Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator, including: front and rear end bells; a stator structure; a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of the front and rear end bells; a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of the front end bell; and all foregoing elements being coaxially aligned to permit the insertion therethrough of a lead screw.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary motor, including: a housing; an output shaft extending from the housing; a rotary motor disposed within the housing, the output shaft being given rotational motion by the rotary motor; a linear motor disposed within the housing; a linear shaft axially moveable by the linear motor; and a coupling to join the linear shaft and the output shaft to permit transfer of axial motion from the linear shaft to the output shaft but to isolate rotational motion of the output shaft from the linear shaft.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an actuator, including: a shaft (34); a solenoid (24), having a coil (40) and a core (42), disposed at a first selected position on the shaft, with the core being fixedly attached to the shaft such that energization of the coil will cause the shaft to move axially; and a rotary motor (22), having a stator (30) and a rotor (32), disposed at a selected second position on the shaft, with the shaft passing through the rotor, an external surface of the shaft and an internal surface of the rotor having complementary engaging surfaces such that rotation of the rotor will cause rotation of the shaft and axial motion of the shaft will be isolated from the rotor.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary electromagnetic device, including: a housing (20); first and second stators (22 and 40) disposed in the housing, first and second rotors (24/26 and 42/44) disposed in the housing and magnetically interacting, respectively, with the first and second stators; the first stator and the first rotor comprising a rotary motor; the second stator and the second rotor comprising an electromagnetic brake; a shaft (28) extending through a portion of the housing and axially through the first and second rotors, the shaft having a threaded portion (50) extending through a complementary threaded portion (44) of one of the first and second rotors; whereby; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in a first direction, the shaft will move axially in a first direction; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in the second direction, the shaft will move axially in a second direction; and when the electromagnetic brake is r

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a stepper motor control, including: a driver to drive the stepper rotor; a detector to detect a commanded step rate signal provided to the driver and to provide an output signal proportional thereto; a power control, responsive to the output signal, to provide driving power to the driver, and to increase voltage to the driver in proportion to an increase in magnitude of the output signal; and an over-current protection circuit that becomes active above a predetermined motor current level and above a predetermined commanded step rate. Voltage control can be effected either on the drive board or by controlling the power supply. An additional feature provides over-current protection for the stepper motor during a lock rotor (stall) condition. The stepper motor control produces very low levels of EMI/RFI as compared with PWM current control (chopper) drives.

Abstract: A flexible joint for first and second rotating members, including: a hub fixedly connected to a proximal end of the first rotating member at a first end of the hub; the hub being constructed for the insertion in a second, opposite end of the hub of a proximal end of the second rotating member, the proximal end of the second rotating member being moveable within the hub such that a distal end of the second rotating member may move axially with respect to the first rotating member and/or may move radially away from a major axis of the first rotating member; and a spring disposed between an end face of the proximal end of the second rotating member and an inner face of the hub to bias the second rotating member axially away from the hub and the first rotating member, strength of the spring determining the ease with which the distal end of the second rotating member may move.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a hermetically sealed electrical switch, including: a housing; a bellows having a closed end and an open end, with the open end sealingly attached to the housing such that a first volume defined by interior surfaces of the housing and exterior surfaces of the bellows is hermetically sealed from external environment and such that a second volume defined at least in part by interior surfaces of the bellows is in communication with the external environment; switching apparatus disposed in the first volume; switch actuator apparatus at least partially disposed in the second volume; and wherein depression of the switch actuator apparatus against the closed end of the bellows causes the closed end of the bellows to press against and actuate the switching apparatus.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, in an electric motor of the type including a cup-shaped housing and a housing mounting plate, the improvement comprising: providing said cup-shaped housing and said housing mounting plate as a monolithic part. In another embodiment, an electric motor, including: first and second stator coils wound, respectively, on first and second bobbins; first and second stator poles closely engaging, respectively, slots defined in the first and second bobbins to radially align, respectively, the first and second stator poles with respect to the first and second bobbins; a central pole structure having formed thereon poles extending in proximity to the first and second bobbins; and alignment structure extending between the first and second bobbins and through the central pole structure to radially align the poles on the central pole structure with respect to the first and second bobbins and the first and second poles.

Abstract: A horizontally adjustable microphone support, including: a vertical support; a generally horizontal cross member attached to the vertical support; a microphone and a counterweight attached to the horizontal cross member on opposite sides of the vertical support; and apparatus to simultaneously move the microphone and the counterweight selectively inwardly toward or outwardly away from the vertical support so as to prevent the microphone support from tipping over. The horizontal cross member includes first and second telescoping tube pairs. The proximal ends of the inner tubes of the telescoping tube pairs are attached to the electric motor that is mounted in a housing on the distal end of the vertical support. Extending from opposite ends of the electric motor are right-hand and left-hand threaded double-ended shaft sections. Thread followers are attached to inner walls of the inner tube of the telescoping tube pairs surrounding the threaded shaft sections.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, in an electric motor of the type having a housing, a non-metallic bobbin upon which is wound a stator coil, a rotor having a rotor shaft fixedly attached thereto and extending therefrom, the rotor being disposed for rotation axially centrally of the bobbin, the improvement including: a bearing structure, the bearing structure being formed integrally with the non-metallic bobbin and having a central opening for the journalling therein of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an oscillating stepping motor having only one stator phase. What would otherwise be a second stator phase is a magnet fixedly disposed with respect to the rotor to produce a detent position of the rotor. When the stator is energized, the field of the fixed magnet is at least partially overcome and the rotor steps to a first predetermined position. When the stator is de-energized, the rotor returns to the detent position. Alternately energizing and de-energizing the stator causes the rotor to oscillate between the two positions. Alternatively, an angle of oscillation twice that produced above may be provided by reversing the stator field to oscillate the rotor between the first predetermined position and a second predetermined position produced by reversing the stator field.

Abstract: A multi-phase stepper motor having an annular permanent magnetic rotor and a plurality of matingly engageable stator phase assemblies around the rotor. Each of the phase assemblies comprises a pair of annular pole pieces including interleaved salient stator poles. The stator pole pieces in each pair are mated together in an opposed relationship to form an annular space between them to receive an energizing winding, and the winding for each pair is of a different phase. Depending upon the number of phase assemblies, the machine can operate in more than two phases. The diameter of the rotor is between about 55 percent and about 75 percent of the motor diameter, and approximately 40 percent more torque is produced than with equivalent sized conventional motors.

Abstract: An upper body exercise apparatus to assist an exerciser to do chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a platform parallel to the base for the exerciser to stand on, chin-up handles and dip handles extending from the frame, a system to oscillate the platform vertically between a lower position and an upper position while maintaining the platform parallel to the base and while avoiding any angular displacement, a pneumatic cylinder for providing a force to the oscillating system which is opposite the weight of the exerciser, and a control and monitor whereby the force is controlled and the oscillation of the platform is monitored.

Abstract: A multi-phase stepper motor having an annular permanent magnetic rotor and a plurality of matingly engageable stator phase assemblies around the rotor. Each of the phase assemblies comprises a pair of annular pole pieces including interleaved salient stator poles. The stator pole pieces in each pair are mated together in an opposed relationship to form an annular space between them to receive an energizing winding, and the winding for each pair is of a different phase. Depending upon the number of phase assemblies, the machine can operate in more than two phases. The diameter of the rotor is between about 55 percent and about 75 percent of the motor diameter, and approximately 40 percent more torque is produced than with equivalent sized conventional motors.

Abstract: An electric motor has an annular permanent magnetic rotor having rotor poles of alternating polarity around its circumference. The motor has an outer stator disposed concentrically around the outer periphery of the rotor which has an annular configuration and a plurality of axially extending salient magnetic poles of opposite polarity alternating around the outer stator's inner periphery. The motor also has an inner stator disposed concentrically within the inner periphery of the rotor which has an annular configuration and a plurality of axially extending salient magnetic poles of opposite polarity alternating around the inner stator's periphery. A separately energizable annular coil of wire disposed inside each stator energizes that stator's magnetic poles in response to sequential energization of each coil with electricity in different phase relationship with each other.

Abstract: A treadmill exerciser involving an upwardly and rearwardly sloping treadmill having a plurality of steps which are activated by the weight of a person "walking" up them. The tread portion and the riser portion of each step are connected at both ends by hinges to each other and to endless chains which permit the steps to move or fold around end sprockets as the steps move from an upper inclined course of the chains to a lower inclined return course, and vice versa. A speed control mechanism, driven by one of the chains, employs a gyroscopic flywheel which cooperates with a non-rotatable but axially slidable brake drum to provide even, continuous step movement and a controlled start-up. The flywheel drives a plastic cylinder composed of plastic fingers which fly out, under centrifugal force, into contact with the inner surface of the brake drum thus preventing further increased speed for the user.

Abstract: A sealed toggle switch is formed of a hollow thermosetting plastic base, a metal cover closing off the base, a rocking blade, and a bat actuator handle having a ball disposed to rotate in a socket bushing in the cover and a resiliently biased finger pushing against the blade to rock it from one position to another when the bat actuator is moved. Sealing is accomplished by an O-ring seated in a groove on an upper surface of the base and extending around the periphery of the same. This O-ring is compressed by the cover to form a seal. Another O-ring is seated in an annular groove in the bushing and is compressed against the ball of the actuator handle. Contacts of the switch are selectively connectable by rocking of the blade, and these extend through the base. Seals, such as O-rings or flat rubber seals, are provided between these contacts and the base.

Abstract: A environmentally sealed snap action switch mechanism suitable for use in high temperature (900.degree. F.+) environments comprises a casing having a flex area formed on one surface so as to be susceptible to snap-action movement. A switch is situated inside the casing. An inner actuator leaf affixed at one end to the flex area links the latter with the switch. An outer actuator leaf is affixed to the flex area on the outside of the casing. The outer and inner actuator leaves move in concert to open and close the switch and cause the flex area to snap between normal and actuated conditions. To ensure proper performance at high temperatures, a helper leaf spring extends between the outer actuator arm and the exterior surface of the casing to bias the outer actuator arm away from the casing. Preferably, the switch includes a flexible steel blade, and, in one version, includes a two-layer blade to achieve extended switch life.

Abstract: An upper body exercise apparatus to assist an exerciser to do chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a platform parallel to the base for the exerciser to stand on, chin-up handles and dip handles extending from the frame, a system to oscillate the platform vertically between a lower position and an upper position while maintaining the platform parallel to the base and while avoiding any angular displacement, a pneumatic cylinder for providing a force to the oscillating system which is opposite the weight of the exerciser, and a control and monitor whereby the force is controlled and the oscillation of the platform is monitored.