Abstract: A rotary solenoid comprises a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted in the housing, the rotor and the housing being comprised of a magnetically permeable material, and a solenoid coil mounted in the housing about the longitudinal axis thereof. The housing has at least a first pole piece portion therein with the rotor further comprising at least a first permanent magnet means mounted therein for simultaneous rotation therewith. The first permanent magnet means has first and second null positions with respect to the first pole piece and is mounted in the plane of the first pole piece for rotation about the longitudinal axis and provides a reverse magnetic flux in the housing and rotor magnetically permeable material. The solenoid coil has an energized state and a deenergized state with the rotor rotating a predetermined angular amount about the longitudinal axis from an initial position in response to a predetermined potential applied to the coil in the energized state.

Abstract: Apparatus responsive to immersion in water to complete an electrical circuit through which a signalling means is energized from an electrical energy source includes a sensor which is salt or fresh water actuated depending on the sensitivity of the circuitry utilized in conjunction with the sensor. The sensor comprises an outer peripheral shield, such as an outer conductor, and an inner conductor, or pair of inner conductors, wherein air holes or slots are provided in the outer shield so as to enable the venting of air from within the interior of the outer shield at substantially any depth of immersion of the sensor in water less than total immersion while preventing the inadvertent entry of splash water prior to such immersion. The venting passageway extends substantially the full longitudinal extend of the outer electrical shield and also acts as a waveguide to restrict electromagnetic, RF and electrostatic interference from entering through the outer shield which could inadvertently turn on the sensor.

Abstract: An electronic watch generator in which the wrist of the wearer is turned until the angle of inclination of the watch and, thus, the rotor, is sufficient to enable gravity to overcome a magnetic latching force which holds the rotor in place. The rotor is a pendulum with gravity and subsequent acceleration activating its position change to generate a voltage due to relative movement between coils located on the stator and the magnetic pole pieces on the rotor. The magnetic latching force holds the rotor against rotation until the desired angle of inclination of the wrist is sufficient to provide rapid acceleration and, accordingly, a large voltage output. The voltage generated by this action is stored in a rechargeable storage cell and is utilized to operate the watch module and display.

Abstract: A system for controlling the closing of a camera shutter includes photosensitive means for detecting the available light level in the field of view of the camera to provide an output control signal a predetermined time after initiation of shutter closure dependent on the detected available light level. The power supply for the system includes a bidirectional linear magnetic generator which includes a spring drive which is mechanically loaded and unloaded by the film advance mechanism of the camera to power the exposure control circuitry. A solenoid, such as a rotary solenoid or linear solenoid magnetically latches the shutter in the open position during exposure until the solenoid coil is energized at the completion of the required exposure time to neutralize the magnetic flux in the magnetic stator of the solenoid, overcoming the magnetic latch and, due to a spring, thereafter biasing the armature to a second position which, through the mechanical linkage of the camera, closes the shutter.

Abstract: A linear signal generator, that is one operating axially as opposed to a rotating generator comprises a housing, an annular electric coil mounted about the longitudinal axis of the housing, a permanent magnet resiliently mounted for movement along the longitudinal axis of the housing through the annular coil, and means for removably latching the magnet at one end of the housing. The magnet is preferably resiliently mounted to a plunger which is depressible a sufficient amount to cause the magnet to pass into the coil and latch at the opposite end of the housing, such as by a magnetic latch. When the latching force is overcome, such as by release of the biased plunger having a biasing force in excess of the magnetic latching force, the magnet is rapidly axially propelled through the electric coil to a rest position at the opposite end of the housing where the cycle may again be repeated.

Abstract: In an improved digital timepiece having a chronometric display in which a digital timing means provides chronometric timing signals thereto, includes first condition responsive means responsive to an enabling signal for activating the chronometric display to provide a chronometric display from the timing signal, the improvement comprises electronic means responsive to human touch for providing the enabling signal.The electronic means comprises a resistive sensitive voltage divider switch means which provides a resistive impedance path to ground in response to human touch thereof, and second condition responsive means which provides the enabling signal to the first condition responsive means initially in response to the resistive impedance path to ground being provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling the closing of a camera shutter includes photosensitive means for detecting the available light level in the field of view of the camera to provide an output control signal a predetermined time after initiation of shutter closure dependent on the detected available light level. The power supply for the system includes a bidirectional linear magnetic generator which includes a spring drive which is mechanically loaded and unloaded by the film advance mechanism of the camera to power the exposure control circuitry. A solenoid, such as a rotary solenoid or linear solenoid magnetically latches the shutter in the open position during exposure until the solenoid coil is energized at the completion of the required exposure time to neutralize the magnetic flux in the magnetic stator of the solenoid, overcoming the magnetic latch and, due to a spring, thereafter biasing the armature to a second position which, through the mechanical linkage of the camera, closes the shutter.

Abstract: Apparatus responsive to immersion in water to complete an electrical circuit through which a signalling means is energized from an electrical energy source includes a sensor which is salt or fresh water actuated depending on the sensitivity of the circuitry utilized in conjunction with the sensor. The sensor comprises an outer peripheral shield, such as an outer conductor, and an inner conductor, or pair of inner conductors, wherein air holes or slots are provided in the outer shield so as to enable the venting of air from within the interior of the outer shield at substantially any depth of immersion of the sensor in water less than total immersion while preventing the inadvertent entry of splash water prior to such immersion. In this manner water may enter within the outer shield interior to contact the conductor elements and complete the electrical circuit at immersion depths where the water pressure is normally insufficient to cause such entry without venting of the air.