Abstract: A rotary displacement measuring apparatus includes an axle whose rotary displacement is to be determined, with the axle being mounted to rotate about its long axis. An emitter disk is mounted on the axle to define a plurality of concentric tracks circumscribing the axle to rotate as the axle rotates, with each of the tracks being segmented to define a plurality of spaced-apart, conductive sections for producing electric fields when energized. Also included is a voltage source for energizing the conductive sections. A detector is disposed adjacent to the tracks of the emitter disk and includes a plurality of sensors, each positioned adjacent a respective track to detect the electric fields of the respective track as the axle and tracks are rotated. The detector produces signals representing the detection of the electric fields as the emitter disk is rotated, and these signals provide an indication of the rotary displacement of the tracks and thus of the axle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring displacement of one location of a structure, relative to another, spaced apart location.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes an array of sensors having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the disposition of an electrical/magnetic field producing member along the sensor array. The field producing member is disposed to contact and slide over the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the position of the field producing member along the sensor array and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: A rotary displacement measuring apparatus includes an axle whose rotary displacement is to be determined, with the axle being mounted to rotate about its long axis. An emitter is mounted on the axle to define a plurality of concentric tracks circumscribing the axle to rotate as the axle rotates, with each of the tracks being segmented to define a plurality of spaced-apart, conductive sections for producing electric fields when energized. Also included is a voltage source for energizing the conductive sections. A detector is disposed adjacent to the tracks of the emitter and includes a plurality of sensors, each positioned adjacent a respective track to detect the electric fields of the respective track as the axle and tracks are rotated. The detector produces signals representing the variation in the electric fields as the emitter is rotated, and these signals provide an indication of the rotary displacement of the tracks and thus of the axle.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes an array of sensors having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the disposition of an electrical/magnetic field producing member along the sensor array. The field producing member is disposed to contact and slide over the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the position of the field producing member along the sensor array and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a base end and a discharge end, for holding drug solution at the discharge end, a valve disposed at the discharge end to allow a drug solution to flow from inside the housing, through the valve and out of the housing when solution pressure is applied to the valve, a piston slidably disposed in the housing to slide between the base end and discharge end to force solution toward the discharge end and out the valve, and a spring disposed in the housing between the piston and the base end thereof for urging the piston toward the discharge end. A plurality of different length tethers are connected at one end to the piston and at the other end to a respective release node located at the base end of the housing. Each release node holds the other end of a respective one of the tethers until a release signal is received at which time it releases the tether.

Abstract: Linear displacement and strain measuring apparatus includes a linearly movable element, an emitter disposed on the movable element to move as the element is moved, for developing predetermined paterns of electric fields which vary linearly on the emitter in the direction of movement of the element, and a detector disposed in close proximity to the emitter adjacent the path in which the emitter moves to detect variations in the electric field patterns as the emitter is moved, for producing output signals representing variation in the electric field patterns and thus the linear displacement of the movable element relative to the detector. By attaching the movable element and the detector to spaced apart locations on a specimen, strain in the specimen can be measured.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a plurality of compartments each of which includes an opening on one side thereof and a floor generally opposite the opening. Also included are a plurality of flexible drug containment sacks, each having a mouth circumscribing an opening in the sack, with the sack being disposed in a respective compartment with the mouth affixed to the opening of that compartment to seal the inside of the sack from the inside of the compartment and to enable holding a drug formulation in the sack. A plurality of covers are disposed over a respective compartment opening for preventing the release of drug formulation contained in the sacks in the compartment covered, until ruptured or removed.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a base end and a discharge end, for holding drug solution at the discharge end, a valve disposed at the discharge end to allow a drug solution to flow from inside the housing, through the valve and out of the housing when solution pressure is applied to the valve, a piston slidably disposed in the housing to slide between the base end and discharge end to force solution toward the discharge end and out the valve, and a spring disposed in the housing between the piston and the base end thereof for urging the piston toward the discharge end. A plurality of different length tethers are connected at one end to the piston and at the other end to a respective release node located at the base end of the housing. Each release node holds the other end of a respective one of the tethers until a release signal is received at which time it releases the tether.