Abstract: An apparatus for transferring torque magnetically with a primary rotary member and a secondary rotary member. The primary rotary member has permanent magnets mounted circumferentially on a cylinder, the secondary rotary member having a cylindrical geometry with electroconductive material arranged on its outer periphery and parallel to the axes of the rotary members. The secondary rotary member also having magnetically permeable material. The secondary rotary member is placed partially or totally inside the primary rotating member. The secondary rotary member's axial position relative to the primary rotating member can be varied by a suitable mechanical structure. This causes the two rotary members to axially overlap one another more or less as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring torque magnetically with a primary rotary member and a secondary rotary member. The primary rotary member has permanent magnets, the secondary rotary member with electro-conductive materials. The secondary rotary member also having magnetically permeable material. The secondary rotary member is placed partially or totally inside the primary rotating member. This causes the two rotary members to axially overlap one another more or less as desired. Rotation of the primary rotary member causes rotation of the secondary rotary member, since magnetic flux lines emanating from the permanent magnets mounted on the primary rotating member, cut through all, or part of, the electro-conductive material placed on the secondary rotary member. This can vary the torque transmitted between the two rotary members, thereby enabling the varying of the rotational speed of the secondary rotary member relative to the primary rotary member.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a loading device for automating transfer of a plurality of probes between a cassette within which the plurality of probes are initially constrained and an analytical instrument, e.g., mass spectrometer. The loading device may be configured to accept a single or a plurality of cassettes each removably constraining a plurality of probes to be analyzed. The loading device may permit each of the plurality of cassettes to be independently interchanged with a separate cassette removably constraining a separate plurality of probes during mass spectrometric analysis, or for additional cassettes to be loaded into the device during analysis. In a useful embodiment, the loading device comprises a cassette transport assembly and a probe insertion assembly. The cassette transport assembly linearly translates one or more cassettes to align the cassette(s) with respect to the mass spectrometer so that a probe may be translated therebetween by the probe insertion assembly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a loading device for automating transfer of a plurality of probes between a cassette within which the plurality of probes are initially constrained and an analytical instrument, e.g., mass spectrometer. The loading device may be configured to accept a single or a plurality of cassettes each removably constraining a plurality of probes to be analyzed. The loading device may permit each of the plurality of cassettes to be independently interchanged with a separate cassette removably constraining a separate plurality of probes during mass spectrometric analysis, or for additional cassettes to be loaded into the device during analysis. In a useful embodiment, the loading device comprises a cassette transport assembly and a probe insertion assembly. The cassette transport assembly linearly translates one or more cassettes to align the cassette(s) with respect to the mass spectrometer so that a probe may be translated therebetween by the probe insertion assembly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system to facilitate sample preparation, common transport, and storage of a plurality of laser desorption ionization probes to be interrogated in a mass spectrometer. The system includes a plurality of probes, a cassette that accepts the plurality of probes, a well-plate that engages the cassette and permits delivery of samples to the probes without fluid communication between samples, and a clamp to secure the well-plate to the cassette. The cassette is configured to constrain the plurality of probes so that the probes suspend from ribs disposed within the cassette. This permits the top and bottom surfaces of the probes to be substantially exposed and facilitates insertion and removal of the probes from the cassette without user contact of active areas on the probes.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing bobbins and bobbin carriers in a sewing machine utilizes a magazine having an opening, containing a bobbin carrier, aligned between the bobbin housing and an electromagnet which pushes the bobbin carrier through the opening into the bobbin housing and then withdraws. The magazine withdraws; the electromagnet moves adjacent the bobbin housing, and in withdrawing pulls a spent bobbin carrier therefrom and drops it. The magazine moves into alignment again between the bobbin housing and the electromagnet, and the cycle repeats. A computer, responsive to apparatus positions, regulates pneumatic valves and an electrical source to automatically effect operations.