Abstract: A support structure includes a support stand operable with a supported article. The support stand has a pair of side pieces. Each side piece includes a main beam, wherein a length of the main beam is optionally adjustable, and an angle beam joined to the main beam at an outward joining angle of from about 20 to about 60 degrees thereto. The main beams of the two side pieces are spaced apart and are parallel to each other. The support stand further includes two or more cross beams. The cross beams are spaced apart from each other and are each affixed to the two side pieces to form a top frame. A support base extends downwardly from the top frame and includes a pair of leading columns, wherein one of the leading columns is affixed to each of the main beams, and a pair of trailing columns, wherein one of the trailing columns is affixed to each of the angle beams. Desirably, a length of each of the leading columns and a length of each of the trailing columns is adjustable.

Abstract: A frame structure for a T/R tile module configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation over a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is provided. The frame component comprises at least one frame component formed as a single piece from a synthetic resin dielectric material. The frame component is configured to support a plurality of electrical connectors, and has a thin film coating configured to provide a ground connection and electromagnetic shield when the frame structure is incorporated into a transmit/receive module. A portion of the frame component is configured to interface with a portion of a T/R module when the frame component is incorporated into the T/R module, and the synthetic resin dielectric material provides the frame component with a range of compressibility that enables the frame component to provide the module with an effective ground connection over that range of compressibility.

Abstract: A modifiable connector keying system (16). The keying system (16) includes a first shaped feature (30, 32) that is removably connected to a first connector component. A second shaped feature (36, 38) is removably connected to a second connector component. The first shaped feature (30, 32) and the second shaped feature (36, 38) are shaped so that the first shaped feature (30, 32) fits with the second shaped feature (36, 38) to selectively allow the first connector component to connect with the second connector component. In a more specific embodiment, the keying system (16) further includes a first mechanism (34, 40, 44) for removably connecting the first shaped feature (30, 32) to the first connector component and the second shaped feature (36, 38) to the second connector component. A second mechanism (30, 34, 44) enables selective adjustment of the first shaped feature (30, 32) and the second shaped feature (36, 38) to customize the keying system (16).

Abstract: A multiple ball joint gimbal mount apparatus which includes a mount platform structure, and a plurality of linear motor actuators arranged in a housing assembly. Each actuator includes an actuator shaft and an actuator connector at a distal end of the shaft. The platform structure includes a plurality of platform connectors each for coupling to a corresponding actuator connector to form a pivoting connection between the actuator shaft and the platform structure. A controller selectively actuates the plurality of linear motor actuators to selectively position the plurality of actuator shafts along respective shaft axes and position the mount platform structure at a selected position within a gimbal range of motion. The gimbal structure can optionally include a mechanism to selectively lock the mount structure in any respective position within the gimbal range of motion.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna and method of frequency scanning are disclosed. The MEMS ESA antenna includes a wide band feedthrough lens and a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array. The wide band feedthrough lens includes first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements and an array of MEMS phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements. The continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array is disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements for providing a planar wave front in the near field. The MEMS phase shifter modules steer a beam radiated from the CTS feed array in two dimensions.

Abstract: A mechanical device includes a female component having a right-circular cylindrical internal surface and a cylindrical axis, and a first helical recess in the internal surface of the female component. A male component having a right-circular cylindrical external surface is sized to be slidably received within the right-circular cylindrical internal surface of the female component and has a second helical recess in its external surface. The second helical recess has a helical pitch which is the same as that of the first helical recess, so that the second helical recess is in facing relationship along its length to the first helical recess when the male component is assembled to the female component. A retainer is received within the first helical recess and the facing second helical recess when the male component is assembled to the female component. The retainer has an organic plastic retainer outer surface, preferably a polytetrafluoroethylene retainer outer surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector system has an electrical contact structure including an electrically conducting contact with a metallic contact body having a hollow tubular portion, and a metallic contactor extending from the contact body. A hollow nonmetallic sleeve is joined to and extends from the hollow tubular portion of the contact body. The nonmetallic sleeve is coaxial with the hollow tubular portion in a region where the hollow tubular portion and the nonmetallic sleeve are joined to each other. A wire is inserted through an interior of the nonmetallic sleeve and into the hollow tubular portion of the contact body and is crimped to the hollow tubular portion. The electrical contact structure is received in an electrical connector body.

Abstract: An optical system includes a shutter assembly with a stationary support, a shutter pivotably mounted upon and movable with respect to the support; and a shutter drive mechanism. The shutter drive mechanism includes a permanent first magnet affixed to the shutter, and a first electromagnet structure affixed to the support facing a first side of the shutter and including a first-structure first electromagnet. The permanent first magnet and the first-structure first electromagnet are positioned such that activation of the first-structure first electromagnet causes the permanent first magnet to move relative to the first-structure first electromagnet. The shutter drive mechanism further includes a second electromagnet structure affixed to the support facing a second side of the shutter and including a second-structure first electromagnet.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a shorted thyristor cell in a bridge that supplies a load from a source, the bridge including a plurality of the thyristor cells. The method includes the step of sequentially gating each of the cells to a conducting state, so that only one cell is gated at one time; providing at least one current transformer in the bridge; generating a current flow that passes through the bridge including the one cell that is gated; observing current in the at least one current transformer to determine a short in one of the cells the that is not gated; and determining a shorted cell based on the step of observing current in the at least one current transformer.

Abstract: An electrically isolating iso bearing for a circuit breaker is provided that comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body extending therebetween, said inner surface comprising a pair of bosses and a pair of openings, said outer surface comprising at least one boss, said body comprising a pair of rotor protective flaps.

Abstract: A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system is provided. The server system is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. The method includes receiving fabrication data for at least one component from a client system, receiving a component order from a client system, storing fabrication data and component order data in the centralized database, creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component, creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component, and fabricating each ordered component.

Abstract: An electronic electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a modem board, or unit, coupled to the meter microcomputer and exchanges information between the meter and a central computer is described. Using signals supplied by the meter microcomputer and the central computer, the modem unit microcomputer can determine whether to exchange information between the meter and the central computer and the proper time at which the information should be exchanged. In an exemplary embodiment, the modem unit detects various conditions within the meter and responds by exchanging information with the central computer at a proper, or pre-defined, time. The modem unit has two different basic modes, or states, of operation. These states of operation are sometimes referred to as the call originate mode and the call answer mode. Call originate refers to the mode of the unit when a condition occurs in meter 10 and information is being transmitted to the central computer from the modem unit utilizing a telephone line.

Abstract: A servomechanism having an actuator configured to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and a controller configured for electrical connection to a power source. A power cable electrically connects the actuator and the controller. The power cable is configured to transmit electrical current from the controller to the actuator. At least one transducer is coupled to the actuator. The transducer is electrically connected to the power cable and is configured to transmit data over the power cable.

Abstract: Divided magnet rotors R having a stepped skew rather than a helical skew are described. The stepped skew enables the use of straight magnet sections (44) that can be inserted into the rotor core notches (38) thereby eliminating the need to produce a helix from the rotor cage. The stepped skew is effective in decoupling stator slot order harmonics. In addition, the stepped skew rotor R includes, in some embodiments, open slots (22) so that the rotor is not subject to rotor bridge saturation.

Abstract: A method of implementing program updates in an electronic system includes requesting the system to accept a program update and loading replacement programs for execution. The method includes using an operating system to determine when programs running on an electronic system have finished an execution cycle and then commencing the replacement process.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a method for metering energy consumption with an electric meter. The method includes steps of: generating metering quantities for a plurality of phase voltages from a multiphase voltage source, including generating revenue-related data; monitoring voltage changes on at least one of the phase voltages; and performing a predetermined task in response to a voltage change on at least one of the phase voltages while continuing to generate revenue-related data.

Abstract: A cast end shield includes an opening extending therethrough and an insert at least partially embedded within the end shield at the opening. The end shield also includes a plurality of slots extending to the insert. In one embodiment, the insert is a substantially circular steel insert ring concentric with the opening and oriented such that an inner diameter of the insert ring is exposed from the end shield.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting currents in a three-phase power transmission system includes a first detection circuit electrically coupled to a first phase of the three-phase transmission system, a second detection circuit electrically coupled to a second phase of the three-phase transmission system different than the first phase, and an event output switch electrically coupled to the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit and configured to actuate when a subsynchronous current at least one of the first phase and the second phase exceeds a pre-selected subsynchronous current setpoint.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a stator having teeth fabricated from a non-magnetic material and containing at least one embedded conductor. The teeth are unitary with a back portion that is mounted to a stator back iron. Permeance variations induced by a stator winding mounted on the non-magnetic stator teeth are low which facilitates a reduction of motor noise. Specifically, since the non-magnetic teeth reduce production of permeance variations, changes in air gap forces between the rotor and the stator are decreased.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a three-wire programming box with a motor control circuit is provided. The method includes providing a three-wire to two-wire interface. The method further includes connecting the three-wire to two-wire interface between the three-wire programming box and the motor control circuit such that the three-wire programming box communicates bi-directionally with the motor control circuit utilizing less than three connections between the three-wire to two-wire interface and the motor control circuit.