Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: Attaching an attachment surface of an electrically conductive workpiece to an electrically conductive support surface is described. In one aspect, a biasing force is distributed at least partially around a weld region of the workpiece to urge the attachment surface of the workpiece against the support surface in a way which at least resists welding induced movement of the workpiece relative to the support arrangement. An electrode arrangement, having an electrode tip, contacts the workpiece to provide for substantially compliant movement of the electrode tip against the weld region in directions that are parallel to the support surface. In another aspect, a combined manipulation/welding arrangement is supported for controlled movement with a free end configured for engaging the workpiece to bias the workpiece against the support surface to manipulate the workpiece against the surface and to conduct an electrical current, while holding the workpiece, for welding to the support surface.

Abstract: Featured is a heat transferring device being configured and arranged so that at least some of the heat energy being generated by a heat producing device, such as the a bearing assembly of a flywheel energy storage system, is communicated directly from the locus of the device directly to a heat sink structure remote from the locus of the device. The heat-transferring device includes one or more flexible thermally conductive members, one end of each being thermally coupled to the heat generating device and the other end of each being thermally coupled to the heat sink. The flexible member also is configured and arranged so as to allow relative motion between the heat generating device and the heat sink in or about one or more directions or axes. The heat-transferring device further includes first and second conductive members that are each configured and arranged to thermally couple each flexible member end to one of the heat producing device and the heat sink.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system, including a plurality of pumps arranged in parallel for simultaneously drawing-off and absorbing substantially all of the gases that evolve from a flywheel assembly during high-speed operation, is disclosed. The plurality of pumps includes at least one pump for pumping mainly water vapor; and, at least one pump for pumping mainly active gases. The at least one pump for pumping mainly water vapor plurality of pumps is disposed in a gas storage chamber that is separate from the main housing of the flywheel system. The at least one pump for pumping mainly active gases is disposed in a container external to the main housing and fluidly coupled to the gas storage chamber. A drag pump assists the plurality of pumps in the gas storage chamber by pumping the evolved gases from the main housing to the gas storage chamber.

Abstract: Attaching an attachment surface of an electrically conductive workpiece to an electrically conductive support surface is described. In one aspect, a biasing force is distributed at least partially around a weld region of the workpiece to urge the attachment surface of the workpiece against the support surface in a way which at least resists welding induced movement of the workpiece relative to the support arrangement. An electrode arrangement, having an electrode tip, contacts the workpiece to provide for substantially compliant movement of the electrode tip against the weld region in directions that are parallel to the support surface. In another aspect, a combined manipulation/welding arrangement is supported for controlled movement with a free end configured for engaging the workpiece to bias the workpiece against the support surface to manipulate the workpiece against the surface and to conduct an electrical current, while holding the workpiece, for welding to the support surface.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system, including a plurality of pumps arranged in parallel for simultaneously drawing-off and absorbing substantially all of the gases that evolve from a flywheel assembly during high-speed operation, is disclosed. The plurality of pumps includes at least one pump for pumping mainly water vapor; and, at least one pump for pumping mainly active gases. The at least one pump for pumping mainly water vapor plurality of pumps is disposed in a gas storage chamber that is separate from the main housing of the flywheel system. The at least one pump for pumping mainly active gases is disposed in a container external to the main housing and fluidly coupled to the gas storage chamber. A drag pump assists the plurality of pumps in the gas storage chamber by pumping the evolved gases from the main housing to the gas storage chamber.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high-speed, single-drive and dual-drive external optical modulation devices that reduce the voltage and power required to amplify and modulate electrical signals onto an optical carrier. Two primary components of an optical transmitter, namely, the modulator and driver, are integrated, and preferably hybridly integrated, in a single package, thereby eliminating many of the cable connector interfaces that add loss, complexity and cost to the system. Further, integration frees the devices from the standardized impedance (i.e. 50 ohm) constraints that reduce performance, thereby enabling the design of optimized, low voltage, hybridly integrated modulation devices.

Abstract: Featured is a heat transferring device being configured and arranged so that at least some of the heat energy being generated by a heat producing device, such as the a bearing assembly of a flywheel energy storage system, is communicated directly from the locus of the device directly to a heat sink structure remote from the locus of the device. The heat-transferring device includes one or more flexible thermally conductive members, one end of each being thermally coupled to the heat generating device and the other end of each being thermally coupled to the heat sink. The flexible member also is configured and arranged so as to allow relative motion between the heat generating device and the heat sink in or about one or more directions or axes. The heat-transferring device further includes first and second conductive members that are each configured and arranged to thermally couple each flexible member end to one of the heat producing device and the heat sink.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system, including a plurality of pumps arranged in parallel for simultaneously drawing-off and absorbing substantially all of the gases that evolve from a flywheel assembly during high-speed operation, is disclosed. The plurality of pumps includes at least one pump, e.g., a water sorbent, for pumping mainly water vapor; and, at least one pump, e.g., a getter pump, for pumping mainly active gases. The plurality of pumps is disposed in a gas storage chamber that is separate from the main housing of the flywheel system. A drag pump assists the plurality of pumps in the gas storage chamber by pumping the evolved gases from the main housing to the gas storage chamber for subsequent absorption by the plurality of pumps.