Abstract: A method for establishing signal and power communication between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge and at least two independent antenna arrays configured to communicate with the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge and at least two independent antenna arrays configured to communicate with the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge and at least two independent antenna arrays configured to communicate with the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A method for establishing signal and power communication between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a stapling instrument and a staple cartridge including a plurality of independent circuits powered by the surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: Sensor and/or power-harvesting apparatus are provided for sensing and/or harvesting energy across a relatively wide dynamic range of a driving rotational input. The apparatus may include a rotor magnet (10, 62) responsive to a driving rotational input (14, 64). Utilization of a togging effect or a magnetic spring effect results in certain rapid-rotation events where the rotor magnet can rapidly rotate regardless of a low rate of rotation of the driving rotational input. A coil assembly (28, 75) is magnetically coupled to the rotor magnet to generate a signal in response to rotation of the rotor magnet during the rapid-rotation events. This signal may be used to harvest electrical energy and/or may be processed to determine characteristics of the driving rotational input.

Abstract: Sensor and/or power-harvesting apparatus are provided for sensing and/or harvesting energy across a relatively wide dynamic range of a driving rotational input. The apparatus may include a rotor magnet (10, 62) responsive to a driving rotational input (14, 64). Utilization of a togging effect or a magnetic spring effect results in certain rapid-rotation events where the rotor magnet can rapidly rotate regardless of a low rate of rotation of the driving rotational input. A coil assembly (28, 75) is magnetically coupled to the rotor magnet to generate a signal in response to rotation of the rotor magnet during the rapid-rotation events. This signal may be used to harvest electrical energy and/or may be processed to determine characteristics of the driving rotational input.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: A circuit used to control the brightness of a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an array, such that the color and brightness of the light produced by the array may be varied. The circuit is optimized to operate at high efficiency, permitting its use in confined spaces with poor cooling. The circuit permits a variety of configurations of LEDs to be controlled and driven from a range of line voltages. The circuit is further optimized to use few components to achieve its function.

Abstract: A three-phase electronic electricity meter that includes configurable voltage sensing blades such that the electricity meter can be configured for use with various electrical service types. The electricity meter includes a base having a configuration to correspond to standard ANSI-type sockets. The meter base includes a plurality of individual voltage sensing blades that are received by the ANSI socket. At least one of the voltage sensing blades is movable between a first and a second position such that the voltage sensing blade contacts different areas on a meter circuit board in the first and second positions. A common circuit board can be utilized for different electrical service types and the contact arrangement can be selectively configured by moving the voltage sensing blades between their first and second positions.

Abstract: A three-phase electricity meter that includes an integral test switch member that allows the electricity meter to be tested without accessing the enclosed meter housing. The test switch member is operable to move a plurality of contact members into and out of engagement with the bus bars of the electricity meter. Specifically, each contact member includes a flexible finger that is biased into contact with one of the bus bars. When the test switch member is moved from the operating position to the testing position, each of the flexible fingers is moved away from its biased position against the bus bar. Each of the contact members includes a connecting pin that is accessible from the exterior of the meter housing such that separate test voltages and currents can be supplied to the electricity meter without accessing the enclosed meter housing.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: A position encoder is provided for indicating the relative position between first and second relatively movable members. One of the members carries a multi-pole magnetic scale which generates a magnetic field whose magnitude and direction vary with position and the other member carries at least one sense conductor. A saturable magnetic element is located in the positionally varying magnetic field of the magnetic scale and an excitation winding is provided which, when energized, generates a magnetic filed which interacts with the positionally varying magnetic field to cause different portions of the saturable magnetic element to saturate and desaturate at different times. The arrangement of the sense conductor is such that as the magnetic element is driven into and out of saturation, it outputs a signal which is indicative of the position of the magnetic scale relative to the sense conductor.