Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, and a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of independent energizable electromagnetic assemblies. Each independent electromagnetic assembly has an associated one-piece magnetic core formed from thin film soft magnetic material. Each independent electromagnetic assembly defines two stator poles located at opposite ends of the one-piece magnetic core. Each one-piece magnetic core provides the entire magnetic return path for the two opposite magnetic stator poles associated with each independent electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, and a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of independent energizable electromagnetic assemblies. Each independent electromagnetic assembly has an associated one-piece magnetic core formed from thin film soft magnetic material. Each independent electromagnetic assembly defines two stator poles located at opposite ends of the one-piece magnetic core. Each one-piece magnetic core provides the entire magnetic return path for the two opposite magnetic stator poles associated with each independent electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: A neon sign includes a removable transformer module and a receptacle attached to the neon sign for receiving the removable transformer module. The removable transformer module is configured to mate with the receptacle as the removable transformer module is plugged into the receptacle in order to connect the removable transformer module to the neon sign. The removable transformer module includes a transformer for transforming a primary input voltage into a secondary output having a voltage greater than the primary input. The removable transformer module also includes secondary contacts for connecting the secondary high voltage output of the transformer module to the neon sign when the removable transformer module is plugged into the receptacle.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes at least one stator arrangement having a plurality of electromagnetic assemblies with each electromagnetic assembly including at least a portion of a magnetic core that is formed from thin film soft magnetic material. The electromagnetic assemblies define a plurality of stator poles. The device also includes at least one rotor arrangement supported for rotation about a given rotational axis at a certain range of normal operating rotational speeds. The rotor arrangement has a plurality of rotor poles for magnetically interacting with the stator poles. The rotor poles are supported for rotation about the rotational axis along a circular path.

Abstract: A quick change chain ring arrangement for use on a bicycle crank assembly includes a chain ring adapter that is connected to and rotates with the crank assembly about the crank assembly rotational axis. A removable chain ring support removably engages with the chain ring adapter. The chain ring support has a minimum inside opening formed into the chain ring support that is larger than the maximum cross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crank arms thereby allowing the chain ring support to be installed onto and removed from the crank assembly without requiring the removal of the crank arms or pedals from the crank assembly and without requiring the removal of the crank assembly from the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A neon sign includes a transformer module and a receptacle attached to the neon sign for receiving the transformer module. The transformer module is configured to mate with the receptacle as the transformer module is plugged into the receptacle in order to connect the transformer module to the neon sign. The transformer module includes a high voltage transformer for transforming a primary input voltage into a secondary high voltage output. The transformer module also includes secondary contacts for connecting the secondary high voltage output of the transformer module to the neon sign when the transformer module is plugged into the receptacle. The receptacle also includes secondary contacts configured to mate with the secondary contacts of the transformer module as the transformer module is plugged into the receptacle thereby electrically connecting the secondary high voltage output of the high voltage transformer to the neon sign.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly includes a spindle connection arrangement for connecting a first and second crank arm to a bicycle frame. The first crank arm includes a first portion of the spindle and the second crank arm includes a second portion of the spindle. The first and second spindle portions are connected to one another using two spaced apart bearing surfaces that provide a durable yet easily disassemblable spindle. The crank assembly also includes a removable chain ring and a chain ring adjuster for adjusting the position of the chain ring along the rotational axis of the spindle in order to allow the chain ring to be properly aligned with other components of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the assembly includes variable length crank arms that increase the ground clearance of the crank assembly and improve the leverage provided by the crank assembly during the downward stroke of the crank assembly.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: An optical correlator includes a compound electro-optical component having a first and a second reflective spatial light modulator for forming electro-optical patterns of light. Each spatial light modulator has a reflective backplane with the reflective backplanes of the spatial light modulators being substantially coplanar. The spatial light modulators having their individual respective backplanes formed as two separate portions of a single integrated circuit die. The optical correlator may also include an imager for imaging the output of the optical correlator that is substantially coplanar with the spatial light modulators. The compound electro-optical component may include at least a part of the imager that is formed as a separate portion of the single integrated circuit die that contains the backplanes of the two spatial light modulators.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly includes a spindle connection arrangement for connecting a first and second crank arm to a bicycle frame. The first crank arm includes a first portion of the spindle and the second crank arm includes a second portion of the spindle. The first and second spindle portions are connected to one another using two spaced apart bearing surfaces that provide a durable yet easily disassemblable spindle. The crank assembly also includes a removable chain ring and a chain ring adjuster for adjusting the position of the chain ring along the rotational axis of the spindle in order to allow the chain ring to be properly aligned with other components of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the assembly includes variable length crank arms that increase the ground clearance of the crank assembly and improve the leverage provided by the crank assembly during the downward stroke of the crank assembly.

Abstract: A neon sign includes a transformer module and a receptacle attached to the neon sign for receiving the transformer module. The transformer module is configured to mate with the receptacle as the transformer module is plugged into the receptacle in order to connect the transformer module to the neon sign. The transformer module includes a high voltage transformer for transforming a primary input voltage into a secondary high voltage output. The transformer module also includes secondary contacts for connecting the secondary high voltage output of the transformer module to the neon sign when the transformer module is plugged into the receptacle. The receptacle also includes secondary contacts configured to mate with the secondary contacts of the transformer module as the transformer module is plugged into the receptacle thereby electrically connecting the secondary high voltage output of the high voltage transformer to the neon sign.

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: A personal fitness monitoring device and a method for assessing the fitness of an individual as the individual exercises includes using a pedometer to determine and output data representing the locomotion of the individual. A heart rate monitor determines and outputs data representing the heart rate of the individual. A determination arrangement calculates the fitness of the individual as the individual exercises using personal data provided by the individual in combination with the data outputs of the pedometer and the heart rate without requiring a predetermined exercise regime. In one embodiment, the pedometer calculates a distance traveled by the individual using personal data provided by the individual. The personal fitness monitoring device may further include a user interface for communicating with the user. The user interface uses a single user controlled selecting mechanism to select a desired one of various user selectable options.

Abstract: A display system for acting on light entering the system includes a reflective ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator and a polarizer arrangement. The polarizer arrangement includes a polarizer for polarizing the light entering the system and directing the polarized light into the spatial light modulator along an optical path having an optical path axis. The reflective spatial light modulator acts on the polarized light to produce an optical output that is directed from the spatial light modulator back into the polarizing arrangement along substantially the same optical path axis that the polarized light is directed into the spatial light modulator. The polarizing arrangement also includes an analyzer configured to receive and analyze the optical output of the spatial light modulator and to direct the analyzed optical output out of the system.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: A golf club shaft connects a grip of a golf club to a head of the golf club and has a longitudinal axis that extends from the grip of the golf club to the head of the golf club. At least a portion of the shaft has an aerodynamic cross-sectional shape defining an aerodynamic portion of the shaft. The aerodynamic portion of the shaft is oriented along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The aerodynamic portion of the shaft is oriented relative to the grip and the head such that, compared to a gulf club shaft having a circular cross-sectional shape, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft is able to improve the stability of the shaft as the golf club is swung through the air in a particular with the head oriented to squarely strike a golf ball. The aerodynamic portion of the shaft may be integrally formed as part of the golf club shaft. Alternatively, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft may be by as a separate aerodynamic fin that may be attached to a conventional golf club shaft.