Abstract: A heat engine utilizing a cycle having an isenthalpic pressure-increasing phase wherein, in the entropy-reduction phase of the cycle for changing the state of the working fluid, in order to have at least a part of that phase change at constant enthalpy, a compensating fluid (high-pressure feed) at a pressure higher than that of the cycle working fluid is introduced into the cycle system at the beginning of the isenthalpic change, thus increasing the pressure of the working fluid, and then the entropy of the working fluid is reduced by discharging a part of the working fluid to the outside of the cycle system at the end of the isenthalpic change.

Abstract: To improve a heat storage system comprising a heat source, a heat storage device and a heat sink between which heat is transported by a heat transporting medium such that satisfactory storage and utilization of heat by a heat transporting medium near its critical temperature is possible, it is proposed that the heat storage device be designed as a Ruths storage device, with a bath of liquid required as heat transporting medium for the Ruths storage device being provided in a storage volume, that the storage volume contain in addition to the bath of liquid a latent heat storage material, that the storage temperature be selected so as to lie in the range of the critical temperature of the heat transporting medium and below it, and that the heat storage system be operable in such a way that during the discharging of the heat storage device via the heat sink, the bath of liquid heat transporting medium constantly surrounds the latent heat storage material essentially with thermal contact.

Abstract: A task light is disclosed which has a base which is releasably securable to a support surface. A light reflector cavity is shaped to provide different zones of light intensity. A longitudinal light source is positioned within the cavity and a peripheral rim member of varying surface area about the lamp base serves to diffuse the light by reflecting a portion of the light and allowing a portion of the light to pass therethrough. The light reflecting cavity has a particular profile for providing a desired light distribution and is angled relative to the base, which is also of a particular shape having varying sized sidewalls to enhance the light distribution. In a preferred embodiment, the base, the peripheral rim and the light reflecting cavity all cooperate for ease of assembly and manufacture of the components.

Abstract: The invention provides a two piece chandelier securable at two discrete positions. An upper and lower framework are moveable with respect to one another along a displacement axis and are securable in an access position and a decorative position, whereby access to an internal component of the chandelier such as a lighting element is facilitated in the access position relative to the decorative position.

Abstract: An electrothermal actuator for converting electrical energy to rotational mechanical motion includes a housing, a flexible diaphragm disposed in the housing and defining a boiler chamber within the housing, a working fluid disposed within the boiler chamber and changing phase in response to heating, thereby displacing the diaphragm, a heater disposed within the boiler chamber for heating the working fluid in response to an electrical current flowing through the heater, and a rotatable shaft assembly partially disposed within the housing and including a rotating shaft extending outside the housing, rotating between a return position and a rotated position, and a driver for rotating the shaft from the return position toward a rotated position in response to heating of the working fluid, displacing the diaphragm.

Abstract: A Stirling engine generating system comprises a Stirling engine driven by solar heat which is used as a heat input source for the engine, a generator driven by the Stirling engine, a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of an operational gas enclosed in an operational space of the engine, an operational gas tank communicated with the operational space via a pair of conduits, one way valves interposed in the corresponding conduits so as to invert the flow direction of the operational gas in each conduit, opening and closing valves each of which is interposed in the respective conduit between the one way valve and the operational gas tank, a field magnet control device for adjusting the rotational speed of the generator and a temperature regulation device for controlling the opening and closing action of the opening and closing valves to vary the operational gas pressure in the operational space in response to a detected signal of the temperature sensor and for controlling the field magnet control devic

Abstract: The device proposed has a pipe (3) sunk into the Earth's crust and designed to convey to the surface a fluid heated by geothermal energy, possibly in vapor form. The device also has a second, outer, pipe (2) surrounding the conveyor pipe and designed to carry the fluid back into the Earth, as well as an end cap (4) which forms a pressure-tight closure over the end of the outer pipe to prevent the ingress of the surrounding rock, etc., the conveyor pipe being joined to the outer pipe at the bottom, in the region of the closure.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating condition of a steam turbine, to which an adjustable inlet steam quantity can be supplied and from which a variable, partially expanded steam quantity can be extracted, includes initially ascertaining a relative inlet steam quantity for an adjustable inlet steam quantity as a percentage value, and ascertaining a relative turbine power from the relative inlet steam quantity as a percentage value; and determining an applicable operating point from the relative inlet steam quantity and the relative turbine power, and subsequently displaying the applicable operating point inside a performance graph for various extraction steam quantities.

Abstract: A projection-type vehicular headlamp which is free from the difficulty of an unwanted light beam being formed by an inclined front lens and cover provided in the lamp body. A light projecting unit including a substantially ellipsoidal mirror in which a light source is fitted, and a projecting lens arranged in front of the light source for converting the output light beam of the light source reflected from the mirror into a substantially parallel light beam advancing forwardly of the headlamp are mounted in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a front lens, the latter being an inclined lens the lens surface of which is inclined strongly rearward. A cover coated with a light reflecting film surrounds the front portion of the light projecting unit, the cover having a lower edge portion extending forward into a front extension. A light diffusing region is formed at least in the front end portion of the front extension of the cover.

Abstract: A coal-fired power plant with a wet scrubber wherein sulfite or bisulfite ions are converted to sulfate ions by forced aeration in the scrubber reaction tank. Air bubbles are introduced at only a few points in the tank, but an impeller is used which continually sweeps fine particulates off the tank bottom until they have reached a certain minimum size.

Abstract: In a power generating installation including a steam turbine-generator system, a source of steam under pressure, and a steam conditioning unit, the steam turbine-generator system including a high pressure turbine and at least one low pressure turbine, each turbine having a steam inlet and an exhaust outlet, and an output shaft coupled to all turbines, and the steam conditioning unit being connected between the exhaust outlet of the high pressure turbine and the steam inlet of each low pressure turbine and being effective to remove moisture from, and reheat, steam flowing between the exhaust outlet of the high pressure turbine and the steam inlet of the low pressure turbine, the steam conditioning unit is composed of two structurally separate devices which include a reheating device which functions exclusively to add heat to the steam and a moisture separating device which acts to remove moisture from the steam.

Abstract: A simulated-flame fireplace having a housing with a firebox which can be viewed through a transparent front door panel. A translucent simulated ember bed rests on the floor of the firebox, and a log-supporting andiron rests on the ember bed. A video-image projector is mounted on the housing to project an image of an actual wood fire into the firebox. A beam-splitting transparent and partial reflecting panel is supported within the firebox to reflect the flame image toward a viewer, and to enable direct viewing of the firebox interior. The projection and beam splitter are oriented to create a viewer-perceived illusion of the flame image as superimposed on the logs as in an actual log-burning fireplace. The illusion may be enhanced by the addition of audio reproduction of fire sounds, and variable-intensity lighting of the firebox walls and ember bed.

Abstract: This heat engine, uses a Stirling cycle design, wherein a cold exchanger section of a cylinder and a hot exchanger section of the same cylinder are attached to an axis in an off-center positioned. The axis is preferably capable of rotation, but in some embodiments may be fixed. When a rotatable axis is used, a liquid acting as a piston moves within a portion of the cylinder against centrifugal force, and is driven by a working gas which is used in the same cylinder. By oscillating the liquid in the cylinder outwardly in the cylinder during a downward, or "power", stroke and inwardly in the cylinder during an upward, or "drag", stroke the center of mass of the liquid in the cylinder provides a greater moment of force during the downward power stroke than during the upward drag stroke. When used with a rotating axis and subjected to heating at a hot exchanger section and to cooling at a cold exchanger section at selected times it produces continuous power producing rotary motion about the axis.

Abstract: A universal foldable lamp shade cover which includes a uniformly pleated rectangular sheet of thin, somewhat rigid yet bendable material having a plurality of side-by-side slender elongated panels integrally connected one to another in accordion fashion along a fold line between each panel. The side margins of the pleated sheet are connected to form a somewhat tubular member which is sized, when reduced in circumference at its upper end, to be held in place primarily by a strip of double-sided adhesive tape adhered on one side around the upper perimeter opening of a lamp shade. The lamp shade cover is then adhered in position over the lamp shade to the exposed surface of the adhesive transfer tape.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the vertical or horizontal aim of a vehicle headlamp includes a rod-like link supported by a slide to move linearly relative to a housing and having an outer end connected to the headlamp. The inner end portion of the link includes a helical thread form which meshes with a second helical thread form on a rotatable driver extending perpendicular to the link. When the driver is rotated, the thread forms coact to advance or retract the link and thereby adjust the headlamp. A plastic bushing snaps onto the driver and into the housing to support the driver for rotation in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining structure for removably connecting and maintaining electrical engagement between a light bulb and more particularly, a lamp base portion thereof, with an electrically wired socket. The squeezing of the socket wall changes the dimensions and shape of these walls that allows the releasing of mated protrusions on opposite parts to permit the removal of the lamp base from the socket.

Abstract: Method for improving the heat rate of a steam turbine operated in a partial-arc mode includes sequential closing of control valves to establish a first arc of admission at which pressure drop on a first control stage reaches a predetermined level. Steam pressure to the turbine may then be reduced in combination with valve closing to maintain first stage pressure at or below the predetermined level. In a further method, low power operation is achieved by maintaining a constant arc of admission while simultaneously moving all open valves toward a closed position.

Abstract: A shade control arrangement comprises a shade panel having inner and outer edges with an attachment clamp or attachment clips at the inner edge and additional clips at the outer edge. The outer clips can be used to hold the edge of a gelatin sheet or a perforated sheet to stretch the sheet across a source of light to which a pair of panels is connected using the inner clips or clamp. The clamp comprises inner and outer jaws which form a pocket that can be closed with a screw, at least one of the jaws being pivotally connected between the legs of a U-shaped fork that is detachably connected to the shade panel near the inner edge thereof. A flexible shaft is detachably connected to the clamp. A similarly structured clamp can be used to capture the edge of a flexible sheet that contains a plurality of parallel bend troughs so that the sheet can be bent into a variety of shapes.

Abstract: A hollow lighting structure having an optically transmissive light emitting surface. At least one light guide extends within the structure. A light source emits light into the light guide. The light guide's light transmissivity is varied as a function of position on the surface of the light guide such that the angular and spatial distribution of light emitted from the light guide yields a predetermined distribution of light intensity as a function of position on the light emitting surface. The predetermined distribution of light intensity is preferably substantially uniform at all points on the light emitting surface.

Abstract: The surface mounted LED package disclosed herein includes an LED having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, two electrical contacts on the first surface, and a light emitting portion in the second surface; a housing mounted on the LED and having a generally rectangular parallelepipedal shape, a first passageway extending from a first surface of the housing part way through the housing, the first passageway being sized, shaped, and positioned to receive the second surface of the LED such that the light emitting portion of the second surface faces into the first passageway, and a second passageway extending from a second surface of the housing to a third surface of the housing and communicating with the first passageway; and a lens received in the second passageway and having a first radiating surface located outside the housing and an internal reflecting surface located inside the housing above the light emitting portion of the LED in position to reflect light from the light emitti