B arranged to channel a flow of gas to the nozzle (a second flow). The apparatus also has a spray nozzle 8. The apparatus is such that pressure and temperature parameters of the first flow are controlled in real time, but for the second flow these parameters are not controlled in real time. The two flows 10 merge to cause spray material to be propelled from the nozzle 8 to a substrate to create a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising a permanent magnet rotor assembly is provided. The electric machine comprises a permanent magnet rotor assembly comprising a plurality of permanent magnets coupled to a rotor disk and a plurality of magnet shims coupled to the plurality of permanent magnets opposite the rotor disk. Each magnet shim of the plurality of magnet shims has a substantially complementary shape as a respective permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets. The electric machine further comprises a stator core comprising a plurality of stator teeth that define a plurality of slots therebetween. At least one of the plurality of magnet shims is configured to direct magnetic flux from at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets to at least one stator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth.

Abstract: A stator 20 for an axial flux machine such as a motor or generator. The stator includes a stator core 32 having a back plane 24 which in use is disposed perpendicularly about a rotational axis of the machine. A plurality of teeth 26 extend axially from the back plane so as to form winding receiving slots 28 between adjacent teeth. The stator also includes an electrical winding 30 including a plurality of coils 32, each coil being located about a tooth of the stator core and being electrically isolated from the stator tooth by means of an insulating former 34 having a shape which closely conforms to the shape of the stator tooth. The coils 32 are interconnected to form the winding 30. A method of constructing a stator is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, an electric machine is provided. The electric machine includes a housing including at least one air intake, an air outlet, and an air passage extending between the at least one air intake and the air outlet. The electric machine also includes a first heat sink positioned at least partially within the air passage, and a second heat sink positioned at least partially within the air passage downstream of the first heat sink. A cooling airflow through the at least one air intake flows through the air passage to cool the first heat sink and the second heat sink before the cooling airflow is exhausted through the air outlet.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: An electric machine is described. The electric machine includes a rotor comprising a rotor disk and a plurality of permanent magnets magnetically coupled to the rotor disk. The plurality of permanent magnets include a substantially flat profile and are aligned in a substantially planar array. The electric machine also includes a stator comprising a solid stator core and a plurality of coils each wound around a coil insulating member. The stator core includes a plurality of stator teeth extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A stator 20 for an axial flux machine such as a motor or generator. The stator includes a stator core 32 having a back plane 24 which in use is disposed perpendicularly about a rotational axis of the machine. A plurality of teeth 26 extend axially from the back plane so as to form winding receiving slots 28 between adjacent teeth. The stator also includes an electrical winding 30 including a plurality of coils 32, each coil being located about a tooth of the stator core and being electrically isolated from the stator tooth by means of an insulating former 34 having a shape which closely conforms to the shape of the stator tooth. The coils 32 are interconnected to form the winding 30. A method of constructing a stator is also disclosed.

Abstract: An axial flux electrical machine including a housing, a stator located within the housing, a rotatable shaft carried by the housing by means of at least a main bearing, and a rotor fixed to the shaft within the housing. Magnetic attractive forces between the rotor and the stator produce an axial thrust on the main bearing and a biasing means (preferably in the form of a spring) is arranged to urge the shaft in a direction opposite to the axial thrust so as to reduce the net load on the main bearing. This reduction in net load on the main bearing increases bearing life and improves motor efficiency.

Abstract: An electric motor that includes an electronic motor controller is described. The electronic motor controller includes a motor management circuit and a power supply circuit physically separate from the motor management circuit. The motor management circuit includes an insulated metal substrate, driver components operably attached to the insulated metal substrate and operable to provide output signals for application to windings of the electric motor, at least one current sensor operable for sensing an amount of current applied to the windings of and electric motor, and at least one control device operably attached to the insulated metal substrate for controlling operation of the driver components. The power supply circuit includes a composite circuit card and power processing components operably attached to the circuit card and operable to convert an input voltage into at least one output voltage to be supplied to the motor management circuit.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising a permanent magnet rotor assembly is provided. The electric machine comprises a permanent magnet rotor assembly comprising a plurality of permanent magnets coupled to a rotor disk and a plurality of magnet shims coupled to the plurality of permanent magnets opposite the rotor disk. Each magnet shim of the plurality of magnet shims has a substantially complementary shape as a respective permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets. The electric machine further comprises a stator core comprising a plurality of stator teeth that define a plurality of slots therebetween. At least one of the plurality of magnet shims is configured to direct magnetic flux from at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets to at least one stator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth.

Abstract: In one aspect, an electric machine is provided. The electric machine includes a housing including at least one air intake, an air outlet, and an air passage extending between the at least one air intake and the air outlet. The electric machine also includes a first heat sink positioned at least partially within the air passage, and a second heat sink positioned at least partially within the air passage downstream of the first heat sink.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: An indicator, such as an alarm or warning, is generated to indicate that a document storage cassette attached to a document handling device (e.g., a currency validator) has reached a particular capacity or is approaching its full capacity.

Abstract: An electric motor that includes an electronic motor controller is described. The electronic motor controller includes a motor management circuit and a power supply circuit physically separate from the motor management circuit. The motor management circuit includes an insulated metal substrate, driver components operably attached to the insulated metal substrate and operable to provide output signals for application to windings of the electric motor, at least one current sensor operable for sensing an amount of current applied to the windings of and electric motor, and at least one control device operably attached to the insulated metal substrate for controlling operation of the driver components. The power supply circuit includes a composite circuit card and power processing components operably attached to the circuit card and operable to convert an input voltage into at least one output voltage to be supplied to the motor management circuit.

Abstract: An electric machine is described. The electric machine includes a rotor comprising a rotor disk and a plurality of permanent magnets magnetically coupled to the rotor disk. The plurality of permanent magnets include a substantially flat profile and are aligned in a substantially planar array. The electric machine also includes a stator comprising a solid stator core and a plurality of coils each wound around a coil insulating member. The stator core includes a plurality of stator teeth extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A method for assessing a broncho-dynamic response in a subject includes introducing a sound signal having known characteristics into the airway of a subject, detecting one or more responsive sound signals at one or more locations on the thorax, administering a broncho-effector to the subject, and determining the subject's response to the broncho-effector by monitoring the one or more responsive sound signals before and after administering the broncho-effector. Changes in the responsive sound signal characteristics indicate the subject's broncho-dynamic response to the broncho-effector. Apparatus for assessing broncho-dynamic response in a subject is also provided.