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: A self-starting unidirectional rotating machine, suitable for use as a stepping motor, has a permanent magnet rotor and a pair of finger-like pole pieces extending axially alongside the rotor. These pole pieces are disposed asymmetrically so that, for example, the center of one pole piece is substantially diametrically aligned with an edge of the other pole piece. Bias magnets create a bias flux flowing through the pole pieces. A helical coil, when energized, provides a main rotor flux opposite to the bias flux and sufficient to overcome it. Upon energization, the rotor turns 180 electrical degrees in a preferred direction from a quiescent position to a second position. Then, upon deenergization, the rotor turns 180 electrical degrees from its second position to its quiescent position.

Abstract: A rotary switch comprises a control shaft rotatable clockwise from a neutral position to a first switch actuating position and beyond it to an overtravel position, and counter-clockwise to a second switch actuating position and beyond it to another overtravel position; a centering arrangement for biasing the control shaft to its neutral position; first and second switch mechanisms; a housing enclosing the switch mechanisms; and a switch actuating arrangement. The latter arrangement includes a pair of cams mounted on the control shaft, a pivotally-mounted blade for actuating the first and second switch mechanisms, and first and second cam followers formed on the blade for slidably contacting respective ones of the cams. The cams are preferably formed as plate cams each having a cam finger that is bendable in the circumferential direction, in relation to the control shaft, to adjust the contact position thereof on the respective cam follower.

Abstract: A small electric motor including one or more field coils which cooperate with a long, thin cylindrical rotor having only a single pair of nonsalient rotor poles. A stator pole piece assembly is in magnetic flux relationship with the rotor and is provided with salient stator poles which each subtend an angle of at least about one hundred and twenty degrees with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In some embodiments the stator poles are arranged in sets which cooperate with different axial portions of the rotor.

Abstract: An electric motor and method of making the motor, in which a unitary one-piece cylindrical housing is molded of nonmagnetic material with an H-shaped axial cross-section to provide cylindrical recesses in opposite ends of the housing. A gear train is inserted in one of these recesses, and a rotor assembly and a centrally orificed stator are inserted in the other recess. The stator is in the form of a sub-assembly having a plurality of annular pole pieces stacked in oppositely disposed relationship with each other. Each of these pole pieces has only a single salient stator pole projecting perpendicularly from adjacent the margin of the stator orifice, and the pole pieces are stacked such that the stator poles project in opposite directions and are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs to form a cylindrical array. Two of the pole pieces are provided with peripheral flanges to form a cylindrical enclosure for the energizing winding of the motor.

Abstract: A small two-phase motor having first and second field coils which each cooperate with a long, thin cylindrical rotor. The rotor is provided with only a single pair of nonsalient rotor poles and has a length to diameter ratio which advantageously is at least about 2.5. A stator pole piece assembly is in magnetic flux relationship with the rotor and includes first and second sets of salient stator poles which respectively cooperate with the first and second field coils. There are only two salient stator poles in each set, and the stator poles are angularly spaced apart by approximately ninety electrical degrees. In some embodiments one of the stator poles in the first set and one of the stator poles in the second set extend in opposite directions parallel to the rotor axis from a single tubular member which forms a part of the pole piece assembly.

Abstract: An electric motor or other electric rotating machine in which certain of the stator poles are of hardened magnetic material to provide the machine with a unidirectional self-starting characteristic. In certain preferred embodiments the housing for the motor is of nonconductive material, and two of the stator pole pieces protrude through the housing and serve as electrical terminals. The housing encloses a spool or bobbin which supports the energizing winding for the motor as well as a reduction gear train which advantageously is mounted on one of the flanges of the bobbin.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving a timing device from an external AC power source and, in the event that the AC power source fails, from an auxiliary DC source. The driving apparatus includes a pulse producing circuit which produces periodic pulses in response to timing pulses. A timing pulse circuit, including an oscillator which produces an oscillating voltage having a frequency substantially proportional to the AC power source frequency, applies the timing pulses to the pulse producing circuit. A DC power supply receives the voltage which is supplied by the AC power source and generates a DC energizing voltage to energize the various circuits of the apparatus, including the pulse producing circuit and the oscillator. In the event that the AC power source fails, the voltage produced by the auxiliary DC source is used to energize the various circuits of the apparatus.

Abstract: A self-starting unidirectional electric motor in which a pair of auxiliary stator pole members are angularly spaced from the main stator poles and are provided with a magnetic return path having a reluctance which is less than the reluctance of the return path for the main stator poles. When the field coil of the motor is deenergized, the rotor consistently assumes a favorable starting position in which each rotor pole is opposite one of the auxiliary pole members. In several advantageous embodiments the housing for the motor is fabricated from nonconductive, nonmagnetic material, and the main stator poles serve as the motor's electrical terminals.

Abstract: A watt-hour meter or other visual read-out apparatus which may also be read electrically through the use of a plurality of code discs and a photoelectric sensing device in spaced juxtaposition with the back sides of the discs. The sensing device is supported by a cable-controlled carriage which reciprocates back and forth in a direction parallel to the discs under the control of a bidirectional electric motor. A pair of stop members are located at opposite ends of the path of travel of the carriage for causing the motor to reverse direction as the carriage contacts one of the stop members.