Abstract: An aircraft's two wings and joined thruster propellers or turbines serve as rotary wings in helicopter mode and as fixed wings in airplane mode. The thrusters along the wingspans or at the wing tips drive both rotary wing rotation and airplane flight. Large-angle controlled feathering about the pitch change axes of the left and right wings and thrusters allows them to rotate, relative to each other, between facing and thrusting forward in the same direction for airplane flight or facing and thrusting oppositely for helicopter flight. Optional controls include: helicopter cyclic and collective pitch; airplane roll by differential wing pitch; yaw by differential prop thrust; fuselage pitch by wing pitch change and prop thrust change interacting with an underslung craft e.g.; and fuselage yaw control independent of rotor rotation via a powered rotary mast coupling or a tail responsive to rotor downwash. A teetering rotor hub is a further option.

Abstract: An aircraft's two wings and joined thruster propellers or turbines serve as rotary wings in helicopter mode and as fixed wings in airplane mode. The thrusters along the wingspans or at the wing tips drive both rotary wing rotation and airplane flight. Large-angle controlled feathering about the pitch change axes of the left and right wings and thrusters allows them to rotate, relative to each other, between facing and thrusting forward in the same direction for airplane flight or facing and thrusting oppositely for helicopter flight. Optional controls include: helicopter cyclic and collective pitch; airplane roll by differential wing pitch; yaw by differential prop thrust; fuselage pitch by wing pitch change and prop thrust change interacting with an underslung craft e.g.; and fuselage yaw control independent of rotor rotation via a powered rotary mast coupling or a tail responsive to rotor downwash. A teetering rotor hub is a further option.

Abstract: A Stirling-like system incorporating a heater, a displacer and a regenerator is intermittently coupled to an external system via valves, providing pneumatic power while ridding waste heat. The external system is commonly a Rankine cycle, sharing the working fluid of the Stirling-like system, and can be used for heat pumping, distillation and drying. The Stirling working fluid and the Rankine working fluid are the same material and are exchanged between the two systems. A dual Stirling-like system mates a heat engine with a heat pump, sharing the same pressure-containment, with the dual system intermittently coupled to external environments for convective exchange of heat and cold.

Abstract: A parking system uses a three-dimensional magnetic field sensor as part of a vehicle detector to monitor plural parking spaces. The detector is calibrated to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in each of the monitored spaces. The status of each space is communicated to a central controller. A pay station communicates with a central controller when a parking interval has been purchased. The controller may warn customers when the interval is about to expire and law enforcement when it has expired.

Abstract: A three-dimensional magnetic field sensor is used as part of a vehicle detector to monitor plural parking spaces. The detector includes a controller which periodically samples the magnetic field and compares the present field to a prior field. When the difference exceeds a threshold, the change in the field is compared to previously recorded calibration changes to determine which calibration change the present change most closely resembles. The results are displayed to direct customers to vacant parking spaces or to identify spaces which are occupied but whose meters have expired.

Abstract: A dual-acting solenoid, consisting of one armature moving between two latching positions against two yokes with two drive windings, is interconnected to bring out three wire terminations: a center and two ends. The electronic drive circuitry is similarly configured for three terminals. Optionally, the drive circuitry includes sensing and computation sufficient to determine the two currents and the two inductive voltages associated with the two windings. A method is shown for using six measured or computed parameters, two inductive voltages, two currents, and two time derivatives of current, to determine the simultaneous position and velocity of the armature. The method involves simultaneous solution of the equations for current and voltage in two time-varying inductors where the two inductances are constrained to correspond to the position of a single armature moving between two fixed magnetic yokes.

Abstract: A system and method for state space control of solenoids, particularly engine valve solenoids with two latching positions. A collection of trajectories are computed or measured, having low-impact landings with latching from different initial energies. The trajectories define flux linkage and electric current functions of the two variables, position and velocity. These tracking functions define future projections based on present inputs. In operation, the controller monitors position, velocity, flux linkage, and current, uses the functions to compute future current and flux linkage, and adjusts the drive voltage to hit the future flux linkage target, causing the system to track a precomputed trajectory to successful landing. An array of tracking functions incorporates varying valve flow influences and corrective actuation. Drift from a precomputed trajectory indicates an unanticipated valve flow influence and a new tracking function selection, leading to course corrections anticipating flow influences.

Abstract: Servo controlled solenoids provide actuation of a pump piston and valves, and electronic LC resonance measurements to determine liquid volume and gas bubble volume. Third order nonlinear servo control is split into nested control loops: a fast nonlinear first-order inner loop causing flux to track a target by varying a voltage output, and a slower almost linear second-order outer loop causing magnetic gap to track a target by controlling the flux target or the inner loop. The inner loop uses efficient switching regulation, preferably based on controlled feedback instabilities, to control voltage output. The outer loop achieves damping and accurate convergence using proportional, time-integral, and time-derivative gain terms. The time-integral feedback may be based on measured and target solenoid drive currents, adjusting the magnetic gap for force balance at the target current.

Abstract: A solenoid with improved pull-in and landing characteristics. As a solenoid armature closes toward contact with the pole faces of a yoke, a geometric redistribution of a constant total flux causes the force to increase with decreasing gap. Latching force at saturation is maximized when the latching contact area matches the tightest bottleneck in the flux path. The addition of ferromagnetic area not making latching contact preserves the maximum latching force, increases power efficiency for pulling at a distance, and increases the flux redistribution effect of increasing force with decreasing gap at constant flux. The extra constant-flux force change at small gaps may be abrupt, for a high deceleration followed by a quick passive force increase to latch with low impact, or gradual, for tight servo control and very low impact. Conductive material can provide selective inductive damping near latching. Armature mass can be kept low despite the extra ferromagnetic area.

Abstract: A system and method for state space control of solenoids, particularly engine valve solenoids with two latching positions. A collection of trajectories are computed or measured, having low-impact landings with latching from different initial energies. The trajectories define flux linkage and electric current functions of the two variables, position and velocity. These tracking functions define future projections based on present inputs. In operation, the controller monitors position, velocity, flux linkage, and current, uses the functions to compute future current and flux linkage, and adjusts the drive voltage to hit the future flux linkage target, causing the system to track a precomputed trajectory to successful landing. An array of tracking functions incorporates varying valve flow influences and corrective actuation. Drift from a precomputed trajectory indicates an unanticipated valve flow influence and a new tracking function selection, leading to course corrections anticipating flow influences.

Abstract: A solenoid with two magnetically separate yoke regions, providing two distinct armature latching positions, is driven by a single effective winding. In one embodiment, the yoke regions consist of U-cores on either side of the armature and a single winding consisting of multiple turns, each turn looping through both U-cores and looping around the ends of the armature. In a second embodiment, distinct winding regions associated with the separate yoke regions are interconnected in series to make a single effective winding. Passage of the armature across a defined central position of minimum inductance is detected electrically, permitting a determination of absolute flux at a position of known inductance and thereby initializing a flux integration over time.

Abstract: A materials characterization method models dynamic, non-linear, temperature-dependent stress, strain, hysteresis, creep, and loss of elasticity at high strain, both in test samples and in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Incorporating universal properties of statistical mechanics and adapting domain models from ferromagnetics to the higher-dimensional realm of stress tensors, the model is applicable to polymers, rubbers, liquids, and metals in elastic and plastic deformation. The model quantifies the dynamics of both plastic and brittle failure. Apparatus and methods are shown for testing material samples and matching the computational model to sample characteristics, leading to a set of characterizing parameters and predictive simulations using those parameters. Though apparatus and testing protocols of the invention yield optimum characterizations, pre-existing data from conventional testing yield useful results.

Abstract: A solenoid with two magnetically separate yoke regions, providing two distinct armature latching positions, is driven by a single effective winding. In one embodiment, the yoke regions consist of U-cores on either side of the armature and a single winding consisting of multiple turns, each turn looping through both U-cores and looping around the ends of the armature. In a second embodiment, distinct winding regions associated with the separate yoke regions are interconnected in series to make a single effective winding. Passage of the armature across a defined central position of minimum inductance is detected electrically, permitting a determination of absolute flux at a position of known inductance and thereby initializing a flux integration over time.

Abstract: A variable reluctance solenoid includes an armature and a yoke located axially beyond one end of the armature. Magnetic attraction across an axial gap between the armature and yoke causes the armature to move axially and close the gap. The armature includes ferromagnetic laminations lying in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. These laminations may include slots, proportioned and directed to combat eddy currents and reduce moving mass while avoiding creation of flux bottlenecks. The solenoid may have two yokes on opposite sides of the armature, providing reciprocating armature motion.

Abstract: A materials characterization method models dynamic, non-linear, temperature-dependent stress, strain, hysteresis, creep, and loss of elasticity at high strain, both in test samples and in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Incorporating universal properties of statistical mechanics and adapting domain models from ferromagnetics to the higher-dimensional realm of stress tensors, the model is applicable to polymers, rubbers, liquids, and metals in elastic and plastic deformation. The model quantifies the dynamics of both plastic and brittle failure. Apparatus and methods are shown for testing material samples and matching the computational model to sample characteristics, leading to a set of characterizing parameters and predictive simulations using those parameters. Though apparatus and testing protocols of the invention yield optimum characterizations, pre-existing data from conventional testing yield useful results.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for dispensing fluid at relatively constant pressure. In a first embodiment, the invention dispenses a fluid from a chamber of varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane. In a second embodiment, the invention dispenses a fluid from a chamber defined by a dispensing membrane, which is substantially surrounded by another fluid contained within a pressure chamber of varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane. In a third embodiment, the invention dispenses multiple fluids, a first fluid from a first dispensing chamber of varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane, and a second fluid from a dispensing chamber of varying dimension defined by a dispensing membrane substantially surrounded by the first fluid.

Abstract: A spring system includes an axially moving center attachment located between two static attachments. Bi-directional axial center deflections cause push-pull restoration forces. There is little mechanical fixturing preload stress acting on material also subjected to high cyclic stresses. The spring material includes an unbroken path between the two static attachments, going through the center attachment. In one embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into substantially parallel side-by-side helices clamped statically at the bottom of each helix. A moving attachment grips the center of the wire bridging diagonally between the tops of the helices. In a second embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into end-to-end helices sharing a common axis and clamped statically at the axially opposite ends of the spring.

Abstract: A solenoid with improved pull-in and landing characteristics. As a solenoid armature closes toward contact with the pole faces of a yoke, a geometric redistribution of a constant total flux causes the force to increase with decreasing gap. Latching force at saturation is maximized when the latching contact area matches the tightest bottleneck in the flux path. The addition of ferromagnetic area not making latching contact preserves the maximum latching force, increases power efficiency for pulling at a distance, and increases the flux redistribution effect of increasing force with decreasing gap at constant flux. The extra constant-flux force change at small gaps may be abrupt, for a high deceleration followed by a quick passive force increase to latch with low impact, or gradual, for tight servo control and very low impact. Conductive material can provide selective inductive damping near latching. Armature mass can be kept low despite the extra ferromagnetic area.

Abstract: Servo control using ferromagnetic core material and electrical windings is based on monitoring of winding currents and voltages and inference of magnetic flux, a force indication; and magnetic gap, a position indication. Third order nonlinear servo control is split into nested control loops: a fast nonlinear first-order inner loop causing flux to track a target by varying a voltage output; and a slower almost linear second-order outer loop causing magnetic gap to track a target by controlling the flux target of the inner loop. The inner loop uses efficient switching regulation, preferably based on controlled feedback instabilities, to control voltage output. The outer loop achieves damping and accurate convergence using proportional, time-integral, and time-derivative gain terms. The time-integral feedback may be based on measured and target solenoid drive currents, adjusting the magnetic gap for force balance at the target current.

Abstract: A variable reluctance solenoid includes an armature and a yoke located axially beyond one end of the armature. Magnetic attraction across an axial gap between the armature and yoke causes the armature to move axially and close the gap. The armature includes ferromagnetic laminations lying in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. These laminations may include slots, proportioned and directed to combat eddy currents and reduce moving mass while avoiding creation of flux bottlenecks. The solenoid may have two yokes on opposite sides of the armature, providing reciprocating armature motion.