Abstract: A linear rotary generator includes a magnet, a housing defining a cavity receiving the magnet, and a solenoid around the cavity. The magnet has a magnetic axis that rotates about a rotational axis as the magnet rolls along a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis. As the magnet passes through the solenoid, it induces an alternating current in the solenoid. The rotary power generator may be fixed to an object experiencing motion, which causes the magnet to roll in the housing and generate electricity for the object.

Abstract: Electro-gravity plates are applied to road surfaces for generating electricity from the passage of vehicles over the plates. Each plate contains a packed lattice of electro-gravity cells that individually produces electricity from the passing vehicles. The cells use a variety of technologies to convert the kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy of moving vehicles into electricity. A first type of cell includes a spring-loaded permanent magnet inside a solenoid. The passing vehicles cause the magnet to translate up and down inside the solenoid for generating electricity. A second type of cell includes a spring-loaded hammer and a piezoelectric material. The passing vehicles cause the hammer to compress the piezoelectric material for generating electricity. A third type of cell includes a counterweighted crank rotatably coupled to a dynamo. The passing vehicles cause the crank to rotate the dynamo for generating electricity.

Abstract: Electro-gravity plates are applied to road surfaces for generating electricity from the passage of vehicles over the plates. Each plate contains a packed lattice of electro-gravity cells that individually produces electricity from the passing vehicles. The cells use a variety of technologies to convert the kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy of moving vehicles into electricity. A first type of cell includes a spring-loaded permanent magnet inside a solenoid. The passing vehicles cause the magnet to translate up and down inside the solenoid for generating electricity. A second type of cell includes a spring-loaded hammer and a piezoelectric material. The passing vehicles cause the hammer to compress the piezoelectric material for generating electricity. A third type of cell includes a counterweighted crank rotatably coupled to a dynamo. The passing vehicles cause the crank to rotate the dynamo for generating electricity.

Abstract: A mechano-electrical energy generation system generates electrical energy from the passage of a vehicle over an inclined ramp assembly. This assembly includes an incline ramp that is rotatable about an axis proximate a vehicle roadway surface, and a safety decline ramp hinged with and rotatable with the incline ramp. The incline ramp is coupled via a roller assembly to a gravity wheel that drives a flywheel coupled to an electrical generator. As a result, passage of the vehicle over the incline ramp rotates the wheel via the roller assembly and drives the flywheel so that the electrical generator outputs electrical energy. When the vehicle exits the safety decline ramp, a counterweight rotates the wheel in a reverse direction, so as to bring the incline ramp and safety decline ramp to back to their original inclined positions above the roadway surface.

Abstract: A dual solenoid-based linear motion actuator has a single input for supplying both electrical power and positioning signals for a pair of solenoid coils. A binary control signal alternates between first and second voltage levels, one of which is used for powering the dual solenoid actuator and its control electronics, and also for controllably displacing a movable element to a first of a pair of spaced apart positions terminated by electrically conductive stops. The moveable element is electrically coupled to the second voltage level so that contact with either of the stops will apply the second electrical voltage level to control logic circuitry. The actuator's input terminal is coupled to an electrical energy storage circuit, such as a battery and/or capacitor in parallel with the battery, that serves as the power supply for the actuator, extracting and storing power necessary for operating the control circuitry and energizing the solenoid coils.

Abstract: An M×N optical switching system has a plurality of M optical input ports, each of which is directs a respectively associated optical input beam along one of M spaced apart coplanar parallel input optical paths intersecting an optical coupling path. N optical output ports are installed of the input ports at spaced apart locations of the optical coupling path. Each optical output ports receives a respective optical signal along one of N spaced apart coplanar output optical paths that intersect the optical coupling path apart. M+N mirrors are alignable with a normal bisecting a common angle at a respective intersection of the M input optical paths and the N output optical paths with the optical coupling path. A plurality of actuators controllably move selected mirrors into and out of the optical coupling path, so as to cause an optical signal incident at a selected one of the M optical input ports to be coupled to a selected one of the N optical output ports.

Abstract: A dual solenoid-based linear motion actuator has a single input for supplying both electrical power and positioning signals for a pair of solenoid coils. A binary control signal alternates between first and second voltage levels, one of which is used for powering the dual solenoid actuator and its control electronics, and also for controllably displacing a movable element to a first of a pair of spaced apart positions terminated by electrically conductive stops. The moveable element is electrically coupled to the second voltage level so that contact with either of the stops will apply the second electrical voltage level to control logic circuitry. The actuator's input terminal is coupled to an electrical energy storage circuit, such as a battery and/or capacitor in parallel with the battery, that serves as the power supply for the actuator, extracting and storing power necessary for operating the control circuitry and energizing the solenoid coils.

Abstract: An M.times.N optical switching system has a plurality of M optical input ports, each of which is directs a respectively associated optical input beam along one of M spaced apart coplanar parallel input optical paths intersecting an optical coupling path. N optical output ports are installed of the input ports at spaced apart locations of the optical coupling path. Each optical output ports receives a respective optical signal along one of N spaced apart coplanar output optical paths that intersect the optical coupling path apart. M+N mirrors are alignable with a normal bisecting a common angle at a respective intersection of the M input optical paths and the N output optical paths with the optical coupling path. A plurality of actuators controllably move selected mirrors into and out of the optical coupling path, so as to cause an optical signal incident at a selected one of the M optical input ports to be coupled to a selected one of the N optical output ports.

Abstract: A hand-held, non-invasive cutting device is configured to cut a fiber-like element, such as animal or human hair projecting from the surface of a medium, such as body skin, without exposing the user to the cutting beam. The device exterior is shaped to be readily placed against the surface of the body and has an aperture that accommodates passage of the hair to be cut into an interior region of the housing. The housing includes an optical energy beam director that directs a beam of optical energy, such as a laser beam generated by an external or internal laser, through an interior cutting zone, and onto the inserted element, thereby severing or vaporizing the element. Because the laser beam is aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cutting window, then regardless of where it is inserted in the cutting window, the element will be cut by the laser beam. In addition, the beam cannot exit the cutting window, so that the invention is non-invasive and safe for consumer use.

Abstract: An M.times.N optical switching system has a plurality of M optical input ports, each of which is directs a respectively associated optical input beam along one of M spaced apart coplanar parallel input optical paths intersecting an optical coupling path. N optical output ports are installed of the input ports at spaced apart locations of the optical coupling path. Each optical output ports receives a respective optical signal along one of N spaced apart coplanar output optical paths that intersect the optical coupling path apart. M+N mirrors are alignable with a normal bisecting a common angle at a respective intersection of the M input optical paths and the N output optical paths with the optical coupling path. A plurality of actuators controllably move selected mirrors into and out of the optical coupling path, so as to cause an optical signal incident at a selected one of the M optical input ports to be coupled to a selected one of the N optical output ports.