Abstract: A sample manipulator includes a drive system, a pair of flexure plates, and piezoelectric actuators. The drive system preferably includes a pair of drive pulleys on opposite sides of a driven pulley and coupled to the driven pulley by a drive belt. The sample rotates around a rotational axis with the driven pulley. The driven pulley is preferably driven by a pair of drive belts, one being located above the sample, and the other being located below the sample. Fluid bearings provide improved rotation of the driven pulley. The flexure plates are preferably monolithic with a high number of machined flex veins with the side of a tapered threaded screw being used to create the high force required to bend many flexures at the same time for sample motion and to provide fine, precise sub-micron motion control. The piezoelectric actuators provide high-precision control of the load on the sample.

Abstract: A sample manipulator includes a drive system, a pair of flexure plates, and piezoelectric actuators. The drive system preferably includes a pair of drive pulleys on opposite sides of a driven pulley and coupled to the driven pulley by a drive belt. The sample rotates around a rotational axis with the driven pulley. The driven pulley is preferably driven by a pair of drive belts, one being located above the sample, and the other being located below the sample. Fluid bearings provide improved rotation of the driven pulley. The flexure plates are preferably monolithic with a high number of machined flex veins with the side of a tapered threaded screw being used to create the high force required to bend many flexures at the same time for sample motion and to provide fine, precise sub-micron motion control. The piezoelectric actuators provide high-precision control of the load on the sample.

Abstract: A mower having a mowing head with a stationary horizontal comb and a continuous cutting blade loop slidingly positioned against the bottom surface of the comb, both having teeth arranged to accept and then shear off plant material between them at a user defined height above the ground. The teeth in the continuous cutting blade loop move past the teeth in the comb, powered by one or more drive guide pulleys transferring motive power to the blade from an external source, are mounted.

Abstract: Stationary wind or fluid scoop which captures and redirects wind or fluid and forces the wind or fluid into a duct or chamber which feeds one or more air or fluid powered generators to convert wind or fluid energy into electrical or mechanical energy. The wind or fluid scoop can be mounted at any angle on existing structures or can stand alone. The wind or fluid scoop can have dynamic louvers which allow wind or fluid to enter the wind or fluid scoop duct or chamber, but can also prevent wind or fluid from exiting the chamber. If used for wind the scoop can utilize turbulent wind around buildings by capturing the wind and redirecting it into an air duct which supplies air to convert wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy. Similar applications for other fluids.

Abstract: A low-cost, high precision goniometric stage, for use in x-ray diffractography or in optical systems, with a spherical sector supported on at least one bearing, a top surface of the spherical sector that is used for mounting an object, a center of rotation located within the object, a rod or other member that is disposed below the spherical bearing surface, preferably orthogonal to the rotational axes, stepper motors or other actuators to move the device and a mechanical linkage between the rod and the motors.

Abstract: A process for equipment transfer between two moving transfer stations, such as ships, effected by moving a shuttle to a point adjacent to one transfer station, transferring a load onto the shuttle, moving the shuttle to a point adjacent to the other transfer station and transferring the load to the second transfer station. A machine for accomplishing this process having at least two beams disposed between two moveable stations, connections between the beams that provides constant spacing without substantially increasing the structure's torsional stiffness, a transfer shuttle that can transverse the length of the beams thereby allowing equipment transfer without the need for a continuous deck, and a motor and transmission for moving the transfer shuttle.

Abstract: A low-cost, high precision goniometric stage, for use in x-ray diffractography or in optical systems, with a spherical sector supported on at least one bearing, a top surface of the spherical sector that is used for mounting an object, a center of rotation located within the object, a rod or other member that is disposed below the spherical bearing surface, preferably orthogonal to the rotational axes, stepper motors or other actuators to move the device and a mechanical linkage between the rod and the motors.