Abstract: The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements rapidly inflated and rigidized using an acrylic adhesive and UV light generated by combustion, which find use, for example, in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle and wind turbine towers.

Abstract: A maximally efficient vertical axis wind turbine (MEVAWT) includes a rotatable circular frame having upper and lower concentric flat rings or disks which support a plurality of, typically three, four, five or six, pivotable cascades, each including a plurality of fixed, configurable airfoils. The airfoils preferably include a single, pivotable trailing flap and may include lateral extensions. The center and periphery of the lower ring are supported in suitable bearings to facilitate free rotation of the frame. Wind direction and velocity sensors provide data utilized to control drive mechanisms which orient each cascade and the flap of each airfoil to maximize the resultant power produced by the turbine.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements which find use in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements rapidly inflated and rigidized using an acrylic adhesive and UV light generated by combustion, which find use, for example, in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle and wind turbine towers.

Abstract: A maximally efficient vertical axis wind turbine (MEVAWT) includes a rotatable circular frame having upper and lower concentric flat rings or disks which support a plurality of, typically three, four, five or six, pivotable cascades, each including a plurality of fixed, configurable airfoils. The airfoils preferably include a single, pivotable trailing flap and may include lateral extensions. The center and periphery of the lower ring are supported in suitable bearings to facilitate free rotation of the frame. Wind direction and velocity sensors provide data utilized to control drive mechanisms which orient each cascade and the flap of each airfoil to maximize the resultant power produced by the turbine.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements which find use in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a stern drive unit including a gimbal housing adapted to be fixed to a boat transom, a gimbal ring connected to the gimbal housing for pivotal movement relative to the gimbal housing about a generally vertical axis, a propulsion unit connected to the gimbal ring for pivotal movement relative to the gimbal ring about a generally horizontal axis, an exhaust gas passage in the propulsion unit and including an outlet normally located under water and an inlet normally located above the water, a flexible exhaust gas bellows having a rearward end connected to the inlet of the exhaust gas passage in the propulsion unit and having a forward end, and an exhaust gas and coolant discharge conduit extending through the gimbal housing and comprising a forwardly located inlet passage adapted to receive combined exhaust gas and coolant discharge from an engine and including a rearwardly located lower transverse wall, an exhaust gas discharge passage located rearwardly

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reed valve comprising a reed plate having apertures therein defining a first port and a second port together with seats respectively extending along the periphery of each of the ports. The reed valve also includes a first reed member having a first port closing portion and a second reed member having a second port closing portion. The reed members are mounted on the reed plate for respective movement of the first and second port closing portions relative to the first and second ports, which reed members have different natural frequencies when mounted on the reed plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a two-cycle, internal combustion engine including a piston mounted for reciprocative movement inside a cylinder and having a top and an inlet face portion which periodically covers and uncovers an intake port during reciprocative movement of the piston, a circumferentially extending recess in the piston at the juncture between the top and inlet face portion thereof and having an inner wall which extends in front of a limited portion of the intake port located farthest away from the outlet port such that, as the piston inlet face starts to uncover the intake port, an initial flow of fresh charge flows through only the limited portion of the intake port and is deflected by the recess inner wall towards the cylinder head and along the cylinder intake wall in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and a deflector carried on the top of the piston and spaced inwardly from the piston recess for deflecting additional streams of fresh charge flowing through the int