Abstract: A functionally gradient permanent magnet is formed as a slab of alloy comprised of a rare earth-transition metal-boron, and areas of a diffused transition metal positioned at points along the length of at least one surface of the slab of alloy.

Abstract: A shutter is disclosed having a shutter blade frame comprised of two spaced apart rails, each rail incorporating at least one magnet section. Individual pairs of electromagnets are positioned for movement along the rails. At least one shutter blade, having an opening defined thereby, is connected to a pair of electromagnets for movement along the rails from a rest position to an open position. Application of current to the electromagnets causes the at least one shutter blade to travel along the rails causing an alignment of the defined opening with a selected light path to cause an exposure generally of an image sensor such as film. Springs are positioned on the shutter frame for urging the at least one shutter blade to the rest position.

Abstract: A functionally gradient permanent magnet is formed as a slab of alloy comprised of a rare earth-transition metal-boron, and areas of a diffused transition metal positioned at points along the length of at least one surface of the slab of alloy.

Abstract: A process for forming a ceramic coated element formed by first encapsulating the element within a sacrificial material and then encapsulating the element and the sacrificial material with an unsintered ceramic material. The resultant combination of materials and elements is then controllably heated to a temperature that burns the sacrificial material prior to the curing of the ceramic material so as to permit the permeation of the burned sacrificial material through the ceramic material. As the ceramic material is sintered it shrinks around the encapsulated element to form the ceramic coated element. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the coated element is a magnet or magnetizable material that is magnetized to a preferred axis of magnetization during the cooling phase of the process.

Abstract: An underwater camera comprising a water-resistant casing, a camera housing contained in the water-resistant casing, a manually rotatable thumbwheel positioned outside the water-resistant casing, and coupling means for rotationally coupling the thumbwheel to a film spool rotatably supported in the camera housing to permit the thumbwheel to be manually rotated to similarly rotate the film spool, is characterized in that the coupling means is a magnetic torque coupling including a driving ring of magnets fixed to the thumbwheel for rotation with the thumbwheel and a driven ring of magnets rotationally engaged with the film spool. The magnets of the driving ring and the magnets of the driven ring are magnetically coupled for synchronous rotation of the driving and driven rings to rotate the film spool when the thumbwheel is rotated.

Abstract: Micro-electromechanical ceramic parts are formed using green ceramic and a sacrificial material that has a higher melting temperature than the sintering temperature of the green ceramic to form electrical trace paths. After the sintering of the ceramic part the sacrificial material is removed by etching or by elevating the temperature of the part above the melting temperature of the sacrificial material. The void left by the removal of the sacrificial material is then filled with a molten metal which when cooled forms the electrical trace for the fabricated part.