Abstract: Magnetic motor component sleeves (209) for motor components with the sleeves (209) having various helpful magnetic characteristics, such as high magnetic permeability; magnetic saturation; residual (or remanent) magnetization; anisotropic magnetic properties. Method for making a magnetic linear motor shaft (202), including thermal treatment to temporarily change the dimensions of various shaft components to allow tight assembly.

Abstract: A differential coupling (20) has a body (21), a rotary input member (22), and two rotary output shafts (23, 24). The algebraic sum of the angular displacements of the output shafts is proportional to the rotation of the input member. The improvement includes mechanical means (39), such as a planetary gear (42), for sensing a torque differential between the output shafts, and a brake (38) mounted on the body and operatively arranged to selectively brake rotation of the input member, or both output members, when the difference between the torques on the outputs exceeds a predetermined first value.

Abstract: The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is an instrument aboard the Terra (EOS AM-l) satellite and has been operating successfully since December 1999. MODIS has been viewing the entire Earth's surface and gathering data to better understand the global dynamics and processes occurring on land, in the oceans, and in the lower atmosphere. All observations are made through an extremely high resolution, optically and mechanically precise, scan mirror motor/encoder assembly. The reliable performance of this assembly depends on two duplex bearing pairs lubricated with Pennzane, a synthetic hydrocarbon, formulated with lead napthanate. This paper describes the results of accelerated and operational life tests. It also describes the post-test analyses of the disassembled bearings. Analyses were performed using micro-Raman, micro-FTIR, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). In general, the three sets of bearings in each of the test stations were in very good condition after accumulating 68, 144, and 209 million revolutions, respectively. Some of the bearings exhibited lubricant degradation, indicated by viscous lubricant deposits on the cage and raceways.

Abstract: A mechanism ( 16 ) for controlling independently the pitch of a plurality of blades ( 15 A, 15 B, 15 C) of a wind turbine ( 10 ) includes: a hub ( 11 ) rotatable about an axis (x-x) relative to a nacelle ( 12 ); a plurality of blades mounted on the hub for rotation therewith about the hub axis, each blade having a shaft ( 21 ) and being mounted on the hub for rotation about its axis of elongation; a plurality of motors ( 34 ) mounted on the nacelle, each motor having an output shaft ( 35 ) and being associated with a respective one of the blades; and a coupling mechanism ( 37 ) operatively interposed between each motor and its associated blade for selectively rotating such blade about its axis to vary the pitch of the associated blade relative to the hub axis. The pitch of each blade may be controlled independently of the pitch of the others.

Abstract: A propellant supply device ( 10 ) is provided for a vehicle ( 11 ) having a main propulsion motor ( 12 ) and having an attitude control system ( 11 ) including a plurality of thrusters ( 14 A, 14 B, 14 C, . . . , 14 F). The improved device comprises: a pressure vessel ( 15 ); first and second movable walls ( 20, 21 ) operatively arranged within the pressure vessel and dividing the interior space therewithin into three separate sealed chambers ( 22, 23, 24 ) from each of which fluid may be supplied; a first fluid (e.g., a first bipropellant) in one of the chambers; a second fluid (e.g., a second bipropellant) in a second of the chambers; and a third fluid (e.g., ammonia) in a third of the chambers, the third fluid being a volatile liquid having a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, and wherein all three chambers are pressurized to the vapor pressure of the third fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement in apparatus (20) for testing the level of contaminants in a fluid during a test period. The apparatus has a source of pressurized fluid (Ps) to be tested; a fluid sump (R); and a test passage (48) which is substantially free of occluding contaminants at the beginning of the test period and which is adapted to be supplied with a flow of fluid from the source. The passage is so configured and arranged as to be progressively occluded by contaminants in the fluid flow. The apparatus also includes a device (23) defining a variable-volume chamber (47). The volume of said chamber is variable between a minimum value and a maximum value. The improvement comprises: a valve (36) operatively arranged to direct fluid that has passed through the test passage to the chamber when it is desired to expand the volume of the chamber, and arranged to direct fluid that has passed through the test passage to the sump and to permit fluid in said chamber to flow to the sump when it is desired to contract the volume of said chamber; a return mechanism (24) for selectively urging the chamber to contract; a calibrated sensor (44) for measuring the volume of the chamber; a controller (50) for operating the valve and return mechanism to cause the chamber to repeatedly expand and contract cyclically during said test period; and timer (53) for measuring the time required for the fluid flow through the test passage to cause the chamber to increase from a first volume to a second volume. The flow through the test passage during each of the successive cycles of the chamber may be calculated.

Abstract: Die vorliegende Erfindung liefert eine Betatigungsvorrichtung fur das ausgewahlte Verschieben eines Ausgabeelements gegen eine entgegen wirkende Last in Erwiderung auf die Leistung eines Motors. Die Betatigungsvorrichtung umfast einen ersten Ubertragungsmechanismus fur das Verschieben des Ausgabeelements relativ zum Motor mit einem ersten nominalen Verhaltnis in Bezug auf die Leistung des Motors, einen zweiten Ubertragungsmechanismus fur das Verschieben des Ausgabeelements relativ zum Motor mit einem nominalen zweiten Verhaltnis in Bezug auf die Leistung des Motors, eine Auswahlvorrichtung fur das Verbinden der Leistung des Motors mit dem Ausgabeelement nur durch den ersten Ubertragungsmechanismus, wenn die Last kleiner als ein vorgestimmter Wert ist, und fur das Verbinden der Leistung des Motors mit dem Ausgabeelement durch die ersten und zweiten Ubertragungsmechanismen, wenn die Last groser als ein vorbestimmter Wert ist. Die Kraft, die durch das Ausgabeelement auf die Last ausgeubt wird, ist die Summe der Krafte, die durch die ersten und zweiten Ubertragungsmechanismen ubertragen wird.

Abstract: Vorrichtung mit einer drehbaren Gewindespindel (21) und einer primaren Mutter (22), die auf einem beweglichen Element (23) montiert ist und im Gewindeeingriff mit der Gewindespindel (21) ist, sowie mit einem Bereitschafts-Sperrmechanismus (20), dadurch gekennzeichnet dass der Bereitschafts-Sperrmechanismus (20) auf dem Element (23) montiert ist und funktionell so angeordnet ist, dass er die Drehnug der Gewindespindel (21) mit dem Element (23) im Falle einer Storung der primaren Mutter (22) blockiert, wobei der Bereitschafts-Sperrmechanismus (20) einschliest: – einen Tastmechanismus (28) zum Abtasten einer Storung der primaren Mutter (22), – einen Sperrmechanismus (29L; 29R), der auf den Tastmechanismus (28) zum Blockieren der Gewindespindel (21) mit dem Element (23) bei einer abgetasteten Storung der primaren Mutter (22) anspricht, und – einen Korper (26), der auf dem beweglichen Element (23) montiert ist, wobei der Tastmechanismus (28) ein Element (30) einschliest, das mit der Gewindespindel (21) funktionell in Eingriff ist und...

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator 20 for selectively displacing an output member 23 against the opposed load L, in response to an output 24 of a motor 23. SOLUTION: This actuator includes a first power transmission mechanism 50 for displacing the output member to the motor with a first nominal ratio to the motor output, a second power transmission mechanism 60 for displacing the output member to the motor with a second nominal ratio to the motor output, and selectors 34, 39 connecting the motor output to the output member, only via the first power transmission mechanism 50 when the load is less than a predetermined value, and connecting the motor output the output member via the first and second power transmission mechanisms 50, 60 when the load is more than the predetermined value. The power applied to the load by the output member is the sum of the power transmitted via the first and second power transmission mechanisms.

Abstract: The device (20) has a test channel supplied with the test liquid from a collection container, configured so that it becomes blocked by the soil components in the test liquid and a variable volume chamber (47), with measuring of the time taken for the chamber to be increased in volume from its minimum value to its maximum value by the liquid flowing through the test channel for a number of repetitive cycles.

Abstract: Apparatus 20 for determining the level of contaminants in a fluid P s comprises a test passage 48, preferably annular in form, which may be progressively occluded by contaminants in the fluid flow, and a variable volume chamber 47. A controller 50 operates a valve 36 and a return mechanism 24. The valve 36 may direct fluid that has passed through the test passage 48 into the chamber 47, causing the chamber to expand, or to a sump R. The valve 36 may also direct fluid from the chamber 47 to the sump R when the chamber contracts by the return mechanism 24. A calibrated sensor 44, such as an LVDT, and a timer 53 are provided for monitoring the chamber volume and the time required for the chamber 47 to expand by a given amount. The flow through the test passage 48 during each cycle of chamber expansion and contraction may be calculated. The level of contamination may be determined as a function of the flow through the test passage 48 and the number of cycles required for such flow to be reduced to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A servoactuator (20) is operatively arranged to control the movement of an output member (21) in either of two directions in response to a command signal. The servoactuator includes an electric motor (25); a motor controller (24); a first transmission mechanism (34); a hydrostatic second transmission mechanism (35); a transfer mechanism (36) operatively arranged to selectively couple the motor output shaft to the output member either through the first transmission mechanism to impart a high-speed low-force drive to the output member, or through the second transmission mechanism to impart a low-speed high-force drive to the output member; at least one feed-back transducer (29, 32); and a servo control loop (30, 33) closed about the motor, controller, transmission mechanisms, transfer mechanism, feedback transducer and output member for selectively controlling at least one of the position, velocity or force of the output member as a function of the command signal.

Abstract: Apparatus ( 20 ) for testing the extent of contaminants in a fluid during a test period, comprises: a source (P s ) of pressurized fluid to be tested; a fluid sump (R); a first flow restriction (R 1 ) adapted to be supplied with fluid flow from the source, the first flow restriction being configured as an annular clearance between a first land ( 24 ) and a first bore ( 22 ) and being sized and arranged so as to be progressively occluded by contaminants in the fluid flow during said test period; a second flow restriction (R 2 ) arranged between the first flow restriction and said sump, the second flow restriction being configured as an annular clearance between a second land ( 25 ) and a second bore ( 22 ), the second flow restriction being substantially the same dimensionally as the first flow restriction so that the second flow restriction will not be occluded by contaminants passing through the first flow restriction and the pressure drops across each of the flow restrictions will be substantially equal at the beginning of a test period. In use, the improved apparatus performs an improved method.

Abstract: This paper presents a software tool for designing a low-cost boost power factor correction front-end converter with an input electromagnetic interference filter. A genetic algorithm based discrete optimizer is used to obtain the design. A detailed and experimentally validated model of the system, including second order effects, is considered. A graphical user interface for managing the design specifications and system component databases, controlling and monitoring the optimization process, and analyzing the performance of the top designs found by the optimizer is also described. The results of a design study for a 1.15 kW unit are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the software tool.