Abstract: Apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable between the side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) includes a triangular front portion (64) and an main portion (62) positioned rearward of the front portion. The front portion (64) includes a forward edge (72), a rear edge (76), and a bottom edge (74). The front portion (64) is connected to the main portion (62) via a first inflation fluid passage (106) positioned adjacent the bottom edge (74). The front portion (64) includes a plurality of inflatable chambers (120) that have a tapered configuration with a narrow end (134) and an opposite wide end (136) positioned near the bottom edge (74). An inflation fluid source (30) when actuated directs inflation fluid into the main portion (62). The first inflation fluid passage (106) directs inflation fluid from the main portion (62) into the front portion (64).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable into a position between a side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (252). The protection device (14) includes a forwardmost inflatable chamber (122). The protection device (14) is rolled up in an outboard direction into a stored position. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14) for at least five seconds. The device (14) is adapted to inflate and unroll in a downward direction away from the vehicle roof (18). A first portion (270) is adapted to engage an occupant's head (250) positioned against the side structure (16). The first portion (270) moves the occupant's head (250) laterally in the vehicle (12) away from the side structure (16) and inflates between the side structure of the vehicle and the occupant's head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a side gas bag module comprising a gas generator, a gas bag having an elongated shape in its folded condition for covering at least one side window of a motor vehicle and a protective sleeve having longitudinal ends which sleeve surrounds the gas bag in its folded condition. The gas bag has at least one restraint chamber and at least two fittings. The gas generator has at least two gas conduits which are connected with the fittings. The fittings project out from the protective sleeve between the longitudinal ends of the protective sleeve.

Abstract: A steering wheel of the present invention has an airbag apparatus. The airbag apparatus has a pad for covering the airbag, and the pad has a plurality of doors that can open. Each door opens around a hinge as a rotation center. The hinge is located below an outer periphery of the pad. That is, an area of the door itself can widely be secured, and the door can open as wide as possible. A switch operating portion is disposed in an area other than the door, but of a boss or a spoke that is not covered with the door when it opens. When doors open around the hinge as the rotation center, the doors are disposed in the three spaces between the spokes. The opened doors are disposed smoothly in the three spaces between the three spokes without interference with the switch operating portion. A widely opening state of each door can stably be secure.

Abstract: A rear seat airbag device is arranged with an airbag housing mounted to a rear portion of a front seat of a vehicle. The housing has an airbag deployment opening which deploys the airbag upwardly and toward the head and chest portion of a rear seat occupant.

Abstract: A stored gas inflator is formed by a pressure vessel including a gas port, a small chamber facing the gas port, and a main chamber situated adjacent to the small chamber and having a capacity larger than that of the small chamber. A high pressure gas is filled in the small chamber and the main chamber. A first partition closes the gas port, and a second partition separates the small chamber and the main chamber so that a burst pressure of the second partition is set to be lower than a stored gas pressure in the main chamber. A gas blasting initiator is mounted to the small chamber for applying burst pressure to at least one of the first and second partitions to allow the main chamber to eject the gas.

Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion operatively attached to one or more profile restricting tether elements having an operative length which may be adjusted to provide desired inflation and impact response characteristics. The tether elements may be of actuated or self adjusting operative length to provide desired tension characteristics for various impact conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus of a motor vehicle which can securely protect a passenger in a much close state by an inexpensive means. Since a rear end (a patch portion (19)) of a tether belt (20) is positioned at a vertical surface (A) passing through a rear end (21) of an instrument panel (1) or in a front side thereof, in an initial expanding state of an air bag (4), a rearward development of the air bag (4) is restricted just before a passenger (M) due to a tension of the tether belt (20) even in the case that the passenger (M) stands close to the instrument panel (1), whereby no excessive impact is applied to the passenger (M).

Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises two superimposed plies of fabric and a tether means attached to the plies of fabric. The tether means is formed by a seam realized with a thread slack and interconnecting the plies of fabric.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rotational stabilizer pads for stabilizer arms of vehicles. The stabilizer pads include first and second ground contact faces for contacting respectively a smooth ground surface and a rough or gravel ground surface. In embodiments of the present invention, the stabilizer pads include a reversible resilient pad coupled to a first flange and a second flange. The first and second flanges may include grouser points for engaging the rough ground surface. Further features include a releaseable latch mechanism and offset pad construction.

Abstract: An actively variable energy absorber including a convex anvil on a steering column housing, a flat metal strap attached to a steering column support and slidably engaging the convex anvil on an active surface area of the convex anvil, and a control apparatus for actively varying the geometric relationship between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil in response to changes in a control variable thereby to adjust the magnitude of the active surface area. Adjusting the magnitude of the active surface area changes the severity of plastic deformation of the flat metal strap and the magnitude of the friction between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil thereby to adjust the force resisting linear translation of the steering column housing. In some embodiments of the actively variable energy absorber, the flat metal strap is plastically deformed by being pulled over a single convex anvil during linear translation of the steering column housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pipes for the transmission and/or distribution of combustible gases, and liquefied gases, comprising a polyethylene layer and a polyamide inside and/or outside layer. These pipes may advantageously be connected together by adhesively bonded sleeves and thus form medium-pressure and low-pressure gas distribution and transmission networks or else they may be installed inside already existing metal pipes.

Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect coupling which does not allow free rotation of the ends of the coupling with respect to one another includes a male connector having a coupling end and a female connector having a coupling end with a receiving opening therein to receive the coupling end of the male connector when the connectors are in coupled condition. A holding mechanism is associated with the connectors to hold them together in coupled condition and allow easy disconnection when desired. Interengaging cooperable surfaces are provided on the male and female connectors, such as tabs extending from the female connector to engage a flat or other tab mating surface on the male connector to substantially prevent relative rotation of the male connector in relation to the female connector. The coupling is particularly useful for attaching sprinkler heads to sprinkler head holding bases in sprinkler systems to allow easy replacement of the sprinkler heads.

Abstract: A wind powered generating device comprises a tube cluster, a collector assembly, and a turbine assembly. The collector assemblies utilize sails that can be rotated to direct wind down through an inlet tube to a central outlet tube. The central outlet tube is narrowed at a portion, and a turbine is mounted at this narrowed portion to take advantage of the Venturi effect that accelerates the air as it passes the turbine. This permits reliable and efficient operation in areas that were not formerly considered windy enough to be economically feasible for the deployment of wind powered generating devices. Alternative embodiments of the invention include mechanisms for dealing with violent weather conditions, a first of which allows excess wind to bleed off beneath and between the sails, and a second which collapses and covers the sail with a protective sheath/sock.

Abstract: An automotive door having burglarproof structure adapted to prevent manipulation of lock assembly at locking apparatus even with the use of a tool through a gap between a door glass and a portion of outside handle, allowing only an exclusive car key to release the locking apparatus of door, the automotive door having burglarproof structure, wherein a locking apparatus comprises an actuator operated at a driver's seat by a switch and a lock assembly coupled via a rod assembly to outside/inside handles manipulated in and outside of an automobile, the lock assembly further including a lock lever for manipulating an actuating unit for locking and releasing operations and a fixation bracket for fixing the actuating unit and the lock lever to a run channel of a door, whereas the lock lever is integrally formed thereon with a slider of circular arch shape and the fixation bracket is integrally formed with a blocking plate protruded to block one side end of the lock lever.

Abstract: The actuating system has a handle pivoted about a handle axis on the door, an actuating part fixed on the handle and extending radially from the axis, and a damper fixed on the door adjacent the axis and having an input element. The actuating part is connected to the input element for displacement of the input element and operation of the damper on pivoting of the handle. The input element is rotatable about a damper axis and the connection is a positive rotational coupling. The coupling includes gear teeth on the actuating part and gear teeth on the rotary input meshing with the actuating-part gear teeth. More specifically the rotary input element is a gear wheel and the actuating part includes a sector gear in mesh with the gear wheel.

Abstract: A snow shovel system for easily removing snow from a surface without requiring significant physical effort by a user. The snow shovel system includes a blade member having a first edge and a second edge, a frame attached to a rear surface of the blade member, a handle pivotally attached to the frame, and a wheel rotatably attached to the frame for maintaining the blade member in a substantially horizontal position. The handle may be rotated approximately 180 degrees with respect to the blade member for allowing the user to select which edge of the blade member will be utilized to engage the surface to be cleaned of snow which determines whether the snow is pushed to the left side or right side of the user during a forward movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for picking up an integrated circuit and for facilitating the optical testing thereof. The apparatus comprises a pick-up mechanism that includes a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is defined by an upper portion, an expandable member, and a lower portion. The lower portion defines a suction orifice that is moveable with a movement of the expandable member. An optical pathway is defined by the vacuum chamber, the optical pathway passing through the suction orifice and onto an integrated circuit that is held against the suction orifice via a vacuum pressure applied to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A versatile loading arc system for a pickup truck comprising a bed extending between a front end adjacent the truck's cabin and a rear end and two side walls, the system comprising a front arc having a top bar extending between two side legs fixed at a front end of the bed and a rear arc having a top bar ending between two side legs. The rear arc is swingably supported by two swinging arms each pivotally hinged to sides of the bed at a location intermediate the rear end and the front end of the bed. The rear arc is swingably displaceable between a front position in which it adjoins the front arc, and at least one rear position in which it extends parallel at or adjacent the rear end of the bed.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions, the trunk is raised by rearward movement of the trunk linkage in connection with a guide member. The guide member also provides a forward movement of the trunk linkage for closing the trunk lid.

Abstract: A sealing structure for forming a seal between a weather strip attached to a door opening portion of a vehicle body, and a periphery of a vehicle door. The weather strip includes a base portion having a generally U-shaped cross-section for attachment to the door opening portion, and a tubular seal portion which expands from an outer side wall of the base portion. A projection is formed in the weather strip so as to project from the outer side wall of the base portion into an interior of the tubular seal portion so as to be spaced from an inner surface of a projecting top of a sealing wall of the tubular seal portion. When the vehicle door is closed, an inside surface of a periphery of a door panel contacts and presses the projecting top of the sealing wall, which faces the projecting end of the projection, while an inside surface of a door frame contacts and presses a side part of the sealing wall apart from the projecting top of the sealing wall.

Abstract: A sliding door is arranged on a side wall of a body of a motor vehicle. A running device interacts with a guide rail mounted on the side wall. A safety device is provided for aiding in opening of the sliding door after an accident-caused deformation of the vehicle body. In order to achieve an good functioning of the safety device, it is constructed in such a fashion that, after a deformation affecting the side wall, a movement of the running device in the guide rail can be implemented for opening the sliding door.

Abstract: An accessory tray includes a first tray portion and a second tray portion adapted to be coupled to and decoupled from the first tray portion. A third tray portion can also be provided for coupling to and decoupling from the first tray portion. The accessory tray is adapted to couple to a high chair tray.

Abstract: A canopy support is movable relative to a juvenile seat to raise and lower a canopy with respect to the seat. The canopy support includes a hub mount on each side of the seat, an arched canopy frame, and a hub mount ring for connecting each end of the arched canopy frame to one of the hubs. Each hub mount ring is configured to interact with its companion hub to retain the arch canopy frame in a selected position relative to the seat.

Abstract: A pair of cantilevered armrests are mounted on a juvenile seat. Each armrest includes an arm and a support mount appended to the arm and coupled to the seat back. The support mount extends above and below the arm to embrace the seat back. One fastener lies above the arm and is coupled to an upper portion of the support mount. Another fastener lies below the arm and is coupled to a lower portion of the support mount.

Abstract: A juvenile seat assembly includes a seat panel formed to include an opening, a harness including a strap and a mount coupled to the strap, and a retainer coupled to the seat panel. The mount is inserted through the opening and is held in place relative to the seat panel by the retainer.

Abstract: A back portion (16) for a chair (10) includes a peripheral frame (34) defining an opening therein. A lumbar support portion (36) is disposed in the opening. The lumbar support portion (36) comprises a substantially rigid panel (207). Two hinge devices (214) are hingedly mounted on opposite sides of the peripheral frame (34). The lumbar support portion (207) is mounted on the peripheral frame by the two hinge devices (214). Each hinge device has a biasing device (226) associated with it to bias the hinge devices (214) forwardly relative to the peripheral frame (34). A cushion (540) may be mounted atop the lumbar support portion (207). The cushion has a first substantially planar sheet (542) of resiliently flexible material and a second substantially planar sheet (544) of resiliently flexible material. The first and second sheets are separated by a plurality of spaced webs (546) of resiliently flexible material.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an adjusting device for a piece of furniture on which to lie or for sitting on with at least one swivel part (12, 14) that is pivotally attached, by way of a torsion bar (20, 22), to said piece of furniture on which to lie or for sitting on, with a housing (26) and with a bearing element (38, 40) accommodated in said housing (26), wherein the bearing element (38, 40) is provided with a recess (66, 68) that partially surrounds the torsion bar (20,22) and in which said torsion bar (20, 22) may be introduced so that the adjusting device (24) is attached to the torsion bar (20, 22) with positive fit, and with an actuating drive (46, 48) that is accommodated in the housing (26) and acts on the torsion bar (20, 22). The provision of an adjusting device that is easy to install on the piece of furniture and that can be manufactured at low cost is achieved by the fact that the actuating drive (46, 48) pushes the torsion bar (20, 22) into the recess (66, 68).

Abstract: An arm assembly (24) is provided for a chair (12). The chair (12) has a forward direction and a rearward direction. The arm assembly (24) includes an armrest (26) and a support structure (28). A mounting device movably mounts the armrest to the support structure. The mounting device constrains the movement of the armrest (26) relative to the support structure to movement in a substantially horizontal plane having two degrees of freedom defined by first and second transversely arranged axes lying within the substantially horizontal plane. The armrest (26) thus move in a substantially planar fashion without changing the orientation of the armrest (26).

Abstract: A juvenile seat assembly includes a seat bottom, a crotch strap, and a carrier coupled to the seat bottom for movement relative to the seat bottom. The crotch strap is part of a child-restraint harness included in the seat assembly. The crotch strap is coupled to and moves with the carrier. The carrier is lockable in a plurality of positions relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: A pivot mounting assembly (10) allows a standard tipping truck (1) to easily transport for example earth moving machinery (20). The assembly (10) comprises a lever arm (11) between the chassis (2) and body (3) which can be pivoted by a ram (15) to cause the body (3) to rest on the ground (6).

Abstract: A dual acting underbody truck bed hoist is provided with a self-latching mechanism for preventing rebound if a maneuver is attempted by the truck operator to jar hung up dirt from the bed when raised. The hoist further includes an alignment of its various pivots and booster arm so as to maximize the height achieved during initial lifting to the breakaway point with the dump bed.

Abstract: A wheel spinner assembly mountable onto a corresponding wheel of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a wheel mount supportable by the wheel. A spinner mount is connected to the wheel mount. A bearing assembly is supported by the spinner mount. A spinner is supported by the bearing assembly, wherein the bearing assembly allows the spinner to rotate independently relative to the corresponding wheel as the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A wheelchair wheel locking system reduces the likelihood that a wheel will inadvertently disengage from the wheelchair. An axle is attached to the wheel and has a protrusion for engaging annular grooves within a wall forming an inner passage through an axle receptor attached to the wheelchair. The axle is inserted in an axial direction into the inner passage and has a first locked position in which the axle is fully engaged with the axle receptor, and a second locked position in which the axle is partially engaged with the axle receptor. If a quick release lock is inadvertently released by, for example, pressing a release button, the protrusion retracts and disengages from a first annular groove within the wall of the axle receptor, the axle may start to move axially relative to the axle receptor to a position in which the wheel will disengage from the wheelchair.

Abstract: A compressed air braking system for a railcar and railcar moving vehicle combination. The railcar moving vehicle comprises a modified semi-tractor configured to ride on railroad track and couple to a railcar. The railcar moving vehicle further includes means for producing compressed air at a desired pressure, means for transmitting the compressed air through an outlet conduit to the braking system of one or more coupled railcars, and brake actuation means whereby an operator may selectively release pressure in the outlet conduit to actuate the compressed air brakes of the railcar. The brake actuation means may comprise a plurality of electrically operated valves for selectively releasing pressure from the brake pipe of the connected railcar, and a multi-position electrical switch for activating the plurality of valves.

Abstract: A braking and driving force control apparatus and method are for a vehicle having a frictional braking device for applying a braking force individually to each wheel and a regenerative braking device for generating a common braking force to a plurality of wheels. A target braking force is calculated on the basis of a driver's braking operation or traction control. The regenerative braking device is controlled so as to achieve the smallest target braking force of the target braking forces of the plurality of wheels. The frictional braking device is controlled so as to achieve the target braking force of another wheel, different from the wheel having the smallest target braking force, in cooperation with the regenerative braking device. Thus, the efficiency of regenerating energy is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a system for managing distributed power sources connected to a power grid. The present invention manages power flow to/from the power grid whether for a stand-alone power sourece or for local area utility grid or microgrid. When two or more power sources are interconnected by the local grid, each source has a power conditioning unit and a circuit breaker manager for controlling and regulating the electric flow to/from the grid. The individual power sources are able to independently draw power from the grid when required without extensive master control schemes. In a preferred embodiment the power sources are reformer equipped fuel cells and the heat from the fuel cell is used as a heat source for efficiency.

Abstract: A system includes a first voltage regulator, a second voltage regulator, a third voltage regulator and a circuit. The first voltage regulator is coupled to receive power from a first power line, and the second voltage regulator coupled to receive power from a second power line. The circuit monitors a voltage of at least one of the first and second power lines and based on the monitored voltage, the circuit selectively couples the third voltage regulator to receive power from one of the first and second power lines.

Abstract: Provided are a plug that makes it possible to readily connect a power supply such as a solar battery or fuel cell to an external load or system power and to enhance safety, as well as a power converter and power generating apparatus having the plug. The plug has a movable insulating member for covering the plug electrodes when the plug is connected to an outlet and for exposing the electrodes when the plug is not connected to the outlet. In another example of the plug, the plug has at least two electrodes and switches corresponding to respective ones of the electrodes, wherein the switches are opened (turned off) when the plug is pulled out of the outlet. In still another example of the plug, the plug has at least two electrodes and a switch that is opened/closed in dependence upon the state of the connection between the electrodes and the outlet. When the plug is connected to the outlet, the switch is closed (turned on) to thereby sense the fact that the plug has been connected to the outlet.

Abstract: A stepping motor having a rotor consisting of a permanent magnet magnetized such that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in the hoop direction, stator cores with pole teeth oppositely disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor, and a coil bobbin integrally containing the stator cores as the result of resin molding and being used for supporting a coil wound thereon. In the stepping motor, holes are formed in the coil bobbin, and the holes range from an outer wall of the coil bobbin to the outer peripheral surfaces of the pole teeth. In the stage of resin molding, the dies are brought into contact with the pole teeth by the utilization of the holes, thereby preventing the pole teeth from being declined in the radial direction, and securing a satisfactory rigidity of the coil bobbin.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive unit supports a motor-generator with high precision, improving the efficiency of the motor-generator, and reducing the size of the motor-generator, independent of any influence of centering precision of the crank shaft and of deformation of the torque converter. According to the invention, a motor housing is disposed between a converter housing and an internal combustion engine, and a bearing is fitted to a lateral wall provided in a front portion of the motor housing. Rotor supporting members are independently supported by the bearing. Eccentric rotation of the crank shaft resulting from explosive vibrations of the engine is counteracted by two flex plates. Owing to a predetermined clearance, one of the rotor supporting members as a separate component is free from the influence of deformation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation rotating machine is provided which can stably detect the displacement and rotating speed of a rotator and, at the same time, can reduce the size of the whole apparatus, that is, can render the whole apparatus compact. The magnetic levitation rotating machine for supporting a rotator in a levitated state by magnetic force of an electromagnet or a permanent magnet comprises: a position detection plane provided in the rotator and a concave and/or a convex provided in the plane; a displacement sensor provided on the fixed side, for detecting the displacement of the plane including the concave or the convex; and a detection mechanism for detecting the displacement of the rotator and the rotating speed of the rotator from the output of the displacement sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a permanent magnet rotating electric machine that comprises a stator, into which concentrated wound armature windings are inserted in such a way as to surround a plurality of teeth formed in a stator core, and a rotor having rare earth permanent magnets inserted into a plurality of permanent magnet holes, which are formed in a rotor core and used for accommodating permanent magnets. In this permanent magnet rotating electric machine, the permanent magnets are each shaped like a convex “V” or “U” with respect to the shaft of the rotor. Moreover, a ratio of the width W1 of an interpole core between the permanent magnets to the width Xg of the gap between the stator core and the rotor core is set in such a manner as to satisfy the following condition: 0.8≦W1/Xg≦13.2. Thus, even when this rotating electric machine is driven by a position sensorless inverter in the case of 120 degree energization, the system efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention is to provide a stepping motors capable of rotating with not only high speed but also less undesired vibration and noises, and moreover enabling a simpler, smaller manufacturing equipment thereof to be constructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor comprising a stator core having plural teeth and slots provided among the teeth, a winding applied on the teeth by a single turn, and a rotor incorporating plural permanent magnets, which is rotated and driven by utilizing reluctance torque in addition to magnet torque. By turning thus divided teeth by a single winding, the occupation rate of the winding in the slots can be raised. As a result, a motor of small size and large output can be presented.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine has a stator winding. The stator winding has a plurality of conductors wound one over another. The conductors are wound with left and right ends. Therefore, the stator winding on the stator core has an overlapped joined portion. This arrangement allows a high ratio of the conductors in the slot and is easy to manufacture.

Abstract: A rotor structure for a permanent-magnet motor is disclosed as including an annular laminated stack (2) of electromagnetic steel sheets incorporating magnets, annular end plates (1a, 1b) located at both ends of the annular laminated stack to hold the same, a cylindrical core buck (3) carrying thereon the annular laminated stack and the annular end plates, and a rotor shaft (5) integrally connected to the cylindrical core buck for rotating movement. The annular laminated stack has a plurality of first fixing portions (8a, 8a′, 8a″; 8b, 8b′, 8b″), and each of the annular end plates has a plurality of second fixing portions (7a, 7a′, 7a″; 7b, 7b′, 7b″) which are held in engagement with the first fixing portions of the annular laminated stack, with the annular end plates and the annular laminated stack being fixed to one another by caulking at the first and second fixing portions.

Abstract: A rotor 33, 133 for use in an electrical machine 100 having permanent magnets 34, 134 included therein, each permanent magnet 34, 134 between an adjacent pair of poles 32, 132, wherein each adjacent pole 32, 132 has an opposite polarity. Each permanent magnet 34, 134 has a magnetization polarity on its radially-outward surface 38, 138, and each adjacent permanent magnet 34, 134 has the opposite polarity on its radially-outward surface 38, 138. In addition, each pair of permanent magnets 34, 134 have the same magnetic polarity on their adjacently facing surfaces. This arrangement of permanent magnets 34, 134 may be used on electrical machines 100 having either a Lundell-type rotor 33 or salient pole rotor 133. The arrangement of permanent magnets 34, 134 increases the output power and efficiency of the electrical machine 100 while decreasing magnetic noise.

Abstract: A rotor 33, 133 for use in an electrical machine 100 having permanent magnets 34, 134 included therein, each permanent magnet 34, 134 between an adjacent pair of poles 32, 132, wherein each adjacent pole 32, 132 has an opposite polarity. Each permanent magnet 34, 134 has a magnetization polarity on its radially-outward surface 38, 138, and each adjacent permanent magnet 34, 134 has the opposite polarity on its radially-outward surface 38, 138. In addition, each pair of permanent magnets 34, 134 have the same magnetic polarity on their adjacently facing surfaces. This arrangement of permanent magnets 34, 134 may be used on electrical machines 100 having either a Lundell-type rotor 33 or salient pole rotor 133. The arrangement of permanent magnets 34, 134 increases the output power and efficiency of the electrical machine 100 while decreasing magnetic noise.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator comprises first and second movable sections and a stator. The stator has a hollow frame into which the movable sections are arranged independently. Driving electrodes are provided on surfaces of the movable sections and holding electrodes are also provided on the opposite surfaces pf the movable section. A driving electrode section is provided on the inner surface of the stator facing the driving electrodes on the movable section. Also, holding electrode sections are provided on the inner surface of the stator facing the holding electrodes on the movable section. Stripes of the electrodes are arranged in a longitudinal direction and each strip is extended in a lateral direction crossing the longitudinal direction, and the holding electrodes are extended in the longitudinal direction.