A rotor for an aircraft is described having: a support angularly fixed with respect to an axis and housing a power source; a unit rotatable about axis and housing an electrical load of the resistive type; and a power supply system for the electrical load and comprising: a first transformer electrically interposed between the power source and the load; the first transformer comprises: a first winding arranged on the support and a second winding arranged on the unit, a stator carried by the support, rotationally fixed with respect to axis and to which the first winding is fixed; and a rotor operatively connected to the unit and to which the second winding is fixed; the power supply system comprises a capacitive circuit electrically connected to the first transformer, so as to reduce the reactive power absorbed by the rotary transformer.

A rotor for an aircraft is described having: a support angularly fixed with respect to an axis and housing a power source; a unit rotatable about axis and housing an electrical load of the resistive type; and a power supply system for the electrical load and comprising: a first transformer electrically interposed between the power source and the load; the first transformer comprises: a first winding arranged on the support and a second winding arranged on the unit, a stator carried by the support, rotationally fixed with respect to axis and to which the first winding is fixed; and a rotor operatively connected to the unit and to which the second winding is fixed; the power supply system comprises a capacitive circuit electrically connected to the first transformer, so as to reduce the reactive power absorbed by the rotary transformer.

An energy conversion device disposed in series with an RF driver circuit and an RF antenna, the energy conversion device being arranged to convert a portion of available RF power from the RF driver circuit into a different form of energy (direct current, thermal, or higher frequency electromagnetic waves such as light) which is converted, if needed, to DC and stored in an energy storage device coupled with the RF driver circuit for supplying recycled electrical energy thereto. The RF antenna may be an electrically small antenna and thus a antenna matching network may be provided between the RF driver circuit and the RF antenna. The energy conversion device may comprise, for example, (i) a transformer in combination with a rectifying circuit, (ii) a full wave rectifier, (iii) a half wave rectifier, (iv) a heat and/or light producing device, an energy converter (such as a generator) or a combination of the foregoing.

An adjustable inductor including a toroidal core defining a plurality of gaps, a compressible gap material positioned in the gaps, at least one winding wound on the core, a force-applying structure, and a film substantially covering the adjustable inductor. The force-applying structure is operable to apply a force to the core to adjust the gaps and thereby an inductance of the adjustable inductor. The film is configured to prevent movement of force-applying structure when above a predetermined temperature threshold, and allow movement of the force-applying structure when below the predetermined threshold.

An adjustable inductor including a toroidal core defining a plurality of gaps, a compressible gap material positioned in the gaps, at least one winding wound on the core, a force-applying structure, and a film substantially covering the adjustable inductor. The force-applying structure is operable to apply a force to the core to adjust the gaps and thereby an inductance of the adjustable inductor. The film is configured to prevent movement of force-applying structure when above a predetermined temperature threshold, and allow movement of the force-applying structure when below the predetermined threshold.

A position sensing system for sensing a position of an input shaft of a variable differential transformer (VDT), comprising said VDT, which comprises first and second AC signal output means that are configured to output a first AC output signal and a second AC output signal respectively. The sensing system further comprises AC/DC converting means configured to convert said first AC output signal to a first DC output signal and an AC/DC converting means configured to convert said second AC output signal to a second DC signal. The first and second DC output signals each indicate an individual position of said input shaft.

A position sensing system for sensing a position of an input shaft of a variable differential transformer (VDT), comprising said VDT, which comprises first and second AC signal output means that are configured to output a first AC output signal and a second AC output signal respectively. The sensing system further comprises AC/DC converting means configured to convert said first AC output signal to a first DC output signal and an AC/DC converting means configured to convert said second AC output signal to a second DC signal. The first and second DC output signals each indicate an individual position of said input shaft.

An electronic brushless variable transformer. Variable autotransformers, use brushes, and as such, have moving parts requiring maintenance and periodic cleaning of the brushes. A variable transformer without brushes is advantageous in that it eliminates the cleaning and maintenance of brushes.

An electronic brushless variable transformer. Variable autotransformers, use brushes, and as such, have moving parts requiring maintenance and periodic cleaning of the brushes. A variable transformer without brushes is advantageous in that it eliminates the cleaning and maintenance of brushes.

An adjustable inductor including a toroidal core defining a plurality of gaps, a compressible gap material positioned in the gaps, at least one winding wound on the core, a force-applying structure, and a film substantially covering the adjustable inductor. The force-applying structure is operable to apply a force to the core to adjust the gaps and thereby an inductance of the adjustable inductor. The film is configured to prevent movement of force-applying structure when above a predetermined temperature threshold, and allow movement of the force-applying structure when below the predetermined threshold.