Author: claimsbot

1. An apparatus for manufacturing an evaluation reference tape, comprising:
at least one light source for emitting at least one of a laser beam in a visible region and a laser beam in an ultraviolet region;
an optical system which allows the laser beam emitted from said at least one light source to be incident on a predetermined processing position;
a transportation device for transporting a magnetic tape having a base layer and a magnetic recording layer formed on one of both surfaces of said base layer in a longitudinal direction with said magnetic recording layer facing upstream of a light path of said laser beam while it is held in registry with said predetermined processing position; and
a device for securing flatness of the magnetic tape when it is transported by said transportation device while it is held in registry with said predetermined processing position.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device comprising:
(a) a shaft having an axis of rotation;
(b) a plurality of spaced stages disposed about said axis of rotation; each of said plurality of spaced stages having an equal number of stator and rotor poles defining stator and rotor pole pairs, symmetrically disposed about said axis of rotation, and having an airspace therebetween;
(c) means for energizing all stator poles of one of said plurality of stages at the same time for a selected time interval, and
(d) means for sequentially and repeatedly energizing all stator poles of the other of said plurality of stages,
where each stator and rotor pole pair in a stage has substantially the same physical, magnetic and electrical characteristic.
2. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stator and rotor poles are housed in a casing.
3. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjacent rotor poles on adjacent stages are offset from each other.
4. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each rotor pole in a stage is skewed in relation to each other.
5. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is a motor.
6. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein stators on adjacent stages are offset from each other.
7. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as described in claim 1 wherein said device is a generator.
8. A multi-stage variable reluctance device as described in claim 1 wherein each stator of a stage is skewed in relation to each other.
9. A multi-stage variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising internal bearings operable to support a casing.
10. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as described in claim 9 wherein the casing is operable to support the stator stages.
11. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cooling system.
12. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
(a) a cooling shroud affixed to the outer periphery of the casing;
(b) external cooling fins mounted on the casing but beneath the shroud defining a plurality of internal spaces; and
(c) a fan operable to circulate air into the internal spaces.
13. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as described in claim 11 further comprising:
(a) a liquid cooling agent;
(b) a casing with a plurality of internal cooling passages running along the outer periphery of the case operable to transport the liquid cooling agent;
(c) a liquid recirculation pump; and
(d) an air to liquid heat exchanger;
(e) an inline thermostat operable to regulate temperature.
14. A multi-stage, variable reluctance device as described in claim 13 further comprising:
(a) a plurality of spray nozzles operable to inject the liquid coolant; and
(b) a sump operable to collect the liquid coolant.
15. A multi-stage variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 having at least two electric conductors for engaging said stator poles.
16. A method for enabling the selective production of multi-stage variable reluctance motorgenerators having a plurality of spaced stages about an axis of rotation, where each stage has an equal number of stator and rotor poles, defining stator and rotor pole pairs symmetrically disposed about the axis of rotation and having an air space therebetween, comprising:
(a) selecting a single stator and rotor pair for each stage,
(b) determining for said single stator and rotor pair criteria selected from the group of physical, magnetic and electrical characteristics for said single stator and rotor pair in such stage, and
(c) producing all of said stator and rotor poles in such stage from said criteria from said single stator and rotor pair.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said group comprises the diameter of a rotor, stator winding ampere turns, volume of airgap, length of rotor poles, length of stator poles, angular displacement of said stator and rotor pole pairs, thickness of stator back iron, depth of rotor root, and diameter of shaft.
18. A system for optimizing physical, magnetic and electrical characteristics of a multi-stage variable reluctance motorgenerator having a plurality of spaced stages about an axis of rotation where each stage has an equal number of stator and rotor pairs defining stator and rotor pole pairs symmetrically disposed about said axis of rotation, and having an airspace there between comprising:
(a) storing in memory a representation of a single stator and rotor pair for each stage;
(b) computing for said single stator and rotor pair criteria selected from the group of physical, magnetic and electrical characteristics for said single stator and rotor pair; and
(c) determining all of the stator and rotor poles in said stage from said computing step.
19. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said physical characteristics are selected from the group of the diameter of the rotor, stator winding ampere turns, volume of airgap, length of rotor poles, length of stator poles, angular displacement of said stator and rotor pole pairs, thickness of stator back iron, depth of rotor root and diameter of shaft.
20. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said magnetic and electrical characteristics comprise magnetic flux forces and current generated when varying amounts of electrical energy are applied to stator windings.
21. A multi-stage variable reluctance device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for energizing comprises applying electrical energy to stator pole windings in either parallel or series.

1. A turbine, comprising:
a rotor, the rotor comprising a hollow cone and an end cap, the end cap attached to the base of the cone, the cone having an inner surface;
a bearing, the bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race mounted on the end cap;
an intake shaft, the intake shaft mounted within the inner race, the intake shaft having an inlet passage;
a nozzle arm, the nozzle arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the nozzle arm connected to the intake shaft, the nozzle arm further having an internal passage communicating with the inlet passage;
a first nozzle, the first nozzle mounted on the second end of the nozzle arm, the first nozzle communicating with the internal passage and oriented to direct a stream of fluid substantially tangentially against the inner surface; and
an output shaft, the output shaft mounted on the apex of the cone and parallel to the axis of the cone, the output shaft having an outlet passage, the outlet passage communicating with the interior of the cone.
2. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressurized fluid is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
3. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressurized fluid selected from the group consisting of water, steam, combustion products, air, and refrigerant is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
4. A turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pitch of the cone is selected to optimize energy transfer from the fluid to the rotor.
5. A turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pitch of the cone changes at a point where the fluid changes phase.
6. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are convex with respect to the axis of the cone.
7. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are concave with respect to the axis of the cone.
8. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for attaching a rotating tool.
9. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for transmitting mechanical power.
10. A turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein motion of the rotor causes an electrical rotor coil to rotate about the axis of the rotor.
11. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle.
12. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first nozzle is adjustable.
13. A turbine, comprising:
a rotor, the rotor comprising a hollow cone, a cylinder, and an end cap, a proximal end of the cylinder attached to the base of the cone, the end cap attached to a distal end of the cylinder, the cone, cylinder, and end cap having an inner rotor surface;
a bearing, the bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race mounted on the end cap;
an intake shaft, the intake shaft mounted within the inner race, the intake shaft having an inlet passage;
a nozzle arm, the nozzle arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the nozzle arm connected to the intake shaft, the nozzle arm further having an internal passage communicating with the inlet passage;
a first nozzle, the first nozzle mounted on the second end of the nozzle arm, the first nozzle communicating with the internal passage and oriented to direct a stream of fluid substantially tangentially against the inner rotor surface; and
an output shaft, the output shaft mounted on the apex of the cone and parallel to the axis of the cone, the output shaft having an outlet passage, the outlet passage communicating with the interior of the cone.
14. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pressurized fluid is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
15. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pressurized fluid selected from the group consisting of water, steam, combustion products, air, and refrigerant is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
16. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pitch of the cone is selected to optimize energy transfer from the fluid to the rotor.
17. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pitch of the cone changes at a point where the fluid changes phase.
18. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the length of the cylinder is selected to facilitate phase change in the fluid.
19. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are convex with respect to the axis of the cone.
20. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are concave with respect to the axis of the cone.
21. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for attaching a rotating tool.
22. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for transmitting mechanical power.
23. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein motion of the rotor causes an electrical rotor coil to rotate about the axis of the rotor.
24. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a second nozzle.
25. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first nozzle is adjustable.
26. A pump, comprising:
a rotor, the rotor comprising a hollow cone and an end cap, the end cap attached to the base of the cone, the cone having an inner surface;
a bearing, the bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race mounted on the end cap;
an outlet shaft, the outlet shaft mounted within the inner race, the outlet shaft having an outlet passage;
a collector arm, the collector arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the collector arm connected to the outlet shaft, the collector arm further having an internal passage communicating with the outlet passage;
a collector, the collector mounted on the second end of the collector arm, the collector communicating with the internal passage and oriented to collect fluid disposed against the inner surface; and
an intake shaft, the intake shaft mounted on the apex of the cone and parallel to the axis of the cone, the intake shaft having an intake passage, the intake passage communicating with the interior of the cone.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A footrest assembly for a utility vehicle comprising:
a base portion operable to support the weight of a passenger of the utility vehicle;
a first hinge receptacle extending from said base portion;
a second hinge receptacle extending from said base portion, said second hinge receptacle aligned with said first hinge receptacle;
a first locking mechanism provided in said first hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure a door within said first receptacle;
a second locking mechanism provided in said second hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure said door within said second receptacle.
2. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said first locking mechanism comprises a first pair of locking details operable to secure said door between said first pair of locking details.
3. The footrest assembly of claim 2, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a second pair of locking details operable to secure said door between said second pair of locking details.
4. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said door further comprises a first hinge post operable to be rotationally mounted within said first hinge receptacle.
5. The footrest assembly of claim 4, wherein said door further comprises a second hinge post operable to be rotationally mounted within said second hinge receptacle.
6. The footrest assembly of claim 4, wherein said first hinge post further comprises a cam surface operable to cooperate with said first locking mechanism to retain said door in one of an open position and a closed position.
7. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said door comprises linear high density polyethylene.
8. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said door further comprises a recess that provides a handle for moving said door between an open position and a closed position.
9. The footrest assembly of claim 4, wherein said first hinge post further comprises a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a third cam surface.
10. A utility vehicle comprising:
a main body;
a front end of said main body;
a rear end of said main body;
a storage cavity within said main body, said storage cavity having an opening at said rear end of said main body;
a footrest mounted at said rear end of said main body,
a door mounted to said footrest, said door movable between a closed position in which said door covers said opening and an open position in which said door does not cover said opening.
11. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said door is rotationally mounted to said footrest.
12. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said door comprises a first hinge post and a second hinge post.
13. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein each of said first hinge post and said second hinge post comprise a camming surface.
14. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein said footrest further comprises a first hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure said first hinge post and a second hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure said second hinge post.
15. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said footrest and said door comprise a polymeric material.
16. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said door comprises linear high density polyethylene.
17. A utility vehicle comprising:
a main body;
a front end of said main body;
a rear end of said main body;
a front seat assembly facing said front end;
a rear seat assembly facing said rear end;
a storage cavity within said main body and beneath said rear seat assembly, said storage cavity having an opening at said rear end of said main body;
a cover movable between a closed position in which said cover covers said opening and an open position in which said cover does not cover said opening.
18. The utility vehicle of claim 17, wherein said cover is rotationally mounted to a footrest mounted at said rear end of said main body.
19. The utility vehicle of claim 18, wherein said cover and said footrest comprise a polymeric material.
20. The utility vehicle of claim 17, wherein said cover further comprises a first hinge post and a second hinge post, each of said first hinge post and said second hinge post comprise a camming surface.