Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A resilient sheet of material having a centrally-located aperture having a pump shaft slidably disposed through the aperture to form a sphincter seal therebetween. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source (an IV bag) passes through the housing into the cavity near the open end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink (the patient) passes through the housing from the cavity near the closed end thereof. The shaft is driven back and forth in reciprocating motion inwardly and outwardly of the cavity to produce, respectively, a positive pressure forcing fluid out of the outlet conduit to the fluid sink, and a negative pressure forcing fluid from the fluid source through the inlet conduit.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A valve which may be used with a pump which includes a housing having an interior cavity therein with an inlet and an outlet leading through the housing into the cavity. A resilient sheet of material with an aperture formed therein is disposed in the cavity dividing it into first and second compartments with the inlet leading into the first compartment and the outlet leading from the second compartment. An elongated shaft adapted for reciprocating movement is disposed within and aligned with the cavity and extends through the aperture in the sheet of resilient material. An interior passage extends lengthwise in the shaft and includes first and second openings in the passage which may be positioned so that the first opening is located in the first compartment and the second opening is located in the second compartment, providing a fluid communication between the two compartments.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A volumetric pump for administering intravenous fluids to a patient comprises a housing having an elongate cavity therein with an open and a closed end. A resilient sheet of material having a centrally-located aperture covers the open end, and a pump shaft is slidably disposed through the aperture to form a sphincter seal therebetween. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source (an IV bag) passes through the housing into the cavity near the open end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink (the patient) passes through the housing from the cavity near the closed end thereof. The shaft is driven back and forth in reciprocating motion inwardly and outwardly of the cavity to produce, respectively, a positive pressure forcing fluid out of the outlet conduit to the fluid sink, and a negative pressure forcing fluid from the fluid source through the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir to a patient. The device includes an inlet channel in communication with a fluid reservoir and a dosing chamber, and an outlet channel disposed in communication with the dosing chamber. A reciprocating dosing actuator is moveable in a reciprocating motion between first and second positions for alternately (i) transporting a dose of fluid conveyed by the inlet channel into the intermediate dosing chamber, and (ii) ejecting the dose from the dosing chamber through the outlet channel to the patient, respectively.

Abstract: A bottoming detector for detecting the movement of a pump shaft beyond a pre-determined distance within a cylinder is disclosed. The pump has a housing defining an elongate cavity filled with fluid, a resilient sheet with an aperture in alignment with the cavity which divides the cavity into first and second compartments, and an elongate shaft disposed within the first compartment of the cavity such that it may be moved into and out of the aperture in the sheet to cause pressure fluctuations in the second compartment. There is also a chamber in fluid communication with the second compartment. In the chamber there is actuating means responsive to excessive pressure in the chamber, that actuates a switch to indicate that the shaft has reached a certain distance into the second compartment.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A volumetric pump for administering intravenous fluids to a patient comprises a housing having an elongate cavity therein with an open and a closed end. A resilient sheet of material having a centrally-located aperture covers the open end, and a pump shaft is slidably disposed through the aperture to form a sphincter seal therebetween. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source (an IV bag) passes through the housing into the cavity near the open end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink (the patient) passes through the housing from the cavity near the closed end thereof. The shaft is driven back and forth in reciprocating motion inwardly and outwardly of the cavity to produce, respectively, a positive pressure forcing fluid out of the outlet conduit to the fluid sink, and a negative pressure forcing fluid from the fluid source through the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to cause the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.

Abstract: A robotic grasping manipulator includes a support base, a pair of fingers disposed on the base which extend forwardly a certain distance therefrom, and a two-degree of freedom elongate thumb. The thumb is pivotally attached at a proximal end to the base to extend generally forwardly therefrom, and terminates in a distal end tip which may be moved vertically and laterally with respect to the fingers to thereby enable holding objects between one or both fingers and the thumb. The fingers are moveable in a plane toward or away from each other, and include tip sections which are pivotable downwardly in a direction generally normal to the plane of movement of the fingers. A unique linkage apparatus intercouples the fingers with the base such that a non-pivotal, back-and-forth-moving piston rod can be used to move the fingers. The fingers contain gripping structure including rigid, pointed protuberances interleaved with flexible, blunt protuberances which are longer than the rigid protuberances.

Abstract: An individual person mobility simulator includes a base for placement on a support surface, a steering post extending upwardly from the base to terminate in an upper end, a seat mounted on the upper end of the steering post on which a human operator may sit, a torque/position sensor disposed between the seat and the steering post to sense changes in seat position caused by the operator, and foot stirrups into which the operator may place his feet, the foot stirrups being movably mounted on the steering post. A power source is provided to supply a resistive force to movement of the foot stirrups in response to and dependent upon resistance signals. A control unit supplies resistance signals to the power source to determine the amount of resistance to be applied to movement of the foot stirrups.

Abstract: A volumetric pump and fluid control valve system for controlling the flow of fluid which comprises a housing containing an interior cavity, an elongated valve shaft is disposed inside the cavity, and an elongate drive shaft of smaller diameter than the valve shaft connected to one end of the valve shaft. The drive shaft passes through a passage formed in the housing to extend from the cavity to the exterior. A resilient sheet of material having an aperture is disposed in the housing on the exterior side of the passage and the drive shaft passes through the aperture to form a sphincter seal. The drive shaft can be used to move the valve shaft back and forth in a reciprocating motion producing positive and negative pressures causing fluid to flow or merely to stabilize the valve shaft in position. The valve shaft includes two flanges which are spaced apart from one another. The flanges extend at least partially around the circumference of the valve shaft.

Abstract: A condensate trap installation comprises a condensate trap 6 and one or more further components such as a strainer 8 and a check valve 10. The condensate trap 6 and the further components 8, 10 are placed in face-to-face engagement at end faces 30 and clamped together by a clamping device, comprising bolts 22 or comprising a carrier 60, which applies a compressive force by means of a clamping body 18 and a flange 20 provided respectively on pipe ends 2 and 4. An isolating valve 14 is provided to isolate the condensate trap 6 and the components 8, 10 so that they can be removed.

Abstract: A condensate trap assembly comprises a valve body 2 having a housing 14 which defines an inlet passage 10 and an outlet passage 12, and an access passage 16 within which a condensate trap 4 is housed. The housing 14 also defines a valve chamber 18 within which a valve element 6 is received for rotation, the valve element 6 comprising a body within which there are provided flow passageways 22A, 22B, 22C. The valve element 6 has a projection 36 which extends into the access passage 16. The projection 36 prevents debris from collecting within the valve chamber 18, and the projection 36 may have a recessed channel 40 for catching any such debris.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.