Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic generator for generating electricity comprising: an exciter having a first magnetic flux, an electrical conductor operable to generate a second magnetic flux when moved relative to the first magnetic flux, means for causing relative motion between the first magnetic flux and the conductor such that the second magnetic flux generated at the conductor opposes the motion of the first magnetic flux relative to the conductor to simultaneously generate an electromotive force (EMF) and a potential energy that is stored in the second magnetic flux, means for controlling the relative motion between the first magnetic flux and the conductor so that the potential energy stored in the conductor is released by allowing the second magnetic flux to collapse unimpeded by the first magnetic flux, and means for converting the released potential energy to an electromotive force (EMF) across the conductor. The invention further relates to a transformer and to an electric motor.

Abstract: A computer system (100) and method for the storage, archiving, query and retrieval of information relating to 3D objects is provided. The système includes data acquisition (130) means for requiring point coordinate data about a three-dimensional object, a database component (105), a processor (103) and a user interface (110). The processor (103) is operable to generate modeled data (105) from the point coordinate data and to segment the modeled data (124) into feature data (122) representing a plurality of features of the object (118). The data is organized so that features of the 3D objects can be automatically extracted for online query and retrieval. The processor (103) is operable to store the modeled data (124) and the feature data (122) in the database component (105) and retrieve modeled data (124) and feature data (122) from the database component (105) using search criteria representing oobject features of interest.