Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flywheel for energy storage, specifically a method for finely balancing the flywheel during manufacture, the method being especially useful in conjunction with flywheels having a composite construction, and the method also being suitable for simultaneously proving the structural integrity of the flywheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting torque from a flywheel inside a vacuum chamber to a driveshaft outside the vacuum chamber includes constructing a magnetic gear coupling using a pair of permanent magnet arrays having magnetic flux coupling elements arranged in the vacuum chamber wall therebetween so as to effectively couple magnetic flux between the arrays.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing a magnetic gear coupling for transmitting torque from a flywheel inside a vacuum chamber to a driveshaft outside the vacuum chamber, the coupling employing a pair of permanent magnet arrays having magnetic flux coupling elements arranged in the vacuum chamber wall therebetween so as to effectively couple magnetic flux between the arrays.

Abstract: A method for applying a braided fabric over a mandrel using a braiding apparatus having a central axis and providing braiding yarns drawn toward a braiding point where a braid is formed on the mandrel, the method comprising the steps of advancing the mandrel through the braiding point of the braiding apparatus, determining a current position of the mandrel; and controlling the position of the mandrel transversely to the central axis of the braiding apparatus responsive to the current position such that a center point of a mandrel cross-section passing through the braiding apparatus is coincident with the braiding point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flywheel for energy storage, specifically a method for finely balancing the flywheel during manufacture, the method being especially useful in conjunction with flywheels having a composite construction, and the method also being suitable for simultaneously proving the structural integrity of the flywheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing a magnetic gear coupling for transmitting torque from a flywheel to a driveshaft, the coupling employing permanent magnet arrays and magnetic flux coupling elements therebetween, and at least one of the arrays and coupling elements being circumferentially staggered or spread, so as to avoid complete alignment of the arrays and elements, and thereby mitigate torque coupling capability variations.

Abstract: A method for applying a braided fabric over a mandrel using a braiding apparatus having a central axis and providing braiding yarns drawn toward a braiding point where a braid is formed on the mandrel, the method comprising the steps of advancing the mandrel through the braiding point of the braiding apparatus, determining a current position of the mandrel; and controlling the position of the mandrel transversely to the central axis of the braiding apparatus responsive to the current position such that a center point of a mandrel cross-section passing through the braiding apparatus is coincident with the braiding point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material for the construction of external coverings accessible by humans or animals. It aims to increase the breakdown voltage between a high voltage VRF, high frequency source of energy and the human or animal, by adaptation of materials and structures. According to an embodiment of the invention, a structure is provided for the cover 18 used in MRI or NMR systems, which carries a greater proportion Vs of the voltage VRF across itself, thereby reducing the voltage Vg across the gap 22 and reducing the likelihood of breakdown.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing a flywheel for energy storage, the flywheel having a drive transfer element (60) and a rim comprising a mass element (10), the drive transfer element being coupled to the rim by a winding (80) around each.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying braid by means of a braiding machine to a mandrel, where the mandrel has a shape that approximates a wheel but has an irregularly varying radius of curvature. The machine includes drive/positioning wheel assemblies that are used to continuously reposition a cross-section of the mandrel relative to the braiding machine such that a center point of cross-section of the mandrel is maintained to be coaxial with a braiding point of the braiding machine as the mandrel 18 is rotationally advanced by the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. Repositioning of the drive/positioning wheel assemblies is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) controller, based on information describing one or more radiuses of curvature for sections of the mandrel and a current position of the mandrel relative to the drive/positioning wheel assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material for the construction of external coverings accessible by humans or animals. It aims to increase the breakdown voltage between a high voltage VRF, high frequency source of energy and the human or animal, by adaptation of materials and structures. According to an embodiment of the invention, a structure is provided for the cover 18 used in MRI or NMR systems, which carries a greater proportion Vs of the voltage VRF across itself, thereby reducing the voltage Vg across the gap 22 and reducing the likelihood of breakdown.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying braid by means of a braiding machine to a mandrel, where the mandrel has a shape that approximates a wheel but has an irregularly varying radius of curvature. The machine includes drive/positioning wheel assemblies that are used to continuously reposition a cross-section of the mandrel relative to the braiding machine such that a center point of cross-section of the mandrel is maintained to be coaxial with a braiding point of the braiding machine as the mandrel 18 is rotationally advanced by the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. Repositioning of the drive/positioning wheel assemblies is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) controller, based on information describing one or more radiuses of curvature for sections of the mandrel and a current position of the mandrel relative to the drive/positioning wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A disk drive test apparatus has a plurality of bays each for receiving a respective disk drive to be tested. A plurality of card slots are provided each for receiving a test card via which a disk drive can be tested. Each of the test cards is either an environment test card or an interface test card. The card slots and the test cards are arranged such that each card slot (6) can selectively receive an environment test card or an interface test card. Other arrangements for disk drive test apparatus or disk drive mounting apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for pre-cooling cryogenically cooled apparatus housed within a cryogen vessel (26), comprising a first closed-loop cooling circuit (30) containing heat transfer fluid, a circulator (32) for causing the heat transfer fluid to circulate around the closed circuit and a heat extractor (34) arranged to extracts heat from the heat transfer fluid, wherein the circuit carries heat transfer fluid into and from an interior volume of the cryogen vessel (26).

Abstract: A mounting for a disk drive unit includes a carrier for carrying a disk drive unit during required movement of the disk drive unit. The carrier defines a space into which the disk drive unit can be inserted, and the carrier is adapted to be inserted with the disk drive unit into a receiving frame for operational use. At lease two resilient devices are mounted on the carrier for securing the disk drive unit in the receiving frame when the carrier is inserted into the frame, at least one resilient device being mounted on each side of the carrier. Each resilient device is movably mounted on the carrier to allow movement of the device as a whole relative to the carrier, and the resilient device is arranged to secure the disk drive unit in the receiving frame by acting between disk drive unit and the receiving frame. A method of handling the disk drive unit comprises placing the disk drive unit into the carrier engaging a robotic device with a coupling structure projecting from the front of the carrier.

Abstract: A composite material for acoustic or mechanical damping, comprising a plurality of layers of fibrous material embedded in a solid material. The solid material layers are interspersed by perforated films of viscoelastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature control device for a disk drive unit, the temperature control device includes a housing for connection to a carrier for a disk drive unit; an air flow generator arranged in the housing for providing a flow of air to a disk drive unit in a connected carrier; and, an air flow control device arranged at the side of the air flow generator and selectively configurable to control the air flow path whereby the temperature of air flowing to the disk drive unit can be controlled.

Abstract: The present provides a cryogenic thermal battery arrangement for maintaining a superconducting magnet coil or similar apparatus at cryogenic temperature for a required shipping period, such as thirty days, without consuming a significant amount of costly cryogen. According to another aspect, the invention allows extended shipping periods without incurring excessive costs.

Abstract: An electromagnet comprising a plurality of coils of superconductive material, monolithically embedded in an embedding material, which is solid at the temperature of operation of the superconductive electromagnet, and a method for producing an electromagnet comprising a plurality of coils of superconductive material, comprising the steps of winding coils of superconductive material, retaining the coils at predetermined relative positions, and monolithically embedding the plurality of superconducting coils in an embedding material, which is solid at the temperature of operation of the superconductive electromagnet.

Abstract: A cryogen tank in thermal and mechanical attachment with the equipment to be cooled. Direct thermal conduction between the cryogen and the equipment provides the required cooling. The tank is preferably arranged so as to lie within an existing profile of the cooled equipment, and to be relatively small as compared to known cryogen tanks.