Abstract: A method and system for reducing windage losses in compressor motors is provided. The compressor motor is cooled by circulating refrigerant from a closed refrigerant loop incorporating the compressor. A pumping device coupled to a liquid expander in the closed refrigerant loop circulates refrigerant through the motor cavity and produces a motor cavity pressure lower than evaporating pressure. The lower pressure in the motor cavity reduces the density of the gasses in the motor cavity, resulting in reduced windage losses of the motor. Additionally, the pumping device is powered by the recovered liquid expansion energy between the condenser and the evaporator.

Abstract: An axial field electric machine having an improved efficiency includes a number of magnetic elements (e.g., as a rotor) as annular disks magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disk. The poles of each disk are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost disks contain the flux. The axial field electric machine also includes one or more conductor elements (e.g., as a stator) which include a number of conductor phases that traverse the flux emanating between poles of axially adjacent magnetic elements.

Abstract: An adjustable balanced modulator includes first and second non-linear devices. The first non-linear device receives an RF input signal and an in-phase LO signal to produce a first mixed signal. The second non-linear device receives the RF input signal and the out-of-phase LO signal to produce a second mixed signal. A summer sums the two mixed signals to produce an output signal including sum and difference product terms and a suppressed RF input term. The performance of the balanced modulator is improved by using an adjustable phase corrector and/or adjustable bias voltages. An adjustable phase corrector can be used to adjust the RF input signals to the non-linear devices to be substantially in-phase to more effectively suppress the original RF input signal in the output signal. Bias voltages can be used to bias the non-linear devices to operate in a linear range and to equalize the levels of the sum and difference product terms.

Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.

Abstract: An axial field electric machine having an improved efficiency includes a number of magnetic elements (e.g., as a rotor) as annular disks magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disk. The poles of each disk are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost disks contain the flux. The axial field electric machine also includes one or more conductor elements (e.g., as a stator) which include a number of conductor phases that traverse the flux emanating between poles of axially adjacent magnetic elements.

Abstract: A locking system for a loaded handgun that prevents the handgun from being removed from a housing until a combination lock is unlocked. The housing is constructed of a material such as steel or a high impact resistance polymer, capable of preventing penetration of a slug fired by the handgun. The combination lock is either an illuminated keypad or a bio-metric sensor. In one embodiment, the combination lock actuates a locking member that prevents the handgun from being removed and extends behind the trigger, so that the handgun cannot be fired. In another embodiment, the combination lock secures a locking member in a position that prevents a holster containing the handgun from being pivoted outside an internal cavity within the housing. While the handgun and holster are locked inside the internal cavity, the handgun cannot be withdrawn from the holster. When the proper combination is entered, the locking member releases the holster, and a spring element pivots the holster free of the internal cavity.

Abstract: An axial field electric machine having an improved efficiency includes a number of magnetic elements (e.g., as a rotor) as annular disks magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disk. The poles of each disk are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost disks contain the flux. The axial field electric machine also includes one or more conductor elements (e.g., as a stator) which include a number of conductor phases that traverse the flux emanating between poles of axially adjacent magnetic elements.

Abstract: A transformer system comprises a transformer star winding to be coupled to an antenna system, and a transformer delta winding disposed with said transformer star winding. The transformer star winding includes a set of star elements and the transformer delta winding includes a set of delta elements each being substantially perpendicularly disposed with a corresponding star element from the set of star elements.

Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.

Abstract: A antenna system is provided, including a substantially annular antenna element having an inner perimeter edge. The antenna system also includes a two-dimensional amplifier system coupled to the inner perimeter edge of the antenna element. The two-dimensional amplifier system may comprise a plurality of one-dimensional amplifiers, each one-dimensional amplifier being coupled to the inner perimeter edge of the antenna element at substantially equally spaced angular positions. The two-dimensional amplifier system may also comprise a two-dimensional field effect transistor. The antenna element and two-dimensional amplifier system are configured to either receive or transmit a wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the terminus of which traces a nonlinear path within a plane transverse to an axis of wave propagation at an angular velocity corresponding to a rotation frequency between the carrier frequency and zero.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave is transmitted from and received by an antenna system having a cavity member, a passive antenna element and a driver element. The cavity member has a back portion and a wall portion which define a substantially cylindrical interior portion. The antenna element has a first end disposed within the interior portion of the cavity member. The driver element is coupled to the interior portion of the cavity member.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a receiver system and a display system. The receiver system receives one or more electromagnetic (EM) waves each having a carrier frequency and a rotation frequency. The receiver system determines an amplitude for each EM wave. The display system displays the amplitude for each EM wave as a function of carrier frequency and rotation frequency. Another measurement system measures and displays the angular position or orientation and amplitude of the E-field of a received EM wave as a function of time.

Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.

Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a second frequency between the carrier frequency and zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and second frequency. Either the periodic path, the second frequency, or both provide selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.

Abstract: An axial field motor/generator having a rotor that includes at least three annular discs magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disc. The poles of each magnet are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost two magnets contain the flux. The motor/generator also has a stator that includes a stator assembly between each two adjacent magnets. Each stator assembly includes one or more conductors or windings. Although the conductors may be formed of wire having a round, uniform cross-section, they may alternatively be formed of conductors having a tapered cross-section that corresponds to the taper of the sectors in order to maximize the density of the conductor in the gap between axially adjacent poles. The conductors may also alternatively be formed of traces in a printed circuit, which may have one or more layers.

Abstract: An axial field motor/generator having a rotor that includes at least three annular discs magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disc. The poles of each magnet are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost two magnets contain the flux. The motor/generator also has a stator that includes a stator assembly between each two adjacent magnets. Each stator assembly includes one or more conductors or windings. Although the conductors may be formed of wire having a round, uniform cross-section, they may alternatively be formed of conductors having a tapered cross-section that corresponds to the taper of the sectors in order to maximize the density of the conductor in the gap between axially adjacent poles. The conductors may also alternatively be formed of traces in a printed circuit, which may have one or more layers.

Abstract: An axial field motor/generator having a rotor that includes at least three annular discs magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disc. The poles of each magnet are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost two magnets contain the flux. The motor/generator also has a stator that includes a stator assembly between each two adjacent magnets. Each stator assembly includes one or more conductors or windings. Although the conductors may be formed of wire having a round, uniform cross-section, they may alternatively be formed of conductors having a tapered cross-section that corresponds to the taper of the sectors in order to maximize the density of the conductor in the gap between axially adjacent poles. The conductors may also alternatively be formed of traces in a printed circuit, which may have one or more layers.

Abstract: A disposable self-retaining skin retractor permits access to interior tissues and includes generally longitudinally extending members moveable respecting one another at a position of connection between, having tip portions remote from the connection position and separating from each other upon relative pivotal movement of the members. The retractor further preferably includes means for urging the members pivotally respective one another to separate the tip portions one from another and means for retaining the members at a position at which the tip portions are separated.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring changes in human joint strength includes an open-cell body of flexible foam, an airtight flexible skin sealed about said foam body, with skin having an opening permitting passage of air into and out of the foam body, a hose sealed about the opening to channel air passing in and out of the opening through the hose and a gauge connected to the hose for measuring the force of air passing through the hose upon application of the force against the foam body.