Abstract: A position sensing construction system according to aspects of the disclosure may include a GPS system arranged to cover a jobsite, a local position sensing system in combination with the GPS system, tools equipped with position/movement sensors and communication capability, and software to record positions of installed building components. Local position sensing systems may utilize one or more known fixed points, the position of which is established by GPS or other techniques, and report the position of building components relative to the fixed positions. Installation tools are configured to deliver a position signal corresponding to the position of a building component after installation is completed. Software facilitates communication between system components, records position and other information from tools and generates maps of tagged locations that can be used during construction and later for repair and maintenance of the completed project. The positions and maps may be in three dimensions.

Abstract: A portable induction tool is provided for soldering or brazing sections of metal pipe together. A work coil head (with induction coil) is U-shaped, allowing placement of the head around lengths of pipe, heating a susceptor (e.g., the pipe) to form a joint, and then to be withdrawn after the pipe joint is made. In one form, the tool uses heat pipes to remove thermal energy from the head, and also a heat exchanger for higher-powered units. Power capacitors are generally included with the induction (work) coil to create a tank circuit of a resonant frequency. The induction coil uses Litz wire, copper tubing, or heat pipes with a conductive outer skin to carry the high-current being delivered to the induction coil. The induction coil has a general racetrack configuration, which is typically wound in a U-shape (or as a semicircle) as a single winding, with multiple turns.

Abstract: An improved induction heating apparatus is provided for attaching membrane roofs. A top membrane layer is attached to attachment disks that hold sheets of thermal insulation to the top of roof substrates. The heating apparatus emits a magnetic field that raises the temperature of the disks and a heat-activated adhesive on top of the disks which, after cooling, becomes adhered to the bottom surface of the top membrane layer. The disks in turn are attached via fasteners to the substrate portion of the roof structure. The apparatus includes a set of bottom guides that allow a user to find the attachment disks mechanically, without actually seeing those disks beneath the top membrane layer. A fine locator circuit is provided, using a magnetic field, and the apparatus allows a user to stand upright while operating the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable induction tool is provided for soldering or brazing sections of metal pipe together. A work coil head (with induction coil) is U-shaped, allowing placement of the head around lengths of pipe, heating a susceptor (e.g., the pipe) to form a joint, and then to be withdrawn after the pipe joint is made. In one form, the tool uses heat pipes to remove thermal energy from the head, and also a heat exchanger for higher-powered units. Power capacitors are generally included with the induction (work) coil to create a tank circuit of a resonant frequency. The induction coil uses Litz wire, copper tubing, or heat pipes with a conductive outer skin to carry the high-current being delivered to the induction coil. The induction coil has a general racetrack configuration, which is typically wound in a U-shape (or as a semicircle) as a single winding, with multiple turns.

Abstract: A portable induction tool is provided for soldering or brazing sections of metal pipe together. A work coil head (with induction coil) is U-shaped, allowing placement of the head around lengths of pipe, heating a susceptor (e.g., the pipe) to form a joint, and then to be withdrawn after the pipe joint is made. In one form, the tool uses heat pipes to remove thermal energy from the head, and also a heat exchanger for higher-powered units. Power capacitors are generally included with the induction (work) coil to create a tank circuit of a resonant frequency. The induction coil uses Litz wire, copper tubing, or heat pipes with a conductive outer skin to carry the high-current being delivered to the induction coil. The induction coil has a general racetrack configuration, which is typically wound in a U-shape (or as a semicircle) as a single winding, with multiple turns.

Abstract: An impact device (10) employing a novel direct electric propulsion system. The device operates by placing a conductive piston (23) adjacent to an electric coil (18) then rapidly releasing electrical energy stored in a capacitor (17) to energize the coil (18) and propel the piston according to the Lorentz force principal. The system can be designed for a wide range of drive energy, and offers several performance advantages over known propulsion systems. These advantages include simple construction and operation, low manufacturing costs, low drive energy variation, and the ability to adjust drive energy while over a wide range while maintaining low energy variation at reduced levels. The system is adaptable to be powered by either corded electric, or battery, or fuel cell.

Abstract: An impact device (10) employing a novel direct electric propulsion system. The device operates by placing a conductive piston (23) adjacent to an electric coil (18) then rapidly releasing electrical energy stored in a capacitor (17) to energize the coil (18) and propel the piston according to the Lorentz force principal. The system can be designed for a wide range of drive energy, and offers several performance advantages over known propulsion systems. These advantages include simple construction and operation, low manufacturing costs, low drive energy variation, and the ability to adjust drive energy while over a wide range while maintaining low energy variation at reduced levels. The system is adaptable to be powered by either corded electric, or battery, or fuel cell.

Abstract: A switching power supply which generates AC power, as opposed to DC power. A transistor opens and closes to thereby generate charge-discharge cycles through an inductor-resistor combination. Each charging current is compared with a reference waveform which changes slowly over time, compared with the opening and closing of the transistor. When each charging current exceeds the then-current value of the waveform, the transistor is opened, inducing a discharge cycle. This operation produces an output power waveform which is a replica of the reference waveform.

Abstract: A switching power supply which generates AC power, as opposed to DC power. A transistor opens and closes to thereby generate charge-discharge cycles through an inductor-resistor combination. Each charging current is compared with a reference waveform which changes slowly over time, compared with the opening and closing of the transistor. When each charging current exceeds the then-current value of the waveform, the transistor is opened, inducing a discharge cycle. This operation produces an output power waveform which is a replica of the reference waveform.

Abstract: An open loop control arrangement for an electrical energy flow-controlling circuit coupling the varying terminal voltage of an energy storing capacitor to a fixed voltage direct current aircraft energy supply bus in order to supplement bus voltage transients. The open loop control arrangement allows energy flow from the varying terminal voltage of the capacitor to the fixed bus voltage by providing a time varying pulse modulation cycle in an energy conveying and voltage changing inductive element located in the energy coupling path. The open loop control arrangement senses input voltage rather than output voltage of the coupling circuit in what is termed a "feed forward " output regulation algorithm. A transistorized and integrated circuit inclusive preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in which a disconnect of the inductance from the aircraft supply bus is accomplished during shunt path inductance energy charging portions of an operating cycle.

Abstract: An aircraft electrical supply bus supplementing arrangement in which electrical energy is stored in a large capacitor and energy flow between the capacitor and the bus is controlled by a bi-directional electrical converter circuit of the switched inductance type. The varying terminal voltage of the energy storing capacitor, a super capacitor, is coupled to the relatively fixed voltage of the aircraft supply bus by way of the voltage changing capability of the converter circuit switched inductance. Current flow levels in this inductance are controlled with a negative feedback regulator circuit. Energy storage efficiency in the converter is enhanced with respect to weight and physical size of the capacitor element by ability of the converter circuit to accept a widely varying input voltage while generating a relatively constant output voltage.