Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving loaded pallets from one location to another, such as from a region of an assembly line to a vertically lower region of the same assembly line. A first conveyor track is angled downwardly from a source of loaded pallets toward a diverter, which is driven to pivot about one end. The diverter receives the pallet when the diverter is parallel to the first conveyor track and then pivots to a horizontal orientation at which it is unloaded. Upon the last object on the pallet being removed, the diverter pivots downwardly to become parallel to a second conveyor track that is angled downwardly from the diverter, and is released to slide down the second conveyor track. The pallet is preferably precisely located and clamped in the diverter.

Abstract: A vehicle axle formed having a composite tubular member and a pair of metal sheaths spaced apart from one another at opposite ends of the composite tubular member. The composite tubular member has an outer wall surface and an interior elongated channel, with the interior channel having an inner wall surface. The composite tubular member also has a first end wall and a second end wall at opposite ends of the composite tubular member. Each of the metal sheaths has an outer surface, an inner surface, an inner end portion having an inner end portion edge, and an outer end portion having an outer end portion edge. Each metal sheath inner end portion has a transition area, with the transition area having a first area of changing thickness and a second area of a substantially constant thickness. Each of the metal sheaths has stabilization keyways formed in the outer surface thereof to accommodate a key, with the key when positioned in the stabilization keyways precluding the rotation of a wheel hub about the axle.

Abstract: An oboe reed gouge device has a carriage upon which a blade is carried at an angle to raw cane material from which a reed is formed. The carriage is rotatably and longitudinally slidable on a rod to move relative to the cane. The rod has opposing end segments with coincident axes that are offset from the axis of a central rod segment. By rotating the rod about the axes of the end segments, the carriage, which is mounted on the central rod segment, is moved laterally relative to the cane. By mounting a gauge finger against the central rod segment, the amount of lateral displacement can be measured and displayed. A groove is formed in the carriage, and the blade is mounted in the groove using a pin with a drive screw, and a second screw to lock the blade in position.

Abstract: A feedback control circuit and method for a control system used to control an electrical power generating source that comprises a free piston Stirling engine driving a linear alternator. A switching mode rectifier connects the alternator winding to an output circuit that includes an electrical energy storage means and is controlled by a pulse width modulator that controls the rectifier switching duty cycle and phase. The control system controls the pulse width modulator. The improvement computes a voltage across a virtual tuning capacitor and uses the computed voltage to control the switching mode rectifier so that the switching mode rectifier is switched in a manner that makes the alternator circuit operate as if a tuning capacitor were actually present and so that the control system controls the piston of the Stirling engine to maintain balance of the mechanical power generated by the Stirling engine and the electrical power absorbed from the engine by the alternator.

Abstract: A controller, either a microprocessor or finite state machine, is used to generate a pulse train whose frequency and duty cycle can be varied to alter the frequency and amplitude of the output of a driven audio transducer. The ability to control both frequency and amplitude allows programmatic synthesis of many audio effects such as steady tones, warbles, beeps, sirens and chimes with no hardware or circuit changes. The transducer can be a piezoelectric bender or a speaker. The output of the controller controls a switch that builds current in an inductor when the switch is on. When the switch is turned off, the energy stored in the inductor is dumped into the audio transducer, either directly or through intermediate capacitor storage. This allows the generation of voltages across the transducer many times the supply voltage.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling at least one circuit breaker switch that is series connected between a source of electrical power and an electrical load. The circuit includes a programmed controller having at least two inputs and at least one output. A current sensor senses the current between the source and the load and has an output connected to a controller input. Another controller input is connected to the control input of a load power switch. The control output of the controller is connected to the control input of the circuit breaker switch. The circuit is operated by sensing the current between the source of electrical power and the electrical load and monitoring the control input of the load power switch to detect whether the load power switch is commanded to be closed or open. If the load power switch is commanded to be open, the circuit breaker switch will be opened if the sensed current value is greater than a first maximum current value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer network for configuration, installation, monitoring, error-diagnosis and/or analysis of several physical technical processes, in particular electrical drive processes, which occur under the control, regulation and/or monitoring of several process computer nodes, connected by means of at least one common communication system to at least one diagnosis computer node, in which one or several configuration, monitoring and diagnosis services and/or functions are implemented, provided for the processes and/or the process computer nodes and/or the data processing processes running therein, whereby the common communication system is achieved by means of the Ethernet, or a similar asynchronous and/or bus or communication system working with a stochastic access method.

Abstract: An adjustable motorcycle-fitting frame for identifying or verifying comfortable or otherwise desirable seat, handle bar, and foot peg positions for use in the design and fabrication of a motorcycle. Once the component parts of the frame are adjusted to a comfortable “fit,” the actual motorcycle frame and additional components can be designed and fabricated around this fit. The adjustable frame enables the designer to sit upon and feel the ride stance of the components during the design stage, rather than guess what would be desirable until after a prototype is made.

Abstract: A system for precisely centering a workpiece within a cylindrical bore such that the center of the workpiece is coaxial with the central axis of the bore. An arbor is used within the cylindrical bore to sense and calculate the location of the central axis. The position of the workpiece is also sensed so that it can be aligned with the central axis. A computer system is used to perform the calculations and provide an indication of alignment of the workpiece and the central axis. The position of the central axis and the workpiece are found via a location determining system that may incorporate electromechanical and optical position sensing systems. For instance, a plurality of light transmitters and light receivers may be used to generate and transmit beams of light used in determining positions. The apparatus has particular application to free piston machines, and particularly free piston coolers.

Abstract: A circuit and method for detecting an operating transition of a mechanical apparatus driven by a hydraulic prime mover comprising a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, the operating transition causing a change in the force applied by the mechanical apparatus on the prime mover. A motor current sensing circuit is connected in a motor power supply circuit to provide a motor current signal representing motor current. A bandpass filter receives the motor current signal and provides a filtered motor current signal consisting essentially of motor current signal components in the frequency range from a lower frequency boundary greater than zero Hz to an upper frequency boundary below substantially all the motor noise frequencies. A comparison circuit compares the filtered motor current signal to a first selected threshold level and outputs a signal representing the occurrence of the operating transition when the filtered motor current signal exceeds the selected threshold level.

Abstract: A feedback control method and circuit for inclusion in a control system of an electrical power generating source that comprises a free piston Stirling engine driving a linear alternator. An instantaneous value of a variable, Vinternal, is continuously derived from other sensed and computed parameters and used in a negative feedback control loop of the control system to control engine piston stroke in order to maintain the power produced by the engine equal to the power transferred from the engine to the alternator. Vinternal is the sum of the voltage induced on the alternator winding and the voltage across the equivalent circuit lumped resistance of the alternator winding and a switching mode rectifier connects the alternator winding to an energy storage capacitor or battery.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator modulates light in response to a life-form bio-potential to provide a bio-potential modulated light output. Modulation can be carried out as a result of capacitive coupling with the bio-potential. Phase, polarization, and intensity light modulation can be used. The light output can then be converted to electronic form for further processing. An optical power splitter is used to split light into multiple portions that are converted to electrical form. A pilot tone is used to achieve high sensitivity and synchronize multiple electro-optic modulators while phase modulation can be used to reduce noise in the bio-potential signal. Low-coherent light may be used as the light source. A housing is provided that can be hermetically-sealed and provided with electro-magnetic shielding.

Abstract: A waste heat source (100) is used to heat a high temperature heat transfer fluid which is used to heat an absorption heat transfer machine (10) having a generator (20), an absorber (30), a condenser (40), and an evaporator (50) operatively connected together. The high temperature heat transfer fluid can also be used to heat a load (190) such as a room space or a process. The waste heat source (100) can also be used to heat an intermediate heat transfer fluid, which can be used to heat a second load (175) such as a space, a process, or an absorption heat transfer machine. Novel flow control devices (70, 60) for controlling the flow of weak solution from generator (20) to absorber (30) or of refrigerant from condenser (40) to evaporator (50), respectively, are also described.

Abstract: The cool down time for a multi-stage, pulse tube cryocooler is reduced by configuring at least a portion of the acoustic impedance of a selected stage, higher than the first stage, so that it surrounds the cold head of the selected stage. The surrounding acoustic impedance of the selected stage is mounted in thermally conductive connection to the warm region of the selected stage for cooling the acoustic impedance and is fabricated of a high thermal diffusivity, low thermal radiation emissivity material, preferably aluminum.

Abstract: An improved pulse tube cooler having a resonator tube connected in place of a compliance volume or reservoir. The resonator tube has a length substantially equal to an integer multiple of ¼ wavelength of an acoustic wave in the working gas within the resonator tube at its operating frequency, temperature and pressure. Preferably, the resonator tube is formed integrally with the inertance tube as a single, integral tube with a length approximately ½ of that wavelength. Also preferably, the integral tube is spaced outwardly from and coiled around the connection of the regenerator to the pulse tube at a cold region of the cooler and the turns of the coil are thermally bonded together to improve heat conduction through the coil.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of at least two types of fibers: (a) polypropylene fibers and (b) either acrylic or modacrylic fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent modacrylic fibers. In another preferred embodiment, the blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic or modacrylic. At least one type of fibers includes an extractable agent on the outer surfaces thereof. Performance of the blend is superior to the prior art filtration materials, especially at the preferred compositions.

Abstract: A non-contact device for measuring current in a conductor. The device includes an interferometer with an optical fiber that extends around the conductor and through which light beams pass. The magnetic field around the conductor, caused by the current conducted through the conductor, causes a phase shift in the light beams, which is measured. The measured current is corrected as a function of the temperature of at least the fiber, and possibly also the temperature of the quarter wave plate and/or the compensation coil in the interferometer. Multiple sensors are evenly spaced and mounted to the fiber in the preferred embodiment, and the signals from the sensors are averaged. The average signal is used to correct the measured current.

Abstract: An alkali metal thermoelectric conversion device formed from a porous tube or plate coated with a thin film of beta-alumina, the porous tube or plate is sintered metal or metal alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion which approaches that of the beta-alumina to form a mechanically stable device with high electrical output.