Abstract: A carrier for an electric machine has a first layer and plural first posts extending from the first layer. The first layer defines gaps through the first layer adjacent to the plural first posts. One or more inserts have insert posts configured to be inserted through the gaps to combine with the plural first posts to widen the plural first posts. A carrier may also have a first layer, plural first posts extending from the first layer, the first layer defining gaps through the first layer intermediate between successive posts of the plural posts. One or more inserts have insert posts configured to be inserted through the gaps to form an array of posts in combination with the plural first posts.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having a speed reducer has a stator and a rotor arranged to move rotationally relative to the stator. A drive gear is fixed to the rotor. At least three planetary gears are mounted on the stator and each of the at least three planetary gears are engaged by the drive gear. An annular gear is rotationally mounted on the first stator the annular gear is engaged by each of the at least three planetary gears.

Abstract: A combustor for burning waste material includes a horizontally extended combustion chamber through which a mixture of waste material and air is introduced under pressure tangentially for establishing a vortical movement of the waste material toward one of the end walls. The waste material is ignited during its vortical movement. A second discharge port extends for discharging from the chamber non-combustible material entrained in the outer region of the vortex. The discharged material is conveyed through a conduit to a separator which separates the discharged gases and solid material. A secondary air manifold supplies air through controlled and automated dampers at portals positioned at intervals along the length of the chamber. An adjustable baffle is mounted on the flue adjacent its open end for deflecting outwardly toward the side wall solid material which moves from adjacent the one end wall toward the open end of the flue.

Abstract: An electric motor has a first carrier having an array of electromagnetic elements and a second carrier having electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles. The first and second carriers each define an axis. An airgap is formed between the first and second carriers when in an operational position. An inner thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. An outer thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. The electromagnetic elements of each of the first and second carriers are arranged radially inward of the outer thrust bearing and radially outward of the inner thrust bearing. The inner thrust bearing and the outer thrust bearing are arranged to maintain the airgap against a magnetic attraction of the electromagnetic elements of the first and second carriers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, frames and methods are provided herein useful to assess contents of personal wearable item). In some embodiments, the frame includes a substrate and a system positioned on a section of the frame's substrate. The substrate includes sections positioned adjacent relative to each other and each distinguished by a demarcation; and coupling elements configured to affix the substrate to a surface(s) of the wearable item. The system includes sensor(s), transceiver(s), and I/O device(s) conductively coupled to a control circuit(s). The sensor(s) and transceiver(s), each oriented toward and away from the interior of the wearable item, respectively, each include conductive elements that transmit and/or intercept electromagnetic energy. The control circuit(s) can utilize the sensor to receive wireless signals transmitted by computing device; received wireless signals to determine the presence of the computing devices; and the I/O device(s) to present the status of the presence of the wireless signal.

Abstract: A control element having a beam member divided into an actuation section and a valve section positioned on opposing sides of a pivot member, in which active control of the actuation section causes buckling of the valve section to bring the valve section from a closed state to an open state or causes relaxing of the valve section to bring the valve section from an open state to a closed state.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising a first carrier having an array of electromagnetic elements and a second carrier having electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles, the second carrier being arranged to move relative to the first carrier. An airgap is provided between the first carrier and the second carrier. The electromagnetic elements of the first carrier include posts, with slots between the posts, one or more electric conductors in each slot, the posts of the first carrier having a post height in mm. The first carrier and the second carrier together define a size of the electric machine. The magnetic poles having a pole pitch in mm. The size of the motor, pole pitch and post height are selected to fall within a region in a space defined by size, pole pitch and post height that provides a benefit in terms of force or torque per weight per excitation level.

Abstract: An electric motor has a first carrier having an array of electromagnetic elements and a second carrier having electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles. The first and second carriers each define an axis. An airgap is formed between the first and second carriers when in an operational position. An inner thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. An outer thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. The electromagnetic elements of each of the first and second carriers are arranged radially inward of the outer thrust bearing and radially outward of the inner thrust bearing. The inner thrust bearing and the outer thrust bearing are arranged to maintain the airgap against a magnetic attraction of the electromagnetic elements of the first and second carriers.

Abstract: A power conversion device has a buckled wave disk that has an axis and is radially compressed between a hub and a wave ring. The buckled wave disk is buckled in the radial direction to form circumferential waves which are displaced in the axial direction and extending around the buckled wave disk with lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves extending between the hub and wave ring. The wave ring is outwardly radially displaced at nodes corresponding to lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves. A wave propagation actuator cooperates with the buckled wave disk for driving a wave and the lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves around the buckled wave disk. An outer ring surrounds the wave ring, the outer ring being driven by or driving the wave ring at the nodes. A method of making a wave disk is provided.

Abstract: An actuator for high rotational speed applications using a stator which utilizes laminated features to reduce Eddy current losses in the stator. This construction allows high pole counts while providing the efficiency and high speed benefits of a laminated construction. Laminated construction is very challenging for a high pole count lightweight motor, but embodiments of the device provide structural strength, and rigidity, as well as other benefits such as low manufacturing cost, high heat dissipation, integrated cooling channels, and light weight construction. Many of these benefits result from the use of a laminate sandwich of non-magnetic, heat conductive material, such as anodized aluminum, as a structural member of the stator.

Abstract: An electric machine has a stator having an array of electromagnetic elements. A rotor is mounted on bearings and has an array of rotor posts. The rotor posts each have a length defining opposed ends and the array of rotor posts extends along the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the length of each of the rotor posts. The rotor has electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles placed between the plurality of rotor posts. An airgap is formed between the rotor and the stator when they are in an operational position. A plurality of rotor flux restrictors are formed on the rotor, and each lies adjacent to one of the opposed ends of the rotor posts.

Abstract: A high speed ratio drive system is formed of planet rollers, each having varying diameter, an outer fixed ring in contact with one diameter of the planet rollers, and an outer drive ring in contact with another diameter of the planet rollers. An inner drive element is provided by a sun drive roller in contact with the planet rollers or by a planet carrier. Preferably the system has an axial reflective symmetry minimizing twisting forces on the planet rollers.

Abstract: An exoskeleton suit allows a user to control the legs using the arms. Preferably, there is two-way feedback/control between the legs and arms causing movement of leg joints to be proportional to movement of arm joints. Haptic forces and control forces on the joints may also be proportional. The relative magnitudes of the movements and forces may be adjustable. Rotary or angular actuators may be used. A twisting actuator is also provided using a pair of bending actuators mounted side by side to provide torsional displacement of frame members. The ability to support a portion of the user's weight on the hand grips is possible while simultaneously controlling the lower body movement by applying pitch, roll and yaw movements to that hand grip.

Abstract: An electric machine has a stator with N posts. A rotor is mounted on bearings for rotary movement about an axis relative to the stator with an air gap between the rotor and stator. The bearings are pre-loaded axial thrust bearings or pre-loaded angular bearings. The pre-load forces are provided at least in part by magnetic attraction between the stator and rotor. The rotor has M poles. The values for N and M have the property that the greatest common divisor of N and M is four or more.

Abstract: A power conversion device has a buckled wave disk that has an axis and is radially compressed between a hub and a wave ring. The buckled wave disk is buckled in the radial direction to form circumferential waves which are displaced in the axial direction and extending around the buckled wave disk with lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves extending between the hub and wave ring. The wave ring is outwardly radially displaced at nodes corresponding to lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves. A wave propagation actuator cooperates with the buckled wave disk for driving a wave and the lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves around the buckled wave disk. An outer ring surrounds the wave ring, the outer ring being driven by or driving the wave ring at the nodes. A method of making a wave disk is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable computing devices. In some embodiments, a wearable computing devices (“WCD”) for monitoring occupational hazards are disclosed. The WCD may include an apparel item having one or more control circuits affixed thereto. One or more sensors may be communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to detect or monitor at least one of an aspect of a user of the WCD and an ambient environment of the user. The control circuits can be configured to generate one or more notifications when sensor data comprises a value above a threshold amount.

Abstract: A torque transfer device has plural planets arranged for planetary rotation about one or more sun gears and within one or more ring gears. Each planet includes at least one planetary gear set comprising plural planetary gears connected to rotate together, but having a different diameter to form a differential gear system. To improve load sharing, the plural planetary gears of each planetary gear set may have a different helical angle, the plural planetary gear sets being axially movable with respect to one another. Alternatively or in addition, the planetary gears may be made flexible with respect to radial forces.

Abstract: A high speed ratio drive system is formed of planet rollers, each having varying diameter, an outer fixed ring in contact with one diameter of the planet rollers, and an outer drive ring in contact with another diameter of the planet rollers. An inner drive element is provided by a sun drive roller in contact with the planet rollers or by a planet carrier. Preferably the system has an axial reflective symmetry minimizing twisting forces on the planet rollers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable computing devices. In some embodiments, a wearable computing devices (“WCD”) for monitoring occupational hazards are disclosed. The WCD may include an apparel item having one or more control circuits affixed thereto. One or more sensors may be communicatively coupled to the computing device and configured to detect or monitor at least one of an aspect of a user of the WCD and an ambient environment of the user. The control circuits can be configured to generate one or more notifications when sensor data comprises a value above a threshold amount.