Abstract: A rail system includes a main track, a spur track connected to the main track by a switch changeable between a closed state and an open state, and a station spaced from the main track and accessible by the spur track. The rail system further includes a train with a passenger car and an EMDI releasably coupleable behind the passenger car. A method of operating the rail system includes decoupling the EMDI from the passenger car when the train is moving at a first speed toward the switch in the closed state. The EMDI is decelerated to a second speed less than the first speed. After the train has moved past the switch and the switch has been changed to the open state, the EMDI is diverted from the main track to the spur track via the switch in the open state and decelerated to a stop at the station.

Abstract: A rail system includes a main track, a spur track connected to the main track by a switch changeable between a closed state and an open state, and a station spaced from the main track and accessible by the spur track. The rail system further includes a train with a passenger car and an EMDI releasably coupleable behind the passenger car. A method of operating the rail system includes decoupling the EMDI from the passenger car when the train is moving at a first speed toward the switch in the closed state. The EMDI is decelerated to a second speed less than the first speed. After the train has moved past the switch and the switch has been changed to the open state, the EMDI is diverted from the main track to the spur track via the switch in the open state and decelerated to a stop at the station.

Abstract: A rail system includes a main track, a spur track connected to the main track by a switch changeable between a closed state and an open state, and a station spaced from the main track and accessible by the spur track. The rail system further includes a train with a passenger car and an EMDI releasably coupleable behind the passenger car. A method of operating the rail system includes decoupling the EMDI from the passenger car when the train is moving at a first speed toward the switch in the closed state. The EMDI is decelerated to a second speed less than the first speed. After the train has moved past the switch and the switch has been changed to the open state, the EMDI is diverted from the main track to the spur track via the switch in the open state and decelerated to a stop at the station.

Abstract: An open-cycle air-conditioning apparatus including a rotatable heat exchanger wheel, a rotatable moisture transfer wheel, evaporative elements, and heating means disposed between the heat exchanger wheel and the transfer wheel wherein both wheels are constructed of spaced alternate layers of material mounted on a hub with means for forming a plurality of axial passages in the area between the layers. The moisture transfer wheel has an absorbent material alternating with a rigid polymeric material and the heat exchanger has rigid material of a low thermal conductivity, such as a rigid polymer forming both layers. In each instance, axial passages exist between the layers. Both wheels have outer semi-rigid rims and a plurality of rigid spokes secured to and extending radially from the hub, through the material and the rim for structurally strengthening the wheels and terminating in a threaded end with a cooperating nut for truing the wheel through adjustment of the nuts.

Abstract: A solar tracking mechanism is used to orient a solar collector to directly face the rays of the sun using a hydraulic actuator and gear motor to both adjust the orientation of the collector and to stabilize it against spurious movement. One or more hydraulic cylinders are connected to act through at least one crank pin to rotate the collector about an axis. Hydraulic fluid is transfered between chambers in the cylinders by means of a low power gear motor. The collector itself is constructed without perforations through an insulating shell, but instead mounting brackets are molded into the shell and are configured to faciliate mounting of the collector.

Abstract: An improved solar tracking arrangement is provided for directing a solar energy collector to face the sun. An electrical control mechanism is provided to detect misalignment of the collector as the sun traverses in relative movement across the sky. When the misalignment exceeds an adjustable limit of tolerance, the tracking system moves the collector to an orientation slightly in advance of the current position of the sun by an amount equal to the limit of tolerance. A threshold light level is required to activate the tracking system, and differential photosensors are employed, the composite signals of which compensate for variations in ambient light level so that the amount of surrounding illumination of the environment does not effect the preset limit of tolerance. The tracking system includes east and west limit switches, which reorient the collector to an eastward facing direction at the end of each day.

Abstract: A solar energy collector is provided with a conduit in which tubing carries a heat collecting fluid within an evacuated jacket that encompasses the tubing and within which the tubing is located in an insulation space. The jacket is transparent to solar radiation within a solar radiation collection portion of the device, and may be armored externally thereof about the tubing as it transports the heat collection fluid to a heat exchanger or a thermal sink.

Abstract: Lightweight, economical and highly effective solar energy collector panels are formed with a sheet of transparent plastic exposed to solar radiation and spaced by a rigid lightweight spacer frame above a sheet of metallic foil, which embraces in heat conducting relationship a spaced array of metal water-carrying tubes all supported by an underlying plastic foam slab, with the overall assembly being encircled by a channel section peripheral frame.By completing the panel assembly with foam material which substantially entirely encapsulates the panel components internally in an inexpensive, lightweight, and completely effective framed unit, a unique panel construction is achieved by a unique manufacturing process.

Abstract: A tracking system is provided for positioning solar energy collection units to face the sun during daylight hours. The collectors are mounted generally in north-south alignment with rotatable connections to a supporting base. The connections are laterally offset from the center of gravity of the collector. Thus, the weight of the collector ends to rotate the collector about the connection points to bring the center of gravity to the lowest possible point, thereby orienting the collector generally to face the western horizon. A rotation restraint mechanism is provided to prevent the uncontrolled rotation of the collector to a degree coordinated with rotation of the earth relative to the sun, thereby positioning the collector to directly face the sun during daylight hours. A rank of collectors in parallel alignment can be connected for tandem rotation under the control of a single rotation restraining mechanism.

Abstract: This is a method and an apparatus for performing said method, for the conversion of thermal energy into mechanical or electrical energy by means of an exchange of temperature between two water sources having a temperature differential, and utilizing a compressible fluid to be alternately compressed and expanded by the use of the thermal differential, with the flow imparted to the compressible fluid utilized through an improved positive displacement rotary valve and a motor wherein the motor is operated by hydraulic cylinders alternately pressurized and depressurized and connected between a pair of canted discs.

Abstract: Solar heating apparatus that includes a solar panel having a generally rectangular box type frame that is open at the front, glass panes mounted on the frame to close the front opening and provide a dead air space, a plurality of horizontally elongated, generally rectangular tubular channels mounted with the top wall of a lower channel in abutting relationship with the bottom wall of the next higher channel, a water inlet opening through one end of the uppermost channel, a water outlet opening through one end of the lowermost channel, conduits interconnecting the channels to provide a liquid flow path serially through the channels from the uppermost channel to the lowermost channel, a heat storage reservoir, lines including a pump for pumping liquid from a heat exchanger in the storage reservoir to the panel inlet and return the liquid from the outlet to the heat exchanger, control mechanism for operating the pump in response to temperature changes in the panel, and a heat transfer system for transferring hea