Abstract: An axial piston device may be operated as a pump and includes a self-centering rotary valve. The device includes a stationary housing encompassing a shaft and the rotary valve. The rotary valve and the shaft are coupled to each other. Upon rotation, the rotary valve self-centers as a result of elimination of moments and forces within the pump. The inventive pump is a piston device. The valve is within a valve bore, which is a part of a manifold. A shaft is within the manifold and the shaft is attached at its distal end to a planar surface of the rotary valve. The shaft has a first axis of rotation and the rotary valve has a second axis of rotation. During operation of the pump, the first axis is often times offset from the second axis. The pump operates via a swashplate with reciprocating pistons while the housing remains stationary.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring fatigue and notifying an individual are described. The individual may be an operator of a vehicle, equipment, or machine, a student, or other person that may experience fatigue. Motion of the individual is monitored to detect a predescribed motion in response to a stimulus to first determine a base responsiveness profile. Afterwards, a current responsiveness profile is determined based on a prescribed motion in response to a stimulus, and if the current responsiveness profile exceeds a predetermined threshold of the base responsiveness profile, a notification is issued to the individual and, optionally, another person such as an employer, teacher, or parent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring fatigue and notifying an individual are described. The individual may be an operator of a vehicle, equipment, or machine, a student, or other person that may experience fatigue. Motion of the individual is monitored to detect a predescribed motion in response to a stimulus to first determine a base responsiveness profile. Afterwards, a current responsiveness profile is determined based on a prescribed motion in response to a stimulus, and if the current responsiveness profile exceeds a predetermined threshold of the base responsiveness profile, a notification is issued to the individual and, optionally, another person such as an employer, teacher, or parent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring fatigue and notifying an individual are described. The individual may be an operator of a vehicle, equipment, or machine, a student, or other person that may experience fatigue. Motion of the individual is monitored to detect a predescribed motion in response to a stimulus to first determine a base responsiveness profile. Afterwards, a current responsiveness profile is determined based on a prescribed motion in response to a stimulus, and if the current responsiveness profile exceeds a predetermined threshold of the base responsiveness profile, a notification is issued to the individual and, optionally, another person such as an employer, teacher, or parent.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring fatigue and notifying an individual are described. The individual may be an operator of a vehicle, equipment, or machine, a student, or other person that may experience fatigue. In addition to the individual, another person such as an employer, teacher, or parent may be notified.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring fatigue and notifying an individual are described. The individual may be an operator of a vehicle, equipment, or machine, a student, or other person that may experience fatigue. Motion of the individual is monitored to detect a predescribed motion in response to a stimulus to first determine a base responsiveness profile. Afterwards, a current responsiveness profile is determined based on a prescribed motion in response to a stimulus, and if the current responsiveness profile exceeds a predetermined threshold of the base responsiveness profile, a notification is issued to the individual and, optionally, another person such as an employer, teacher, or parent.

Abstract: An axial piston device may be operated as a pump and includes a self-centering rotary valve. The device includes a stationary housing encompassing a shaft and the rotary valve. The rotary valve and the shaft are coupled to each other. Upon rotation, the rotary valve self-centers as a result of elimination of moments and forces within the pump. The inventive pump is a piston device. The valve is within a valve bore, which is a part of a manifold. A shaft is within the manifold and the shaft is attached at its distal end to a planar surface of the rotary valve. The shaft has a first axis of rotation and the rotary valve has a second axis of rotation. During operation of the pump, the first axis is often times offset from the second axis. The pump operates via a swashplate with reciprocating pistons while the housing remains stationary.

Abstract: A drive for a tracked vehicle supported by a pair of sprocket-driven tracks that receive divided drive torque from the vehicle engine includes a pair of track differentials that are each associated, respectively, with one of the tracks. Each track includes two separate drive sprockets located, preferably, at the front and rear of the track, and the divided torque delivered to each track differential is further divided between the respective front and rear drive sprockets of each track. The track differentials maintain track wrap about the drive sprockets so that drive torque and spike-like forces generated by the momentary loosening and tightening of the track in response to variations in the terrain are shared between an optimal number of drive sprocket teeth at all times. Drive and shock loads borne by the track lugs are significantly reduced and track life is significantly increased.

Abstract: The differential steering drive for a tracked vehicle includes a drive differential interconnecting the drive shafts for the tracks and a steering differential for superimposing additive and subtractive rotations to the tracks for steering and pivot turning. In the preferred embodiment for high speed tracked vehicles, the drive differential is an all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differential, and the steering differential is an unlimited-slip differential. The differentials are arranged to provide no-slip track operation traveling in straight paths or when steering so long as at least one track has traction. In another embodiment for pivot-turning slow-moving off-road vehicles, both the drive differential and the steering differential are all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differentials.

Abstract: The drive train of a truck is modified by the addition of a single changeable pair of mating gears positioned between the output shaft of the transmission and the intermediate gear train that drives the ring/bull gear fixed to the drive-axle differential for a first set of drive wheels. One gear of this changeable pair is releasably connected to the distal end of the output shaft of the transmission, while the mating gear is releasably connected to the input of the intermediate gear train of the ring/bull gear for single drive-axle trucks or to the housing of a high-bias drive-shaft differential having co-axial output shafts for tandem drive-axle trucks. These changeable gear pairs are preferably maintained in stock in predetermined ratios so that the drive ratio of the truck can be quickly, easily, and inexpensively altered by the selection of an appropriate gear pair to accommodate different expected operating conditions.

Abstract: A pair of spherical gears connects the intersecting shafts of a CV-joint. One gear has internal teeth, and the other has external teeth. The gear design is based on pitch circles that are great circles on theoretical pitch spheres that are concentric and have identical radii. The internal teeth are either conically or spherically shaped, while the external tooth faces are cylindrical with tangential flat extensions. The spherical gears are shown on half-shafts. The preferred embodiments have six teeth on each gear, and one preferred embodiment also uses balls for the internal teeth. The gears, while rotating at high speeds under load, can intersect throughout a continuous maximum range of 60° or more in any direction.

Abstract: A flexible, non-resilient strap of the tandem wheel suspension interconnects the vehicle frame and one of the rocker arms of an endless track vehicle, limiting the motion of the rocker arm in the direction of the terrain but permitting freedom of motion in an upward direction away from the terrain. The rocker arms share a support axle mounted to the vehicle frame, and each rocker arm is independently movable about the support axle. A shock-absorbing element, located in the vicinity of the strap, is preferably similarly attached between the frame and the same rocker arm to dampen the motion of the rocker arm in the direction of the terrain while permitting freedom of motion in an upward direction away from the terrain. In one embodiment, a small idler roller is positioned slightly above the endless track at a location between the two tandem wheel suspensions supporting the endless track.

Abstract: Smaller and lighter hydraulic pump/motors provide remarkably improved volumetric efficiency with pistons having body portions substantially as long as the axial length of the respective cylinders in which they reciprocate. A plurality of respective lubricating channels form a single, continuous lubricating passageway entirely within the cylinder block and not connected by either fluid “input” or fluid “output” passageways, being replenished solely by a minimal flow of fluid to and from the valve end of each cylinder and passing between each respective cylindrical wall of each cylinder and the axial cylindrical body of each respective piston. Several embodiments are disclosed in combination with various spring-biased hold-down assemblies. The preferred embodiment includes a fixed cylinder block, a roller bearing mounting between the wobbler and rotor of a split-swash plate, with piston shoes contacting the wobbler directly without any intermediary apparatus.

Abstract: A pair of spherical gears connects the intersecting shafts of a CV-joint. One gear has internal teeth, and the other has external teeth. The gear design is based on pitch circles that are great circles on theoretical pitch spheres that are concentric and have identical radii. The internal teeth are either conically or spherically shaped, while the external tooth faces are cylindrical with tangential flat extensions. The spherical gears are shown on half-shafts. The preferred embodiments have six teeth on each gear, and one preferred embodiment also uses balls for the internal teeth. The gears, while rotating at high speeds under load, can intersect throughout a continuous maximum range of 60° or more in any direction.

Abstract: A process provides energy from a hydrogen flame to produce ultra high temperature steam, which is water vapor having a temperature over 1200° C., as an energy transfer medium to drive a steam turbine. The hydrogen fuel may be supplied to the system from a source of isolated hydrogen such as compressed or liquefied H2, but is more preferably generated near its site of combustion, e.g., by irradiating an aqueous solution of one or more inorganic salts or minerals with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation having a spectrum and intensity selected for optimal hydrogen production. The ultra high temperature steam is produced by contacting the hydrogen flame and its combustion gases with surfaces in a ceramic steam generation unit. In one embodiment, a radiofrequency generator produces hydrogen gas from sea water to provide hydrogen fuel to produce steam to drive the turbine.

Abstract: The transmission includes a minimal-orbiter gear complex and a single infinitely-variable rotary control device. The minimal orbiter includes only a control gear and an output gear interconnected by the different gearing portions of at least one cluster gear supported by an orbiting web responsive to an input drive provided by a primary engine. The rotary control device may be any kind of apparatus that is capable of providing resistance torque that can match the torque of the primary engine to slow and stop the control gear of the orbital complex. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the rotary control device is a hydraulic jack machine having a drive shaft connected to an adjustable swash plate that provides primary control of the flow of fluid through the machine.

Abstract: The compact, all-gear full-traction differential includes meshing pairs of side-gear worms and worm-wheel balance gears having a “hybrid” design. Preferably, the teeth of each side-gear worm have an involute profile but are cut with only plunge feed, while the teeth of the worm-wheel portions of the balance gears are helicoid worms having tip and root modifications made by a concave-shaped cutter. The side-gear worm teeth have a helix angle equal to or greater than 45° and significantly chamfered ends, and the gears are designed to provide a gear ratio between 1.5:1 and 2.5:1. The numbers of teeth in the spur-gear portion and worm-wheel portion of each balance gear and in each side-gear worm are all divisible by 2 or by 3, preferably by both 2 and 3.

Abstract: A process provides energy from a hydrogen flame to produce ultra high temperature steam, which is water vapor having a temperature over 1200° C., as an energy transfer medium to drive a steam turbine. The hydrogen fuel may be supplied to the system from a source of isolated hydrogen such as compressed or liquefied H2, but is more preferably generated near its site of combustion by irradiating an aqueous solution of one or more inorganic salts or minerals with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation having a spectrum and intensity selected for optimal hydrogen production. The ultra high temperature steam is produced by contacting the hydrogen flame and its combustion gases with surfaces in a ceramic steam generation unit. In one embodiment, a radiofrequency generator produces hydrogen gas from sea water to provide hydrogen fuel to produce steam to drive the turbine.

Abstract: A spool valve is provided with a stem portion that defines a fluid passageway formed by either (a) a single central support having a non-cylindrical curved surface shaped hydrodynamically, or (b) only a pair of sidewalls with, preferably, interior surfaces that are also shaped hydrodynamically. These stem passageways, which are designed to facilitate the flow of high-speed/high-pressure fluids controlled by the valve, are maintained in a predetermined orientation relative to the ports of the valve cylinders by a mechanism preferably including (a) a cam-following roller supported in a tang fixed to each spool and (b) a two-element cam that captures the roller within two of the parallel sides of a cam-track groove formed on the respective interior surfaces of each cam element.

Abstract: The compact, all-gear full-traction differential includes meshing pairs of side-gear worms and worm-wheel balance gears having a “hybrid” design. Preferably, the teeth of each side-gear worm have an involute profile but are cut with only plunge feed, while the teeth of the worm-wheel portions of the balance gears are helicoid worms having tip and root modifications made by a concave-shaped cutter. The side-gear worm teeth have a helix angle equal to or greater than 45° and significantly chamfered ends, and the gears are designed to provide a gear ratio between 1.5:1 and 2.5:1. The numbers of teeth in the spur-gear portion and worm-wheel portion of each balance gear and in each side-gear worm are all divisible by 2 or by 3, preferably by both 2 and 3.