Abstract: A power frequency converter and an associated method are provided to convert an AC input signal at a first frequency, such as a first frequency that is permitted to vary within a range, to an AC output signal at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency and that may be fixed. The power frequency converter includes a plurality of power rectification modules. Each power rectification module includes a plurality of power rectification components for receiving different phases of an input signal at a first frequency. Each power rectification module is configured to provide an output signal to a load, such as an induction motor, at a second frequency. The power frequency converter also includes a controller configured to provide control signals to selectively enable the power rectification modules. The controller is configured to provide the control signals without synchronization to the first frequency.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump and methods are presented. At least one flexible tube is configured to alternately radially compress to constrict fluid passage and radially recover to allow fluid passage. A surface is configured to support the at least one flexible tube. A non-rotating compression plate is configured to: compress the at least one flexible tube by a virtual elliptical wave nutation, and control a flow of a fluid in the at least one flexible tube by compression of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a reluctance motor. The apparatus comprises a stator and a plate. The stator includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils having an overlapped configuration. Applying multi-phase current to the plurality of electromagnetic coils generates a magnetic field. The plate forms a virtual pole when a portion of the plate contacts the stator in response to the magnetic field. Rotating the magnetic field about a center axis through the stator rotates the virtual pole about the center axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a reluctance motor. The apparatus comprises a stator and a rotor device. The stator comprises a first stator component and a second stator component. The first stator component has at least three poles. The second stator component has at least three corresponding poles. The at least three poles and the at least three corresponding poles form pole pairs. The rotor device is positioned between the first stator component and the second stator component. The rotor device has two rotor poles.

Abstract: A railway car for traveling within a switch of a railway track is disclosed. The railway car includes a body portion for containing goods and a truck portion that is a framework for carrying a plurality of wheels of the railway car. The truck portion is connected to the body portion and is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the body portion. The railway car also includes a rotational joint defining the axis of rotation which the truck portion is rotatable about. The rotational joint rotatably connects the truck portion to the body portion of the railway car.

Abstract: A passive switch for a railway track is disclosed. A railway car is moveable along the railway track in a facing direction. The passive switch includes a first track section and a second track section. The first track section includes a first main track, a first diverging track, and a first guard rail. The first guard rail is shaped to guide a first wheel of the railway car from the first main track onto the first diverging track as the first wheel travels in the facing direction within the passive switch. The second track section includes a second main track and a second diverging track. The second main track is shaped to guide a second wheel of the railway car from the second main track onto the second diverging track.

Abstract: High aspect ratio positioning systems are disclosed herein. A high aspect ratio positioning system can be packaged in a thin package that can eliminate some bulky components typically associated with positioning systems such as pancake motors or other motors, geared resolvers, gear trains, and the like. Thus, the high aspect ratio positioning system can be used in applications where volume is limited, without sacrificing accuracy.

Abstract: A virtual ellipse electric motor and methods are presented. A fulcrum bears a nutating dynamic load, and a wobble plate is rotationally coupled to the fulcrum and nutates around the fulcrum. The wobble plate includes an inner pericyclic gear and an outer pericyclic gear, and a stationary gear meshes with the outer pericyclic gear and provides leverage to the wobble plate. The rotational output plate meshes with the inner pericyclic gear and rotates in response to rotation of the wobble plate. The stator includes an electromagnet and electromagnetically attracts a first side of the wobble plate such that a second side of the wobble plate is leveraged against the stationary gear and the rotational output plate.

Abstract: A power frequency converter and an associated method are provided to convert an AC input signal at a first frequency, such as a first frequency that is permitted to vary within a range, to an AC output signal at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency and that may be fixed. The power frequency converter includes a plurality of power rectification modules. Each power rectification module includes a plurality of power rectification components for receiving different phases of an input signal at a first frequency. Each power rectification module is configured to provide an output signal to a load, such as an induction motor, at a second frequency. The power frequency converter also includes a controller configured to provide control signals to selectively enable the power rectification modules. The controller is configured to provide the control signals without synchronization to the first frequency.

Abstract: A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units includes: (a) a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped video unit among the plurality of video units; and (b) a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of the plurality of video units; the control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal. Each respective signaling-equipped video unit is oriented to permit at least one other video unit of the plurality of video units to receive the predetermined signal. The control unit cooperates with the plurality of video units to evaluate received the predetermined signals to effect the checking.

Abstract: A chip scale atomic clock (CSAC) accelerometer incorporates a case in which a cesium vapor resonance cell is carried. An optical laser is mounted in the case and emits a laser beam through the resonance cell. The laser is modulated by a microwave signal generator. A photon detector mounted in the case receives photons emitted by cesium atoms in the resonance cell and provides a frequency output representative of interference of energy levels of the emitted photons including momentum changes due to acceleration.

Abstract: A virtual ellipse electric motor and methods are presented. A fulcrum bears a nutating dynamic load, and a wobble plate is rotationally coupled to the fulcrum and nutates around the fulcrum. The wobble plate comprises an inner pericyclic gear and an outer pericyclic gear, and a stationary gear meshes with the outer pericyclic gear and provides leverage to the wobble plate. The rotational output plate meshes with the inner pericyclic gear and rotates in response to rotation of the wobble plate. The stator comprises an electromagnet and electromagnetically attracts a first side of the wobble plate such that a second side of the wobble plate is leveraged against the stationary gear and the rotational output plate.

Abstract: A transverse flux induction motor (“TFIM”) is described in accordance with the present invention. The TFIM may be a linear induction motor or a rotary induction motor. The TFIM includes a primary motor element and secondary motor element. The primary motor element includes a plurality of coils and at least one magnetic element. The plurality of coils are arranged to generate a control flux along a first direction when power is applied to at least one coil of the plurality of coils and the at least one magnetic element is arranged to generate a bias flux in a second direction that is substantially transverse to the first direction. The secondary motor element is moveable in the first direction, relative to the primary motor element, in response to the control flux.

Abstract: A transportation system for use in transporting commodities is described herein. The transportation system includes a transportation network that includes a plurality of predefined paths of travel extending between a plurality of locations, and a plurality of transport vehicles. Each transport vehicle of the plurality of transport vehicles is configured to independently travel along the transportation network. A plurality of motor assemblies is oriented along the transportation network. Each motor assembly of the plurality of motor assemblies is oriented with respect to a predefined segment of the transportation network, and configured to move the transport vehicle along the predefined segment. A control system is operatively coupled to each motor assembly to selectively operate each motor assembly to independently convey each transport vehicle of the plurality of transport vehicles along the transportation network.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of displays which may be used in high pressure environments, e.g., in underwater environments, and systems which utilize such displays. In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one electronic device comprising an optical output, a first optical interface to couple the optical output to an optical transmission medium, a second optical interface coupled to the optical transmission medium, and a display coupled to the second optical interface. In some embodiments the second optical interface comprises a material having a graded index of refraction, and the display comprises an optically transmissive material coupled to the second optical interface to transmit an image from the second optical interface to a reflective surface.

Abstract: A transportation system for use in transporting commodities is described herein. The transportation system includes a transportation network that includes a plurality of predefined paths of travel extending between a plurality of locations, and a plurality of transport vehicles. Each transport vehicle of the plurality of transport vehicles is configured to independently travel along the transportation network. A plurality of motor assemblies is oriented along the transportation network. Each motor assembly of the plurality of motor assemblies is oriented with respect to a predefined segment of the transportation network, and configured to move the transport vehicle along the predefined segment. A control system is operatively coupled to each motor assembly to selectively operate each motor assembly to independently convey each transport vehicle of the plurality of transport vehicles along the transportation network.

Abstract: Embodiments include controllable voltage device drivers adapted to generate driver output voltages. A device driver includes a direct current (DC) voltage source adapted to receive a voltage level command that indicates a commanded voltage, and to generate a DC transformer input voltage having a voltage level corresponding to the commanded voltage. The device driver also includes a step-up transformer adapted to receive the DC transformer input voltage and to convert the DC transformer input voltage into an alternating current (AC) transformer output voltage. The device driver also includes at least one processing element, adapted to receive one or more control inputs, and to generate an alternating current through a primary transformer winding based on the one or more control inputs. Other embodiments include methods for a controllable voltage device driver to generate a driver output voltage, and optical systems having an electro-optical device and an electro-optical device driver subsystem.

Abstract: An azimuth determination system has a platform. A plurality of gimbals is attached to the platform to allow the platform to rotate about multiple axes. A pair of gryos is attached to the platform. A leveling device is attached to the platform to indicate when the platform is at a desired position. A control device attached to the plurality of gimbals to move the platform to the desired position indicated by the leveling device. An electronics system is to provide power to the azimuth determination system and to determine azimuth by positioning the gyros in a first position with an input axis of the gyros in the horizontal plane and orthogonal to the Earth Rate vector to calculate a first output and rotating the gyros 180° about the vertical to a second position to calculate a second output, the platform is then inverted and an additional set of two readings is taken. The four outputs are combined to produce the azimuth value and a gyro induced bias error.

Abstract: An apparatus for orbital change of a satellite incorporates a capture mechanism for space debris and a tether connecting the capture mechanism to a satellite. The tether is extendable to position the capture mechanism relative to the space debris. A controller is employed for timed release of the space debris by the capture mechanism for orbital change by the satellite.

Abstract: A launch device may be prepared for launch. The launch device may be assembled in a horizontal position on a mobile device. A lifting device attached to the mobile device may be coupled to the launch device. The launch device may be moved to a launch site using the mobile device. The launch device may be moved to a vertical position at the launch site using the lifting device. The launch device may be launched.