Abstract: A linear potentiometer with a sandwich type construction. A pair of conductive strips are carried on a pair of non-conductive flexible plastic substrates which are affixed to a spacer to form a sealed unit. Each substrate includes a pair of tabs which cooperate with the tabs on the other substrate to define a pair of terminal receiving slots for connecting the potentiometer in an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A boat leveling systems with a pair of trim tabs pivotal between a horizontal position and a downwardly inclined position. Each trim tab is actuatably between the horizontal and inclined positions by a separate fluid motor which includes a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and a rod connected to the piston. The position of each trim tab is indicated by apparatus which includes a linear potentiometer attached to the rod of the associated fluid motor, the potentiometer having a flexible plastic envelope and a pair of normally spaced-apart conductive strips sealed in the envelope, a ball and spring carried by the cylinder for contacting the envelope and forcing the strips into electrical contact with each other, and a resistance measuring device connected in circuit with the potentiometer and to provide a readout in degrees of the downward angle from horizontal of the trim tab.

Abstract: A spherical gear pump comprises a housing with a first longitudinal axis, a spherical seat, an inlet and outlet adjacent the seat, inlet and outlet passages communicating with the inlet and outlet and adapted for connection to a source of liquid and a liquid load. A hemispherical gear is rotatively mounted within the seat and includes a plurality of peripherally spaced radial gear teeth and a drive shaft for rotation about the first axis. A hemispherical cam is adjustably positioned within the spherical seat having an arc less than 180.degree., and radial cam surfaces facing the spherical gear. A plurality of separate symmetrical radial gear teeth are pivotally mounted within and between the teeth of the spherical gear with each separate gear tooth having a radial top wall centrifugally biased against the cam surfaces on rotation of the spherical gear and a bottom wall adapted for pivotal movements within planes passing through the first axis on rotation of the separate gear teeth over the cam surfaces.