Abstract: An electromechanical machine capable of functioning as an electric motor or generator/alternator with a wound rotor fitted between wound coaxial stator elements that engage magnetically both the inner and outer circumference of the rotor. The rotor is excited via conduction thru the ball bearings via a commutation device that provides for simultaneous excitation of the stator elements and the rotor.

Abstract: A non-contact absolute encoder for determining the absolute position of a movable workpiece includes a movable transducer element adapted to be coupled to the workpiece, and a sensor positioned proximate the transducer element. The encoder may be of either the rotary or linear type. The transducer element includes a characteristic profile that varies substantially continuously as a function of the transducer position. The characteristic profile may be magnetic, optical, or some other characteristic that is measurable by a non-contact sensor and is representative of transducer position.