Abstract: A flash butt rail welding welderhead combines in a single unit, the ability for the three functions of rail pulling, flash butt forging and maintaining the “after forged” displacement without any change in platen position such that shearing may be accomplished in three stages, a single stage, multiple stages or a progressive stage, all while maintaining clamping and stretching force on the rails.

Abstract: A machine for economical recovery of wind power employs a self-adjusting mass-balanced aerodynamic blade weathervaning freely around a lengthwise pitching axis forward of its aerodynamic center, and an aerodynamic roller in its leading edge, spun at high RPM by a motor. The roller controls aerodynamic performance to high levels of efficiency at high lift coefficients, employing novel roller/airfoil profiles. For ship propulsion, the self-adjusting blade with roller stopped is like a furled sail, and with the blade held angling to the wind with roller spinning is like a large, efficient, easily controlled sail. On a horizontal axis wind turbine, the self-adjusting blade is continuously held to an efficient angle of attack by centrifugal lift-increasing pitching moments balancing aerodynamic lift-decreasing pitching moments. The blade whirls steadily despite fluctuations of wind speed and direction, reducing stresses, and preventing structural damage or loss of efficiency.

Abstract: A kite for continuous and reliable flight without configuration change in winds ranging from light breezes to the strongest natural winds consists of a wind formed lifting surface in tension stabilized by a long thin trailing filament, such as a thin weighted cord or a thin metallic wire, the motions of which are damped by a minimum number of free-trailing flexible streamers.

Abstract: A keel kite is disclosed having an increased range of flight speeds and an improved ability to withstand gusty winds, consisting of a mass-balanced sail portion eliminating the center line spar either entirely or over the rear central portion of the sail, and a separately mass-balanced keel portion supported by a spar along its lower edge, aerodynamically balanced, able to pivot somewhat in yaw, and employing an adjustable trimming surface.