Abstract: A device (i.e., a slip-ring or a homopolar motor/generator) (40, 50, 80) is adapted to provide electrical contact between a stator and a rotor (41, 83), and includes: a current-carrying brush-spring (31, 84) mounted on the stator, and having two opposite surfaces; a fibrous brush assembly (35, 69) mounted on the conductor, the brush assembly having a bundle of fibers (36, 71) arranged such that the tips of the fibers will engage the rotor for transferring electrical current between the stator and rotor; a ribbon (33, 85) of superconducting material mounted on each opposite surface of the current-carrying brush-spring and communicating with the stator and the brush assembly; and another ribbon (29, 86) of superconducting material mounted on the rotor.

Abstract: A position sensor assembly comprising (15) a housing (16) having a least one inner cavity, a stator (22) disposed within the housing, a moving element (23) disposed within the housing and configured and arranged to move relative to the stator (22), the stator comprising primary windings (24) and secondary windings (25, 26), the secondary windings configured and arranged to provide an output signal (27) as a function of movement of the moving element (23) relative to the stator (22), electronics (28) disposed in the housing and communicating with the primary windings (24) and the secondary windings (25, 26), the electronics comprising an integrated circuit (29) configured and arranged to provide excitation of the primary windings (24) and to demodulate the output signal (27) of the secondary windings (25, 26), and an input element (35) extending through the housing (16) and connected to the moving element (23).

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a rotational drive member to a rotational driven member brakes rotation when either the torque transmitted between the members exceeds a predetermined torque limit or the rotational speed of the drive member exceeds a predetermined rotational speed limit. The apparatus includes a torque limiter configured to actuate a braking mechanism or disconnect transmission when the torque limit is exceeded, and an over-speed governor configured to trigger the torque limiter when the rotational speed of the input element exceeds the rotational speed limit. The over-speed governor may trigger the torque limiter by reducing the torque limit of the torque limiter, or by introducing rotational drag in the apparatus to increase transmitted torque.

Abstract: A servovalve (15) comprising a motor (16), a motor bias mechanism (20), a first stage valve member (22) adapted to be moved from a first position to a first off-null position, a second stage member (29) adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position with movement of the first valve member (22), a transfer link (34) acting between the first (22) and second (29) valve members, an eccentric drive member (35) acting between the motor (16) and the transfer link (34), the transfer link (34) and drive member (35) configured such that selective movement of the motor (16) causes the transfer link (34) to move the first valve member (22), movement of the first valve member (22) causes the second valve member (29) to move, and movement of the second valve member (29) causes the transfer link (34) to move the first valve member (22) from the first off-null position back to the null position.

Abstract: A stator made from a ribbon of metal having multiple layers of slit metal, and motors made therefrom are described. A ribbon having multiple layers of metal is formed into a stator such as by flattening or pleating the ribbon to form each pole of a stator having a plurality of stator teeth, or poles. The stator formed from the metal ribbon may be configured into any suitable type of motor, such as an axial transverse flu motor. A magnetic flu return may also be made out of metal ribbon.

Abstract: An improved vibration control actuation system for a rotary-wing aircraft having a plurality of rotor blades mounted to a rotor hub and driven about a central axis of rotation at an operational speed and in a rotational direction relative to a non-rotating body of the aircraft comprising a vibration control frame adapted to be mounted to the hub and to rotate relative to the hub about the central axis in a rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the hub, a frame motor configured to rotate the frame about the central axis, the frame supporting first and second motors configured to rotate first and second masses about first and second axes not concentric with the central axis, and a controller for receiving input signals and outputting command signals to the first and second motors.

Abstract: An improved fin retention and release mechanism (15) comprising an elongated body (16), at least one fin (18a) mounted to the body and capable of moving from a stowed position (30) to a deployed position (32), an actuator (20a) connected to the fin and arranged to rotate the fin about a first axis (33), a fin retention member (19a) connected to the body and configured and arranged to rotate about a second axis (34) from a locked position (36) to a release position (38), the fin and the fin retention member configured and arranged such that the fin is held in the stowed position by the fin retention member when being in the locked position and the fin is not held in the stowed position by the fin retention member when being in the release position, and wherein actuation of the fin about the first axis by the actuator rotates the fin about the first axis in a first direction (39) and correspondingly rotates the fin retention member about the second axis in a second direction (40) opposite to the first direction

Abstract: A linear motor (15) comprising a stator (16) having an opening (18), a mover (19) disposed in the opening and configured and arranged to reciprocate linearly in an axial direction (x-x) relative to the stator, the stator comprising a first pole section (21) and a second pole section (22) stacked in the axial direction and forming a recess (26) between them for receiving annular windings, the first pole section comprising a first laminate (17a) having a first cross-sectional geometry (29) and a second laminate (17b) having a second cross-sectional geometry (30) different from the first cross-sectional geometry, and the first laminate and the second laminate stacked in the axial direction.

Abstract: An actuator system comprising a shared link (121) arranged to pivot about a first axis (131) relative to a reference structure, a controlled element (125) arranged to pivot about a second axis (126) relative to the reference structure, a first member (146, 152) arranged to pivot about a third axis (134) relative to the shard link and a fourth axis (136) relative to the controlled member, a first actuator arranged to control a first variable distance (LI) between the third axis and fourth axis, a second member (147, 153) arranged to pivot about a fifth axis (133) relative to the shared link and a sixth axis (135) relative to the controlled element, a second actuator (141) arranged to control a second variable distance between the fifth axis and the sixth axis, the system configured such that a change in the first variable distance causes rotation of the controlled element about the second axis when the second variable distance is constant and vice versa.

Abstract: An electrical rotary connection (15) comprising a first element (18) supported by a housing (16), a second element (19) supported by the housing, the first and second elements configured to rotate about a central axis (X) relative to each other at a rotary interface (20), the first element (18) comprising an input electrical lead (21), an electrical-to-optical E/O converter (22) having an optical source (23), and a transmitting lens (28), the second element (19) comprising a receiving lens (30) opposing the first element across the rotary interface, an optical-to-electrical O/E converter (32) having an optical receiver (33), and an output electrical lead (35), whereby electrical input received by the first element may be converted into light, the light may be transmitted on-axis across the rotary interface to the second element, and the light may be converted into an electrical output by the second element for transmission via the output electrical lead of the second element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pump assembly including a pump chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The pump assembly also includes a first cup at least partially enclosing the pump chamber and including a protrusion with a central recess, and a shaft positioned within the central recess. The pump assembly further includes a substantially hemispherical rotor unit with at least one ferrous metal element molded in plastic, and an impeller coupled to the rotor unit. The rotor unit and the impeller are positioned inside the first cup and rotatable around the shaft.

Abstract: A servovalve system comprising a pilot stage valve in communication with an hydraulic stage valve, the hydraulic stage valve comprising a valve member movably mounted in a valve chamber to selectively meter fluid flow in a flow path from an upstream inlet port to a downstream outlet port and at least two variable-sized orifices disposed in the flow path between the inlet and outlet ports, an upstream pressure sensor, a downstream pressure sensor, a fluid temperature sensor, a position sensor sensing a linear position of the valve member, a controller that receives input from the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor, the fluid temperature sensor and the position sensor; and the controller configured to provide a control signal to the pilot stage valve as a function of the input from the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor, the fluid temperature sensor and the position sensor.

Abstract: Ammunition containers are reloadable from within an armored vehicle to supply a remote weapon system mounted externally on the vehicle. The ammunition containers are designed to be fixedly mounted within an internal compartment of a weapon turret. In a first embodiment, at least one guide wall defines a spiral guide path for an ammunition belt, and a rotatable sprocket enables the belt to be loaded into the guide path. In a second embodiment, an ammunition clamp holds a round of ammunition, and the clamp is rotatable to wind the ammunition belt about the clamp's axis of rotation. A third embodiment has a guide sprocket and an adjacent peg to facilitate reloading an ammunition belt in horizontal layers. A fourth embodiment includes a pair of spaced support rails for hanging an ammunition belt in vertical columns, wherein rear ends of the rails may be located outside the container for easier loading.

Abstract: A servovalve comprising a motor, a motor bias mechanism, a first stage valve having a first position, a second stage valve movable with movement of the first valve, a reference member in fluid communication with the second valve, a transfer link acting between the first valve and the reference member, an eccentric drive acting between the motor and transfer link, wherein movement of the motor causes the transfer link to move the first valve, movement of the first valve causes the second valve member to move, movement of the second valve applies on the reference member a pressure differential from a load, the pressure differential on the reference member causes movement of the reference member, and movement of the reference member causes the transfer link to move the first valve back to the first position.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted weapon station is configurable to adjust the height of a rotational elevation axis thereof. The weapon station is provided with at least one fixed hanging ammunition container that is reloadable under the armored protection of the vehicle and the weapon station shell. The weapon station may have both electrically-powered and manually-powered drive systems for rotating a pedestal about an azimuth axis relative to the vehicle, and for rotating weaponry and operational units about the elevation axis, wherein the electrical and manual drive systems transmit power through the same output gear.

Abstract: A motor includes a rotor having a plurality of pole magnets angularly spaced about the rotor's rotational axis through an angle of 360°, and a stator including a plurality of windings angularly spaced about the rotational axis through an angle less than 360° to provide an angular section free of windings, wherein at least one of the plurality of pole magnets is not radially opposite any of the plurality of windings at any given rotational position of the rotor. The motor is designed for use in powering a horizontal blade reel of a cylindrical lawn mower, and includes a housing having a cross-sectional shape in the form of a chord-truncated circle, such that the housing has a flat portion corresponding to the angular section free of windings. The truncated motor housing avoids unattractive “layover” of grass during mowing.

Abstract: A phacoemsulsification needle for use with an ultrasonic handpiece in performing cataract surgery has a plurality of external grooves along its shaft. The external grooves are configured to convert longitudinal drive motion delivered by the handpiece at the base of the needle into torsional motion at the needle tip. The torsional motion at the needle tip has a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the longitudinal drive motion at the base, i.e. the longitudinal to torsional gain is greater than one. The grooves may be helical grooves, wherein the groove configuration is defined by a set of groove parameters including a helical pitch of the grooves, a width of the grooves, a depth of the grooves, an axial length of the grooves, and a total number of grooves.

Abstract: A low-cost, lightweight telescoping torque tube assembly is reliable, safe, and easy to operate. The assembly has no loose fasteners, and no tools are required to operate the telescoping assembly. The telescoping torque tube assembly has only two parts, namely an end fitting and a torque tube. A resiliently deflectable locking tab is provided on one of the parts, and the locking tab is received by a corresponding locking slot formed in the other part. The locking tab has an abutment edge, and the locking slot has a limit edge facing the abutment edge for engaging the abutment edge when the locking tab is undeflected to prevent axially directed adjustment of the end fitting relative to the torque tube from an extended position toward a retracted position. A user deflects the locking tab to enable adjustment of the end fitting from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: An actuator synchronization system comprising a control valve in fluid communication with a plurality of actuators; each of the actuators comprising an input member moveable by the control valve, a main valve moveable from a null to an off-null position, an output member moveable from a first to a second output position, and a feedback linkage and a drive link configured such that selective movement of the input member causes movement of the valve from the null to the off-null position and movement of the output member to the second output position causes movement of the valve member from the off-null to the null position; and a mechanical connector between each of the input members or drive links of the actuators configured such that rotational motion of each of the respective drive links is synchronized.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (“EMA”) is provided with redundant load paths for driving the actuator stroke. The EMA includes a rotatable screw, a nut mated with the screw and having an external toothed surface, and a rotatable spline member having a splined surface engaging the external toothed surface of the nut. An actuator rod is coupled to the nut for linear movement with the nut. A first motor is operable to rotate the screw relative to the nut to cause the nut to travel linearly along the screw, and a second motor is operable to rotate the spline member and nut such that the nut travels linearly along the screw. Consequently, the actuator rod moves linearly by operation of the first motor alone, by operation of the second motor alone, and by simultaneous operation of the first and second motors. A no-back device may be incorporated into each load path.