Abstract: A system for allowing a pneumatic tire supported on a wheel rim of a vehicle to continue in operation after rupture of the tire. The system includes an air bag container which divides the interior tire volume into a radial outer chamber providing normal pressure for inflation of the tire and a radial interior chamber, within the air bag, which is inflated to a substantially higher pressure. The container is intended to rupture when the tire is deflated by a puncture or the like allowing the higher pressure air bag to escape from its container and fill the entire tire volume at a normal operating pressure.
Abstract: A hybrid vehicle employing an internal combustion engine and an electric drive includes a turbine powered by exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. The turbine drives a generator which provides electrical power to the electric drive motor and the electrical power storage system for the drive, usually comprising a battery. This exhaust gas energy recovery system may be used with either a serial hybrid system in which the internal combustion engine powers another generator or a parallel system in which both the mechanical outputs of the internal combustion and electric motor are combined to drive the vehicle.
Abstract: Coal is processed to produce relatively pure carbon particles of small size by first subjecting mined coal fragments to microwave energy to vaporize the water, mercury, sulfur, and like contaminants and to increase the friability of the coal. Next the fragments are pulverized and then reduced in a jet mill to produce particles of small maximum size and fine particles having an average size of about 20 microns, for use in a power plant or as a fuel for a turbine or diesel engine.
Abstract: A system for allowing vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires to continue operating after a tire failure which would normally cause deflation of the tire employs one or more airbags stored in deflated configuration either about the exterior surface of the rim supporting the pneumatic tire or externally of the tire. The system further includes a container for compressed gases. A sensor connected to the inflated tire to detect sudden deflation releases the compressed gases so as to inflate the airbag to either support the tire or provide an exterior running surface adjacent to the deflated tire. The system may employ a rim with a specially deep drop-center section to allow mounting and dismounting a tire in a conventional manner despite the space in the drop-center section occupied by airbags.
Abstract: A system for allowing vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires to continue operating after a tire failure which would normally cause deflation of the tire employs one or more airbags stored in deflated configuration either about the exterior surface of the rim supporting the pneumatic tire or externally of the tire. The system further includes a container for compressed gases. A sensor connected to the inflated tire to detect sudden deflation releases the compressed gases so as to inflate the airbag to either support the tire or provide an exterior running surface adjacent to the deflated tire.
Abstract: A method of modifying a conventional internal combustion powered vehicle to hybrid electrical form involving modifying the drive train so that the rotor of a motor generator may be connected to the input of the drive train. This may be accomplished by removing an element and substituting a transfer case having driving inputs from both the engine and motor-generator, or by connecting the rotor of the motor generator to an input to the drive train.