Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the absolute position of a component of an actuator rotating about a rotational axis, in particular a clutch actuator, wherein the component has a co-rotating magnetic element (18), and the absolute position of the magnetic element (18) is detected by way of a multi-turn sensor (16) located opposite the magnetic element (18), which is supplied with a voltage. In a method, in which the absolute position can be detected without great constructional effort, a position of the magnetic element (18) is monitored by a Wiegand wire unit (19), which detects a movement of the component when the actuator (3, 12, 13) is turned off, and if a movement is detected, transmits a voltage pulse to the multi-turn sensor (16) for measuring the current position of the component.

Abstract: An optical transmitting system for distance measuring includes a modulation signal generator, a light source, and an illumination driver coupled to the modulation signal generator and the light source. The modulation signal generator is configured to generate a modulation signal. The light source is configured to generate an optical waveform with amplitude modulation corresponding with the modulation signal. The illumination driver is configured to drive the light source. The illumination driver includes a switch and a switch driver. The switch is configured to switch between an on state and an off state to drive the light source. The switch driver is configured to drive the switch between the on and off states. The switch driver includes a first inductor and a capacitor in series with the first inductor and the switch.

Abstract: An alternator having associated therewith a power and control circuit, the circuit enabling the alternator to continue its operation during either an excessive electrical load or a short circuit; wherein, the circuit is capable of isolating at least one polarity of at least one phase of a power supply to thereby provide power at least for control circuitry.

Abstract: An embodiment apparatus comprises a magnetic core comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first winding comprising a first portion wound around the first side and a second portion wound around the second side, a second winding comprising a third portion wound around the first side and a fourth portion wound around the second side, wherein the second portion and the fourth portion are coupled to each other.

Abstract: A resistance welding apparatus characterized by very low output impedance, and providing a substantially constant voltage source to low impedance (e.g., resistances on the order of 1-100 micro-ohms) materials-to-be-joined. The welding apparatus includes one or more primary and secondary winding pairs disposed about a high permeability core with the secondary coil(s) positioned between the primary coil(s) and the core. In a preferred form, the secondary coil(s) are capable of delivering more than 75,000 amperes of welding current. The welding apparatus is lighter, more cost efficient, and more energy efficient than conventional systems.

Abstract: A pulse signal generator comprising a magnetic element able (1) to cause a large Barkhausen jump; a detection member (2) for detecting a magnetic change in the magnetic element to generate a pulse signal; and a pair of magnetic field sources (3, 4, 6, and 7) provided in parallel to each other on both sides of the magnetic element such that their poles (3A, 4A) are opposed to each other so that when an object (5A) advances from one of opposite poles to the other of the magnetic field sources, a magnetic field applied to the magnetic element changes, causing a large Barkhausen jump in the magnetic element, thus causing the detection member to generate a pulse signal.

Abstract: A saturable reactor is in a conductive state or has a magnetic switching function depending on the direction of the current flowing through it. Also provided is a power source apparatus for pulse laser utilizing the satiable reactor.

Abstract: A pulse signal generator comprising a magnetic element able (1) to cause a large Barkhausen jump; a detection member (2) for detecting a magnetic change in the magnetic element to generate a pulse signal; and a pair of magnetic field sources (3, 4, 6, and 7) provided in parallel to each other on both sides of the magnetic element such that their poles (3A, 4A) are opposed to each other so that when an object (5A) advances from one of opposite poles to the other of the magnetic field sources, a magnetic field applied to the magnetic element changes, causing a large Barkhausen jump in the magnetic element, thus causing the detection member to generate a pulse signal.

Abstract: A high voltage pulse generator provides a short, fast rise, high voltage pulse from a very low impedance suitable for initiating high energy electrical discharges in liquids and high pressure gases. Its low impedance allows extremely high currents from external energy storage capacitors to be conducted through the invention once the invention has initiated an arc. Its fast rise time is suitable for initiating multiple arcs or even sheet surface discharges in high pressure gasses under suitable conditions.

Abstract: A tilt sensor utilizes the “Wiegand Effect” to sense the occurrence of a tilting of the sensor from one inclined position to a horizontal position to another inclined position. The tilt sensor includes within a plastic or other non-magnetic body a non-magnetic elongated tube, a magnet that is contained and substantially freely slidable within the elongated tube, and a Wiegand wire that extends along and that is adjacent to the elongated tube. The tilt sensor also generally includes a coil wound on the Wiegand wire and a pole piece that extends along and that is adjacent to the elongated tube through which the Wiegand wire extends, and the pole piece is made of a material through which a magnetic flux path can be created. In operation, as the tilt sensor is moved from one inclined position to another inclined position, the magnet within the elongated tube slides from one end of the tube to the other.

Abstract: A Wiegand sensor is provided as a power source for an external circuit, wherein an alternating magnetic field changes the magnetic state of a Wiegand wire within the Wiegand sensor which, in turn, produces a substantial output pulse that is provided as a power source for the external circuit. The external circuit may be a transmitter that is powered by the output of the Wiegand sensor and upon being powered transmits an information signal to an appropriate receiver. The number of occurrences that the magnetic field alternates corresponds to and is ascertained from the number of information signals that are transmitted. The alternating magnetic field may be generated by magnets coupled to a rotating valve of a gas or water meter such that the occurrence of each transmission of the information signal represents the flow of a predetermined amount of gas or water through the meter.

Abstract: A read head for a Wiegand wire has two C-shaped ferro-magnetic yokes in lateral alignment with one another, two magnets sandwiched between respective first and second legs-of the yokes, and a pickup coil wound on one of the legs of the read head. One magnet has a first polarity adjacent to the first leg of the first yoke, the other magnet has the first polarity adjacent to the second leg of the second yoke, and the reluctances of the two yokes are equal. When used in combination with a processor that processes the output pulses, a Wiegand token having one or more Wiegand wires therein may be detected by counting the number of output pulses of the read head and ascertaining the duration of time between occurrences of those pulses. Wiegand tokens having different values may have different numbers of Wiegand wires therein and/or different spacings between the Wiegand wires within the Wiegand token and, thus, the read head in combination with a processor can identify Wiegand tokens of different values.

Abstract: A compact source of intense radiation includes: a multi-element, disc-style, explosive magnetic flux compression generator, switching, peaking-stage generator, plasma flow switch, and a dense-plasma-focus type, pulsed neutron source. The main explosive generator receives initial amounts of magnetic flux and energy from a smaller explosive generator. Explosive action drives the conductors of the main generator together, reducing the inductance and thereby increasing both the current and magnetic energy. A switch closes to connect the peaking-stage generator and plasma flow switch in series with the main generator (and in parallel with the ballast inductor). As the current rises in the plasma flow switch, its plasma armature is electromagnetically-accelerated axially along coaxial electrodes, attaining speeds above 60-70 km/s. Meanwhile, explosive action on the peaking-stage generator provides additional magnetic flux compression.

Abstract: A fast, high voltage modulator circuit (10) has a drive circuit (12) apply input pulses to an on-section (88) and an off-section (90). The on-section (88) and off-section (90) having a common output (46). A pair of transformers (18,24) connects the drive circuit (12) to the on-section (88) and off-section (90) respectively. The drive circuit (12) applies a pulse to the first transformer (18), which transmits the pulse to a first MOSFET (32) closing the first MOSFET (32) to connect an input high voltage (40) to the output (46). The drive circuit (12) applies an off pulse to the second transformer (24), which transmits the pulse to second and third MOSFETS (62,82), closing the second MOSFET (62) and connecting a lower input voltage (68) to the output (46). Also, closing the third MOSFET (82) that shorts out a gate (34) of the first MOSFET (32), thus opening the first MOSFET (32). The entire circuit is modular, being stackable to switch higher voltages.

Abstract: An ignition generator includes an energy source having a transformer, and a first circuit connected to a first secondary winding of the transformer. The first circuit includes a series connection of a first energy storage capacitor, an inductor and an ignition spark plug, and a free wheel diode connected in parallel to the inductor and the ignition spark plug. Circuitry is provided for shorting the first circuit to produce sparks between the electrodes of the spark plug. The generator further includes a second circuit which is electrically equivalent to the first circuit and which is connected to a second secondary winding of the transformer. The second circuit includes a second energy storage capacitor and impedance means connected in series. A comparator is provided for comparing the voltage of the second voltage energy storage capacitor with a reference voltage. Shorting of the first circuit is carried out according to an output of the comparator.

Abstract: In a pulse forming electrical circuit suitable for use with a gas discharge laser having continuously falling impedance, there is provided a saturable inductor operable to cause the output impedance of the circuitry to vary with the current drawn by the load thereby ensuring that the matching between the impedance of the circuitry and the load to be better than would be the case if the impedance of the circuitry were fixed.

Abstract: A high energy, high voltage pulsed power source is provided which is capable of operating at high repetition rates while not having significantly high voltages appearing at any point in the circuit except on the output line. This eliminates the need for Freon cooling the source, permitting conventional water cooling and/or air cooling techniques to be utilized, and also permits air to be used as a dielectric in the source. These advantages are achieved by commutating the voltage across a charged capacitor, using a solid state SCR or other suitable switching device, passing the resultant signal through at least one compressor stage, which reduces the pulse duration and increases the pulse voltage, and applying the output from the compressor in parallel to a primary winding on each of a plurality of transformer coils having a single wire passing therethrough. The output on the wire is equal to the compressor output voltage multiplied by the number of cores.

Abstract: An electric pulse generator for the formation of high power electric pulses. The generator includes a capacitor having coaxial electrodes and a coaxial electrode shaping line. Magnetic compression means include the capacitor for charging the shaping line and a magnetic switch with a saturable inductor for discharging the shaping line. This arrangement reduces parasitic inductances and provides a generator having a compact, simple structure which is less expensive than known generators.

Abstract: A high power multiple pulse generator includes a plurality of transmission line sections, adjacent sections of which are coupled together by a saturable inductor. One transmission line section is switchably connected to a load impedance through an output switch. With the output switch open, the coupled transmission line sections are charged to a desired voltage potential. A burst of multiple pulses is generated by closing the output switch, causing the charge on the transmission line section connected to the load through the closed switch to be delivered to the load as a first pulse. This first pulse has an amplitude equal to one half of the charging potential and a duration that is a function of the length of the transmission line section. Once this first pulse is delivered to the load, a voltage is developed across the saturable inductor coupling the discharged transmission line section with an adjacent charged transmission line section, causing current to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A magnetic device for high-voltage pulse generating apparatuses including (a) at least one cylindrical conductor for defining a cavity, the cylindrical conductor being provided with input and output terminals and an inlet and an outlet for a coolant; (b) at least one sealing member fixed to the cylindrical conductor; (c) a plurality of wound magnetic cores each composed of a magnetic ribbon laminated with an insulating layer, the wound magnetic cores being fixed to the cylindrical conductor with such an interval as to provide a certain space between the adjacent wound magnetic cores; and (d) an outer ring member disposed between each of the magnetic cores and the cylindrical conductor and having at least one path for permitting the coolant to flow therethrough, whereby the coolant flows in a radial or circumferential direction of each wound magnetic core in each space between the adjacent wound magnetic cores.

Abstract: A reader for a disk-shaped carrier with Wiegand wires is described which manages with only two permanent magnets (1, 2). The variation of the magnetic field needed for detecting the Wiegand wires is effected by flux concentrating pieces (3, 4, 7) attached to the permanent magnets (1, 2). In order to be able to read the carrier with the Wiegand wires without change when it is inserted into the reader rotated by 180.degree. round its longitudinal axis coinciding with the direction of insertion (14), the flux concentrating pieces (3, 4, 7) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14) which is a two-fold axis of symmetry. To pick-up the Wiegand pulses, two E-shaped soft magnetic cores (9) are provided which carry on their center leg an electrical sensor winding (17). The free ends of the legs of the E-shaped cores (9) face one another and are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14).

Abstract: Devices such as, e.g., switches, flowmeters, and proximity sensors, as well as implant devices are made comprising an elongated ferromagnetic element. When the element is exposed to a variable magnetic field an electrical signal is obtained between contact points of the element in response to a change in the magnetic field. Preferred elongated elements have a helically deformed microduplex structure as may be produced by heat treatment and plastic twisting of a body of an alloy such as, e.g., an iron-nickel alloy.

Abstract: A pulse generator employs a Wiegand wire module within two soft iron ferro-magnetic elements. Four magnets having appropriate polarities are positioned on faces of the ferro-magnetic elements to provide first and second magnetic circuits. The flux in these two magnetic circuits is collected, conducted and guided by the ferro-magnetic elements toward an air gap between the two guide elements. The center portion of the Wiegand wire is at the air gap. Cylindrical cavities in these two guide elements shield the ends of the Wiegand wire to minimize the incidence of external flux from the Wiegand wire. Saturation of the flux at the air gap between the two guide elements causes leakage flux to be incident on the Wiegand wire.The two magnetic circuits created by the magnets are approximately equal in magnitude and opposite in direction at the Wiegand wire. As a consequence, in the normal state, these two magnetic circuits do not affect the state of the Wiegand wire.

Abstract: A pulse generating unit in which a Wiegand wire module is contained within two soft iron ferromagnetic members which act as shunts in that they collect, conduct and guide flux incident on the pulse generating unit toward an air gap between the two shunt elements. the air gap is approximately at the center of the Wiegand wire module. Cylindrical cavities in these two shunt elements shield the ends of the Wiegand wire thereby minimizing the incidence of external flux on the Wiegand wire. Saturation of the flux at the air gap between the two shunts causes leakage of flux to be available to switch the state of the Wiegand wire.

Abstract: A read head for a Wiegand wire has an E-core with a pick-up coil for the "1" bit wound on one outer leg and a separate pick-up coil for the "0" bit wound on a second outer leg. The E-core is composed of a relatively thin ferromagnetic E-laminae spaced from a relatively thick E-laminae. Between thin and thick laminae in each leg there is an appropriately polarized magnet. The result is to establish a first field across the face of the read head between the center leg and a first outer leg. This first field reads the one bits. Similarly, a second field between the center leg and the other outer leg reads the zero bits. Each one bit wire is on one side of the code strip and each zero bit wire is on the other side of the code strip so that the one bit and zero bit wires are passed respectively across the first and second reading fields provided by the read head.

Abstract: A pulse forming network, responsive to a DC power supply, supplies predetermined current waveforms to a load in response to commands from a programmed source. Plural inductors are connected to switches responsive to commands from the programmed source. The switches are controlled to couple the inductors to the DC source to charge the inductors to a predetermined current level that is maintained substantially constant. The predetermined current level in each inductor is supplied to the load by switches controlled by the programmed source so that during successive intervals the predetermined constant current levels from differing numbers of the inductors flow from the inductors to the load. The inductance of each inductor, the load impedance and the duration current is supplied to the load by the inductors are such that the predetermined current level supplied by each inductor to the load is maintained relatively constant.

Abstract: A fail-safe electronic coincidence detecting circuit including a multiple winding saturable core reactor having a first and a second input winding and an output winding. An NPN transistor amplifier supplying a first pulse train to the first input winding and a PNP transistor amplifier supplying a second pulse train to the second input winding. The output winding producing signal pulses only when the first and second pulse trains are in synchronism.

Abstract: A pulse forming network with distributed inductance and capacitance is diosed for use in a magnetic modulator. The magnetic modulator has a magnetic core with a primary winding and a secondary winding around it. The pulse forming network includes an inner winding of flattened wire around the magnetic core and connected to one end of the secondary winding for receiving an induced voltage. The pulse forming network also includes a metal foil shield around the inner winding, so that the induced voltage may be stored capacitively between the inner winding and the shield. When the magnetic core saturates, the impedance of the secondary winding drops, so that the pulse forming network discharges through a load. The shape of the pulse through the load is determined by the inductance of the inner winding and the capacitance between the inner winding and the shield.

Abstract: A read head for a Wiegand Wire has a low reluctance core on which a pick-up coil is wound. The Wiegand Wires are passed over a face of the core and coil and switch state directly over the core and coil so that the change in the magnetic field is coupled to the coil to produce an output pulse. Outboard of the direction in which the Wiegand Wires travels are first and second magnets that generate the field. In contact with these magnets and bridging both sides of the coil are first and second magnetic shunt members which control and determine the shape of the field. A first magnetic shunt member has a relatively narrow bridge portion which saturates under the field involved and thus there is a large leakage field adjacent to the face of the read head for the purpose of appropriately setting the Wiegand Wires. The second shunt has a much larger bridge portion so that there is much less leakage flux. However this smaller leakage flux is in the opposite direction from the leakage flux from the first shunt.

Abstract: A driving circuit for pulse current power supplies, particularly septum and kicker magnets for accelerators, with an inductance coil and a resonant circuit capacitor, has a thyratron, whose anode line is surrounded by a ring band core. A resistor and a second capacitor are connected in parallel to the thyratron. This arrangement permits operation of the thyratron at a higher forward voltage.

Abstract: A Wiegand wire module is excited by a non-uniform field, which may vary in time either symmetrically or asymmetrically, to provide a switch in state of the Wiegand wire thereby inducing a pulse in the pickup coil of the module. The non-uniform field has a maximum value in an axial direction at a center portion of the wire and a minimum value in an axial direction at end portions of the wire. As the amplitude of the field is varied to switch the wire, the end portions of the wire remain in a field having a low axial magnitude. The result is an output pulse substantially greater than obtained through symmetric exitation using a uniform field.

Abstract: A pulse duty control system includes a pulse duty controlling element which is formed by a core of an amorphous magnetically soft material and which carries a first and a second coil thereon. A first set of pulses are applied to one end of the first coil while a constant voltage or a second set of pulses are applied to one end of the second coil. The other end of the first coil is connected to an output terminal while the other end of the second coil is connected to a current controlling transistor. An output pulse which is developed at the other end of the first coil has a rising edge which lags behind the rising edge of the first set of pulses by a time delay which corresponds to the degree of conduction of the transistor, and has a falling edge which is substantially synchronized with that of the first set of pulses.

Abstract: A pulser unit is composed of two high strength magnets spaced apart from one another and establishing an intense magnetic field therebetween. Forward faces of the two magnets establish a working surface for the pulser unit. A Wiegand wire module consisting of a Wiegand wire segment around which a pickup coil is wound is mounted in the pulser unit immediately behind the working surface of the pulser unit and adjacent the sides of the two spaced apart magnets. The magnetic field is sufficiently strong to determine the state of the Wiegand wire. When a low reluctance element is brought adjacent to the front of the working surface, the field is substantially distorted and the field to which the Wiegand wire is subjected changes materially. The result is that the Wiegand wire switches state and the substantial rate of change of the flux in that switching of state is sensed by the pickup coil to provide an output pulse.

Abstract: A read head for a Wiegand type wire establishes an asymmetric field to which the wire is subjected. A setting magnet at a first position establishes a sufficiently strong positive field to set the core and shell of the Wiegand wire in a first confluent state. At a second position, the field is sufficiently negative so as to assure that the core switches state thereby establishing a reverse state for the wire. The field does not go strongly negative and thus the state of the shell is not reversed. At a third position, the field becomes sufficiently positive so as to cause the core to reverse its state again thereby switching the wire from its reverse state to its confluent state. This particular switching occurs in close proximity to the pickup coil thereby providing an output pulse in response to the switch of state of the wire from reverse state to confluent state.