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 method of fabricating a molded ceramic device having an embedded spiral coil, is disclosed which includes: forming grooves that provide portions of a spiral coil in surfaces of first and second ceramic plates; aligning the grooves in the first and second ceramic plates and sintering the first and second ceramic plates to form a unitary structure; and filling the aligned grooves with sacrificial material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material from the unitary structure; and filling the grooves with a conductive material to complete a conductive spiral coil.

Abstract: A method for making ceramic, micro-electromechanical tools which can be used for the production of micromagnets with a multi-pole, micro-polarization pattern.

Abstract: A micromolded integrated ceramic light reflector which can be totally integrated with drive and control electronics embedded on the same substrate for use with image projection systems. Each light reflector can be molded to a size on the order of less than one (1) mm.sup.3 using the method of the present invention. Each light reflector includes a ceramic base element with a cavity and one surface thereof. A beam extends from one end of the cavity and cantilevers out therefrom above the cavity. The beam is made from the same ceramic as the base element and is coated with an electrically conductive ceramic coating which is also a good reflector of the visible radiation spectrum. The base of the cavity is coated with the same electrically conductive ceramic, or with a metallic coating. In either case, the coating is electrically grounded. When the beam is in its normal, undeflected position, light incident on the top surface of the beam reflects at a first angle.

Abstract: A micromotor in a ceramic substrate, including a unitary ceramic body providing a micromotor substrate which has been formed with a first internal cavity and a plurality of second internal cavities and a recess, a ferromagnetic stator formed in the first internal cavity, and embedded conductive coil structures formed in the second internal cavities and disposed in operative relationship to the ferromagnetic stator, and a rotor mechanism mounted in the recess and in operative relationship to the ferromagnetic stator and having a rotor member formed of a hard magnetic material which is free to rotate so that when voltages are applied to the coil structures, a field is created through the ferromagnetic stator which provides a torque to the rotor member causing it to rotate.

Abstract: An hard stop is disclosed for use with an aperture mechanism that has at least one blade moveable along a path between a closed position and at least one open position, and at least one hard stop piston that is moveable between a first position, out of the blade path, and a second position, in the blade path, to position the blade in the open position when an edge of the blade contacts the hard stop piston. The hard stop includes a nonmagnetic piston; a ferromagnetic C-core, having first and second pole tips, a magnet attached to the piston and a coil wrapped around the midportion of the C-core.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multiwound microcoil embedded in a ceramic substrate including the steps of forming a sacrificial multiwound microcoil, having a melting temperature greater than the sintering temperature of the ceramic material to be used as the ceramic substrate by wrapping a first sacrificial coil winding in a helical fashion on the midsection of a sintered ceramic bar thereby forming a one winding sacrificial coil structure; wrapping a first layer of tape cast ceramic material around the midsection of said one winding sacrificial coil structure thereby forming a first coated one winding sacrificial coil structure; wrapping a second sacrificial coil winding in a helical fashion on the midsection of said first coated one winding sacrificial coil structure thereby forming a two winding sacrificial coil structure.

Abstract: A lathe bed scanner having a lead screw that is substantially prevented from axial movement, the scanner comprises a first magnet integrally attached to the lead screw. A second magnet disposed opposite said first magnet for attracting the first magnet, which attraction permits the first magnet to prevent axial movement of the lead screw. A ball bearing disposed between both the first magnet and the second magnet for permitting the lead screw to rotate while maintaining the prevention of axial movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a laser deflector in a laser writer, the apparatus comprises a rotatable spindle assembly for receiving the laser deflector. A frame encloses a portion of said spindle assembly, and two adjustable members are integrally attached to the frame, and the members include a tapered end which contacts the laser deflector for moving the laser deflector which, in turn, positions the laser deflector on said spindle assembly.

Abstract: A bias-field device for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording element which includes a conductive substrate and which moves through a magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information is selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprises: a rotatable magnet that rotates so that when the recording element rotates the conductive substrate creates a magnetic coupling with the magnet for causing the magnet to rotate; and an escapement mechanism that releases and latches the magnet for permitting the magnet to be selectively rotated.

Abstract: A lathe bed scanning apparatus and method has a wear resistant coating on translational rod bearings which support a scanner for slidable movement in a frame. Titanium nitride is coated over a hardened stainless steel core of the translational rods and bearing pads which are arranged for sliding contact with the rods comprise diamond laminated tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A microceramic optical shutter includes a unitary ceramic body which has been formed with first and second internal cavities, a coil structure formed in the first internal cavity and a ferromagnetic stator formed in the second internal cavity and disposed in operative relationship with the coil structure.

Abstract: A method for micromolding ceramic articles and structures having spatial features as small as 0.1 .mu.m and having a depth ranging from 2.0 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m. A master mold of the article or structure to be molded is first fabricated using a silicon wafer and dry etching technology. A negative master mold is then produced by placing the silicon master mold device in a surrounding mold form and filling the surrounding mold form with a silicone or silicone rubber, preferably an RTV.TM. (a room temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubber compound). Such material replicates each of the micro features of the master mold in great detail to a resolution on the order of 0.1 .mu.m. The negative master mold is then used in a die to mold the desired individual elements or structures from a ceramic powder which is capable of replicating each of the micro features of the negative master mold to the desired resolution.

Abstract: A translational, bias-field device for a magneto-optical system having a magneto-optical recording element moving through a first magnetic field created by the bias-field device so that information is selectively recorded on or erased from the recording element, the device comprises a housing and a first rail for enabling translational movement attached to said housing. A permanent magnet structure is polarized through its cross-section having a first set of north and south poles on a first surface positioned adjacent the magneto-optic recording element for providing the first magnetic field to the recording element, and a second set of north and south poles on a second surface, and the permanent magnet structure attached to the first rail which enables translational movement of the magnet structure.

Abstract: A microceramic electromagnetic light shutter is disclosed including a unitary ceramic body having an internal cavity. A conductive coil is formed in the internal cavity. The unitary ceramic body defines a first and second bearing structure on it's surface. The unitary ceramic body has a light aperture and first and second recesses. The microceramic electromagnetic light shutter further includes a shutter drive mechanism including a shutter blade and a ferromagnetic element inserted into the first recess and operative to the shutter drive mechanism for applying a torque to the shutter drive mechanism which causes the shutter drive mechanism to move so that the shutter blade is in it's light blocking position. The shutter drive mechanism is mounted in the second recess an in an operative relationship to the coil and ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a flash unit to a camera is disclosed. The apparatus includes mounting magnets and a structure for shielding the fields produced by the mounting magnets in a first undocked position and for exposing the fields produced by the mounting magnets in a second docked position. The apparatus further includes a mounting structure effective in the first undocked position for causing the flash unit to be moveably mounted to the camera and for leaving the shielding structure in the first undocked position and effective when the flash unit is moved to the second docked position for causing the shielding structure to be in the second docked position whereby the exposed fields produced by the mounting magnets cause the flash unit to be fixed to the camera.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a threaded micro-ceramic part, includes the steps of: forming a sacrificial fiber, having a melting temperature greater than the sintering temperature of the ceramic material to be used to mold the threaded micro-ceramic part; winding the sacrificial fiber about a sintered ceramic plug generally in the shape of the threaded micro-ceramic part with the winded fiber corresponding to threads; providing a green ceramic housing formed with a passage and placing the plug with the wound sacrificial fiber in the passage.

Abstract: An electrographic printer includes: a magnetic brush having a stationary outer shell and a rotating multi-pole magnet within the outer shell; an electrographic print head mounted on the outer shell of the magnetic brush; a Hall effect sensor located adjacent to the magnetic brush for detecting a field produced by the multi-pole magnet parallel to the surface of the shell and producing an output signal; and a pulse control circuit connected to the Hall effect sensor for detecting zero crossings of the output signal and supplying printing pulses to the electrographic print head in response thereto.

Abstract: An hard stop for use with an aperture mechanism includes at least one blade moveable along a path between a closed position and at least one open position. At least one hard stop piston is moveable between a first position, out of the blade path, and a second position, in the blade path, to position the blade in the open position when an edge of the blade contacts the hard stop piston. The hard stop includes a magnetic piston, an electromagnet coil proximate to the magnetic piston, and a ferromagnetic ring arranged such that when current is applied in one direction through the coil it causes the magnetic piston to move to the first position in a first direction and held in such position by the attraction of the magnetic piston to the ferromagnetic ring and causes the magnetic piston to move to the second position when current is applied in an opposite direction to the coil and the magnetic piston is held in such position by the attraction of the magnetic piston to the ferromagnetic ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting paper along at least two paper paths in photocopiers, the apparatus comprises a paper diverter for diverting paper from one path to another path. A magnet is attached to and moves the paper diverter which movement, in turn, permits the paper to be directed from one path to another paper path. Means for creating a magnetic field interacts with the magnet for permitting the magnet to move in response to the magnetic field for enabling the magnet to move the paper diverter for ultimately permitting paper re-direction.