Abstract: An elastic motor having a constant torque characteristic utilizes a reel with elastic divided into unit lengths that are stretched to their maximum tension. Each unit length of the elastic is allowed to relax to its normal state while generating work in a process that will continue until the wheel is fully unwound. The present invention will ease design of mobile devices and the like by providing a power source having a predictable, constant, and stable output characteristic.

Abstract: An improved elastic motor is disclosed having a constant torque characteristic. In contrast to earlier motors which use springs wound on spools, the present invention utilizes a reel with elastic stretched to its maximum tension. Each unit length of the elastic is allowed to relax back to its normal state while generating work in a process that will continue until the wheel is fully unwound. The present invention will ease the design of mobile devices and the like by providing a power source having a predictable, stable, and constant torque output characteristic.

Abstract: A lifting platform is disclosed that utilizes means for energy recovery in order to maximize efficiency. Prior lifting platforms described by the inventor have utilized partial toroidal vortices in order to create a high pressure region below the platform. The present invention, however, improves on the prior lifting platforms by utilizing a complete toroidal vortex. Thus, a great deal of the energy expended is recovered by the recirculation of the fluid. The vortex fan must only supply the energy needed to overcome friction.

Abstract: Several types of ballast circuits for operating one or many LEDs in AC circuits finding particular use in aircraft lighting panels are disclosed. The first type is a linear transfer function ballast using inductors to limit diode current, and capacitors to ensure unity input power factors. The second type is a non-linear transfer function ballast using inductors to limit current, capacitors to ensure unity input power factor, and diodes shunted across one or many series connected inductors to steepen the transfer function. The aim of steepening the transfer function is to imitate the voltage—brightness characteristic of incandescent bulbs, thereby providing a direct replacement aerospace lighting solution compatible with existing AC light dimmers. It is also possible to configure the ballasts of the present invention to function with a DC input voltage.

Abstract: A power inverter capable of both DC-AC and DC-DC conversion is disclosed. Said inverter features a novel current mode slope modulation scheme to regulate output while eliminating stability problems commonly held by current mode systems. Furthermore, an embodiment is disclosed utilizing three state modulation to reduce switching losses in the power stage thereby increasing efficiency. Additionally, a novel sine wave compression circuit is disclosed to prevent output wave clipping under low DC supply conditions.

Abstract: Transformer rectifier units (TRU) for the conversion of AC to regulated DC are disclosed. One aspect of a TRU according to the invention is output boost regulation by monitoring the output from a conventional TRU, and when the output drops below 28 volts DC an additional electronic switching converter boosts the output up to the 28 volt DC level. Under overload conditions a bypass diode returns the operation to that of a conventional TRU to maintain the required high current. Another aspect, input buck regulation, regulates by controlling the impedance of an auxiliary TRU by transferring its output to the DC output via a conventional flyback converter.

Abstract: An improved coupling circuit for use in switched power supplies and other applications utilizes a DC restoration circuit following the secondary stage of a coupling transformer to maintain a relatively constant DC component in the coupled waveform, regardless of its duty cycle. Advantages of the invention include better frequency response, lower noise, and better linearity.

Abstract: An instrument heater for heating a surgical instrument. The instrument heater includes a sheath having an inner and outer wall. The inner wall forms a bore through which the optical scope is inserted. A chemical solution fills the space between the inner and outer wall of the sheath. At one end of the sheath is an activator disk having a chemical substance attached to its surface. When the activator disk is flexed, it ejects the chemical substance and interacts with the chemical solution to initiate an exothermic reaction. The exothermic reaction results in the generation of heat within the sheath, which is transmitted to the surgical instrument. Once the surgical instrument is sufficiently heated to a temperature close to the temperature of a body, the optical scope is inserted into the body. A natural tendency for the instrument to fog up is prevented by the equalizing the temperature of the instrument with the body.

Abstract: An improved fly forward converter including a capacitor connected across the collector and emitter of a switching transistor to form a parallel resonant circuit with the converter's transformer primary inductance, a diode across the switching transistor collector capacitor to conduct excess energy from the resonant circuit and coupling diodes in the converter's output circuit for coupling the energy in both the forward and flyback phases through an output inductor serially connected between the transformer secondary and the output capacitor. The converter includes a shunt capacitor with circuit values adjusted so that resonant action continues until the switching transistor voltage falls to zero for achieving "zero voltage switching". Zero voltage switching is achieved by varying the duration of the active cycle while the reset cycle duration is fixed and determined by resonant component value.

Abstract: A circuit and method for converting three-phase .DELTA. AC to a higher voltage DC output. The method utilizes first, second and third rectifying circuits and a storage circuit to provide DC. The circuit herein does not require an independent DC power source, nor a neutral AC connection, as used for conventional Y connected power systems. The circuit herein also provides a uniform loading to all three phases of the AC input. A preferred embodiment is provided herein comprised of twelve diodes and three capacitors, wherein the diodes rectify the current, and the capacitors store charge.

Abstract: An improved resonant forward dc-to-dc converter circuit includes control circuitry for achieving an optimal power cycle in which the transistor is either supplying current to the load or recovering in a sinusoidal manner, for limiting power loss by controlling the switch turn on time to the time when the switch collector voltage at recovery is at a mimimum, for maintaining an approximately constant turn off time and for providing pulse by pulse current mode control for high loop stability and superior transient response.

Abstract: A loop simulator is provided for testing radar altimeter systems. Several accurately calibrated delay lines and attenuation elements can be switched into and out of the signal path. Using these elements, the loop simulator can be configured to provide several common tests for radar altimeters. Switching of the various elements is controlled by a microprocessor, which determines the appropriate configuration based upon a mode input, and automatically switches the correct elements into the signal path. The controller automatically compensates for attenuation of the various elements.