Abstract: A staged switch for conducting a large electrical current for an indefinite time period and then rapidly switching the current into a load circuit. The switch comprises a first stage which can conduct a large electrical current for an indefinite time period without damage to the stage and a second stage which is a fast-opening element. The first stage includes primary and secondary contacts wherein the primary contacts conduct a charging current and the secondary contacts divert the current into the fast-opening second stage. The secondary contacts "make" before the primary contacts "break", reducing the damage to the contacts which might otherwise be experienced. The second stage is a low-inductance element which reduces the level of energy absorbed by the first-stage contacts, minimizing damage to the contacts. The second-stage element may be constructed in a cartridge and may be loaded into the switch using an autoloader device.

Abstract: A homopolar generator (HPG) having the stator and an inner brush mechanism housed within the machine support structure utilizes a rotor separated into halves electrically insulated from each other, so as to fit around the stator and brush mechanism. A shaft is mounted in the support structure to carry the rotor. A first rotor half is thermally shrunk-fit onto the shaft, and the second rotor half is hydraulically expansion fit thereon. To hydraulically fit the second rotor on the shaft, a shaft is provided having a downward taper from its midpoint toward one end. The shaft also has a circumferential groove and a port therethrough from the end of the taper for communicating high pressure oil from an external pump to the shaft-rotor interface. High-pressure seals on each side of the groove prevent leakage. The application of high-pressure oil expands the bore in the rotor half and shrinks the shaft diameter.

Abstract: A power supply generating a reaction torque generally simultaneously with its power output is utilized to supply power to fire the railgun. The power supply and the railgun are cooperatively mounted together such that the reaction torque of the power supply upon discharge counteracts the recoil force of the railgun, thereby transferring lateral forces through the compulsator to a position in the power supply which is removed from the position of the coupling between the railgun and the power supply.

Abstract: An alternating current generator has a rotor and a rotatable stator. The moment of inertia of the stator is at least eight times that of the rotor. The electrical output is taken off the windings of the stator or the rotor. In operation, any available mechanical means is used to start the rotor and the stator rotating. The stator is rotated not susbtantially faster than ten percent faster than the rotor. An alternator having its rotor affixed to the same shaft to which the generator's rotor is affixed, is used to brake the rotation of the shaft, and thus the rotors. As the rotors decrease in speed, the electrical output of the generator increases in frequency and voltage.

Abstract: A single phase, multipole alternator with inertial and/or electromagnetic energy storage is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention involves a high energy pulsed alternator which is capable of generating a variety of pulse signals by ready modification of the angle between the magnetic axes of the excitation field coil and the compensating coil or conducting shield.

Abstract: An improved energy density homopolar generator is disclosed. The generator includes a stator assembly for generating a magnetic field within an interior region and a rotor responsive to the input drive and the magnetic field for generating the output generator voltage. The rotor includes a current generator means that responds to the rotation of the rotor in the magnetic field to collect the current and voltage to output terminals. An energy storage means is also provided with the rotating rotor for storing kinetic energy where the energy storage capacity of a storage means is determined independently of collection of the current and voltage by the current generator means.

Abstract: A homoplanar generator (HPG) having the stator and an inner brush mechanism housed within the machine support structure utilizes a rotor separated into halves electrically insulated from each other, so as to fit around the stator and brush mechanism. A shaft is mounted in the support structure to carry the rotor. A first rotor half is thermally shrunk-fit onto the shaft, and the second rotor half is hydraulically expansion fit thereon. To hydraulically fit the second rotor on the shaft, a shaft is provided having a downward taper from its midpoint toward one end. The shaft also has a circumferential groove and a port therethrough from the end of the taper, for communicating high pressure oil from an external pump to the shaft-rotor interface. High-pressure seals on each side of the groove prevent leakage. The application of high-pressure oil expands the bore in the rotor half and shrinks the shaft diameter.

Abstract: A welding fixture by which two elongate members are manipulated in a manner to become butt welded together. Two gripping members in the form of groups of spaced slip assemblies are enclosed in mounted relationship within a housing. The slips of each group circumferentially extend about a longitudinal axis of the housing, with the slips of each group being radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the members to be joined. A first group of slips are mounted for movement within a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the members to be joined. The other group of slips are likewise arranged within a plane spaced from and parallel to the first plane. All of the slips are moved with great force towards the longitudinal axis of the members to be joined. The fixture includes means by which the members are moved toward one another with great force. Each group of slips further include an electrical contact which provides a source of current to each of the members to be joined.

Abstract: A switch for use in an inductive energy store transfer circuit utilizes a quantity of electrically conductive liquid bidirectionally flowable between a position that establishes electrical connection between electrodes and a position that opens electrical connection between the electrodes. High pressure gas biases the liquid to a position that establishes electrical connection between the electrodes, and yieldably resists movement of the liquid toward the position that opens electrical connection between the electrodes. Current through the switch electrodes produces a magnetic force that acts on the liquid and urges it toward the position that opens electrical connection between the electrodes. Switching action occurs upon a predetermined magnitude of current being attained.

Abstract: The inductive store opening switch includes a cartridge casing comprising a length of metal tubing, for disposition between a pair of electrical buss bar conductors and in contact with both so as to establish a path for electrical current therethrough. The tubular casing, having inner and outer surfaces, is scored on its outer surface to establish a rupturing point. The scoring on the outer surface may constitute many different geometric forms. A solid body of inert material is insertable within the casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing point of the casing. A propellant cartridge carrying a combustible material, such as gun powder, is disposed within the casing opposite the inserted body so as to define a cavity volume within the casing proximate the rupturing point of the casing. The cartridge further includes structure for igniting the material.

Abstract: A homopolar generator includes a stator producing a magnetic field and a rotor which rotates in the stator magnetic field to generate electrical discharge current. The current is available from a slip ring surface defined on the rotor, and a plurality of brush mechanisms are provided to collect and transfer the discharge current from the rotor slip ring. Each brush mechanism includes a brush pad for contacting the rotor slip ring. The brush pad is attached to one end of a laminated trailing arm brush strap. A brush actuator forces the brush pad into contact with the rotor slip ring against the yieldable brush lifting force of the brush strap. To compensate for the reaction between adjacent brush straps due to the magnetic fields set up by the discharge current being transferred by each, a conductor strap is electrically connected to the end of the brush strap opposite the attached brush.

Abstract: A high-energy, high-current homopolar generator pulsed power supply system that is compact and field portable. The power supply system includes a hompolar generator (HPG), an auxiliary supply and drive system, both mounted on a skid frame, and a control system coupled to the HPG and drive system. The homopolar generator has a split rotor with insulation between the halves and a recess in the periphery. A stator ring and field coil, for producing a magnetic field through which the rotor halves make two simultaneous voltage-generating passes, are disposed within the recess in the rotor. Air-actuated brush mechanisms inside and outside the recess contact surfaces of the rotor and collect discharge current. The auxiliary supply and drive system includes a motoring system comprising hydraulic motors for driving the HPG to speed, a bearing lubrication system, a generator for energizing the field coil, and a brush actuator air supply system, all of which are driven by a prime mover.

Abstract: A homopolar generator having a rotor with a slip ring surface utilizes an inflatable diaphragm to force the current-collecting brushes into contact with the rotor slip ring. The diaphragm is molded around a metal core. An opening in the metal core directs pressurized gas into a diaphragm cavity to expand the diaphragm against the back of the brush.

Abstract: A current limiting device for use with a circuit breaker in an electric power system utilizes mutual inductance variation between movable windings to limit current to safe levels. In the device, first and second coil windings are electrically connected for current flow therethrough and magnetically linked for mutual inductive coupling. The effective inductance of the connected coil windings is functionally related to the relative physical positioning of the coil windings. The coil windings are movable relative to one another, so as to provide for variation in the effective inductance of the two coils. Structure is provided for disposing the coils in an initial relative positioning, the structure being yieldable to a force produced between the coils due to a predetermined magnitude of current flow through the coils. The force produced between the coils acts to change the relative positioning of the coils, increasing the effective inductance, and thereby limiting the current therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system for controlling the location of a ring of sliding electrical contacts relative to a rotor. A magnetic field is generated generally parallel to the axis of the rotor. An electrical conductor has a generally circular portion which is located proximate the ring of sliding electrical contacts and mechanically coupled thereto. An electric current is passed through the circular portion of the conductor to induce radial movement of the circular portion to thereby move the sliding contacts radially with respect to the rotor.

Abstract: The improved homopolar generator includes a unit carrying the brushes which may be easily removed from the yoke structure. The unit includes brushes, a portion of the return conductor and a movable segment of the yoke, and rides along tracks extending from within the yoke cavity to a position outside of the yoke cavity. The yoke segment included in the unit fits into a mating opening in the yoke, and the magnetic field created by the field coil holds the movable yoke segment in position against the yoke.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electromechanical energy converter with inertial energy storage. The device, a single phase, two or multi-pole alternator with stationary field coils, and a rotating armature is provided. The rotor itself may be of laminated steel for slower pulses or for faster pulses should be nonmagnetic and electrically nonconductive in order to allow rapid penetration of the field as the armature coil rotates. The armature coil comprises a plurality of power generating conductors mounted on the rotor. The alternator may also include a stationary or counterrotating compensating coil to increase the output voltage thereof and to reduce the internal impedance of the alternator at the moment of peak outout.

Abstract: A cut-pile tufting machine is disclosed having a module rotatably supporting a plurality of circular knife blades driven by fluid driven turbine wheels. The module includes a nozzle for each turbine wheel communicating with a manifold within the body of the module. The module also includes a fluid passageway communicating with the manifold and a source of fluid supplied under pressure to a plurality of modules. Each knife blade acts within a slot of a tufting machine hook to cut the loops of yarn as they move thereon.