THINGAP MOTOR TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES: RECORD CONTRACT WIN

Rietschle Thomas Awards Largest Production Order Received By ThinGap,
Validating Its Patented High-Power Density DC Motor and Control Technology.

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 - ThinGap Motor Technologies, the leader in high-power density brushless DC motors, today announced it has won a major motor contract from Rietschle Thomas, a division of Thomas Industries Inc., for its patented high-power density brushless DC motors and TG2601 vControl that significantly improve ironless core brushless motor system efficiency. Shipment of the motors and speed controllers for powering compressors will begin in December 2003.

"The contract awarded by Rietschle Thomas, a global manufacturer of vacuum pumps and compressors, validates ThinGap's technology as a strategic advantage for companies concerned with power consumption, weight and/or volume," said Richard M. Noling, chief executive officer, ThinGap Motor Technologies. "The U.S. home respiratory market, which utilizes medical pumps and compressors, is estimated to be $35,000,000 and growing at an annual rate of 7.8%. This will provide ThinGap with a growing market for its motors."

"We selected ThinGap® motors and controllers because they provided higher efficiency at less weight, than other motors tested, allowing our compressors to operate longer during battery applications, between charges," said Glen Jaschob, marketing manager - Sheboygan OEM Products, at Rietschle Thomas. "These motors are not only lighter in weight but also compact, which is crucial in portable applications. ThinGap motors have assisted Rietschle Thomas in achieving new design milestones and therefore enable us to offer lighter and more compact pump and compressor solutions to our customers."

ThinGap's patented electromotive coil technology is a dramatic shift in DC electric motor technology, eliminating the iron core and wire windings of conventional motors. The wire is replaced with precision-machined copper sheets producing a higher copper-packing density and higher copper-to-total-volume ratio. This allows much higher efficiencies than conventional high-efficiency motors.

The TG2601 vControl electronics minimize high current ripple and additional losses by operating at a PWM frequency of 120 kHz, which is significantly higher than traditional PWM drives. Efficiency improvements are achieved at all speeds and torque levels because the vControl's sinusoidal current waveform output is in phase with the motor's sinusoidal back EMF waveform during each commutation cycle. This provides maximum power to the shaft while minimizing losses. In fact, the vControl will improve the efficiency of any controller/BLDC motor system, because switching losses are significantly lower than in other controllers.

ThinGap's innovative technology enables controls and motors with higher power-to-weight ratios, excellent power conversion efficiencies, a wider range of speed and torque capabilities, lower heat generation, higher temperature capability, no iron losses and lower electrical resistance. ThinGap motors also have a large operational bandwidth and no magnetic saturation, cogging, ripple torque or radial distortion creating smoother, quieter operation.

About Rietschle Thomas

Rietschle Thomas, a division of Thomas Industries Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is the recognized leader in the design and manufacturing of pumps and compressors for use in global OEM applications, supported by worldwide sales and service for key customer applications and end-user markets. High quality automotive component castings are also a key offering. Other products include Welch laboratory equipment and Oberdorfer centrifugal and rotary gear liquid pumps. Thomas has operations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For additional information about Rietschle Thomas products and services, please visit http://www.rtpumps.com .

About ThinGap® Motor Technologies

ThinGap designs, develops and manufactures an innovative line of high-power density brush and brushless DC motors utilizing a patented electromotive coil technology, which replaces the iron core and wire windings of conventional motors. ThinGap's high-efficiency motors are utilized in a wide range of applications, such as robots, medical instruments, motion control, power and machine tools, air bearing spindles, factory automation, material handling, packaging equipment, unmanned vehicles and fuel cells. ThinGap also manufactures motor part sets, generators, and controllers/drives. Motors are manufactured in ThinGap's Ventura, California facilities. For additional information about ThinGap's products and services, please visit www.ThinGap.com.

ThinGap® is a registered trademark of ThinGap Corporation, a California corporation.