Abstract: Signal conditioning apparatus for reducing the noise frequencies of a speed sensing means signal being fed into a compensating means for compensating the output of a synchronous generator for the effect of torsional oscillation between masses in the main AC generator system. The signal conditioning apparatus includes two speed sensing transducers mounted 180.degree. apart on opposite sides of a tooth gear wheel and summing the two FM output signals from the transducers to eliminate odd harmonics of the synchronous frequency in FM noise due to eccentricity. The preferred embodiment of the invention reduces the remaining noise from the sensed speed signal by the use of a three-pole Butterworth low-pass filter in combination with a notch filter tuned to the turbine-generator synchronous frequency to thereby reduce the unwanted noise to a large degree while providing a minimal phase shift to the sensed speed signal.

Abstract: An improved power plant incorporating a gas turbine and a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generating means is provided wherein a plurality of coolant conducting fins are disposed in the diffuser region of the duct between the MHD generator and the turbine. The cooling fins are provided with means to supply compressed coolant to the diffuser duct for mixing with the combustion gases to provide optimum gas pressure, temperature and velocity for driving the turbine.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air (LTA) wind energy conversion system (WECS) wherein the LTA envelope carries a main rotor and electrical generator to take advantage of high wind speeds available at high altitudes. The LTA envelope is adapted to rotate with the main rotor and is tethered to a ground based mooring system designed to provide self-orientation for the LTA envelope. In a preferred embodiment, a hollow bladed main rotor is provided at the midpoint of the rotating envelope. The rotor drives an induction turbine positioned within a substantially linear duct which is, in turn, preferably located along the longitudinal axis of the rotating LTA envelope. The output of the induction turbine is coupled to an electrical generator. In another embodiment, small wind-driven generators are positioned on the tips of the blades of the main rotor. The outputs of both embodiments are transmitted to the ground via the tethering system.

Abstract: A Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed which includes a vertically extending rotor tube mounted on a support structure with two or three rotor blades of troposkein configuration on the rotor tube for rotating the tube in response to wind energy and thereby drive a generator to produce electrical power. The turbine includes an erection hinge which permits assembly of the rotor tube and blades at close to ground level followed by upward hinging of the rotor assembly to a vertical position. It also includes a system for automatically lubricating the top bearing upon erection and a system for visually tensioning the guy cables.

Abstract: This invention provides a leap year compensation circuit. Date data from an electronic watch circuit is compared with leap year data from a memory circuit. If this date data represents a leap year, the next day after the end of February is corrected to a date in a leap year calender. Leap year compensated date data is set in the watch circuit.

Abstract: A winding stem mechanism for a watch having a winding stem and a pinion with a shaft body. The winding stem and pinion are dimensioned to slidably fit within a base plate recess, and have respective facing ends. One facing end is provided with a square blind bore, and the other facing end is square and complementary to the blind bore and dimensioned to slidably fit within the blind bore so that the winding stem can slide away from the pinion without displacing same and the winding stem can slide toward the pinion and displace same in the direction of travel of the winding stem. The pinion engages a setting wheel for setting a wheel train.

Abstract: An earring watch comprises an enclosure 4 with a friction clip or pierced-earlobe hook for attachment to the ear. The enclosure contains an energy cell 18, a timekeeping circuit 42-46-48 and an audio transducer 40 for announcing the time in a series of groups of tones, the number of tones in each group equal to a respective digit of the time. The time is announced when the wearer touches one part of the surface of the enclosure twice, another part 6 of the enclosure is electrically connected to the body via the ear, so that the touch completes a circuit between the two parts of the enclosure. Preferably, and to avoid false readouts due to an inadvertent touch, the watch contains circuitry for providing a time readout only if it is touched twice within a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A hydro electric generating system to produce power by changing the potential energy of water to kinetic energy to drive a turbine that is coaxially connected to a generator. Water from the ambient enters the reservoir and is directed by a valve to a conduit to the turbine which turns a generator to produce electricity. The system is constructed in such a matter that it may supply power during peak power demand and be used as a storage system during low power demand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new cavitation free hydraulic turbine system which fully utilizes well-established hydrodynamic theories useful for low-head hydroelectric applications. The hydropower turbine system of the present invention makes use of a fixed blade propeller turbine with reverse blade angle and an upward flow passage. To eliminate the complex flow control adjustable vane system and elaborate tube design and construction of the prior art, the new turbine system is provided with a vertical needle valve and a near zero absolute velocity free exit flow design.

Abstract: A low axial stiffnesss thrust bearing is disclosed. The thrust bearing includes a housing having a generally cylindrical space formed therein and a generally cylindrical thrust collar located coaxially within the space. The axial length of the cylindrical space is sufficiently greater than the axial length of the thrust collar to permit the thrust collar to move axially within the cylindrical space over a predetermined distance and to insure that first and second fluid chambers are formed on opposite sides of the thrust collar when the thrust collar is located centrally within the cylindrical space. A fluid circuit supplies fluid under pressure to the first and second chambers in such a manner that the fluid attempts to maintain the thrust collar at a predetermined axial location within the space even when external thrust forces are placed on the thrust collar.

Abstract: A timepiece (1) contains a movement (2), topped by a dial (3) and housed in a casing (4) of a watch case. A crystal (5) is located over at least a portion of its periphery against the upper edge (6) of the casing. The edge (6) has a surface inclined (7) toward the inside of the case and defines with the opposite surface of the periphery of the crystal and with the outer edge of a riser (8) placed on the circumference of the dial (3) a housing in which a gasket (9) is deformably held.

Abstract: Damping of the primary bending mode of a tower (12) mounting a wind turbine having a control (36) for providing a pitch blade angle reference signal (40) to modulate the pitch of the turbine blades (1) through a pitch change mechanism (38) for constant power is provided by generating the pitch blade angle reference signal as the integral (104) of the summation (266) of a torque/power controlling blade pitch angle reference rate signal (98) with an estimated acceleration signal (255) generated by filtering (250, 252, 254) the blade pitch angle reference signal (40) with the following transfer function ##EQU1##

Abstract: On a Charged Aerosol Wind/Electric Power Generator, electrically charged water droplets are dispersed into the wind stream. Using Induction Electric Charging, a water jet issues under water pressure from a small diameter (25-50 .mu.m) orifice, and the jet breaks into charged droplets. A plate orifice 35 .mu.m diameter, and 25 .mu.m long appears optimum; a single jet from such an orifice at a water pressure of 15 psig produces net electric power output substantially exceeding the hydraulic and electric power inputs. A practical Wind/Electric Generator utilizes a multi-orifice array scaled to a kilowatt or megawatt level. A water recovery and pressure regeneration solar and/or gravitational means is described by which water is conserved and the water power is free, so that there is a net output electric power without external power input of any kind, except natural wind and/or solar power.

Abstract: A game timer for selectively timing the action time of two or more game players includes a timing unit for each player with the timing unit consisting of a reservoir containing a measured quantity of granular medium with a metered orifice for controlling the flow of the granular medium from the reservoir upon selected specific orientations for each separate reservoir. Each reservoir is oriented for a separate active and deactive orientation such that when one reservoir is actively timing, the other reservoir is inactive.

Abstract: The present invention comprises measuring, upon application of a drive pulse to the actuating coil 5 of the stepping motor, the variation in the magnetic induction flux in the stator of the motor, and interrupting the drive pulse when the variation in flux reaches a predetermined value. Measurement of the variation in flux may be effected, for example, by detecting the current in the actuating coil and integrating the difference between the supply voltage of the actuating coil and the product of the current by the d.c. resistance of the coil, or by providing an auxiliary detection coil 71 and integrating the voltage induced therein in an integrator 73, 74. When the integrator outputs exceeds the magnitude of either a positive or negative reference voltage, a comparator circuit 78, 79, 81 provides the signal to a circuit 13 to terminate the drive pulse.

Abstract: A turning gear arrangement for a turbomachine such as a large steam driven turbine-generator is disclosed. The turning gear arrangement includes a prime mover system which generates high starting torque for rolling the rotor of the turbine-generator over a narrow low speed range and which provides a lower, substantially constant torque over a wider high speed range. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a drive gear mounted on the turbine motor shaft; a fixed gearing system through which drive torque is transmitted to the rotor shaft; and a prime mover having an electrical motor to provide high initial torque to start and maintain rotation of the turbine over a low speed range, and a hydraulic turbine providing lower, substantially constant torque to maintain rotation over a higher speed range.

Abstract: A generator characterized by a circular track attached to the relieved circumferential surface of a wheel, a carriage coupled to the track by rotary bearings, a generator supported by the carriage, and a clutch wheel coupling an armature of the generator to the track. The track, which preferably has a T shaped cross section, has a driving surface which causes the clutch wheel to rotate when there is relative motion between the track and the carriage and/or between the carriage and the air within the tire.

Abstract: An electrical power plant with gas turbine plant operating with a fluidized bed combustion chamber and a gas turbine-driven electrical generator includes at least one device for rapidly influencing the speed of the generator upon synchronizing the generator for connecting its output into an electrical network. This device may comprise a resistor connectible to the generator output to decelerate the generator, an electrical machine connectible to the generator which is capable of accelerating or decelerating the generator, flow control valves in various gas conduits to rapidly influence the gas flow through one or more of the turbines thereof, an injection nozzle for the injection of water or steam into the combustion gases from the combustion chamber, or an auxiliary combustion chamber for augmenting the thermal output of the fluidized bed combustion chamber.

Abstract: The bottom of the watertight wrist-watch casing is composed of a metallic piece (1) having its edges (2) bent up at right angles, and of a thin elastomer layer (3) lining the inner face of piece (1), to which it strongly adheres by means of a metal/elastomer junction. This bottom is secured to the caseband (9) by means of screws (24) which cause the bottom edges (2) to bear against the caseband (9), thereby pressing the thicker periphery of layer 3 against the caseband (9), to form a tight seal between the bottom and the caseband.The layer (3) is molded with two projections (6) serving as a substitute for the conventional case screws, and with four pillars (7) which hold the dial (18) in abutting engagement with the bottom of a lodging (17).

Abstract: For performing a very precise detection of the position of at least one hand, the watch is provided with an electro-optical detection device.The detection device comprises a wheel 8 carrying a mirror 26. The wheel 8 is intermittently driven by the driving member 6 for defining n angular positions of the mirror 26. The member 6 is meshing with the gear train 12 of the watch. It further comprises a light emitter 30 and a light receiver 32 which receives a light beam when the mirror 26 is in an angular position corresponding to the reference position of the hand. The number n is inferior to the number of steps performed by the hand during a complete revolution of said hand.