Abstract: Divergent flux path magnetic actuation is a technique employed to move and magnetically hold an armature in electromechanical actuator devices. These actuators are typically used for linear and reciprocating application with a shaft firmly fixed to the armature to convey movement and forces. By incorporating a bearing in the armature about the shaft, rotation can also be conveyed. Further these actuators are more adaptable to energy saving applications than conventional solenoids, specifically when the control coils are parallel connected to reduce the input voltage from a power source and electrically pulsed activated from a capacitor to reduce the power drain from the power source. Thus a divergent flux path magnetic actuators with reciprocating and rotatable shaft can be used for multipurpose applications and be adapted to a variety of devices for energy savings over convention solenoids.

Abstract: Bi-stable permanent magnet actuation is a technique employed to move and magnetically hold an armature in electromechanical devices including some valves, wherein, permanent magnets are employed in a manner that places their magnetic field in a bi-stable state to allow a control coil to divert the permanent magnet's magnetic field in one of two directions within the surrounding magnetic material. Control is established using an actuation system comprising, a power source to deliver the desired level of energy, a voltage conditioner such as a DC/DC converter matched to the power source and electromechanical device, an energy storage device such as a capacitor, an output circuit such as an H-Bridge switching circuit, and a control circuit for controlling delivery of short duration current pulses from the energy storage device through the output circuit to the electromechanical device's control coil. Thus, an energy efficient bi-stable permanent magnet actuation system is produced.

Abstract: Divergent flux path magnetic actuation is a technique employed to move and magnetically hold an armature in electromechanical actuator devices. These actuators are typically used for linear and reciprocating application with a shaft firmly fixed to an armature or central pole piece to convey movement and forces. By incorporating a bearing about the shaft, rotation can also be conveyed. Further these actuators are more adaptable to energy saving applications than conventional solenoids, specifically when their control coils are parallel connected to reduce the input voltage from a power source and electrically pulsed from a capacitor to reduce the energy input. Thus divergent flux path magnetic actuators can be used for multipurpose energy saving applications and adapted to a variety of devices that would commonly use conventional solenoids.

Abstract: An energy efficient magnetic actuator includes an armature with attached shaft and a divergent flux path electromagnet with an outer magnetic enclosure containing a ring or toroid permanent magnet, two control coils one on either side of the permanent magnet, and a center pole piece through the permanent magnet and control coils having a bore to allow movement of the shaft. The majority of the magnetic flux in the center pole piece can be diverted in a single direction by a pair of control coils for the purpose of moving and magnetically latching the armature to the electromagnet or de-latching the armature from the electromagnet with aid of external forces to the shaft to overcome the small residual magnetic latching force resulting from leakage flux. The control coils may be energized in a variety of ways to achieved desirable linear or bi-linear motion of the armature.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating materials, the apparatus including a main body which includes an elongated retort section having a primary treatment chamber therein, a feed inlet at an upstream end of the retort section and a discharge outlet at a downstream end of the retort section. The main body further includes a filtering section with a filtering chamber therein which is in communication with the primary treatment chamber, the filtering chamber being disposed laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the retort section which extends between the ends of the retort section and is spaced from the upstream end.

Abstract: An improvement on the compact electromechanical mechanism of patent application Ser. No. 29/364,177 composed of a divergent flux path electromagnetic device includes dual magnetic flux paths from a radially poled permanent magnet along parallel and coaxially pole pieces so as the magnetic flux is diverted in a single direction by a pair of control coils wound coaxially on each magnet flux path about the center pole piece and adjacent to the radially poled permanent magnet. The control coils may be energized in a variety of ways to achieved desirable linear or bi-linear motion for various linear motion and linear reciprocating devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating materials, the apparatus including a main body which includes an elongated retort section having a primary treatment chamber therein, a feed inlet at an upstream end of the retort section and a discharge outlet at a downstream end of the retort section. The main body further includes a filtering section with a filtering chamber therein which is in communication with the primary treatment chamber, the filtering chamber being disposed laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the retort section which extends between the ends of the retort section and is spaced from the upstream end.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of volatile material(s) in contaminated material(s) including a retort assembly which includes a rotatable retort disposed at least partially within a combustion chamber with a heater to indirectly heat the contents of the rotatable retort. A feeder feeds the contaminated material(s) to the retort. The apparatus further includes a pathway for passing contaminated material(s) to the retort and a conduit for passing the combustion gases from an afterburner to the retort assembly to provide additional heat for heating the contaminated material in the retort. The apparatus may also include a high temperature filter which can filter the volatiles before entering the afterburner.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of volatile material(s) in contaminated material(s) including a retort assembly which includes a rotatable retort disposed at least partially within a combustion chamber with a heater to indirectly heat the contents of the rotatable retort. A feeder feeds the contaminated material(s) to the retort. The apparatus further includes a pathway for passing contaminated material(s) to the retort and a conduit for passing the combustion gases from an afterburner to the retort assembly to provide additional heat for heating the contaminated material in the retort. The apparatus may also include a high temperature filter which can filter the volatiles before entering the afterburner.

Abstract: This invention has the ability to provide the initial acceleration necessary for spacecraft to attain earth orbit without use of traditional rocket propellants. The invention also has the ability to provide an alternative means of ground transportation without the direct use of fossil fuel. The invention utilizes a pressurized, nonmagnetic tube to accelerate and translate a piston. The piston is magnetically coupled to a conveyance, which travels along the outside of the tube. The conveyance, in turn, can be either a spacecraft or a vehicle suitable for ground transportation.

Abstract: A physical exercise video system includes a physical exercise machine (22), a video system (24) and an interface module (26). The video system (24) has a computer (28) and a removable cartridge (34). The interface module (26) is interposed between the computer (28) and cartridge (34), and provides interactive communications between the computer (28) and exercise machine (22). A communication protocol governs this communication, and includes specifications for status and command data packets. The video system (24) and exercise machine (22) can be selectively operated as either stand-alone units, or in an interactive exercise mode, wherein the exercise data by the exercise machine (22) affects the output of the video system (24), and may also be stored in memory within the interface module (26). The video system (24) controls the operation of the exercise machine (22) generally, and specifically, controls the load resistance imposed in opposition to the movement of pedals (66).

Abstract: Toxic wastes and other contaminants are removed from soil which is fed through a passage in an agitating means into a retort (10, 110) where the soil is agitated and brought into contact with the retort walls (11, 111, 111A) (at a temperature preferably above 500.degree. C.) to cause the toxic wastes or contaminates to be desorbed. The "off-gases" from the soil may be mixed with air/fuel in a combustion chamber (31, 131), to heat the retort; may be burnt in a secondary burner (40) to preheat and/or dry the soil feed; or be condensed in a condenser (41) and stored.

Abstract: A fluid separator for separating particulate matter such as contaminates is provided which includes a series of spiral tubes of progressively decreasing cross sectional area connected in series. Each tube has an outlet on the outer curvature of the spiral. As fluid spirals down a tube, centrifugal force acts to force the heavier particulate matter to the outer wall of the tube, where it exits through the outlet. The remaining, and now cleaner, fluid reaches the next tube, which is smaller in cross sectional area, where the process is repeated. The fluid which comes out the final tube is diminished of particulate matter.

Abstract: A robotic joint wherein an elongated support member attached at one end to a base has the other end thereof pivotally attached to one end of a lever, the other end of the lever extending away from the support member. A tension strip extends along the support member and over the other end of the lever, the ends of the tension strip being attached to the base on opposite sides of the support member. A pair of bladders positioned between the tension strip and the support member on opposite sides thereof can be inflated to apply a tensile force to the strip and cause the lever to pivot, carring with it a finger which is attached to the lever.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher provides acceleration of a superconducting projectile through the diamagnetic repulsion of the superconducting projectile. A superconducting layer is provided aft of the projectile, either directly on the projectile or on a platform upon which the projectile is carried, and a travelling magnetic field is caused to propagate along a magnetic field drive coil in which the projectile is disposed. The resulting diamagnetic repulsion between the superconducting projectile and the travelling magnetic field causes the projectile to be propelled along the coil. In one embodiment, a segmented drive coil is used to generate the travelling magnetic field.

Abstract: A piezoelectrostatic generator includes a plurality of elongated piezoelectrostatic elements having first and second ends, with the first ends fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing and the second extending radially inwardly toward an axis. A shaft movable along the axis is connected to the inner ends of the elements to produce bending forces in piezoelectric strips within the elements. Each element includes a pair of strips mounted in surface contact and in electrical series to produce a potential upon bending, Electrodes spaced from the strips by a solid dielectric material act as capacitor plates to collect the potential charges.