Designer's corner 23319

Mini display

Holographic light-shaping diffusers, manufactured by Physical Optics Corp. (Torrance, CA), diffuse the LED so that the mini display can be comfortably viewed with both eyes open.

The user sees an image comparable to viewing a 20-inch diagonal display from a 5-ft distance. Designed for easy mounting in various OEM products such as cell-phones and pagers, the CyberDisplay is small, light weight, consumes little power, and is low cost.

For evaluation, Kopin offers a kit that includes the CyberDisplay, backlight, lens, and electronic control unit.

Jeff Jacobsen, Kopin Corp., 695 Miles Standish Blvd., Taunton, MA 02780; (408) 636-5556.

Adjustable locking hub

Equal spacing between adjacent pins and sockets in conventional locking hubs traditionally limits the minimum angular adjustment. If spacing is 10 degrees, then the minimum adjustment usually cannot exceed 10 degrees.

By varying the angular spacing between locking pins on one hand and adjacent sockets on the other--and using fewer locking pins than sockets--this design achieves minimum angular adjustments in increments of less than one degree.

The design can be manufactured in steel, plastic or aluminum. Possible applications include articulating arms, tooling, ergonomic and operator-assist devices, adjustable exercise equipment, and camping equipment.

William Sbordon, Adjustable Locking Technologies, 27350 Southfield Rd., Ste. 114, Lathrup Village, MI 48706-3409; (248) 443-9664.

Hollow-fiber membrane

Next generation EPA constraints for heavy-duty diesel engines call to reduce NO_x/bhp-hr from 5 to 2 g, and from 0.6 to 0.2 g for light-duty trucks. A hollow-fiber membrane module, between turbo charger and engine, enriches the air stream with nitrogen.

Injecting 81% nitrogen-enriched air (NEA) into combustion chamber reduces NO_x 50-70%, with no significant increase in smoke or CO, and 3% power loss. Optimized fiber and module design results in a system size of 0.65 cu ft or less.

Jack Stoppi, DuPont Co., Barley Mill Plaza, P-10 1284, Wilmington, DE 19880-0010; (800) 533-1313.

Ball bearing/freewheel clutch

One-way clutches, used in transmissions and other devices, usually employ separate bearings to support shaft during freewheel operation. Combined ball bearing/freewheel clutch carries high torque and features positive lock up.

Inner and outer race hold modified balls in grooves. Balls, flattened on either end, press against saw-tooth ridges on inner and outer race extensions. Balls slide by saw teeth in one direction. In reverse direction, a slight wobble makes one or more balls tilt to engage saw teeth.

John Roberts, GTE, P.O. Box 7188, Mountain View, CA 94039-7188; (650) 966-4260; FAX: (650) 966-2951; or e-mail [email protected]