A device and method for propelling objects using periodic or harmonic vibrations is described. The device comprises a flexible substrate or surface and a source of vibrational energy that is applied to the substrate or surface. Specific embodiments include a device which can move along a flat surface, which can climb a smooth vertical or slanted wall, which can move along a ceiling while suspended upside down, which can climb up a smooth hollow tube, or which can move through liquids.

A harmonic frequency generator responsive to an input signal of frequency f hich changes slowly in both frequency and amplitude and characterized in that (1) the output signal (harmonic) amplitude remains proportional to the input signal amplitude and (2) the output frequency nf of the output signal consists soley of one integral (n>1) multiple of the input signal frequency.

In order to guide supply or construction elements through a harmonic drive (8) in a central manner, said harmonic drive is embodied in a hollow gear. The harmonic drive directly provides a given correcting translatory variable which is defined by the speed of rotation of the output ring and motor driven harmonic generator when the output ring axially displaces a threaded rod (26) which freely extends in a coaxial manner through a longitudinal bore in the harmonic drive and engages with said outp...

A harmonic generator (20) converts an input signal (24) at a fundamental frequency (28) into an output signal (32) at a harmonic frequency (34). A non-linear device (22) converts the input signal (24) into an intermediate signal (38) in which the harmonic frequency (34) has a maximized amplitude (40) determined by a conduction angle (26). A harmonic filter (68) produces a filtered signal (70) proportional to the amplitude (40) of the harmonic frequency (34) within the intermediate signal (38). A...

Harmonic lasers are provided. A third harmonic laser includes a first high reflector and an output coupler forming a resonator cavity having an optical axis. The resonator cavity includes a laser medium for producing a fundamental beam. Desirably, the laser medium is Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, Nd:YV04, although other laser mediums are also contemplated such as Ti:sapphire, Nd:YAB and the like. The laser medium can be pumped by any desired source for example laser, laser diode, laser diode bar, fiber couple...

A harmonic drive including a strain wave generator for urging the teeth of a flexible spline into rolling, progressive engagement with the teeth of a circular spline. A pair of circular disks are so rotatably mounted as to cause a predetermined portion of one disk to urge a portion of the teeth of the flexible spline into engagement with the teeth of the circular spline, while a diametrically opposed portion of the other disk urges another portion of the teeth of the flexible spline into engagem...

A novel and decorative lighting system for selectively conditioning the atmosphere surrounding the light including a glass base having a number of lighting elements incorporated into said base, and a plurality of translucent pebbles on top of said base to diffuse and direct the light from the lighting elements. A glass base has a number of holes provided in the base to receive the light bulbs or lighting elements. Colored translucent pebbles or similar objects are placed on top of the disk shape...

A high efficiency harmonic engine based on a resonantly reciprocating piston expander that extracts work from heat and pressurizes working fluid in a reciprocating piston compressor. The engine preferably includes harmonic oscillator valves capable of oscillating at a resonant frequency for controlling the flow of working fluid into and out of the expander, and also preferably includes a shunt line connecting an expansion chamber of the expander to a buffer chamber of the expander for minimizing...

A harmonic bridge for use with guitars and other string instruments having fretted fingerboards includes a frame above the strings and transverse to the fingerboard in a position directly over a fret. A string contacting member is mounted in the frame above a string. Height adjustment, of the frame supports or/and of the string contacting member with respect to the frame, is provided so that the lower surface of the string contacting member can be caused to depress the string by an amount just s...

The invention provides a harmonic direct conversion mixer having a multiplier circuit comprising first and second mixers and a generator for generating two first and two second control signals for controlling the first and second mixers. The control signals are balanced signals and are provided in four phases shifted by .pi./2 in phase. The frequency of the control signals is different from the frequency of the mixer input signal.