Abstract: An acoustical stringed instrument includes a body, which has a top member having a generally flat forward part. The body also has a back member which includes a side wall with an upper section and a lower section and an inner side wall surface generally perpendicular to the forward part of the top member. A neck member of the instrument has an elongated upper portion extending upwardly from the upper section of the body side wall. Additionally, the neck member has an elongated lower portion extending through the interior of the body between the upper section and the lower section of the side wall and spaced rearwardly of the forward part of the top member. The elongated lower neck portion has an upper mounting means fixed to the inner side wall surface at the upper section of the body side wall, and a lower mounting means fixed to the inner side wall surface at the lower section of the body side wall.

Abstract: A top member for the body of an acoustical stringed instrument includes a forward part having an interior portion spaced inwardly from the side wall of the body after the top member has been assembled to the body, the interior portion having a pair of composite material layers with a core layer bonded therebetween. The forward part further has a core free flex edge portion which borders the outer periphery of the interior portion, and is made by having the pair of composite material layers bonded in contact with each other. A skirt projects rearwardly from the rear surface of the flex edge portion and extends along the edge of the flex edge portion. When its top member is assembled with the body, the skirt slidably fits over the sidewall of the body.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor, a stator and a hub rotatably positioned about an axial shaft. The hub includes at least one spoke plane projecting radially from the hub, and the at least one spoke plane includes at least one spoke. The at least one spoke becomes progressively thinner along an increasing radius.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for assembling a magnet onto a rotor for an energy storage apparatus. The methodology includes the step of mounting a magnet onto a mandrel. The methodology also includes the step of turning an outer diameter of the magnet to a predetermined size. The methodology further includes the step of turning a rim section of the rotor for receiving the magnet to a predetermined size. The methodology still further includes the step of attaching the magnet to the rim section. The methodology includes the step of removing the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention is a gimbal system for an apparatus supported in a frame. The gimbal system includes at least two parallel flexible beams positioned on either side of the apparatus. The apparatus is attached to the beam near a center of the beam to the apparatus, such that an active length of the beam is equal to a distance between the beams centers. A first end and a second end of the beam is mounted to the frame. At least one dampening mechanism is attached at a first end to the apparatus and at the other end to the frame. The apparatus exhibits axisymmetric roll stiffness independent of the motion of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is an a rotor. The rotor includes a rim portion, divided into a first rim section and a second rim section. The first rim section includes a soft magnet positioned on it. The second rim section includes a mass positioned on it with similar density to the magnet to generate equivalent centrifugal forces along a spin axis. A carbon fiber overwrap encloses the rim.

Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor for an energy storage apparatus includes the step of fabricating a rim having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The method also includes the step of bonding at least one lamina panel to the rim at the inner diameter of the rim. The method further includes the step of bonding at least one lamina panel to the rim at the outer diameter of the rim. The method next includes the steps of machining the at least one lamina panel on the outer diameter of the rim and the rim to have a radius, bonding a magnet to the at least one lamina panel on the inner diameter of the rim, and bonding a mass to the at least one lamina panel on the inner diameter of the rim. The method further includes the step of arranging an outer panel on the at least one lamina panel on the outer diameter of the rim and curing the outer panel.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor. The rotor includes a rim. The rim includes a plurality of disks. The disks are bonded together to maximize rim balance and minimize a bonding stress between adjacent disks.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a hub rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub supports a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of balance bars positioned on the rotor to compensate for any stress imbalance of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention is a energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor and a stator and a hub rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub also includes at least one spoke plane projecting radially from the hub, and the at least one spoke plane contains at least one spoke. The at least one spoke includes an in-plane bending stiffness exceeding an out-of-plane bending stiffness.

Abstract: A sliding spoke rotor to hub attachment is provided. The hub is rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub includes a plurality of outwardly radiating spokes. The rotor includes a socket disposed between an end of said spoke and the rotor. The socket slidingly engages the end of the spoke in a radial direction.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus for an automotive vehicle. The energy storage apparatus includes a rotor, a stator, and a hub rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub includes a plurality of spokes radiating outwardly from the hub. A socket is disposed between an end of the spoke and the rotor to slidingly engage the spoke end in a radial direction. A middle layer having an adhesive on both sides is intraposed between the socket and the rotor.

Abstract: A system for determining the magnitude of loads on rotating helicopter components from sensor signals remotely measured on the helicopter fuselage is characterized by a controller which samples the sensor signals according to phase. These measured signals are presented to a coefficient programming module where they are combined with correlation signals to correlate the measured signal components with the desired parameter, such as flatwise bending moments of a helicopter blade. The correlation signals are established in a calibration process that determines the independent values of the measured signals using a Jones orthoganization process. The signals output from the module are recombined to provide a time dependent signal corresponding to the desired parameter. The present system avoids decomposition and recomposition of the measured signals and therefor operates in real time.