Abstract: A multiple-speed chain driving device includes a shaft, a rotors'assembly, a chain driving sprocket, and a shifting assembly. The rotors'assembly is mounted on the shaft and includes three rotors which are vertically mounted on each other and enclosed within the sprocket. The shifting assembly is also mounted on the shaft and located parallel with respect to the rotors' assembly. The device can be made in either 3-speed or 2-speed design and enables a few slightly different configurations for both designs. The device enables a smooth shifting process and allows only one sprocket to produce the full range of speeds presently obtained by a front sprocket assembly in a bicycle.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated rotary clutch includes a housing, a triangular rotor, an input gear, an eccentric shaft, a main shaft, a shifting piston, and a mechanism to operate the shifting piston. The rotor orbits in an inner elliptical opening of the housing and forms fluid chambers which are filled with a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid circulates through fluid passages which extend between all fluid chambers when the shifting piston is positioned to allow such fluid circulation, thereby resulting in a disengagement of a drive and driven member. When the shifting piston is driven to restrict the fluid circulation, the driving force is gradually applied to the driven member. A full-scale power flow is reached when the shifting piston is positioned to completely cut off the fluid circulation between the fluid chambers and when the force exerted by the drive member is transmitted through the fluid onto the driven member.

Abstract: A constant-mesh manual/automatic transmission is disclosed. The transmission comprises a set of drive gears and a set of driven gears wherein each of drive gears constantly meshes with its counterpart of driven gears thereby enabling a plurality of the drive and driven gears to be packed within a reasonably small volume. The plurality of the drive and driven gears provides for a smooth power flow and decrease of energy loss.

Abstract: Inflatable air strips for protection of a motorcyclist body in case of a traffic accident are disclosed. The air strips comprise plurality of horizontal and vertical air strips which are all interconnected and inflated with gas from two gas inflators. A gas diffusing process is initiated by an activating cord which is extended from the ignitor unit and attached to the motorcycle.

Abstract: An external combustion rotary engine having a configuration which allows spatial separation of the heaters and coolers, and a process which enables rotary motion of the rotors to be performed without internal combustion.The engine includes the triangular rotors enclosed inside the housings shaped in the form of an epitrochoid curve, the heat generating units, and the heat absorbing and discharging units. The heat generating units and the heat absorbing and discharging units are located outside the housings and connected to the housings.The engine can also include the ultrasonic fuel atomizers inside the heat generating units and the turbine for the purpose of rapid acceleration.The present invention provides the simple, compact, lightweight, extremely energy-efficient and environmentally clean engine.

Abstract: Inflatable air strips for protection of a motorcyclist body in case of a traffic accident are disclosed. The air strips comprise plurality of horizontal and vertical air strips worn all around the motorcyclist body which are inflated with gas produced in a gas generator. An inflation process is initiated by an activating cord which is extended from the gas generator and attached to a motorcycle.

Abstract: A Stirling engine having a configuration which allow spatial separation of the heaters and coolers. The engine includes four cylinders with passageways connecting the cylinders such that a direct fluid connection is formed between each cylinder and every other cylinder. The configuration of the passageways and arrangement of the cylinders is such that heat energy is not wasted. The spatial separation of the heaters and coolers allows the heaters and coolers to be located in separate environments. The pistons within each cylinder are connected to one or two crankshafts through a connecting device which generates no side thrust on the cylinder walls. Preferably, the connecting device used is a hydraulic connecting rod.

Abstract: An electrically operated cylinder valve and a valve operating device for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The valve is operated by electromagnetic means energized by electrical currents which are controlled by electronic means. The flow of currents determines the valve timing, duration, and lift according to requirements for optimal engine performance under different operating conditions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automated electronically controlled postage meter including a mail weighting means, an alphanumerical keyboard, a direct access bar code thermal transfer printer, a magnetic and IC card reader/writer, a liquid crystal display, and a double-station thermal and dot matrix printer. In accordance with the present invention, a configuration mounted on an electronic weighting device allows for the weighing of postcards, envelopes, and packages. A magnetic and IC card reader/writer is provided in order to allow for payment by debit, credit, or IC cards in addition to payment by cash or check to an employee. An alphanumerical keyboard is provided in order to allow for the entry of alphanumerical data regarding the item to be mailed, which data is further converted and printed on the item to be mailed in the form of laser readabe bar code. If direct printing is unsuitable, the bar code can be printed on a self-adhesive label to be stuck on the item to be mailed.

Abstract: A cylinder for an internal-combustion two-stroke engine, having multiple intake ports, multiple intake valve ports and multiple exhaust ports. The cylinder enables a two-stroke engine to run on gasoline without premixing it with lubricating oil and, due to its optimal volumetric efficiency and good separation of air-fuel mixture and exhaust gases, provides the possibility to satisfy requirements for high fuel efficiency, high power output and low emissions released into the atmosphere. An engine using this cylinder construction will be lightweight, will not require valve trains and camshaft and can be manufactured with any number of cylinders. Utilizing a slightly different process and slightly different configuration, the present invention will also enable a two-stroke engine to run on diesel fuel and produce significant benefits in comparison to existing two-stroke diesel engines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automated mail collecting machine comprising the functions of an automated, electronically controlled postage meter having a bar code printer, a pay-phone device, a data listing device, and a telex sending device. The incorporated functions are used independently for different purposes while being operated directly by a customer and all applying the same automated means. The machine's process is guided both by instructions from its program memory and instructions from its input means which are operated by the customer according to displayed instructions during each different stage of the machine's processes. Even though the predetermined automatized processes are guided by the machine's program memory for all of its functions, the payment mode is dependent on each individual customer's choice.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an economical yet sturdy and reliable automated toilet seat cleaning system including a system housing, a movable toilet seat, a plurality of cleaning brushes, sources of water and disinfectant, and drying elements all of whose functions are electronically controlled.

Abstract: A connecting rod for an internal-combustion, steam or the like, engine, having hydraulic means for converting the reciprocating motion of engine piston to the rotating motion of crankshaft. While producing the same torque on crankshaft, the hydraulic connecting rod enables the crankshaft throw to be shorter and, therefore, enables a decrease of the centrifugal force and inertia load produced by crankshaft rotating motion. Futhermore, the present invention enables a significant decrease of piston-ring friction and significantly reduces total engine friction. The present invention also yields significant decreases of centrifugal, inertia and friction loads resulting in a significant increase of total engine efficiency and power output.

Abstract: A cylinder bore for an internal-combustion or the like engine, having additional valve ports and an additional combustion chamber machined inside the cylinder wall, is disclosed. Said cylinder bore enables excellent volumetric efficiency and a two-step combustion process which comprises burning of two air-fuel mixtures having different compression ratios and different air-fuel ratios. Increased air provided for the combustion process and better distribution of combustion pressure will result with much more power delivered by engine and less emissions released into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A piloting aid system for landing an aircraft in either normal or adverse weather conditions is disclosed. The system applies a laser scanning process for determining and correcting the aircraft's position with respect to the commanded landing trajectory and for determining the aircraft's speed, altitude, and distance from the runway. The system provides the possibility to direct the aircraft exactly towards the runway longitudinal axis and to level the aircraft exactly parallel to the runway plane all along the landing trajectory and, consequently, to effect a safe landing under visibility conditions which would otherwise prevent landing.

Abstract: An electrically driven sun visor for motor vehicles providing the possibility for length adjustment, is disclosed.

Abstract: An automated system for controlling a fuel dispensing pump is disclosed. The system comprises debit card vending apparatus, said apparatus comprising automated means for accepting the payment either in cash, credit or IC cards, means for automated verifying of said payment methods and means for issuing a system's debit card, and gasoline pump controlling apparatus, said apparatus comprising automated means for controlling the operation of said fuel pump activity according to information obtained from said system's debit card. Means to allow a user of said debit card vending apparatus to enter required information are also provided. In accordance with the invention, two said apparatuses are located separately, each having its own microprocessor for controlling the tasks to be performed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automated mail collecting machine comprising the functions of an automated, electronically controlled postage meter having a bar code printer, a pay-phone device, a data listing device, and a telex sending device. The incorporated functions are used independently for different purposes while being operated directly by a customer and all applying the same automated means. The machine's process is guided both by instructions from its program memory and instructions from its input means which are operated by the customer according to displayed instructions during each different stage of the machine's processes. Even though the predetermined automatized processes are guided by the machine's program memory for all of its functions, the payment mode is dependent on each individual customer's choice.