Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus (100), including: a diaphragm coupling member (110); the diaphragm coupling member (110) having a generally ball shaped central portion; the ball shaped central portion having a first surface (130) engaging a complementarily shaped portion of a cover plate (132); the ball shaped central portion having a second surface (134) engaging a complementarily shaped portion of a drive plate (136); and the cover plate (132) and the drive plate (136) being co-engaged (at 150) such as to remove any clearance between the ball shaped central portion and the complementarily shaped portion of the cover plate (132) and the complementarily shaped portion of the drive plate (136).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: first and second lamination stacks; a permanent magnet disposed between the lamination stacks; and the first and second lamination stacks and the permanent magnet being coated in one step with a plastic material.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, comprising: a rotary motor having an external shaft with an axial slot defined therethrough; a linear motor having a threaded external shaft with a translating nut disposed thereon; and the threaded external shaft being disposed in the slotted external shaft, with a tab on the translating nut extending through the axial slot, the tab preventing the translating nut from rotational motion.

Abstract: A method of operation of a plasma torch and the plasma apparatus to produce a hot gas jet stream directed towards a workpiece to be coated by first injecting a cold high pressure carrier gas containing a powder material into a cold main high pressure gas flow and then directing this combined high pressure gas flow coaxially around a plasma exiting from an operating plasma generator and converging directly into the hot plasma effluent, thereby mixing with the hot plasma effluent to form a gas stream with a net temperature based on the enthalpy of the plasma stream and the temperature and volume of the cold high pressure converging gas, establishing a net temperature of the gas stream at a temperature such that the powdered material will not melt or soften, and projecting the powder particles at high velocity onto a workpiece surface.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator including: a rotary electric motor; a shaft (46) extending into a rotor (44) of the rotary electric motor and extendable into a body extension (30) of the valve; the shaft (46) having an externally threaded portion (36) extending into the rotor (44) and in engagement with a complimentary threaded internal surface of the rotor (44); and the shaft (46) having an externally splined portion (34) extendable into the body extension (30) of the valve and engageable with a complementary splined internal surface (110) of the extension (30) of the valve.

Abstract: A method of operation of a plasma torch and the plasma apparatus to produce a hot gas jet stream directed towards a workpiece to be coated by first injecting a cold high pressure carrier gas containing a powder material into a cold main high pressure gas flow and then directing this combined high pressure gas flow coaxially around a plasma exiting from an operating plasma generator and converging directly into the hot plasma effluent, thereby mixing with the hot plasma effluent to form a gas stream with a net temperature based on the enthalpy of the plasma stream and the temperature and volume of the cold high pressure converging gas, establishing a net temperature of the gas stream at a temperature such that the powdered material will not melt or soften, and projecting the powder particles at high velocity onto a workpiece surface.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator including: a rotary electric motor; a shaft (46) extending into a rotor (44) of the rotary electric motor and extendable into a body extension (30) of the valve; the shaft (46) having an externally threaded portion (36) extending into the rotor (44) and in engagement with a complimentary threaded internal surface of the rotor (44); and the shaft (46) having an externally splined portion (34) extendable into the body extension (30) of the valve and engageable with a complementary splined internal surface (110) of the extension (30) of the valve.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a threaded rotor for a linear actuator, including: a generally cylindrical, metallic shell/insert (20); and a generally cylindrical threaded thermoplastic member (72) disposed in a wall of the generally cylindrical shell/insert, the threaded thermoplastic member having threads formed on an inner surface thereof and engagable with complementary threads formed on an outer surface of a shaft to be inserted in the generally cylindrical shell/insert.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a threaded rotor for a linear actuator, including: a generally cylindrical, metallic shell/insert (20); and a generally cylindrical threaded thermoplastic member (72) disposed in a wall of the generally cylindrical shell/insert, the threaded thermoplastic member having threads formed on an inner surface thereof and engagable with complementary threads formed on an outer surface of a shaft to be inserted in the generally cylindrical shell/insert.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary electromagnetic device, including: a housing (20); first and second stators (22 and 40) disposed in the housing, first and second rotors (24/26 and 42/44) disposed in the housing and magnetically interacting, respectively, with the first and second stators; the first stator and the first rotor comprising a rotary motor; the second stator and the second rotor comprising an electromagnetic brake; a shaft (28) extending through a portion of the housing and axially through the first and second rotors, the shaft having a threaded portion (50) extending through a complementary threaded portion (44) of one of the first and second rotors; whereby; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in a first direction, the shaft will move axially in a first direction; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in the second direction, the shaft will move axially in a second direction; and when the electromagnetic brake is r