Abstract: A drill guide assembly (10) for a drilling tool (50) having a chuck engaging a bit portion (54) comprising a tip (62) and a length extending from the chuck, the drill guide assembly comprising a first member (14), a second member (12) and a trackable member (16). The first member (14) is adapted to abut a workpiece surface and defines a central aperture (19) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The second member (12) is adapted to be axially displaced with respect to the first member and is axially biased therefrom, and defines a central aperture (11) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The trackable member (16), fastened to the second member, comprises a detectable element (35) adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space, thereby defining the position and movement of the second member and therefore that of the drilling tool bit portion.

Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.

Abstract: A positioning block for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element to which it is fixed. The positioning block comprises a rotational mounting element that is removably engaged to the bone element such that the mounting element is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation. A guide body portion is engaged with the mounting element such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis and an anterior-posterior axis, while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element such that the guide body portion and the mounting element rotate together relative to the bone element.

Abstract: A surgical device adapted for use with an image guided surgical system to facilitate monitoring inter-dependently mobile bone elements. A rigidly connected multiple-point anchor assembly is releasably engageable to at least two inter-dependently mobile bone elements and immobilizes the bone elements such that no relative movement therebetween is possible, and a complex rigid body comprising the immobilized bone elements and the multiple-point anchor assembly is formed. A trackable member is fastened to the multiple-point anchor assembly and comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the complex rigid body.

Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.

Abstract: Power flow management is achieved in an electrical power transmission network using serial impedance modulation distributed throughout the transmission lines of the network. Switching units are mounted to insulated portions of transmission line towers in proximity to phase lines for modulating power flowing in at least one phase line conductor of at least one bundle conductor phase line in an electric power transmission line at a plurality of segments in the network. Power flow is managed in at the segments by changing the series impedance of the line by controlling the switching units. Enhanced insulation between phase line conductors is added. The power flow in a plurality of electric power lines of the network is analyzed, a desired change in impedance for the electric power lines is determined, and at least some of the switching units are controlled to implement the desired change in impedance.

Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotating electric motor system capable of vibrating and a method for operating a rotary electric motor capable of vibrating. The system comprises an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, the rotor and the stator forming a unit vibrating within an audio frequency range; a power amplifier powering the electric motor, the power amplifier having a passband including at least the audio frequency range; and a signal generator generating a signal controlling the power amplifier. The signal generator comprises at least the audio frequency range. The control signal has a continuous component for rotating the rotor with respect to the stator, and an alternating component for inducing mechanical vibration in the unit capable of vibrating.

Abstract: Power flow management is achieved in an electrical power transmission network using serial impedance modulation distributed throughout the transmission lines of the network. Switching units are mounted to insulated portions of transmission line towers in proximity to phase lines for modulating power flowing in at least one phase line conductor of at least one bundle conductor phase line in an electric power transmission line at a plurality of segments in the network. Power flow is managed in at the segments by changing the series impedance of the line by controlling the switching units. Enhanced insulation between phase line conductors is added. The power flow in a plurality of electric power lines of the network is analyzed, a desired change in impedance for the electric power lines is determined, and at least some of the switching units are controlled to implement the desired change in impedance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotating electric motor system capable of vibrating and a method for operating a rotary electric motor capable of vibrating. The system comprises an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, the rotor and the stator forming a unit vibrating within an audio frequency range; a power amplifier powering the electric motor, the power amplifier having a passband including at least the audio frequency range; and a signal generator generating a signal controlling the power amplifier. The signal generator comprises at least the audio frequency range. The control signal has a continuous component for rotating the rotor with respect to the stator, and an alternating component for inducing mechanical vibration in the unit capable of vibrating.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotating electric motor system capable of vibrating and a method for operating a rotary electric motor capable of vibrating. The system comprises an electric motor having a rotor and the stator, the rotor and the stator forming a unit vibrating within an audio frequency range; a power amplifier powering the electric motor, the power amplifier having a passband including at least the audio frequency range; and a signal generator generating the signal controlling the power amplifier. The signal generator comprises at least the audio frequency range. The control signal has a continuous component for rotating the rotor with respect to the stator, and an alternating component for inducing mechanical vibration in the unit capable of vibrating.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for heating at a distance by light radiance includes a support and narrow-beam lamps mounted on the support in a matrix of lines and columns. Each of the lamps produce a luminous beam having a central axis of projection. The lamps in each column can be oriented to make their central axes converge to a first focal area. The lamps in each line can be oriented to make their central axes converge to a second focal area.

Abstract: The battery charger comprises a power factor correcting and voltage regulating apparatus having an inductor through which current is modulated by a modulator to obtain an efficient regulation and an efficient power factor correction. According to a first embodiment, the modulator comprises two rectifying elements connected to two controllable high frequency bidirectional switch elements. According to a second embodiment, the modulator comprises a rectifying element connected to a controllable high frequency switch. According to a third embodiment, an efficient battery charger is provided. It comprises an inverter including four controllable high frequency bidirectional switch elements connected in a bridge configuration. According to a fourth embodiment, a two-part battery charger is provided. It has an indicator for indicating quality of the coupling between the two parts thereof. According to a fifth embodiment, a two-part battery charger is provided.

Abstract: The battery charger including a power factor correcting and voltage regulating apparatus having an inductor through which current is modulated by a modulator to obtain an efficient regulation and an efficient power factor correction. According to a first embodiment, the modulator comprises two rectifying elements connected to two controllable high frequency bidirectional switch elements. According to a second embodiment, the modulator comprises a rectifying element connected to a controllable high frequency switch. According to a third embodiment, an efficient battery charger is provided. It comprises an inverter including four controllable high frequency bidirectional switch elements connected in a bridge configuration. According to a fourth embodiment, a two-part battery charger is provided. It has an indicator for indicating quality of the coupling between the two parts thereof. According to a fifth embodiment, a two-part battery charger is provided.

Abstract: The multiphase brushless AC electric machine comprises a stator frame having a surface provided with parallel slots and projections disposed alternately, each of the openings being substantially as wide as the widest width of the corresponding slot; and a rotor frame having a surface provided with permanent magnet means having respective surface sections facing the slots and projections. All of the surface sections of the magnet means produce a magnetic flux density having a component average amplitude B.sub.r (.theta.) perpendicular to the corresponding surface of the stator, which is substantially defined by the following equation:B.sub.r (.theta.)=M.sub.r (.theta.).multidot.L.sub.a (.theta.)/L.sub.v (.theta.)where L.sub.a (.theta.) is defined by the following equation: ##EQU1## where .theta. is a position angle in radians with respect to a reference position on the rotor frame; B.sub.r (.theta.) is the component average amplitude at the position angle .theta.; L.sub.v (.theta.

Abstract: The conductor section is for a stator frame of a polyphase dynamoelectric machine. The stator frame is provided with a series of elongated parallel slots for receiving respectively conductor sections. The conductor section comprises two parallel conductor sides of substantially rectangular cross section adapted to fit respectively into two corresponding parallel slots of the stator frame, the two sides defining a plane; and at least one conductor head of substantially rectangular cross section, connecting two adjacent ends of the parallel sides. The head shows a substantially U-shaped body when seen from a top view perpendicular to the plane, and a waved-shape body when seen from a front view contained in the plane. The head having top and bottom surfaces facing only one side of the plane from one end of the head to the other end thereof. Methods for mounting conductor sections of stator winding onto a circular shaped stator frame are also described.

Abstract: A method for mounting conductor sections of a stator winding onto a circular shaped stator frame of a dynamoelectric machine. Each conductor section has two parallel conductor sides and at least one conductor head connecting two adjacent ends of the parallel sides. The stator frame is provided with circumferentially distributed parallel slots. One conductor side of each conductor section is inserted at least partially into a corresponding slot of the parallel slots. The other conductor side of each conductor section is positioned, one beside the other, along the stator frame. The other conductor sides are then circumferentially shifted with respect to the stator frame until the other conductor sides are superimposed respectively above the one conductor side for forming pairs of superimposed conductor sides.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus are for starting up a synchronous machine having a rotor and a stator provided with a winding. The rotor has an initial position with respect to the stator.

Abstract: The electrically motorized wheel assembly comprises a hollow shaft having a first opening at one end thereof and a second opening, the first opening receiving conductors from outside of the assembly; a stator coaxial with and fixedly attached to the shaft, the stator being provided with a hollow portion and coils; a rotor coaxial with the stator and mounted for rotation about the stator; and converting system for converting an input electrical current to a variable AC electrical current, the converting system including power electronics fixedly mounted within the hollow portion, input terminals for receiving the input electrical current and output terminals for delivering the variable AC electrical current; whereby, to provide the variable AC current to the coils of the stator.

Abstract: The motor vehicle drive system is for a motor vehicle having an electric motor system, an actuating system, an accelerator system, a mode selector and a battery.