Abstract: Apparatus for converting fluid energy into mechanical energy may include a sail and a mast carried by a pivotally mounted support.The sail is mounted both directly to the mast and indirectly to the mast through a boom, which is pivotally mounted at its center or along its length about the mast, and which is also mounted for tilting movement about a fastening extending perpendicularly to the mast. Positioning means periodically causes the boom to yaw about the mast and to tilt. Opposite edges of the sail thus alternately become taut leading edges with respect to incident wind or water and the sail adopts an oscillating motion which powers mechanical drive means such as pumps. The positioning means may be an over-center spring return or, in an alternative embodiment, be a hydraulic control mechanism.Advantages are that, because the sail remains full, it does not flap during repositioning even when formed of a light flexible material, which reduces inertial problems.

Abstract: A waste kinetic energy reclaiming system for an engine-driven vehicle includes a generator, and a variable torque-ratio coupling connecting the generator and the vehicle engine. The system also includes a clutch which selectably disconnects the coupling from the engine in response to whether or not braking of the vehicle is required so that the connection between the coupling and the engine is established only when braking is required.

Abstract: In a power control for a turbo-generator, the acceleration power of the difference between the mechanical power supplied to the turbo-generator set and the power delivered by it is determined and, if the supplied power preponderates, a correction signal directed toward closing control valves is fed to the power control by means of a valve positioning controller, Thereby, the power control need not be disconnected in the event of disturbances such as load shedding and network short circuit, but can practically remain engaged continuously.

Abstract: An electrophotographic reproducing machine in which the bias voltage applied to the sleeve is set at such a level as to substantially nullify the developing current which is produced as a result of induction of charge in the developer in accordance with the potential of the electrostatic latent image when the document is a blank. The setting of the bias voltage is made in accordance with an electrostatic latent image formed as a result of the projection of a leading projecting portion provided on a document glass plate in contact with the document mounting position, the projection of the leading projecting portion being made in advance to the projection of the image on the document to form the electrostatic latent image of a potential substantially equal to that corresponding to the blank portion of the document.

Abstract: The varying impedance of a solar generator is matched with the fixed or varying impedance of a load driven therefrom by comparing the generator voltage with a reference voltage and producing a difference signal indicative of the difference, if any, in the voltages, repetitively switching "on" and "off" the current flow from the generator to the load according to the voltage difference so as to maintain the generator voltage at a substantially constant level. Energy generated during periods when current is not supplied to the load is stored for supply during periods when current is switched on to the load.

Abstract: A current-driven power generating apparatus including a water wheel having a transversely extending axle on which are fixedly mounted a plurality of paddles. Also mounted on the axially outer ends of this axle are gears. The water wheel is anchored against downstream movement by guide wires attached at one end to the axle and at the other end to an anchor post disposed upstream of the water wheel. The anchor post has a transversely extending shaft rotatably mounted therein containing two pairs of gears on its axially outer ends. Drive chains are mounted on the gears on the axle and on one pair of gears on the shaft. Parallel to the shaft in the anchor post is a horizontally extending power shaft connected at one end to a generator and having a pair of gears mounted at its other end. The gears on the power shaft are in meshed contact with the second pair of gears on the shaft mounted in the anchor post.

Abstract: A plurality of selected fixed hydraulic geometry turbine generators are programmed for operation at rated efficiencies by interrupting flow to the turbines under control of a programmable power controller receiving water level, flow and power monitoring inputs. The turbines selected are of discreet sizes simultaneously operative only under maximum flow conditions of the hydropower source, and otherwise operated in accordance with an optimum duty schedule to match varying flow conditions.

Abstract: A water engine has a barrage with a differential head of water on an upstream and downstream side. The engine has a working chamber and a double acting piston member in the chamber. Valves admit water into the working chamber from the upstream side of the barrage to the two working faces of the piston member in turn to cause horizontal reciprocal movement of the piston member, and the valves also allow water to flow out of the working chamber, on the downstream side of the barrage from that side of the piston member opposite that on which water is being admitted.

Abstract: In a turbo-machine having a rotor member movable relative to a stationary housing member there is provided a substantially ring-shaped or annular seal between both of these members and serves to seal pressurized water from an external space or region. One of both of these members possesses a sealing surface against which there is pressed a sealing body of the seal which is inserted into the other member, the sealing body being for instance constituted by a lip seal. Improved lubrication, reduced friction and enhanced service life of the seal is attained in that, the sealing surface has fed thereto a friction-reducing liquid, for instance by means of radial grooves provided in the sealing surface or by means of bores opening into the sealing surface.

Abstract: A starter drive for internal combustion engines. The starter drive is mounted within the starter housing and connected to the motor driven shaft. The shaft has a screw thread formed thereon near the armature of the starter and a cylindrical end portion. A screw sleeve member cooperatively engages the screw thread of the motor driven shaft. A ring armature member is centrally mounted to the threaded screw member. A unidirectional clutch member connects the screw sleeve member, the ring armature member and the pinion gear. An engaging member holds the ring armature member to the starter housing when the pinion gear is advanced axially along the motor driven shaft by the rotation of the motor when the motor is activated. Thus, the pinion gear engages the engine ring gear such that the pinion gear is held in mesh with the ring gear and the total motor torque is transmitted to the ring gear until the motor is deactivated.

Abstract: The watch case contains a crystal (1) and a casing (3), on an upper peripheral surface (2) of which the crystal (1) is detachably mounted by means of connecting members or straps (10). These connecting members may consist of a U-shaped clamps (10) having arms (11, 12) to which the edges of the crystal (1) and the casing (3) are tightened and which are capable of being set in place by being laterally engaged on the edges of the case.

Abstract: A drive system for an automotive vehicle, especially an industrial floor vehicle such as a forklift truck, comprises an internal combustion engine, preferably a diesel engine, whose speed-controlling element (e.g. fuel-injection pump) in connected to a speed-setting member (e.g. a drive pedal) and propels an externally energized direct-current generator which, in turn, is connected to an externally energized direct-current motor driving the load, e.g. at least one wheel of the vehicle. According to the invention, the speed-controlling element of the internal combustion engine is provided with a speed-setting signal generator, the output shaft of the internal combustion engine with an engine shaft-speed signal generator and the output shaft of the direct current motor with a motor shaft-speed signal generator.

Abstract: A wind electric generator employs a freewheeling clutch and an induction generator having several synchronous speeds. By selecting the synchronous speed as a function of the ambient wind speed, the generator can be made to operate more efficiently and without overloading. The freewheeling clutch which connects the generator to the wind turbine prevents the generator from acting as a motor when connected to a power grid, and wasting energy in turning the wind turbine.

Abstract: A voltage regulating system for a generator that supplies the battery and electrical loads on a motor vehicle. The system includes a load response control for detecting whenever a substantial electrical load is applied to the generator tending to cause a drop in generator output voltage and when such a condition is detected field current is controlled to gradually increase field current from some value. The load response control includes means for storing an electrical signal that corresponds to generator field current and for utilizing this stored value to set generator field current at a value corresponding to a field current that occurred just prior to the detected drop in voltage and then increasing field current slowly from this value.

Abstract: A time display apparatus for producing an analog-type display using liquid crystal display elements, electrochomic display elements, or the like is described. The display of this apparatus is divided into two parts: a main display portion for indicating the hour and for indicating the number of minutes past the hour in units of 2.5 minutes, and an auxiliary display portion for indicating the number of minutes in units of 1 minute. The main display portion requires 48 display elements, and the auxiliary display portion requires 4 elements, compared to 120 elements required in conventional time displays. Through this reduction in the number of elements, a small-sized, low-priced display apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: A propulsion system for use in automotive vehicles wherein the flywheel is connectable with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine by a first clutch and with the input shaft of the change-speed transmission by a second clutch. When the engine would be idling (such as during stoppage of the vehicle at an intersection) or running unnecessarily for another reason (such as during coasting of the vehicle), the two clutches are disengaged and the flywheel rotates by inertia to restart the engine, when necessary, in response to engagement of the first clutch. If the RPM of the flywheel reaches a preselected lower threshold value, a starter-generator unit automatically accelerates the flywheel so that its RPM rises above the threshold value and is thus sufficient to ensure that the engine is restarted on engagement of the first clutch.

Abstract: A start-up failsafe system for an engine control system monitors a command signal and the corresponding feedback signal for a fuel injection rate control servo device when the starter motor switch is closed. If the feedback signal and the command signal differ by more than a predetermined amount, the failsafe system acts to prevent operation of the starter motor.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for moving an object in an oscillatory manner and in an arcuate path through the use of a fluid. The apparatus basically includes a hollow member or elongate tube having a curved portion and means for supplying fluid in pulses or at an increasing rate and then at a decreasing rate of flow to the tube on one side of the curved portion. The change in velocity of the fluid and the rate of change cause the movement of the tube due to inertia and, to a lesser extent, friction of the moving fluid within the tube. The density of the fluid also has a substantial effect on the movement of the tube, although gas alone will cause movement. The object to be moved is engagable by the tube and is usually supported by it. The object moved by the tube and fluid can take many forms, including signs, ornaments, figures, chimes, and clock dials.

Abstract: An apparatus combination for improving the starting mode of a starter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The combination comprises a supporting means effective to support the starting motor armature, both for rotary movement about an axis within the field winding and for axial movement in response to the axially directed magnetic forces of the winding. Friction means are employed to sequentially engage each of two conical surfaces carried by the member to be driven by the starter motor, such sequential engagement being in response to the axial movement of the armature. Means are also disclosed to assist the frictional engagement between the conical surfaces of the driven member by use of a resilient ring which allows full metal-to-metal contact between the friction means and driven member, but also provides extended interengagement with the friction means by distortion of the ring along a tangent to the friction means.

Abstract: This invention makes use of the action of ocean waves, converting the water power to electrical energy. This is accomplished by increasing the size of the wave and converting the wave action to hydraulic power, using a turbine and a generator. With this method energy can be stored in tanks (under pressure) and used when needed.