By The New York Times The New York Times Company As President Donald Trump presses for states to reopen their economies, his administration is privately projecting a steady rise in the number of cases and deaths from the coronavirus over the next several weeks, reaching about 3,000 daily deaths June 1, according to an internal document obtained by The New York Times, nearly double from the current level of about 1,750.…

ON INLANDER.COM NATION: Even as U.S. President Donald Trump urges states to reopen their economies, his own administration projects that the death toll from COVID-19 will spike to 3,000 people per day.…

In one embodiment, a plurality of objects associated with a dataset and a specified number of nearest objects to be identified are received. The received objects are sorted in a structured format. Further, a key object and a number of adjacent objects corresponding to the key object are selected from the sorted plurality of objects, wherein the number of adjacent objects is selected based on the specified number of nearest objects to be identified. Furthermore, distances between the key object and the number of adjacent objects are determined to identify the specified number of nearest objects, wherein the distances are determined until the specified number of nearest objects is identified. Based on the determined distances, the specified number of nearest objects in the dataset is identified for data analysis.

A method for controlling 2-isomer content in linear alkylbenzene obtained by alkylating benzene with olefins and catalyst used in the method.

Apparatus comprising an input connected to receive an input signal, a lookup table comprising a plurality of input entries and first and second output entries for each input entry. The look up table receives the input signal and returns a lower input entry, an upper input entry, the second output entry for the lower input entry, and the first output entry for the upper input entry. A first subtractor subtracts the lower input entry from the input signal to produce a first difference. A second subtractor subtracts the input signal from the upper input entry to produce a second difference. First and second multipliers multiply the first and second differences by the first output entry for the upper input entry and the second output entry for the lower input entry, respectively, to produce first and second products. An adder adds the first and second products to produce an output signal.

Apparatus and method for processing linear systems of equations and finding a n×1 vector x satisfying Ax=b where A is a symmetric, positive-definite n×n matrix corresponding to n×n predefined high-precision elements and b is an n1 vector corresponding to n predefined high-precision elements. A first iterative process generates n low-precision elements corresponding to an n×1 vector xl satisfying Alxl=bl where Al, bl are elements in low precision. The elements are converted to high-precision data elements to obtain a current solution vector x. A second iterative process generates n low-precision data elements corresponding to an n×1 correction vector dependent on the difference between the vector b and the vector product Ax. Then there is produced from the n low-precision data elements of the correction vector respective high-precision data elements of an n×1 update vector u. The data elements of the current solution vector x are updated such that x=x+u.

Tissue slices and whole organisms offer substantial challenges to fluorescence imaging. Autofluorescence and absorption via intrinsic chromophores, such as flavins, melanin, and hemoglobins, confound and degrade output from all fluorescent tags. An “optical window,” farther red than most autofluorescence sources and in a region of low hemoglobin and water absorbance, lies between 650 and 900 nm. This valley of relative optical clarity is an attractive target for fluorescence-based studies within tissues, intact organs, and living organisms. Novel fluorescent tags were developed herein, based upon a genetically targeted fluorogen activating protein and cognate fluorogenic dye that yields emission with a peak at 733 nm exclusively when complexed as a “fluoromodule”. This tool improves substantially over previously described far-red/NIR fluorescent proteins in terms of brightness, wavelength, and flexibility by leveraging the flexibility of synthetic chemistry to produce novel chromophores.

Method for a memory including a first, second, third and fourth cells include applying a read, program, or erase voltage, the first and second cells coupled to a first top interconnect, the third and fourth cells coupled to a second top interconnect, the first and third cells coupled to a first bottom interconnect, the second and fourth cells are to a second bottom interconnect, each cell includes a switching material overlying a non-linear element (NLE), the resistive switching material is associated with a first conductive threshold voltage, the NLE is associated with a lower, second conductive threshold voltage, comprising applying the read voltage between the first top and the first bottom electrode to switch the NLE of the first cell to conductive, while the NLEs of the second, third, and the fourth cells remain non-conductive, and detecting a read current across the first cell in response to the read voltage.

An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk include a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to direct received incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) configured to focus light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements that are energized by the light energy from the waveguide cores. Each of the PSPP elements has a plasmonic metal bar disposed above a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment. Each metal bar has a width at least twice the width of the heating spot generated on the storage disk.

This invention is provides a means of playing LP records with minimal distortion. Low distortion is achieved by eliminating tracking error normally associated with pickup cartridges mounted to pivoting tone arms. This invention discloses a tone arm that constrains the motion of the stylus to straight radial path, mimicking the cutting path of the record lathe, supported on parallel rails by free rolling spherical bearings. Unlike many previous linear tracking tone arms, this invention does not rely on air pressure or servo motor mechanisms. The use of free rolling bearings or axles between parallel tracks fashioned from rails, rods or tubes, eliminates all sources of lateral friction other than pure static and rolling friction of the balls on the rails, rods or tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the fixed rods or tubes are driven synchronously, thereby eliminating static friction of the supporting rolling balls. Friction is further reduced using magnetic or buoyant support of the tone arm to reduce bearing load to that amount minimally sufficient to maintain full contact between the rolling balls and the upper and lower rods.

An near-field light device (100) is provided with: a first electrode layer (123) having a protruding portion (123a); a second electrode layer (121); and a light emitting layer (122), the protruding portion protrudes along a predetermined direction (Y axis direction) to be capable of extracting energy which is caused by emission of light at the light emitting layer, the predetermined direction intersects with a laminated direction (X axis direction) of the near-field light device, an edge surface of at least one portion of the projection portion is located at more outward side in the optical device than an edge surface of the second electrode layer is.

In a heat-assisted magnetic recording head for use in a hard disk drive, a thermal shunt is positioned between an E-antenna near field transducer (NFT) and a return pole, to draw excess heat away from the NFT region. The thermal shunt comprises two portions separated by a gap that has a trapezoidal cross-section, where the NFT-side of the gap is wider than the return pole-side of the gap.

An apparatus includes a writer, an arrangement comprising a plasmonic near-field transducer (NFT) adjacent the writer and comprising a material having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), and a lead arrangement connected to the NFT arrangement. In some configurations, the NFT arrangement includes a heat sink, and the lead arrangement is connected to the heat sink. In other configurations, the lead arrangement is connected directly to the NFT.

Porphyrin compounds are provided. The compounds may further comprise a fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or a fused heterocyclic aromatic. Fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon s and fused heterocyclic aromatics may extend and broaden absorption, and modify the solubility, crystallinity, and film-forming properties of the porphyrin compounds. Additionally, devices comprising porphyrin compounds are also provided. The porphyrin compounds may be used in a donor/acceptor configuration with compounds, such as C60.

A combine side-shaking control system includes a sieve for separating crop material from other materials and configured to move in a fore-aft direction. At least one side-shaking assembly includes a mounting device attached to a combine chassis, a lower plate configured to rotate about a lower plate axis and an upper plate configured to (i) have an upper plate rotational motion and rotate responsive to the rotation of the lower plate and (ii) have an upper plate substantially linear motion in a substantially linear direction. A fixed arm is rotatably coupled to the upper plate and attached to the sieve. An actuation device is configured to rotate the lower plate about the lower plate axis. Responsive to the rotation of the upper plate, the sieve is controlled to move diagonal to the fore-aft direction in the substantially linear direction of the upper plate substantially linear motion.

A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a module, the module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) air-bearing slider has an optically-transparent protective film over the near-field transducer (NFT) to protect the NFT from excessive heat caused by the accumulation of carbonaceous material on the slider's overcoat. The NFT is thus separated from the overcoat by the protective film. The protective film does not cover the write pole end, which is covered only by the overcoat, so there is no spacing loss between the write pole end and the recording layer on the disk. In one embodiment the protective film is coplanar with the recording-layer-facing surface of the slider and the overcoat covers both the protective film and the write pole end. In another embodiment the overcoat has a window that surrounds the protective film, with the protective film being substantially coplanar with the air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider. In both embodiments the smooth topography of the slider's ABS is maintained.

An end cap module of a linear guideway for being installed on a sliding block, comprises: a cap having an oil-input hole and a resilient dustproof member installed on the cap. The dustproof member has an oil-guiding passage concavely formed on a surface thereof and communicated with the oil-input hole. When the end cap module is installed on the sliding block, the dustproof member is clipped between the cap and the sliding block. Thus, the instant disclosure provides the end cap module for reducing the design difficulty and producing difficulty of the cap. Moreover, the instant disclosure also provides a linear guideway.

A touch sensitive screen mobile information apparatus having a wireless communication unit for wireless device discovery is herein disclosed. Close proximity wireless device discovery is enabled by wireless searching near distance via radio frequency field for a wireless device, receiving information from the wireless device over the near distance wireless communication, and storing the received information at the information apparatus for future wireless connections. Authentication or pairing of devices may be eliminated due to close proximity of the direct wireless device discovery. After wireless device discovery, the information apparatus and the wireless device may become locked or paired for subsequent wireless communication over any number of wireless communication protocols or standards (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, 2.4GHz) without the need to repeat wireless discovery or pairing. Examples of information apparatus include smart phones, digital camera, laptops, or information pads. Examples of wireless devices include televisions, audio output devices, or printers.

Provided is a technique to secure compositional or microstructural uniformity of a ceramic sintered body while increasing the area of the ceramic sintered boy, thus improving basic performance including non-linearity, maximum withstand energy and aging characteristics. A plurality of small varistor pieces 11 and insulating resin are kneaded and extruded for shaping, whereby a sheet-form varistor layer 13 can be formed where a plurality of small varistor pieces 11 are spaced from one another and are aligned on the same plane, and the adjacent small varistor pieces 11 are bonded via insulating resin.

Provided is a non-linear resistive element which enables to narrow an interval between a plurality of electrodes. A ceramic sheet (2) which constitutes the non-linear resistive element is configured by being supported in a sheet like form by a support member (22) composed of an insulating material. A plurality of ceramic pieces (21) are sectioned and arranged in each of a plurality of unit areas (23) which are apart from each other.

Provided is a non-linear resistive element which improves the degree of freedom of design of its mounting space. A ceramic sheet 10 which constitutes the non-linear resistive element is configured by a plurality of ceramic pieces 11 being consolidated in a plate like form by an insulating resin 12. One or a plurality of ceramic pieces 11 configure each of a plurality of conductive paths which penetrate the ceramic sheet 10 in a thickness direction thereof, and the ceramic pieces 11 which configure both ends of the conductive paths partially projects from the insulating resin 12.

A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.

In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying proximity of a mobile computing device to another mobile computing device. A computing system determines that a set of mobile computing devices are geographically proximate to a first mobile computing device based on identifying that each of the mobile computing devices received a first type of signal from an emitting device for which the first mobile computing device also received the first type of signal. The computing system determines a subset of the mobile computing devices that share a physical space with the first mobile computing device based on identifying that each of the mobile computing devices emitted a second type of signal that was detected by the first mobile computing device, or detected the second type of signal that was emitted by the first mobile computing device.

An end effector for use with a surgical stapler comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, wherein the first and second side surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate have overmolded zones, a buttress releasably disposed on the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and the anvil plate, and a pair of sutures wherein each suture is bonded to the respective overmolded zones of the first and second side surfaces configured to retain the respective buttress atop the respective tissue contacting surfaces.

The linear position of an object is estimated using multiple magnetic field sensors and a magnet. The multiple magnetic field sensors are held in fixed relation to one another and in moving relation with respect to the magnet. Readings of the first and second magnetic field sensors and the fixed distance between the first and second magnetic field sensors may be used to estimate the linear position. In some embodiments, an estimated frequency of an approximately sinusoidal field versus position characteristic is also used as part of the estimation.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising at least one anti-parallel pair VVC network comprised of two parallel VVCs with one biased in the opposite polarity of the other and at least one anti-series VVC network comprised of two VVCs configured in series, one biased in the opposite polarity of the other such that the resulting AC capacitive variations produce a desired capacitance variation.

Techniques for extracting the characteristic response of a non-linear channel are presented. In various implementations of the invention, a channel's characteristic response may be determined by identifying a first input sequence, determining the ones compliment of the first input sequence and then determining the response of the channel to these two input sequences. Subsequently, two input matrices and two response matrices may be generated based upon the two input sequences and their corresponding responses. Given these four matrices, a symmetrical response component may be determined by iteratively solving a system of equations formed from the columns of each matrix. Subsequently, given the symmetric component and these four matrices, an asymmetrical response component may be determined by again iteratively solving the system of equations for the columns of each matrix.

A non-linear element (e.g., a diode) with small reverse saturation current is provided. A non-linear element includes a first electrode provided over a substrate, an oxide semiconductor film provided on and in contact with the first electrode, a second electrode provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film covering the first electrode, the oxide semiconductor film, and the second electrode, and a third electrode provided in contact with the gate insulating film and adjacent to a side surface of the oxide semiconductor film with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween or a third electrode provided in contact with the gate insulating film and surrounding the second electrode. The third electrode is connected to the first electrode or the second electrode.

One embodiment relates to an apparatus for electron beam lithography which includes a linear array of reflection electron beam lithography columns and a rotary stage. Each column is separately controllable to write a portion of a lithographic pattern onto a substrate. The rotary stage is configured to hold multiple substrates and to be rotated under the linear array of reflection electron beam lithography columns. Another embodiment relates to a method of electron beam lithography which includes simultaneously rotating and linearly translating a stage holding a plurality of wafers, and writing a lithography pattern using a linear array of reflection electron beam lithography columns over the stage. Each said column traverses a spiral path over the stage as the stage is rotated and linearly translated. Other embodiments, aspects and feature are also disclosed.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a radiation safety system comprising radiation emitting medical equipment; a radiation safety system controller connected to the radiation emitting medical equipment through a first communication means configured to determine a number of people within a radiation room housing the radiation emitting medical equipment and prevent the radiation emitting medical equipment from performing radiation emitting functions if the radiation safety system controller determines that more people than a maximum allowed number of people are presently in the radiation room; and a scanner connected to the radiation safety controller through a second communication means configured to detect people in the radiation room and communicate to the radiation safety system controller that a person has been detected.

Provided is a method for transmitting data in a communication or broadcasting system using a linear block code by generating a codeword by encoding input information data bits, interleaving the codeword; outputting modulation signal-constituting bits by bit-mapping the interleaved codeword using a bit-mapping table predetermined depending on a modulation scheme and a coding rate, outputting a modulation signal by modulating the modulation signal-constituting bits and transmitting the modulation signal via a transmit antenna.

A circuit interrupter includes, a first contact and a second contact, the second contact being moveable relative to the first contact, a drive assembly structured to move the second contact relative to the first contact, and an erosion monitoring device including a linear transducer coupled to a portion of the drive assembly. The liner transducer is structured to generate an output signal representative of an amount of linear displacement of the portion of the drive assembly, wherein the erosion monitoring device is structured to monitor a degree of erosion of at least one of the first contact and the second contact based on the output signal.

A communications device may include a near-field communication (NFC) circuit device, and a radio frequency (RF) signal blocking member adhesively coupled with the NFC device. The RF signal blocking member may be configured to block RF signal communication by the NFC device while coupled therewith. The RF signal blocking member may comprise an electrical conductor. In accordance with an example, the RF signal blocking member may comprise a frangible layer. In another example, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be included for adhesively securing the RF signal blocking member with the NFC device.

Circuits and techniques to linearize the operation of an RF power amplifier are described. A linearizer circuit may include a non-amplification signal path which includes a delay line and an amplification signal path which includes at least one amplifier stage. In some embodiments, the amplification signal path may include an odd number of amplification stages. The linearizer may be used to precondition an input signal of an RF power amplifier in a manner that improves the overall linearity of operation.

Split amplifiers with configurable gain and linearization circuitry are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes first and second amplifier circuits and a linearization circuit, which may be part of an amplifier. The first and second amplifier circuits are coupled in parallel and to an amplifier input. The linearization circuit is also coupled to the amplifier input. The first and second amplifier circuits are enabled in a high-gain mode. One of the first and second amplifier circuits is enabled in a low-gain mode. The linearization circuit is enabled in the second mode and disabled in the first mode. The amplifier is split into multiple sections. Each section includes an amplifier circuit and is a fraction of the amplifier. High linearly may be obtained using one amplifier circuit and the linearization circuit in the low-gain mode.

Apparatus and methods disclosed herein perform gain, clipping, and phase compensation in the presence of I/Q mismatch in quadrature RF receivers. Gain and phase mismatch are exacerbated by differences in clipping between I & Q signals in low resolution ADCs. Signals in the stronger channel arm are clipped differentially more than weaker signals in the other channel arm. Embodiments herein perform clipping operations during iterations of gain mismatch calculations in order to balance clipping between the I and Q channel arms. Gain compensation coefficients are iteratively converged, clipping levels are established, and data flowing through the network is gain and clipping compensated. A compensation phase angle and phase compensation coefficients are then determined from gain and clipping compensated sample data. The resulting phase compensation coefficients are applied to the gain and clipping corrected receiver data to yield a gain, clipping, and phase compensated data stream.

A linear actuator for a variable-geometry member of a turbocharger includes a piston/rod assembly that can axially translate and also pivot to a limited extent. A permanent magnet is mounted in a fixed position within the actuator. A non-magnetized flux carrier is mounted in the piston/rod assembly, and its movement alters the magnetic field of the magnet. A Halls effects sensor detects the magnetic field and the signals produced by the sensor are used for determining axial position of the piston/rod assembly.

The present invention relates to a position sensor and limit switch apparatus for an actuator. The actuator has a cylinder and a piston with at least one magnetized portion reciprocatingly disposed within the cylinder. The apparatus includes an elongate housing aligned parallel with the cylinder. A magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer is disposed within the housing for sensing the position of the at least one magnetized portion. The apparatus includes a switch means responsive to the transducer for operatively interrupting actuation of the piston upon the at least one magnetized portion reaching a limit position.

A linear actuator includes a cylinder main body, which is provided at one end thereof with a lock mechanism capable of restricting displacement of a slide table. The lock mechanism is equipped with a lock plate and a sub-piston. The lock plate is rotatable toward a side of the slide table by an elastic force of a spring, inserted into an insertion groove, and restricts displacement of the slide table. The sub-piston is displaced by a pressure fluid supplied to a supply port, and releases a displacement restricted state of the slide table by the lock plate.

A food processor of one design includes a housing including a motor and a coupling for rotating a food processing implement. The housing receives a feed chute assembly with a receiving chute for food to be processed. The feed chute assembly also includes an aligned discharge chute communicating with a processing implement, such that food is processed linearly from the receiving chute to the discharge chute. The housing has an open front for receiving containers for food processed by said food processor. This results in a smaller food processor which is capable of directly feeding processed food into a container separate from the food processor itself.

A device for filtering liquids has a container, units for introducing a liquid to be filtered into the container, a container outlet for unfiltered liquid to be discharged from the container, and at least one rotor, which is drivable to rotate around the container axis. The rotor has a hollow shaft mounted in an end wall and a support device fastened thereon for filter elements, which are arranged with a clearance to the container axis or rotate around their own axis. The interior of the filter elements opens via the support device and the hollow shaft out of the container as the discharge for filtered liquid. To provide improved filtration conditions, the container internal radius of the inner wall of the container circumferential shell is enlarged up to a maximum in the container circumferential direction while bulging the inner wall between two minima. The bulge forms a guide unit which guides the liquid toward the filter elements.

A voltage regulator compensation circuit provides power to a dynamic load and includes a power transistor configured to drive the dynamic load, a reference determining transistor configured to establish a voltage reference proportional to a regulated output voltage of the power transistor, and a control circuit coupled to a gate input of both the power transistor and the reference determining transistor. Also included is a comparison engine configured to compare the regulated output voltage and the voltage reference, and a current consuming transistor operatively coupled to an output of the power transistor and configured to provide a varying secondary load. The comparison engine is configured to control the current consuming transistor to increase current draw or decrease current draw from the power transistor based on the difference between the regulated output voltage and the voltage reference.

A method for linearizing voltage transmission through a transformer including a magnetic core and, input and output windings. A measurement signal is supplied to the input winding at a first frequency and an output signal is measured at the output winding of the transformer, wherein the voltage of the measurement signal may be so low that the transformer operates in a non-linear region. The method includes, for a conditioning signal, selecting a second frequency different from the first frequency, defining an amplitude value of the conditioning signal and supplying the conditioning signal to the input winding at the second frequency with the defined amplitude value so that the transformer operates in its linear region.

A system has a plurality of spacecraft in orbit around the earth for collecting energy from the Sun in space, using stimulated emission to configure that energy as well defined states of the optical field and delivering that energy efficiently throughout the region of space surrounding Earth.

Methods are provided for identifying the location and height of induced subterranean formation fractures and the presence of any associated frac-pack or gravel pack material in the vicinity of the borehole using pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logging tools. The proppant/sand used in the fracturing and packing processes is tagged with a thermal neutron absorbing material. When proppant is present, increases in detected PNC formation and/or borehole component cross-sections, combined with decreases in measured count rates, are used to determine the location of the formation fractures and the presence and percent fill of pack material in the borehole region. Changes in measured formation cross-sections relative to changes in other PNC parameters provide a relative indication of the proppant in fractures compared to that in the borehole region.

The invention describes a method for treating near-wellbore zones involving the steps of injecting a magnesium metal with a catalyst into the desired area of the formation to be treated. Subsequently, combustive-oxidizing solution (COS) is injected into the zone of the formation to be treated. The COS initially reacts with the magnesium, which in turn initiates a vigorous oxidation reaction of the COS. The reaction gases and heat produced by the COS oxidation reaction are harnessed to enhance the productivity of the well by creating fractures in the treatment zone and by melting of paraffin and resin deposits in the treatment zone. As a final step, acid is injected into the formation to react with the formation thereby further enhancing the porosity of the fractures. In one embodiment, the COS uses ammonium nitrate as the oxidizer, and in another, urea or ethylene glycol may be added as a reaction fuel.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon.