Abstract: An electric machine according to various aspects of the invention includes a transformer having a rotating component for transmitting power from a stationary portion of the machine to a rotating portion of the machine, or vice versa. Both the rotating component and a stationary component of the transformer includes a winding, wherein the windings are disposed to be magnetically coupled. Current provided to the winding of the stationary component generates a magnetic field, which induces current in the winding of the rotating component.

Abstract: A high performance capacitor fabricated from nano-structure multilayer materials, such as by controlled, reactive sputtering, and having very high energy-density, high specific energy and high voltage breakdown. The multilayer capacitors, for example, may be fabricated in a "notepad" configuration composed of 200-300 alternating layers of conductive and dielectric materials so as to have a thickness of 1 mm, width of 200 mm, and length of 300 mm, with terminals at each end of the layers suitable for brazing, thereby guaranteeing low contact resistance and high durability. The "notepad" capacitors may be stacked in single or multiple rows (series-parallel banks) to increase the voltage and energy density.

Abstract: A high performance capacitor fabricated from nano-structure multilayer materials, such as by controlled, reactive sputtering, and having very high energy-density, high specific energy and high voltage breakdown. The multilayer capacitors, for example, may be fabricated in a "notepad" configuration composed of 200-300 alternating layers of conductive and dielectric materials so as to have a thickness of 1 mm, width of 200 mm, and length of 300 mm, with terminals at each end of the layers suitable for brazing, thereby guaranteeing low contact resistance and high durability. The "notepad" capacitors may be stacked in single or multiple rows (series-parallel banks) to increase the voltage and energy density.

Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a soleplate, an electric heater attached in heat transfer relation to the soleplate and a source of electric current connected to the heater for delivering electric power thereto. The iron includes a housing forming a reservoir. A dam is formed in the water reservoir. The iron further includes a steam generating chamber and a valve controlling the flow of water from the water reservoir to the steam generating chamber. The valve is positioned within the water reservoir relatively rearwardly of the dam so that a head of water is formed above the valve when the iron is placed upright with the iron heel rest in a relatively horizontal plane and the iron soleplate in a relatively vertical plane.

Abstract: A reference electrode including a body, a supply of flowable gel electrolyte, a wire electrode, and a tube for the electrolyte. The electrolyte is preferably contained in a cartridge within the body of the electrode and is capable of being dispensed into the tube in very small, metered, amounts, as needed.

Abstract: This invention describes a fuel system for an internal combustion engine of the diesel type which is completely compatible with methanol and other low cetane liquid fuels. The fuel system is also capable of handling methanol liquid fuel, and other low cetane highly corrosive liquid fuels, of materials fully compatible with the fuel and adapted for long term durability use. Further, a fuel system is disclosed that is free of particulates of less than one micron in size thereby providing superior long term durability protection against scoring within the fuel pump and fuel delivery injectors. The invention also provides a fuel system comprising primary and secondary fuel filters, a fuel pump, and the fuel injectors designed to provide acceptable durability and reliability despite the lack of lubricity in methanol and similar fuels.

Abstract: A lid (2) for an electronic circuit housing (4) has inner (24) and outer (22) laminated layers that are formed from two different materials, joined to each other and bowed outward from the housing (4) so that the inner layer (24) is under tensile bending stress at the interface between the layers, and the outer layer (22) is under compressive bending stress at the interface. This forms a pre-stress on the lid that resists external loads, and causes the lid to deflect under loading in a linear, predictable and recoverable fashion. The lid is preferably formed by thermal bonding of two materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion, with the bow forming as the materials cool. In one example two different metals are used, and in another a metal is bonded to a glass-ceramic tape.

Abstract: An electrical circuit pattern is formed on a glass-ceramic, thermally fusible tape. The tape is heated to a temperature at which it becomes temporarily plastic, and is then bent into a desired non-planar shape. Further application of heat causes the tape to be sintered in the non-planar shape. A multi-layer structure can be provided by laminating plural layers of Low-Temperature-Cofired-Ceramic (LTCC) tape with respective circuit patterns formed thereon together, and plastically bending the laminated structure into the non-planar shape during the heating step. A circuit structure including an edge connector can be formed by laminating a layer of glass-ceramic transfer tape having an electrical circuit pattern which includes conductor strips formed on an edge connector portion thereof onto a relatively rigid substrate, such that the edge connector portion is bent around an edge of the substrate to form a rigid edge connector.

Abstract: A structure formed of a plurality of sheets which are laminated and fused together includes at least one sintered ceramic sheet formed from thermally fusible tape. A sensor element, such as a cantilever, circular diaphragm, rectangular diaphragm supported at least two sides, or microbridge, is formed as a part of the ceramic sheet. A hole may be formed through one of the sheets adjacent to the ceramic sheet to expose the sensor element to an ambient environment which is to be sensed. Electrical signals corresponding to a physical change in the sensor element such as stress or displacement are generated by piezoresistor, variable capacitor, photodetector, or the like attached to or formed on the sensor element, which is interconnected with a metallization pattern formed on at least one of the sheets. The thickness of the sheets is highly uniform, thereby producing sensor elements with precisely reproducible thicknesses and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A clipboard/padholder for holding, reading or writing on paper or a tablet while in a wind and to store and/or protect the paper from damage during heavy use or abuse of the clipboard. A frame having an opening holds the tablet or paper securely in place on all four sides. The frame is hinged to allow quick and easy access to changing the paper or turning pages. A cover that is hinged to the backboard and frame allows the paper to be protected from rain or snow when not in use or when laid down temporarily and allows for preserving confidentiality.

Abstract: A multidirectional force-sensing transducer useful in automotive systems which require acceleration/deceleration detection. The transducer, in a preferred form, includes a unitary structure consisting essentially of silicon, and a substantially planar T-shaped force-sensing body integral with the unitary structure. The T-shaped force sensing body is comprised of base and cantilever beams defined in the unitary structure--the base and cantilever beams being strained principally in response to first and second forces acting upon the body in directions substantially within, and orthogonal to, the body's plane, respectively. Sensors (preferably thin film piezoresistors) operatively associated with the base and cantilever beams sense the strain of the base and/or cantilever beams and thus respectively detect the multidirectional forces acting upon the force-sensing body.

Abstract: A blister-resistant thick film dielectric is usable with multilayer circuits having one conductor layer comprising gold and another conductor layer comprising silver to prevent blistering and other unwanted phenomena resulting from an adverse electrochemical reaction from occurring between the conductor layers during the firing process. The dielectric is comprised be weight, without vehicle, of about 50% lead-boro-silicate glass, between about 25% to about 40% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and between about 10% to 25% an oxide mixture comprised of Co.sub.2 O.sub.3, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, said oxide mixture having been heated to about 1000.degree. C. for about 24 hours. In a preferred embodiment the dielectric is comprised by weight, without vehicle, of about 50% lead-boro-silicate, about 40% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and about 10% oxide mixture. The oxide mixture in a preferred embodiment is comprised by weight of about 37.4% Co.sub.2 O.sub.3, about 25.6% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and about 37.0% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A fuel injector for ducted rocket motors is provided that distributes compressible fluid fuel flowing from an upstream throttle device through discharge ports of a hollow tubular member without losing throttling capacity of the throttle device. The injector has an axial fuel flow passage with a cross-sectional area that decreases stepwise rearward of a radial discharge of the fluid fuel. The dimensions and position of the flow passages of the injector provide desired flow distribution while preserving the smoothness and regularity thereof.

Abstract: In a microelectronic package of the type where Si-based integrated circuits are eutectically attached to a Pd/Au-based thick film conductor, a method of reducing the potential for thermal runaway is taught. The method involves increasing the surface area of the Pd to lower the Vbe rating. This reduces the potential for thermal runaway in subsequent integrated circuit operation. It has also been found that increasing the particle size of the Au component further decreases the Vbe rating.

Abstract: A film type resistor especially suitable for use on planar electronic circuit substrates. The resistor is capable of being adjusted or trimmed to provide resistance values over a substantially wide range. The resistor can also be trimmed while actively functioning in a circuit including one or more other components, so as to provide a desired operating parameter for the circuit.

Abstract: A timing gage for the unit injector of a diesel engine includes a timing gage sleeve adapted to encircle the extended plunger follower of an injector so as to permit its abutment against a fixed element thereof or of the engine next adjacent to the injector. The contact pin carrys with it a portion of an electrical circuit arrangement, including a timing light that is adapted for movement relative to a contact gage base, secured to the timing gage sleeve, between a closed electrical circuit connection therewith and an open electrical circuit therewith. The contact pin upon engagement with the plunger follower when at a predetermined height is then operative to effect energization of the timing light whereby to indicate proper setting of injector timing for that injector.