Abstract: A trolling motor has a steering motor transmitting torque to a steering shaft, which is coupled to a lower propulsion unit such that rotation of the steering shaft rotates the propulsion unit about a steering axis. A controller is in signal communication with the steering motor. A foot pedal in signal communication with the controller has a foot pad pivotable about a pivot axis and sends electrical steering signals to the controller (and thus steering motor) in response to pivoting of the foot pad. A variable resistance device is coupled to the foot pedal and controllable to vary resistance to pivoting of the foot pad about the pivot axis based on a position, velocity, acceleration, and/or jerk of the steering shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the variable resistance device provides haptic feedback to a user via the foot pad to inform the user about information related to the trolling motor system.

Abstract: A trolling motor has a steering motor transmitting torque to a steering shaft, which is coupled to a lower propulsion unit such that rotation of the steering shaft rotates the propulsion unit about a steering axis. A controller is in signal communication with the steering motor. A foot pedal in signal communication with the controller has a foot pad pivotable about a pivot axis and sends electrical steering signals to the controller (and thus steering motor) in response to pivoting of the foot pad. A variable resistance device is coupled to the foot pedal and controllable to vary resistance to pivoting of the foot pad about the pivot axis based on a position, velocity, acceleration, and/or jerk of the steering shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the variable resistance device provides haptic feedback to a user via the foot pad to inform the user about information related to the trolling motor system.

Abstract: A hydraulic sample mounting press utilizes a face seal against the top face of a molding cylinder. The face seal employs a hydraulic cylinder to press a disk-shaped surface of a cap piece against the top annular face of the mold cylinder for a metallographic mounting press. The face seal cylinder is mounted to a hydraulic fluid column that allows the face seal to rotate away from the mold cylinder for access to the molding cylinder and to rotate into place when a metallographic mount is to be molded.

Abstract: A hydraulic sample mounting press utilizes a face seal against the top face of a molding cylinder. The face seal employs a hydraulic cylinder to press a disk-shaped surface of a cap piece against the top annular face of the mold cylinder for a metallographic mounting press. The face seal cylinder is mounted to a hydraulic fluid column that allows the face seal to rotate away from the mold cylinder for access to the molding cylinder and to rotate into place when a metallographic mount is to be molded.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heated oven is used to heat a crucible to melt a sample and to simultaneously heat a casting dish into which the molten sample can be poured. The oven is cooled with the crucible and casting dish within the oven in order to prepare a sample bead for analysis. In another embodiment of the invention the sample is again melted in a crucible and after melting the crucible is moved out of the oven and turned to pour the molten sample into an acid solution positioned external to the oven. The crucible and sample can be moved while in the oven to mix the sample. The method of preparing an analytical sample using the electrical resistance heated oven is also disclosed.