Abstract: An actuator may include a stator, a pole; a bobbin; and windings provided around an exterior surface of the bobbin. The stator may include a stator body; and a plurality of magnets circumferentially arranged around an inner surface of the stator body. The stator, the pole, and the bobbin may be coaxial. An outer diameter of the pole may be smaller than an inner diameter of the bobbin such that the bobbin is movable in an axial direction over an exterior surface of the pole. An outer diameter of the bobbin may be smaller than an inner diameter of the stator such that the bobbin is movable in an axial direction inside the plurality of magnets circumferentially arranged around the inner surface of the stator body.

Abstract: An actuator may include a stator, a pole; a bobbin; and windings provided around an exterior surface of the bobbin. The stator may include a stator body; and a plurality of magnets circumferentially arranged around an inner surface of the stator body. The stator, the pole, and the bobbin may be coaxial. An outer diameter of the pole may be smaller than an inner diameter of the bobbin such that the bobbin is movable in an axial direction over an exterior surface of the pole. An outer diameter of the bobbin may be smaller than an inner diameter of the stator such that the bobbin is movable in an axial direction inside the plurality of magnets circumferentially arranged around the inner surface of the stator body.

Abstract: An actuator utilizes a voice coil motor with one or more voice coil windings supported on a light weight moveable bobbin that connects at one end to move an object rapidly up to a small number of millimeters translationally along a system axis. The bobbin moves over a distal portion of a center pole of a stator, which supports the voice coil motor magnets. The pole, which acts as a flux path for the voice coil motor, also provides a thin film of air in a gap between the pole and the bobbin via an air path and corresponding holes at the distal end of the pole. The bobbin moves translationally relative to the pole on the thin film of air under the control of the voice coil motor.

Abstract: A motorized high mast pole inspection device that is self-powered and autonomous with respect to the internal lever of a high mast pole. The inspection device provides a means for mechanically climbing a vertical, cylindrical, tubular high mast light pole. Video monitoring and recording equipment may be deployed on the device for inspecting high mast light poles.

Abstract: A penetrator device has an outer housing of non-conductive, insulating material having a through bore, at least one conductive pin formed in one or two parts extending through the housing and having a first end portion and a second end portion extending out of the respective first and second ends of the housing, a first cladding layer bonded over the first end portion of the pin to form a first bonded assembly, a second cladding layer bonded over the second end portion of the pin to form a second bonded assembly, and the material of the first and second cladding layer comprising a corrosion resistant conductive material different from the pin material.

Abstract: A penetrator device has an outer housing of non-conductive, insulating material having a through bore, at least one conductive pin formed in one or two parts extending through the housing and having a first end portion and a second end portion extending out of the respective first and second ends of the housing, a first cladding layer bonded over the first end portion of the pin to form a first bonded assembly, a second cladding layer bonded over the second end portion of the pin to form a second bonded assembly, and the material of the first and second cladding layer comprising a corrosion resistant conductive material different from the pin material.

Abstract: An actuator utilizes a voice coil motor with one or more voice coil windings supported on a light weight moveable bobbin that connects at one end to move an object rapidly up to a small number of millimeters translationally along a system axis. The bobbin moves over a distal portion of a center pole of a stator, which supports the voice coil motor magnets. The pole, which acts as a flux path for the voice coil motor, also provides a thin film of air in a gap between the pole and the bobbin via an air path and corresponding holes at the distal end of the pole. The bobbin moves translationally relative to the pole on the thin film of air under the control of the voice coil motor.

Abstract: A motorized high mast pole inspection device that is self-powered and autonomous with respect to the internal lever of a high mast pole. The inspection device provides a means for mechanically climbing a vertical, cylindrical, tubular high mast light pole. Video monitoring and recording equipment may be deployed on the device for inspecting high mast light poles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for inspecting tendons and cable stays in bridges and structures using multi-frequency excitation of an ECVT sensor.

Abstract: An electroplating method for plating internal surfaces of holes in metal products uses a needle anode associated with an XYZ or multi-direction positioning device to position the needle such that an insertion portion of the needle anode is centered over a hole and inserted to a predetermined depth in the hole, with a discharge end located a predetermined distance from the inner end of the hole. Plating solution is supplied to the needle anode and flows continuously during plating from the discharge end of the needle, through a gap between the needle anode and inner surface of the hole, and out of the open end of the hole into a drain. In one example, the metal object is a terminal of an electrical connector and the hole is a solder cup at a terminal end of the connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for inspecting tendons and cable stays in bridges and structures using multi-frequency excitation of an ECVT sensor.

Abstract: A modular subsea equipment assembly including a modular base frame and a plurality of modular superstructure devices for selective attachment to the modular base frame for supporting various components and for attachment to underwater cables. The modular base frame includes a frame member forming an outer periphery of the base frame, and a plurality of cross bars extending between opposite portions of the frame member in one or more directions, the frame member and cross bars having at least upper surfaces each having a plurality of connection points for attaching selected modular devices of the assembly to the base frame in a plurality of different possible configurations.

Abstract: An electroplating system and method has a needle anode associated with an XYZ or multi-direction positioning device and is configured for plating internal surfaces of holes in metal products. The needle anode is positioned such that an insertion portion of the needle anode is centered over a hole and inserted to a predetermined depth in the hole, with a discharge end located a predetermined distance from the inner end of the hole. Plating solution is supplied to the needle anode and flows continuously during plating from the discharge end of the needle, through a gap between the needle anode and inner surface of the hole, and out of the open end of the hole into a drain. In one example, the metal object is a terminal of an electrical connector and the hole is a solder cup at a terminal end of the connector.

Abstract: A modular subsea equipment assembly including a modular base frame and a plurality of modular superstructure devices for selective attachment to the modular base frame for supporting various components and for attachment to underwater cables. The modular base frame includes a frame member forming an outer periphery of the base frame, and a plurality of cross bars extending between opposite portions of the frame member in one or more directions, the frame member and cross bars having at least upper surfaces each having a plurality of connection points for attaching selected modular devices of the assembly to the base frame in a plurality of different possible configurations.

Abstract: An electroplating system and method has a needle anode associated with an XYZ or multi-direction positioning device and is configured for plating internal surfaces of holes in metal products. The needle anode is positioned such that an insertion portion of the needle anode is centered over a hole and inserted to a predetermined depth in the hole, with a discharge end located a predetermined distance from the inner end of the hole. Plating solution is supplied to the needle anode and flows continuously during plating from the discharge end of the needle, through a gap between the needle anode and inner surface of the hole, and out of the open end of the hole into a drain. In one example, the metal object is a terminal of an electrical connector and the hole is a solder cup at a terminal end of the connector.

Abstract: A method and system for transportation using a magnetic bearing structure is disclosed. In one aspect, there is an apparatus for carrying a load along a magnetizable structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a third structure spaced apart vertically from the magnetizable structure and configured to generate magnetic flux and repel from the magnetizable structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one coil positioned at at least one end portion proximal to the magnetizable structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one flux guide comprising a magnetizable material and configured to concentrate magnetic flux. A first portion of the flux guide is thinner than a second portion of the flux guide that is positioned closer to the magnetizable structure than the first portion of the flux guide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation using a rail structure are disclosed. In one aspect, a track for use with at least one of a magnetic levitation vehicle and a rolling vehicle having one or more wheels is disclosed. The track includes a first head having a maximum lateral dimension, a second head having a maximum lateral dimension, and a connection portion extending between the first head and the second head. The first connection portion may have a maximum lateral dimension that is less than the maximum lateral dimension of the first head. The track may also include a base and a support extending between the second head and the base.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation using a rail structure are disclosed. In one aspect, a track for use with at least one of a magnetic levitation vehicle and a rolling vehicle having one or more wheels is disclosed. The track includes a first head having a maximum lateral dimension, a second head having a maximum lateral dimension, and a connection portion extending between the first head and the second head. The first connection portion may have a maximum lateral dimension that is less than the maximum lateral dimension of the first head. The track may also include a base and a support extending between the second head and the base.

Abstract: A method is presented for converting the sine/cosine signals from an optical encoder into a high-resolution position signal for use by a position control system while eliminating common noise and error sources. The improved noise performance resulting from the alias-free demodulation of encoder signals improves precision and reduces power consumption in precision motion control applications. The adaptive compensation of harmonic distortion eliminates errors related to offset, gain and quadrature of the encoder channels. The interpolator is able to process encoder signals at extremely high resolution without the speed limitation of prior art encoder interpolators.

Abstract: A food blotting composite includes an absorbent layer and a non-absorbent layer, the absorbent layer in one embodiment having an oleophilic surface and the non-absorbent layer having an oleophobic surface. The absorbent layer is physiologically safe for food contact applications, such as removing oil and grease from pizza and other cooked foods. A pizza box assembly and a blotting method also involve the pizza-blotting composite. In one embodiment the composite is positioned beneath the pizza with the absorbent layer facing upwardly to contact the underside of the pizza in use.