Abstract: Proximity detection apparatus 100 and method is disclosed herein. In a first embodiment, the proximity detection apparatus 100 is for tracking location of subjects tagged with respective transponders. The apparatus 100 comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna 102 configured to transmit a RF signal for sensing presence of a subject, a sensing circuit 106 configured to detect detuning of the RF antenna 102 and to derive a parameter associated with the RF signal which is representative of the detuning; and a control system 110,112 configured to compare the parameter with a threshold and based on the comparison, determine whether to initiate an inventor check to locate the subjects.

Abstract: A self-powered in-pipe fluid meter to be mounted inside of a pipe carrying a fluid therein. The fluid meter comprises at least one sensing unit capable of measuring one or more parameters of the fluid inside of the pipe; a telemetric data transmission unit capable of telemetrically transmitting data including a measured fluid parameter to a host terminal and/or another fluid meter; and at least one fluid-driven power source unit capable of generating power from the fluid flow within the pipe and supplying power to the sensing unit and/or the transmission unit.

Abstract: A planar positioning system having a rigid base, and first and second linear actuator means mounted to the rigid base, the first and second linear actuator means being arranged orthogonal to one another. A rigid reference surface (2A, 2B) is mounted to the base, (1) and a moveable platform (17) for holding a workpiece is supported for movement on the rigid reference surface (2A, 2B). First and second guiding means are coupled to moveable portions of the respective first and second actuator means, the first and second guiding means being arranged to bear on the moveable platform for transmission of forces thereto from the respective first and second actuator means to effect movement of the platform (17) on said rigid reference surface (2A, 2B). The first actuator means may comprise two linear actuators (4A, 4B) parallel to one another and spaced apart with the second linear actuator means (8) orthogonal thereto and arranged in an H-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A ripple suppressor/compensator useful in the general area of motion control and applicable to a wide range of servomechanisms exhibiting a force ripple characteristics, including the permanent magnet linear motors. An adaptive feed-forward control signal is generated which compensates for the ripple force, thus allowing for more precise tracking performance to be achieved.

Abstract: A planar positioning system having a rigid base, and first and second linear actuator means mounted to the rigid base, the first and second linear actuator means being arranged orthogonal to one another. A rigid reference surface (2A, 2B) is mounted to the base, (1) and a moveable platform (17) for holding a workpiece is supported for movement on the rigid reference surface (2A, 2B). First and second guiding means are coupled to moveable portions of the respective first and second actuator means, the first and second guiding means being arranged to bear on the moveable platform for transmission of forces thereto from the respective first and second actuator means to effect movement of the platform (17) on said rigid reference surface (2A, 2B). The first actuator means may comprise two linear actuators (4A, 4B) parallel to one another and spaced apart with the second linear actuator means (8) orthogonal thereto and arranged in an H-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A ripple suppressor/compensator useful in the general area of motion control and applicable to a wide range of servomechanisms exhibiting a force ripple characteristics, including the permanent magnet linear motors. An adaptive feed-forward control signal is generated which compensates for the ripple force, thus allowing for more precise tracking performance to be achieved.