Abstract: A method providing a first tubular workpiece having a first weld surface at an end thereof, and a second tubular workpiece having a second weld surface at an end thereof; aligning the workpieces on a common axis with the weld surfaces facing each other, rotating one workpiece about the axis relative to the other workpiece, and engaging the first and second weld surfaces such that the rotation raises the temperature at the weld surfaces to create a weld interface; and ceasing the rotation and allowing the weld interface to cool to weld the workpieces together at the interface. The first weld surface is an apex region of an annular projection at the end of the first workpiece, on a longitudinal section through the aligned workpieces the annular projection having a profile in which radially inner and outer side surfaces of the annular projection taper towards the apex region.

Abstract: A projectile having a reactive material disposed therein is provided. The projectile includes a housing which defines a cavity, the cavity being open at one end of thereof. A reactive material is disposed within the cavity. A tip is coupled with the housing and substantially encloses the opening of the cavity. The housing, the reactive material and the tip are cooperatively positioned and configured so as to define a void space between a surface of the tip and a surface of the reactive material. Upon impact with a target, the tip of the projectile is designed to become displaced within the cavity until it contacts the reactive material and transfers kinetic energy thereto thereby causing ignition of the reactive material. The void space may be defined to provide a desired amount of time between initial impact of the projectile with a target and the subsequent ignition of the reactive material.

Abstract: An amusement ride vehicle capable of generating a natural “wheelie” motion with minimal acceleration is provided. Air springs are used to balance the vehicle about a predetermined center of gravity after passenger loading. The amount of balancing required is minimized by using a link, such as a pivoting control arm, to connect the front wheels of the vehicle to the front end of the chassis, thus enabling the chassis to be automatically balanced independent of the weight of the front wheels, without the need for computer control. Upon acceleration of as little as 0.5 Gs in a forward direction, the front end of the chassis rises smoothly and naturally into a upward arc while the front wheels remain engaged with the trackway. The amount of upward movement is limited by the length of the control arms, and can be further limited using stops, such as jounce and rebound bumpers.

Abstract: A control system moves an inductively controlled multi-phase motor in a forward or reverse direction. The motion may be in steps or it may be a continuous rotation. Dynamic braking of the rotation in either direction, either in steps or continuous rotation, is achieved by activating one or more phases of the multi-phase motor that lag the selected phase. Detent is accomplished by deactivating the lagging phase or phases at a prescribed time so that the selected rotational phase will then be applied to stop the motor at the desired motor pole.The speed at which the motor is moving when the lagging phase or phases are selected is measured by a velocity correction circuit that causes more current to be sent through the motor coils associated with the lagging phase or phases when the velocity is high than when it is low.

Abstract: A switching regulator power supply operates at a high frequency with a low loss, light weight ferrite core transformer. The transformer primary is selectively connected across a DC source of rectified AC power for a predetermined time to provide energy storage followed by a predetermined time period of disconnect to provide energy transfer by way of transformer flyback. The energy storage and energy transfer cycles are initiated by a novel, self-starting timing circuit. The power parameters in at least one of a plurality of secondary windings are sensed and compared with a reference standard. Any error, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated pulse is coupled back to a primary control for adjustment of the energy storage time period. The coupling is done through a sealed opto-electronic coupler, this providing a DC coupling.

Abstract: A control system moves an inductively controlled multi-phase motor in a forward or reverse direction. The motion may be in steps or it may be a continuous rotation. Dynamic braking of the rotation in either direction, either in steps or continuous rotation, is achieved by activating one or more phases of the multi-phase motor that lag the selected phase. Detent is accomplished by deactivating the lagging phase or phases at a prescribed time so that the selected rotational phase will then be applied to stop the motor at the desired motor pole.The speed at which the motor is moving when the lagging phase or phases are selected is measured by a velocity correction circuit that causes more current to be sent through the motor coils associated with the lagging phase or phases when the velocity is high than when it is low.

Abstract: A circuit having a gated, symmetrical switch is provided for insertion between an AC source of power and a load, and prevents a surge current from entering the load when the AC input is initially applied. A symmetrical negative resistance device that begins conducting at a prescribed voltage and remains on as a constant voltage regulator until the AC input voltage drops below a sustaining value is connected to provide the prescribed voltage to the gate control of the gated symmetrical switch. An RC circuit controls the length of time required for the AC input voltage to reach the prescribed voltage at the input to the symmetrical negative resistance device. At least part of the resistance in the RC circuit is of the negative temperature coefficient type, resulting in the resistance value decreasing as the temperature of the negative temperature coefficient device increases, thereby shortening the time after which the prescribed voltage to the symmetrical negative resistance device is applied.