Abstract: In a magnetic coupler, a pair of magnet rotors is slidably mounted on rods. Ferrous material on the conductor rotors attracts the permanent magnets in the magnet rotors. Under static or relative static conditions, the attractive force urges the magnet rotors toward the conductor rotors to create a minimum, operational air gap therebetween. When there is a significant relative rotational velocity between the magnet rotors and the conductor rotors, a repulsion force urges the rotors apart. During start-up, latch arms retain the magnet rotors apart from the conductor rotors by a larger, soft-start air gap. During operation, centrifugal force moves the latch arms out of their active position. If the rotational speed of the load shaft decreases rapidly during operation, the magnet rotors move apart from the conductor rotors by a still larger, fully disengaged air gap.

Abstract: In a magnetic coupler, a pair of magnet rotors is slidably mounted on rods. Ferrous material on the conductor rotors attracts the permanent magnets in the magnet rotors. Under static or relative static conditions, the attractive force urges the magnet rotors toward the conductor rotors to create a minimum, operational air gap therebetween. When there is a significant relative rotational velocity between the magnet rotors and the conductor rotors, a repulsion force urges the rotors apart. During start-up, latch arms retain the magnet rotors apart from the conductor rotors by a larger, soft-start air gap. During operation, centrifugal force moves the latch arms out of their active position. If the rotational speed of the load shaft decreases rapidly during operation, the magnet rotors move apart from the conductor rotors by a still larger, fully disengaged air gap.

Abstract: A control system controls a D.C. speed-change motor to change the transmission configurations on a treadmill transmission powered by an A.C. drive motor. The control system may be either microprocessor based or a system of discrete logical pieces. The control system responds to both the current speed of the treadmill belt and the electrical current drawn by the speed-change motor. The control system uses this information to modulate the duty cycle of voltage pulses sent to the D.C. speed-change motor to power the speed-change motor in response to a determination by the control system that the speed-change motor needs to rotate faster or slower to produce a controlled rate of speed change for the treadmill belt. The control system also includes a rapid deceleration system. In response to the user's direction or in response to the condition of the treadmill, the control system sends a high voltage to the D.C.

Abstract: A high speed deceleration device and method is disclosed that operates on a D.C. speed-change motor used to change the transmission configurations on the transmission of a treadmill powered by a constant speed drive motor. In ordinary use, normal transmission acceleration and deceleration rates are used to speed up or slow down the treadmill belt. A deceleration control signal causes a high voltage to be provided to the D.C. speed-change motor. The high voltage causes the D.C. speed-change motor to rapidly change the transmission configurations on the treadmill which causes a rapid deceleration of the treadmill belt. The deceleration control signal is produced in response to a user direction or in response to the condition of the treadmill. Once the belt has been slowed below a threshold speed, the machine shuts itself off.

Abstract: A control system controls a D.C. speed-change motor to change the transmission configurations on a treadmill transmission powered by an A.C. drive motor. The control system may be either microprocessor based or a system of discrete logical pieces. The control system responds to both the current speed of the treadmill belt and the electrical current drawn by the speed-change motor. The control system uses this information to modulate the duty cycle of voltage pulses sent to the D.C. speed-change motor to power the speed-change motor in response to a determination by the control system that the speed-change motor needs to rotate faster or slower to produce a constant rate of speed change for the treadmill belt. The control system also includes a rapid deceleration system. In response to the user's direction or in response to the condition of the treadmill, the control system sends a high voltage to the D.C.

Abstract: A compact, economical electrically heated vaporizer having a fast response time and capable of vaporizing liquified petroleum gas at a rate of ten to forty gallons or more per hour with safety and without excessive superheating and/or cracking of the liquified petroleum gas utilizes a metal casting having a closed internal cavity separated into two chambers by an integral barrier. The casting serves as a pressure vessel and heat sink as well as providing a heated interface between electric resistance heaters received in passageways in the barrier and the liquified petroleum gas. The heat generated by the heaters is disseminated uniformly throughout the casting surrounding the chambers. The liquified petroleum gas inlet at one end of the casing connects with the end of one chamber. Multiple small passageways in the barrier at the other end of the casting connect the other end of the one chamber to the adjacent end of the other chamber.