Abstract: A plasma assisted spark ignition system includes an ignitor and a power supply. The first ignitor includes: a casing having a first end, a second end that forms a first electrode, and a longitudinally extending passage, a second electrode which protrudes longitudinally outward from an opening at the second end of the casing and laterally spaced inwardly to form a spark gap, and an electrical insulator (dielectric) surrounding a portion of the second electrode, and which has a terminus that is at least closely spaced to an interior surface of the end of the casing. The power supply supplies a plurality of voltage pulses to the ignitor per ignition event to generate a flash over on the dielectric. Subsequent pulses in an ignition event may be at lower amplitude than an initial pulse in the ignition event. Pulses may, for example, have a duration on the order of a nanosecond.

Abstract: A system and method for differentiating between different modes of pulsed electrical discharges via of an amplitude to time (ATC) conversion circuit is described. A bipolar ATC circuit is used to add together the positive and negative portions of an attenuated and filtered signal derived either from the voltage or current of a pulse. Alternatively, a unipolar ATC circuit may be employed. The resulting processed signal is compared against a reference voltage to generate an output signal that is active for the amount of time that the processed signal exceeds the reference voltage. Discharge mode is determined based on three factors: did a pulse occur, if a pulse occurred when did the pulse start relative to the original pulse event, and what is the duty cycle of the pulse. Subsequent pulse generated may be controlled accordingly.

Abstract: A split core current transformer (CT) includes a first CT core half and a first housing that houses the first CT core half. The split core CT includes a second core half and a housing that houses the second CT core half. The split core CT includes a first set of bushings configured to flexibly couple the first insulative body to the first housing to maintain contact between faces of the first CT core half and faces of the second CT core half.

Abstract: A split core current transformer (CT) includes a first CT core half and a first housing that houses the first CT core half. The split core CT includes a second core half and a housing that houses the second CT core half. The split core CT includes a first set of bushings configured to flexibly couple the first insulative body to the first housing to maintain contact between faces of the first CT core half and faces of the second CT core half.

Abstract: A plasma assisted spark ignition system includes an ignitor and a power supply. The first ignitor includes: a casing having a first end, a second end that forms a first electrode, and a longitudinally extending passage, a second electrode which protrudes longitudinally outward from an opening at the second end of the casing and laterally spaced inwardly to form a spark gap, and an electrical insulator (dielectric) surrounding a portion of the second electrode, and which has a terminus that is at least closely spaced to an interior surface of the end of the casing. The power supply supplies a plurality of voltage pulses to the ignitor per ignition event to generate a flash over on the dielectric. Subsequent pulses in an ignition event may be at lower amplitude than an initial pulse in the ignition event. Pulses may, for example, have a duration on the order of a nanosecond.

Abstract: A system and method for differentiating between different modes of pulsed electrical discharges via of an amplitude to time (ATC) conversion circuit is described. A bipolar ATC circuit is used to add together the positive and negative portions of an attenuated and filtered signal derived either from the voltage or current of a pulse. Alternatively, a unipolar ATC circuit may be employed. The resulting processed signal is compared against a reference voltage to generate an output signal that is active for the amount of time that the processed signal exceeds the reference voltage. Discharge mode is determined based on three factors: did a pulse occur, if a pulse occurred when did the pulse start relative to the original pulse event, and what is the duty cycle of the pulse.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fabrication process for a current transformer. For example, the process may include wrapping first windings around a first core half of a magnetic core of a current transformer. The process may include wrapping second windings around a second core half of the magnetic core. The magnetic core may be inserted into an overmold tool. The process may include overmolding a first overmold over the first core half of the magnetic core and a second overmold over the second core half of the magnetic core. After overmolding, the magnetic core may be cut in half.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ensuring contact between core halves of a current transformer. For example, a current transformer (CT) may include a split core comprising a first core half having a first plurality of faces and a second core half having a second plurality of faces. Each face of the first core half may contact a corresponding face of the second core half to allow magnetic flux to flow through the split core to induce current on windings of the CT. The CT may include a first housing that houses the first core half and a second housing that the second core half. The CT may include a biasing element that biases the second core half towards the first core half to ensure that each face of the second core half contacts the corresponding face of the first core half.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ensuring contact between core halves of a current transformer. For example, a current transformer (CT) may include a split core comprising a first core half having a first plurality of faces and a second core half having a second plurality of faces. Each face of the first core half may contact a corresponding face of the second core half to allow magnetic flux to flow through the split core to induce current on windings of the CT. The CT may include a first housing that houses the first core half and a second housing that the second core half. The CT may include a biasing element that biases the second core half towards the first core half to ensure that each face of the second core half contacts the corresponding face of the first core half.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fabrication process for a current transformer. For example, the process may include wrapping first windings around a first core half of a magnetic core of a current transformer. The process may include wrapping second windings around a second core half of the magnetic core. The magnetic core may be inserted into an overmold tool. The process may include overmolding a first overmold over the first core half of the magnetic core and a second overmold over the second core half of the magnetic core. After overmolding, the magnetic core may be cut in half.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of locking a faulted circuit indicator (FCI). For example, the FCI may include a locking assembly. The locking assembly may include a lock plate that selectively moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the lock plate blocks a lock link of the FCI from moving in a first direction to prevent the FCI from opening. When in an unlocked position, the lock plate enables the lock link of the FCI to move in the first direction to allow the FCI to open.

Abstract: An improvement to an optical assembly that is adapted to accept light from a field of view in front of the optical assembly and create a first inverted image on a first image plane. Further the assembly includes an objective lens, a first prism adapted to receive light from the objective lens and a second prism, adapted to receive light from the first prism and emit light. The improvement is the addition of a negative lens interposed between the first prism and the second prism, thereby reducing the total optical pathway of the optical assembly, relative to a device performing the same optical function and lacking the negative lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of locking a faulted circuit indicator (FCI). For example, the FCI may include a locking assembly. The locking assembly may include a lock plate that selectively moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the lock plate blocks a lock link of the FCI from moving in a first direction to prevent the FCI from opening. When in an unlocked position, the lock plate enables the lock link of the FCI to move in the first direction to allow the FCI to open.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of locking a faulted circuit indicator (FCI). For example, the FCI may include a locking assembly. The locking assembly may include a lock plate that selectively moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the lock plate blocks a lock link of the FCI from moving in a first direction to prevent the FCI from opening. When in an unlocked position, the lock plate enables the lock link of the FCI to move in the first direction to allow the FCI to open.

Abstract: A method of producing a coil for a flexible drive shaft includes: winding a roving into at least one helical groove of a mandrel; coating the roving with an uncured material; heating the coated roving to a curing temperature in the at least one helical groove of the mandrel to cure the uncured material and form a composite roving; and stripping the composite roving from the mandrel. A method of forming a flexible driveshaft for a surgical instrument is also provided and includes: feeding a plurality of flexible coils into a feeder such that each of the plurality of flexible coils are spaced from one another about a rod; rotating the rod to wind the plurality of flexible coils about the rod; and binding the wound plurality of flexible coils and rod together.

Abstract: A flexible driveshaft includes a proximal coupler and a distal coupler each configured to couple to a respective component of an instrument, and a flexible shaft having a proximal end connected to the proximal coupler, a distal end connected to the distal coupler, and a longitudinal axis. The flexible shaft may include a sleeve, and a core having a first end and a second end. The core is housed within the sleeve. The flexible shaft also includes a plurality of coils arranged around the longitudinal axis in at least one layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a rifle scope having a body made in part of composite material. The method utilizes a composite material tubular housing element, having a rear and having an outer diameter and a metal eyepiece adapter in form of a tube having an inner diameter matching the outer diameter. In the method, the metal eyepiece adapter is adhered partially over the rear of the tubular housing element.

Abstract: A click knob assembly that has a fixture having a circular inner surface defining uniformly spaced ridges separated by grooves and a knob, set in the fixture, and including a user accessible portion; a spring holder, attached to the user accessible portion; a spring assembly, engaged to the spring holder; and a first plunger and a second plunger engaged to the spring holder, each facing the circular inner surface, in opposed direction to each other, and each being pushed outwardly by the spring assembly, and thereby being pressed into the circular inner surface. The first plunger includes a click surface sized and positioned to engage the uniformly spaced grooves. When the knob is rotated, the click surface is pushed over a ridge, and then falls into a groove, making a click sound and both the plungers are maintained in contact to the circular inner surface by the spring assembly.