Abstract: A lifting apparatus (100) includes a connector assembly (110) with a first connecting member (120), a second connecting member (130) and a connecting link (140), the first and second connecting members (120, 130) configured to be pivot-mounted at first ends (122, 132) to a first stationary component (200), and a pneumatic supporting member (150) is coupled to the first and second connecting members (120, 130) via the connecting link (140). The connector assembly (110) and the pneumatic supporting member (150) are configured to perform a lifting motion, wherein, when performing the lifting motion, the first and second connecting members (120, 130) transition from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2) and the pneumatic supporting member (150) transitions from an extended position (EP) to a compressed position (CP).

Abstract: A windshield wiper system includes a pivoting wiper arm (110), a wiper blade (120) for wiping a surface (102), and a connector assembly (130) coupling the pivoting wiper arm (110) to the wiper blade (120). The connector system (130) includes a first connecting member (140) directly coupled to the wiper arm (110) and a second connecting member (150) directly coupled to the wiper blade (120). The first connecting member (140) and the second connecting member (150) are movably coupled to each other, wherein a position of the first connecting member (140) relative to the second connecting member (150) is based on an angular position of the pivoting wiper arm (110).

Abstract: A windshield wiper system (100) includes a pivoting wiper arm (110); a wiper blade (120) for wiping a surface (102); and a connector assembly (128) coupling the pivoting wiper arm (110) to the wiper blade (120), the connector assembly (128) comprising a gear drive (130) including at least one drive gear (132) and at least one positioning cog (136), wherein the gear drive (130) rotates the wiper blade (120) based on an angular position of the pivoting wiper arm (110) such that an arc of a motion path (320) of the wiper blade (120) is reduced.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus (100) includes a connector assembly (110) with a first connecting member (120), a second connecting member (130) and a connecting link (140), the first and second connecting members (120, 130) configured to be pivot-mounted at first ends (122, 132) to a first stationary component (200), and a pneumatic supporting member (150) is coupled to the first and second connecting members (120, 130) via the connecting link (140). The connector assembly (110) and the pneumatic supporting member (150) are configured to perform a lifting motion, wherein, when performing the lifting motion, the first and second connecting members (120, 130) transition from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2) and the pneumatic supporting member (150) transitions from an extended position (EP) to a compressed position (CP).

Abstract: A windshield wiper system (100) includes a pivoting wiper arm (110); a wiper blade (120) for wiping a surface (102); and a connector assembly (128) coupling the pivoting wiper arm (110) to the wiper blade (120), the connector assembly (128) comprising a gear drive (130) including at least one drive gear (132) and at least one positioning cog (136), wherein the gear drive (130) rotates the wiper blade (120) based on an angular position of the pivoting wiper arm (110) such that an arc of a motion path (320) of the wiper blade (120) is reduced.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system includes a pivoting wiper arm (110), a wiper blade (120) for wiping a surface (102), and a connector assembly (130) coupling the pivoting wiper arm (110) to the wiper blade (120). The connector system (130) includes a first connecting member (140) directly coupled to the wiper arm (110) and a second connecting member (150) directly coupled to the wiper blade (120). The first connecting member (140) and the second connecting member (150) are movably coupled to each other, wherein a position of the first connecting member (140) relative to the second connecting member (150) is based on an angular position of the pivoting wiper arm (110).

Abstract: A system 100, for determining the velocity of a hammer 120 of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver 140 and processing circuitry 160. The light transceiver 140 being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer 120 to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer 120 indicative of the velocity of the hammer 120 and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry 160, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer 120. The processing circuitry 160 being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer 120 can be determined.

Abstract: A system 100, for determining the velocity of a hammer 120 of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver 140 and processing circuitry 160. The light transceiver 140 being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer 120 to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer 120 indicative of the velocity of the hammer 120 and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry 160, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer 120. The processing circuitry 160 being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer 120 can be determined.

Abstract: A system 100, for determining the velocity of a hammer 120 of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver 140 and processing circuitry 160. The light transceiver 140 being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer 120 to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer 120 indicative of the velocity of the hammer 120 and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry 160, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer 120. The processing circuitry 160 being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer 120 can be determined.

Abstract: An electrospray emitter (10) for emitting a liquid comprising a sheet (40) having a channel (65) opening to an aperture (55) on a flat emitter surface extending across the sheet (40). A charging electrode (80) coupleable to an electrical supply and arranged to apply an electrical charge to liquid passing into the channel (65). A control electrode (50) proximal to the channel (65) for controlling electrospray emission, that may be embedded in the sheet. A non-wetting or insulating layer (30) may be applied to the sheet.

Abstract: An external hinge is provided for pivotally connecting a door to a sidewall while obtaining at least 180 degrees of opening movement or degree of rotation. The external hinge is substantially concealed behind the sidewall and the door in a fully closed position of the door. In one embodiment, the external hinge comprises a first curved arm extending between a first pivot pin of a first part mounted on an interior surface of the sidewall and a second pivot pin of a second part mounted on an interior surface of the door. The external hinge further comprises a second curved arm extending between a third pivot pin of the first part mounted on the interior surface of the sidewall and a fourth pivot pin of the second part mounted on the interior surface of the door.

Abstract: An external hinge is provided for pivotally connecting a door to a sidewall while obtaining at least 180 degrees of opening movement or degree of rotation. The external hinge is substantially concealed behind the sidewall and the door in a fully closed position of the door. In one embodiment, the external hinge comprises a first curved arm extending between a first pivot pin of a first part mounted on an interior surface of the sidewall and a second pivot pin of a second part mounted on an interior surface of the door. The external hinge further comprises a second curved arm extending between a third pivot pin of the first part mounted on the interior surface of the sidewall and a fourth pivot pin of the second part mounted on the interior surface of the door.

Abstract: A system 100, for determining the velocity of a hammer 120 of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver 140 and processing circuitry 160. The light transceiver 140 being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer 120 to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer 120 indicative of the velocity of the hammer 120 and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry 160, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer 120. The processing circuitry 160 being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer 120 can be determined.

Abstract: A system, for determining the velocity of a hammer of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver and processing circuitry. The light transceiver being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer indicative of the velocity of the hammer and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer. The processing circuitry being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer can be determined.

Abstract: A system, for determining the velocity of a hammer of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver and processing circuitry. The light transceiver being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer indicative of the velocity of the hammer and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer. The processing circuitry being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer can be determined.

Abstract: A method for measuring an infrared signature of a moving target includes: tracking the moving target with a tracking system along a path from a start position to an end position, measuring infrared radiation data of the moving target along the path, repositioning the tracking system to the start position, retracing the path to measure the infrared radiation data of the background, and determining the infrared signature of the moving target by comparing the infrared radiation data of the moving object with the infrared radiation data of the background without the moving object.

Abstract: An electrospray emitter (10) for emitting a liquid comprising a sheet (40) having a channel (65) opening to an aperture (55) on a flat emitter surface extending across the sheet (40). A charging electrode (80) coupleable to an electrical supply and arranged to apply an electrical charge to liquid passing into the channel (65). A control electrode (50) proximal to the channel (65) for controlling electrospray emission, that may be embedded in the sheet. A non-wetting or insulating layer (30) may be applied to the sheet.

Abstract: A method for measuring an infrared signature of a moving target includes: tracking the moving target with a tracking system along a path from a start position to an end position, measuring infrared radiation data of the moving target along the path, repositioning the tracking system to the start position, retracing the path to measure the infrared radiation data of the background, and determining the infrared signature of the moving target by comparing the infrared radiation data of the moving object with the infrared radiation data of the background without the moving object.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprising a continuous piezoelectric element (10) extending alternately back and forth to form a plurality of parallel, straight portions (14) arranged in a stack with intermediate linkage portions (15) at alternate ends of the straight portions (14). Each straight portion (14) is constructed and arranged with electrodes (12, 13) to bend, on activation, in the stacking direction in which the straight portions (14) are stacked with opposite curvature in two halves (16, 17) of the straight portion (14) to create displacement between the ends of the straight portion (14) in the stacking direction adding in series through the stack. The continuous nature of the piezoelectric element (10) eases manufacture. Devices with two types of construction are disclosed. Firstly, the continuous piezoelectric element (10) may have a bender construction such as a bimorph bender construction.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens, comprises a chamber arrangement containing two transparent liquids adjacent one another with an interface therebetween, the chamber arrangement allowing light to pass along an optical axis through the transparent liquids and across the interface, the lens focusing the passing light. A piezoelectric actuator is arranged, on activation, to change the pressure of one of the liquids so that the interface moves, for example by changing shape, to change the focal length of the lens.