Abstract: An electromagnetic traction motor is used to impart a linear motion on a movable member. A contact plate is mounted to a slide of the movable member. The contact plate has a surface which is in mechanical contact with the electromagnetic traction motor which is preloaded against the surface of the contact plate. The electromagnetic traction motor has a center body part with a triangular shaped portion. The triangular shaped portion forms a bearing surface. Below the bearing surface a deformable structure is established. A deformation of the deformable structure is initiated by at least two electromagnetic coils, which are energized in an specific manner.

Abstract: An iris diaphragm for selectively varying a diameter of an aperture, the iris diaphragm comprises at least two movable blades which are adaptable for forming the aperture; and a plurality of ceramic motors respectively attached to each one of the blades for causing said blades to vary the aperture formed therefrom.

Abstract: A venous return catheter (30, 56, 60, 70) and method of use therefor having a semi-rigid support member (32) extending within a lumen (42) to prevent kinking thereof during insertion and use. The tubular walls of the catheter body (40,72) are sufficiently thin and flexible to provide maneuverability and allow clamping of the lumen (42) during use, but which outer diameter is sufficiently small and thus requires a smaller and less traumatic incision in the right atrium. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings (34) along a length proximate the distal end of the catheter, and may have a second set of openings (74) in a two-stage catheter (70). The semi-rigid support member (32) is fixedly or selectively secured at a central location of the distal tip 44 free of the openings (34), but is free at the proximal end of the catheter to provide maneuverability. The semi-rigid support member may have a plurality of radially extending support members (57) to provide additional support.

Abstract: A fluid driven reciprocating engine includes a main body having an inlet for receiving a primary fluid and an outlet for discharging the fluid. A drive piston is sealingly mounted in the main body for reciprocating movement in response to flow of the primary fluid through the body. The drive piston divides the body into first and second chambers. A first valve selectively transmits the primary fluid from the inlet to the first and second chambers and a second valve selectively transmits the primary fluid from the first and second chambers to the outlet. An overcenter linkage mechanism that operably interconnects the drive piston and the first and second valves.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor system is formed with a piezoelectric motor incorporating an element that is physically displaced as a function of an applied voltage resulting in the generation of a back electromotive force. The system incorporates a controller having an output connected to the piezoelectric motor. The controller receives a direction signal indicating the desired drive direction of the piezoelectric motor and a velocity signal indicating the desired velocity of the piezoelectric motor. The controller provides a drive voltage for driving the piezoelectric motor in the desired drive direction. An electrical equivalent circuit that mirrors the electrical characteristics of the piezoelectric motor is connected to receive the drive voltage from the controller. A comparator provides a difference signal indicative of the difference in voltage developed across the piezoelectric motor and the voltage developed across the electrical equivalent circuit.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printhead protective cover (50) which includes a shutter blade (60), an actuator (70) for moving the shutter blade (60), and a light trap (54) to prevent light from the printhead (12) from passing around the shutter blade (60). In one embodiment, a sensor detects a position of the shutter blade (60) and sends a signal to shutoff the actuator (70) when the shutter blade (60) is in an open position, or the shutter blade (60) is in a closed position. In yet another embodiment, the actuator (70) closes the shutter blade (60) in response to a tear in a web or failure of a dryer. In a further embodiment, the shutter blade (60) slides on a base plate coated with a low friction, non-volatile, non-liquid material, and the shutter blade (60) slides at an oblique angle on the base plate.

Abstract: A window blind assembly having a bottom rail that defines a channel for receiving and storing unnecessary or unused slats of the blind assembly to enable the ready customization of the blind assembly to fit windows of different heights. End caps removably engageable with the ends of the storage rail may be provided for retaining the slats within the channel. Slots may be formed on each of the leading edges of the end caps, extending inwardly, for engaging a cover slat to enclose the storage rail and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the storage rail. Means are also provided for readily securing the storage rail to the cords of the blind assembly.

Abstract: An iris diaphragm comprises a stationary circular base having a pair of opposite sides and pivot pins at only one of the sides, a plurality of opaque blades positioned adjacent the side of the circular base that has the pivot pins to define an aperture between the blades, and having pivot holes that contain the pivot pins to permit the aperture to be changed in size by pivoting the blades about the pivot pins, a rotatable ring positioned adjacent the side of the circular base without the pivot pins, and a plurality of interconnections between the ring and respective ones of the blades to make rotation of the ring relative to the circular base pivot the blades about the pivot pins.

Abstract: A mount for adjusting an optical component, comprises a support for the optical component that is pivotable only about a single axis and which is resiliently urged in one direction about the single axis, and a pair of adjusting cams movable towards and away from each other in contact with the support alternatively to pivot the support about the single axis in a reverse direction which is opposite to the one direction and to allow the support to be return-urged in the one direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing a process gas through a wafer processing apparatus, such as a vapor deposition chamber is provided. The apparatus comprises a pumping plate (4) defining a central opening (62) surrounding the wafer (W) and having an upper surface (64) facing the processing chamber (12) and a opposite, lower surface (66) facing a pumping channel (14). The plate defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced gas holes (90) extending between the first and second surfaces for discharging process gases from the chamber into the pumping channel. The gas holes are essentially straight so that they flow directly through the pumping plate, thereby minimizing the residence time of the gases within the processing chamber and reducing the time required to clean the gas holes. In addition, the gas holes extend in a radially outward direction relative to the central opening to substantially uniformly discharge the gas from the processing chamber.

Abstract: A dual coil actuator comprising a pair of independently moveable electrically conductive coils, is characterized in that a single magnet core generates a single magnetic field, and the coils are positioned around the single magnet core, spaced from each other and from the core, and are supported to be independently moved in the single magnetic field about the single magnet core.

Abstract: A window blind assembly having a bottom rail that defines a channel for receiving and storing unnecessary or unused slats of the blind assembly to enable the ready customization of the blind assembly to fit windows of different heights. End caps removably engageable with the ends of the storage rail may be provided for retaining the slats within the channel. Slots may be formed on each of the leading edges of the end caps, extending inwardly, for engaging a cover slat to enclose the storage rail and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the storage rail. Means are also provided for readily securing the storage rail to the cords of the blind assembly.

Abstract: A camera for containing film which captures an image and indication of camera orientations thereon, the camera has a camera housing having a magnet rotatably connected to it for rotating the magnet in response to orientations of the camera housing. A first, second and third sensor are attached to the camera body for sensing a magnetic field from the magnet. An electrical circuit generates a logic table which indicates orientations of the camera housing in response to a signal from the first, second and third sensors. A record head indicates on the film the orientation of the camera derived from the logic table.

Abstract: A window blind having a bottom rail that defines a channel for receiving and storing unnecessary or unused slats of the blind to enable the ready customization of the blind to fit windows of different heights. End caps removably engageable with the ends of the storage rail are provided for maintaining the slats within the channel. U-shaped slots may be formed on each of the leading edges of the end caps, extending inwardly for receiving and retaining a cover slat to enclose the storage rail and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the storage rail. Means may also be provided for readily securing the storage rail to the cords of the blind. The securing means comprises a slot formed on the bottom of the storage rail that slidingly engages twist-and-lock eyelets joined to the ends of the cords.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a holeless hologon disk includes the steps of relatively positioning a disk assembly and a drive shaft assembly in closely spaced relation with the planar surface of the disk normal to the drive shaft's rotational axis. Adhesive is applied between the assemblies and allowed to fix while the relative assembly positions are maintained. In one construction fabricated by such method, the disk assembly comprises a flanged coupling attached to a planar glass disk with compliant adhesive.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with an orientation detector including first and second elements that move relative to one another under the influence of gravity, and a signal device that responds to magnetic fields between the first and second elements to represent camera orientation. One of the elements is magnetized and the other is a Hall-effect sensor that responds to magnetic fields to produce an electrical output indicative of camera orientation. The signal device includes a recording mechanism responsive to the electrical signal for recording the camera orientation on the film.

Abstract: A hopper-trough feeding device for young turkeys or other fowl consisting of an inverted conical shaped feed storage hopper and circular feed trough dish combination with geometric proportions which virtually eliminates food contamination and optimize feeding rates. The feeder is useful in commercial brooder houses as a free standing, manually filled feeder until turkey poults reach an age where they can be removed from brood pens, at which time the feeder can be attached to existing automatic screw conveyor feed delivery systems as a replacement feeding device.

Abstract: The automated closing of the opening of a hand-held net. The hand-held net is operatable underwater, and specifically in saltwater. A mechanism, contained in an elongated handle, causes retraction of a predetermined section of a draw line to within the handle. The handle has pivotally attached a hoop, the hoop having attached a net. The draw line engages circumferentially the net at a location parallel to, and spaced from, the hoop. Once retraction of the draw line is activated the locations of connection of the draw line are gathered into close proximity together. This location being generally to the center of the hoop. Once retracted to this position, the net is effectively closed, preventing exit of anything contained therein through the hoop. The closed netting device is returned to an expanded position in a controlled manner by the operator by enabling a desired length of the draw line to be removed from the handle in user defined increments.

Abstract: A GPS receiver for use with the NAVSTAR global, satellite based radio navigation and time transfer system wherein transmission from each of a plurality of satellites, includes C/A code signals comprising a code and data modulated carrier, said receiver comprising means for receiving C/A code signals transmitted from at least four satellites and means to process the signals including an open loop estimator of signal parameters for phase-coherent estimation of a plurality of signal parameters including code delay, carrier frequency, carrier phase, carrier phase acceleration, data value and data delay.