Abstract: Apparatus (200) for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a first part (210); a second part (230) movable relative to the first part (210) and spaced from the first part (210) by an air gap (260); and a plurality of spaced activatable magnet elements (220) provided on the first part (210), each activatable magnet element (220) being operative when activated by application of an electric current thereto to direct a magnetic field across the air gap (260) towards the second part (230); wherein each activatable magnet element (220) comprises: a pole piece (222) defining an air-gap facing surface (223A, 223B), the pole piece (222) comprising: a first limb (224A); a second limb (224B); and a coil-winding section (224C) positioned between the first and second limbs (224A, 224B); a permanent magnet arrangement (225) provided between the first and second limbs 224A, 224B) of the pole piece; and an electrically conductive coil (226) wound around the coil-winding section (224C) of the pole piece, wherein the electri

Abstract: An electric motor system (100), comprising: a motor unit (110) comprising: a first part (120); a second part (130) movable relative to the first part (120); a plurality of spaced activatable motor elements (140) provided on the first part (120), each activatable motor element (140) being operative when activated by application of an electric current thereto for creating relative movement between the first and second parts (120, 130); and a plurality of power electronics drive modules (150), each power electronics drive module (150) being operatively associated with a different subset of the plurality of activatable motor elements (140) and comprising a power converter (155) operative to convert direct current into a periodic current for powering the activatable motor elements (140); and a power supply arrangement (170) comprising: at least one direct current power source (180); and a plurality of n parallel direct current power supply lines (190), each of the parallel direct current power supply lines (190) b

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a first part (210); a second part (230) movable relative to the first part (210) and spaced from the first part (210) by an air gap (260); and a plurality of spaced activatable magnet elements (220) provided on the first part (210), each activatable magnet element (220) being operative when activated by application of an electric current thereto to direct a magnetic field across the air gap (260) towards the second part (230); wherein each activatable magnet element (220) comprises: a pole piece (222) defining an air-gap facing surface (223A, 223B), the pole piece (222) comprising: a first limb (224A); a second limb (224B); and a coil-winding section (224C) positioned between the first and second limbs (224A, 224B); a permanent magnet arrangement (225) provided between the first and second limbs 224A, 224B) of the pole piece; and an electrically conductive coil (226) wound around the coil-winding section (224C) of the pole piece, wherein the electri

Abstract: Apparatus for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a first part; a second part movable relative to the first part and spaced from the first part by an air gap; and a plurality of spaced electromagnet elements (120) provided on the first part, each electromagnet element being operative to apply a magnetic field in the air gap in response to application of an electric current; wherein each electromagnet element comprises: a pole piece comprising: an outer section (124 A, 124B) defining an elongate air-gap facing surface (125 A) of area A1, perimeter P1, lateral width W1, and longitudinal length L1, wherein Li is greater than W1; and a coil-winding section of cross-sectional area A2, cross-sectional perimeter P2, lateral width W2, and longitudinal length L2; and an electrically conductive coil (128) wound around the coil-winding section of the pole piece; characterised in that P2 is less than P1 and in that W2 is substantially equal to L2.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) comprising: a vehicle body (12) defining a longitudinal axis “L”; a suspension system (40) mounted to the vehicle body (12) and connected to a drive wheel (32A, 32B) defining a drive wheel axis “A”, the suspension system (40) being configured to allow displacement of the drive wheel axis “A” relative to the vehicle body (12) with a component of the displacement occurring in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis “L” of the vehicle body (12); a sensor (110) for providing an output indicative of a level of displacement provided by the suspension system (40); and a torque control device (120) for automatically varying torque supplied to the drive wheel (32A, 32B) in dependence upon the output of the sensor (110).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween; an electrostatic dust filter for removing dust from air as it passes through the passageway; and an air pump for drawing air into the air inlet and through the passageway to the air outlet; wherein the electrostatic dust filter comprises an electrode arrangement configured to kill microorganisms present in air passing through the passageway by exposing air to a voltage in excess of a threshold voltage.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus includes a porous conductor substrate, an insulator layer in contact with inner surfaces of the porous conductor substrate, and a conductor layer in contact with outer surfaces of the insulator layer. A method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus includes providing a porous conductor substrate, providing an insulator layer in contact with inner surfaces of the porous conductor substrate, and providing a conductor layer in contact with outer surfaces of the insulator layer.

Abstract: Energy storage apparatus comprising: a porous conductor substrate, an insulator layer in contact with inner surfaces of the porous conductor substrate, and a conductor layer in contact with outer surfaces of the insulator layer.

Abstract: A torsion device comprising: a first part comprising a first resilient torsion member including: a first support end; a first free end spaced from the first support end; and a first engagement region; a second part comprising a second resilient torsion member including: a second support end; a second free end spaced from the second support end; and a second engagement region; wherein the second part is rotatable relative to the first part about an axis of rotation (A) between a first angular position and a second angular position, and the first and second torsion members are configured to urge the first and second engagement regions together to cause flexure of at least one of the first and second resilient torsion members as the second part rotates relative to the first part from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and a passageway (extending therebetween; an electrostatic dust filter for removing dust from air as it passes through the passageway; and an air pump for drawing air into the air inlet and through the passageway to the air outlet; wherein the electrostatic dust filter comprises an electrode arrangement configured to kill microorganisms present in air passing through the passageway by exposing air to a voltage in excess of a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A controller for converting a force applied by a user in at least one direction into an output indicative of the force applied, comprising: a support comprising a first part of a capacitor assembly; and a user-engageable part resiliently coupled to the support and comprising a second part of the capacitor assembly, wherein movement of the user-engageable part relative to the support varies the capacitance of the capacitor assembly; characterised in that the user-engageable part is substantially immovable relative to the support in the at least one direction.

Abstract: A torsion device comprising: a first part comprising a first resilient torsion member including: a first support end; a first free end spaced from the first support end; and a first engagement region; a second part comprising a second resilient torsion member including: a second support end; a second free end spaced from the second support end; and a second engagement region; wherein the second part is rotatable relative to the first part about an axis of rotation (A) between a first angular position and a second angular position, and the first and second torsion members are configured to urge the first and second engagement regions together to cause flexure of at least one of the first and second resilient torsion members as the second part rotates relative to the first part from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: Energy storage apparatus comprising: a porous conductor substrate, an insulator layer in contact with inner surfaces of the porous conductor substrate, and a conductor layer in contact with outer surfaces of the insulator layer.