Abstract: A passively activated switch system for a high-current coil including a plurality of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) each electrically coupled to a high-current coil, each SCR electrically coupled in parallel to a fast-acting mechanical switch. A passive voltage detector is responsive to an increase in voltage above a predetermined threshold value indicating a start of an over-current event which closes each of the plurality of SCRs to enable a loop current to create a large electromagnetic force. Each fast-acting switch is responsive to the large electromagnetic force and is configured to close to shunt current from each SCR to prevent damage of at least one of the high-current coils or a system that utilizes a high-current coil, or both.

Abstract: A solid-state direct cavity combiner (DCC) transmitter system for providing megawatts of power is featured. The system includes a resonant cavity including at least one high-power output transmission line, hundreds of high-power transistors each generating an amount of RF power input directly into the resonant cavity, and a plurality of modules each including at least one pair of high-power transistors differentially driving a transmission line and a coupling loop. Each said transmission line and coupling loop extends into the resonant cavity to match an impedance of each said high-power transistors of each said module to an impedance of said resonant cavity to electromagnetically couple power into the resonant cavity to provide the megawatts of power to the high-power output transmission line.

Abstract: A system for regulating the output of a high-voltage, high-power DC supply, the system includes a high-voltage DC power supply, a storage capacitor, and at least one non-dissipative regulator having an output voltage range less than an output voltage range of the high-voltage DC power supply. The regulator includes an internal storage capacitance and a control circuit configured to maintain a desired high-voltage output on a load.

Abstract: A coreless transformer ultra-violet (UV) light source system comprising a bulb including a predetermined amount of an element which efficiently emits UV light when exposed to a high current plasma state and a predetermined amount of a buffer gas therein. An optically thin mesh primary surrounds a portion of the bulb. A pulsed radio frequency (RF) oscillator is coupled to the primary configured to drive high current pulses into the primary causing the light emitting element to form a conducting secondary comprised of the element in a plasma state thereby causing the element to efficiently emit UV light.

Abstract: A pulsed electric field method for the continuous extraction of oil and lipids from small aquatic plants, the method including providing a continuous flow of a slurry of small aquatic plants. A continuous flow of small aquatic plants is directed to a treatment zone. Pulsed electric fields are applied to the treatment zone to lyse cell walls of the small aquatic plants to enhance extraction of oil and lipids therefrom.

Abstract: A system for regulating the output of a high-voltage, high-power DC supply, the system includes a high-voltage DC power supply, a storage capacitor, and at least one non-dissipative regulator having an output voltage range less than an output voltage range of the high-voltage DC power supply. The regulator includes an internal storage capacitance and a control circuit configured to maintain a desired high-voltage output on a load.

Abstract: A pulsed electric field method for the continuous extraction of oil and lipids from small aquatic plants, the method including providing a continuous flow of a slurry of small aquatic plants. A continuous flow of small aquatic plants is directed to a treatment zone. Pulsed electric fields are applied to the treatment zone to lyse cell walls of the small aquatic plants to enhance extraction of oil and lipids therefrom.

Abstract: This invention features a more compact and higher reliability power source system for computing loads, the system including a high voltage DC bus connected to a number of DC sources each connected to the high voltage DC bus by a switch configured to deliver to the high voltage DC bus the DC source with the highest DC voltage, a low voltage DC bus connected to the computing loads, and a power supply including a number of DC/DC converters connected in parallel between the high voltage DC bus and the low voltage DC bus, and a controller configured to modulate each DC/DC converter to convert the high voltage on the high voltage DC bus to a low voltage output on the low voltage DC bus.

Abstract: This invention features a more compact and higher reliability power source system for computing loads, the system including a high voltage DC bus connected to a number of DC sources each connected to the high voltage DC bus by a switch configured to deliver to the high voltage DC bus the DC source with the highest DC voltage, a low voltage DC bus connected to the computing loads, and a power supply including a number of DC/DC converters connected in parallel between the high voltage DC bus and the low voltage DC bus, a controller configured to modulate each DC/DC converter to convert the high voltage on the high voltage DC bus to a low voltage output on the low voltage DC bus, and a plurality of power supply modules each including a plurality of DC/DC converters and a controller; and wherein the power supply is housed in a cabinet.

Abstract: This invention features a more compact and higher reliability power supply module including a high voltage DC input, a low voltage DC output, a number of DC/DC converters connected in parallel between the high voltage DC input and the low voltage DC output, and a controller configured to modulate each DC/DC converter to convert the high voltage DC input to the low voltage DC output.

Abstract: A variable edge rotor blade adapted to be driven by the rotor hub includes an airfoil section; a movable edge section coupled to the airfoil section, and an actuator device operating independently of the hub, disposed in the blade proximate the movable edge section, fixed to the airfoil section and coupled to the movable edge section for oscillating it between an increased lift and decreased lift position.

Abstract: A high voltage converter system including a high voltage power line at a first voltage level, a step-down device connected to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, and a high voltage switch module including a plurality of voltage limited controllable switch elements including components to limit the voltage across each the voltage limiting controllable switch element to a predetermined voltage when each the voltage limiting controllable switch element is in an open state and to a zero voltage when each the voltage limiting controllable switch element is in a closed state. The voltage limiting controllable switch elements are typically connected in series between the power line and the step-down device. The high voltage down-converter system also includes a control system to selectively set the open state and the closed state of each the voltage limiting controllable switch elements to control the current through the step-down device.

Abstract: A flap actuator system for an airfoil structure including: a flap member for controlling the airfoil structure; a bearing member interconnected with the flap member and the airfoil structure; and an actuator device for rotating the flap member about the bearing member relative to the airfoil structure; the actuator device including an electromagnetic motor segment and a drive mechanism driven by the electromagnetic motor to rotate the flap member about the axis of the bearing member relative to the airfoil structure; the electromagnetic motor being integral with the airfoil structure and the drive mechanism; the electromagnetic motor including a field circuit integral with the drive mechanism and an armature circuit integral with the airfoil structure; the field circuit located within the armature circuit.

Abstract: A flap actuator system for an airfoil structure including a flap member for controlling the airfoil structure; a bearing member interconnected with the flap member and airfoil structure; and an electromagnetic motor segment integral with the flap member and airfoil structure for rotating the flap member about the axis of the bearing member relative to the airfoil structure and including a field circuit integral with one of the flap member and airfoil structure and an armature circuit integral with the other; the bearing member may be a tension member which is attached to the airfoil structure at a first point and to the flap member at a second point spaced from the first point.

Abstract: A high voltage converter system including a high voltage power line at a first voltage level, a step-down device connected to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, and a high voltage switch module including a plurality of voltage limited controllable switch elements including components to limit the voltage across each the voltage limiting controllable switch element to a predetermined voltage when each the voltage limiting controllable switch element is in an open state and to a zero voltage when each the voltage limiting controllable switch element is in a closed state. The voltage limiting controllable switch elements are typically connected in series between the power line and the step-down device. The high voltage down-converter system also includes a control system to selectively set the open state and the closed state of each the voltage limiting controllable switch elements to control the current through the step-down device.

Abstract: A variable edge rotor blade adapted to be driven by the rotor hub includes an airfoil section; a movable edge section coupled to the airfoil section, and an actuator device operating independently of the hub, disposed in the blade proximate the movable edge section, fixed to the airfoil section and coupled to the movable edge section for oscillating it between an increased lift and decreased lift position.

Abstract: A flap actuator system for an airfoil structure including: a flap member for controlling the airfoil structure; a bearing member interconnected with the flap member and the airfoil structure; and an actuator device for rotating the flap member about the bearing member relative to the airfoil structure; the actuator device including an electromagnetic motor segment and a drive mechanism driven by the electromagnetic motor to rotate the flap member about the axis of the bearing member relative to the airfoil structure; the electromagnetic motor being integral with the airfoil structure and the drive mechanism; the electromagnetic motor including a field circuit integral with the drive mechanism and an armature circuit integral with the airfoil structure; the field circuit located within the armature circuit.

Abstract: A production tool wear detector which provides a direct, non-contact measurement of the amount of material removed from a cutting tool due to wear during operation thereof. One or more sensing devices monitor the distance to a selected wearing cutting surface of the tool and the distance to a selected non-wearing reference surface of the tool and such distances are suitably processed by appropriate electronic circuitry so as to provide a signal representing the wear characteristics of such cutting surface, which signal can be appropriately displayed, or otherwise used, to make an operator aware of when the tool has worn to a point below a selected threshold. Such a system permits in situ, continuous monitoring of one or more cutting tools during actual use of the tools in a consistent and accurate fashion at relatively low cost.