Abstract: An integrated exciter-igniter architecture is disclosed that integrates compact, direct-mounted exciter electronics with an aerospace designed igniter to reduce overall ignition system complexity. The integrated exciter-igniter unit hermetically seals exciter electronics within a stainless steel enclosure or housing. The stainless enclosure enables the exciter electronics to remain near atmospheric pressure while the unit is exposed to vacuum conditions. The exciter electronics include a DC-DC converter, timing circuitry, custom-designed PCBs, a custom-designed main power transformer, and a high voltage ignition coil. All of which are packaged together in the stainless steel enclosure. The integrated exciter-igniter unit allows for efficient energy delivery to the spark gap and eliminates the need for a high voltage cable to distribute the high voltage, high energy pulses.

Abstract: Described are circuits and methods for powering one or more loads from an ac source using a capacitive ballast. The circuit comprises a capacitive voltage divider that limits current to the loads, includes a first capacitor that operates as a ballast creating a leading current draw relative to the voltage from an alternating current source, and includes a second capacitor that protects the set of light emitting diodes by suppressing line transients. The circuit is able to compensate for the predominately inductive power factor of typical residential and building loads (e.g., appliances, etc.), because of its leading current draw. As a consequence the circuit can utilize at least part of the inductive current load that would otherwise be reflected back to the source or wasted.

Abstract: An integrated exciter-igniter architecture is disclosed that integrates compact, direct-mounted exciter electronics with an aerospace designed igniter to reduce overall ignition system complexity. The integrated exciter-igniter unit hermetically seals exciter electronics within a stainless steel enclosure or housing. The stainless enclosure enables the exciter electronics to remain near atmospheric pressure while the unit is exposed to vacuum conditions. The exciter electronics include a DC-DC converter, timing circuitry, custom-designed PCBs, a custom-designed main power transformer, and a high voltage ignition coil. All of which are packaged together in the stainless steel enclosure. The integrated exciter-igniter unit allows for efficient energy delivery to the spark gap and eliminates the need for a high voltage cable to distribute the high voltage, high energy pulses.

Abstract: An improved magnetic sensor for use in measuring the position, velocity and/or direction of movement of an object having alternating zones of different magnetic conductivity in the direction of movement, comprises a permanent magnet member having a pole face facing the moving object and having an axis transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A pair of sensor elements are mounted on the permanent magnet pole face, one on each of the opposite sides of the magnet axis in the direction of movement of the object. A laminated flux bar having strips of ferromagnetic material of high permeability and strips of ceramic material having low permeability is mounted on the pair of sensor elements.

Abstract: An improved magnetic sensor for use in measuring the position, velocity and/or direction of movement of an object having alternating zones of different magnetic conductivity in the direction of movement, comprises a permanent magnet member having a pole face facing the moving object and having an axis transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A pair of sensor elements are mounted on the permanent magnet pole face, one on each of the opposite sides of the magnet axis in the direction of movement of the object. A laminated flux bar having strips of ferromagnetic material of high permeability and strips of ceramic material having low permeability is mounted on the pair of sensor elements.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for use in measuring the position, velocity, and/or direction of movement of an object having alternating zones of magnetic conductivity with a permanent magnet member having a pole face facing the moving object and having an axis transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A ferromagnetic strip of high permeability is mounted on the face of the magnet coaxial therewith having a length dimension in the direction of movement of the object greater than the width dimension transverse to the direction of movement. The ferromagnetic strip distorts the field of the permanent magnetic member in the area of a pair of the sensor elements such that the flux lines in the area of each of the sensors are urged toward a transverse direction relative to the direction of movement of the object, whereby the flux field in the area of each of the sensor is uniform.

Abstract: A resolution enhancement circuit comprises a voltage divider used to add multiples of two position representing quadrature signals into a plurality of adder output signals having zero crossings during the cycle of the quadrature signals, a digitizer creating a plurality digital signals based on the individual adder output signals and an output logic circuit combining the digital signals into a new pair of digital quadrature signals of increased resolution. The circuit provides information for more precise control of die casting machines and the like.

Abstract: An improved magnetic sensor for use in measuring the position, velocity and/or direction of movement of an object having alternating zones in the direction of movement of different magnetic conductivity comprises a permanent magnet member having a pole face facing the moving object and having an axis transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A ferromagnetic strip of high permeability is mounted on the face of the magnet coaxial therewith and has a length dimension in the direction of movement of the object which is greater than the width dimension transverse to the direction of movement. A pair of sensor elements are mounted on the ferromagnetic strip, one on each of the opposite sides of the magnet axis in the direction of movement of the object.

Abstract: An improvement in a capacitance type electrostatic transducer for transmitting and/or receiving pressure energy, wherein the transducer includes a relatively inflexible backplate with at least one major surface thereof formed of electrically conductive material, a relatively flexible membrane including a layer of electrically conductive material stretched across and coextensive with the one major surface of the backplate, electrically insulating means for maintaining a capacitor forming spacing between the major surface and the stretched membrane and wherein the major surface has protrusions extending through the spacing for supporting the membrane. The improvement is providing the protrusions as a multitude of discrete pedestals distributed over the major surface and formed by etching away the major surface except in photographically selected areas defining the pedestals.

Abstract: There is provided a device for controlling the vertical operating gap between the lower end of a cutting head, such as a frame cutting torch, and a generally flat workpiece positioned below the cutting head as the head and workpiece are moved relative to each other for cutting the workpiece along a preselected cutting path wherein the device includes a plurality of elongated feelers dangling vertically downwardly from the cutting head toward the workpiece with each of the feelers having an upper end and a lower terminal end, means for supporting the feelers at the upper end at positions spaced angularly around the cutting head with the terminal, lower ends at the same vertical height with respect to the lower end of the cutting head, means for allowing free upward movement of the lower ends upon engagement of the lower ends with the workpiece, such as allowed by downwardly hanging chains or loosely held rigid rods, feedback means for driving the motor in a first direction moving the head upwardly from the wor

Abstract: There is provided a device for controlling the vertical operating gap between the lower end of a cutting head, such as a frame cutting torch, and a generally flat workpiece positioned below the cutting head as the head and workpiece are moved relative to each other for cutting the workpiece along a preselected cutting path wherein the device includes a plurality of elongated feelers dangling vertically downwardly from the cutting head toward the workpiece with each of the feelers having an upper end and a lower terminal end, means for supporting the feelers at the upper end at positions spaced angularly around the cutting head with the terminal, lower ends at the same vertical height with respect to the lower end of the cutting head, means for allowing free upward movement of the lower ends upon engagement of the lower ends with the workpiece, such as allowed by downwardly hanging chains or loosely held rigid rods, feedback means for driving the motor in a first direction moving the head upwardly from the wor

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for guiding, positioning, and measuring through robot control, a tool and a work zone relative to each other, by a noncontacting probe of at least one transceiver for generating shock waves, and for sensing their reflections, with one or more multiple apertured lenses for focusing and concentrating such shock waves and their reflections.

Abstract: Probe method and means are disclosed for guiding and positioning a robot-actuated tool, such as a gripper or a welding head, through at least one transceiver for generating and sensing focused shockwaves, the probe being associated with the tool for relative movement with respect to the object or objects being sensed, without physically contacting the same.

Abstract: A probe attached to an extension shaft is disposed within a narrow gap to be welded. The probe is preloaded to bear against one side or edge of the seam to be effected, and is carried on a housing which holds a welding torch, filler-wire feed means, and cooling means.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing oscillatory motion is described. The apparatus comprises drive means and an adjustable member to provide a lever of the first, second or third class, or a means having no leverage component.