Abstract: A free piston Stirling engine includes a displacer fitted in a cylinder so as to be able to reciprocate and defining an expansion chamber and a compression chamber in the cylinder, an operational sealing area leading from the expansion chamber to the compression chamber and interposed a heater, a regenerator and a cooler in order, a free piston disposed so as to be able to reciprocate toward a direction which crosses a direction of the reciprocation of the displacer and defining an operational chamber which is communicated with the compression chamber and a buffer chamber at its both ends and a linear generator disposed around the free piston and connected with a storage battery at its output terminal via an AC/DC converter having one or more transformation ratios. According to this constitution, even though the load is larger than the output of the linear generator transitionary, it is possible to supply stable electric power by use of the storage battery.

Abstract: Steam exhaust outlets of a low pressure steam turbine are fitted with a divider plate to separate exhaust steam into isolated flow paths in fluid communication with a condenser. Separation of the flow paths is maintained through the condenser so that heat rate is improved by lower average back pressure and higher temperature condensate exiting the condenser. In a double flow turbine, a further divider plate separates steam from one exhaust outlet from that of the other exhaust outlet thereby creating four steam flow paths to the condenser.

Abstract: A displacer-type Stirling engine includes buffer space provided in back of a power piston, and a front chamber in which a small-diameter piston provided on an end of a displacer rod is reciprocated. The buffer space and the front chamber are communicated by a conduit so that a fluctuation in pressure which develops in the buffer space is used as an auxiliary power source for driving the displacer rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein, during time periods when a turbine is off-line and in a restart-ready condition, residual steam is circulated in the turbine between the cover and base of the turbine such that the cover and base are maintained at generally equal temperatures.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a plurality of three-dimensionally arranged containers each of which is constructed into deformable configuration and each of which is set to accommodate therein an amount of expandable fluid in response to the increase of the temperature, a heat supply device for supplying the heat to the fluid in each of the containers, a cooling device for cooling the fluid in each of the containers and a control device for controlling the heat supply device and the cooling device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for improving the performance of vapor turbine diffusers by preventing flow separation from the diffuser walls. Such separation from the diffuser walls is decreased or eliminated herein by chilling the diffuser walls below the saturation temperature, causing some condensation to occur and insuring vapor flow toward the walls to eliminate the natural tendency toward separation in diffusing vapor passages.

Abstract: A handgun grip accessory for attachment to the tubular casing of a flashlight to enable the person to hold the flashlight and at the same time hold and aim a pistol at an objected illuminated by the flashlight in a two-handed grip.

Abstract: A thermal engine utilizing a positive displacement rotary expander and preferably a positive displacement rotary compressor in conjunction with an external substantially steady-state thermal source, such as a continuous fuel combustor, the external source heating a high pressure gas that is directed from the thermal source to the rotary expander wherein the gases expand driving a rotor in the positive displacement rotary engine before discharge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of matching engine torques in a power management system having a digital engine control for each of multiple turbine engines. Input data is selected from one source such that each digital engine control utilizes the same set of input data to generate torque commands. As a result, engine torques can be matched to within one percent.

Abstract: The gear transmission generator device includes a generator member having a rotatable gear member mounted thereon, a chassis for moving the generator from a first position to a second position, and a tire having a continuous track of teeth provided on a side wall of the tire. The generator member is mounted on a bicycle frame adjacent a tire of the bicycle. The rotatable gear is provided with a plurality of teeth adapted to mate with the teeth on the tire sidewall. The generator member is movable from a first position where the teeth of the gear member do not engage the teeth on the tire, to a second position when the teeth of the gear member mate with and are in contiguous contact with the teeth on the tire.

Abstract: Process of drilling a bore into a geopressured-geothermal reservoir containing a gas-laden fluid, allowing the fluid to escape through the bore, passing the fluid into a rotatable turbine which causes a generator to produce electricity, passing the fluid to means for separating gas from the fluid, and passing the fluid into a multi-effect distillation system to extract fresh water from the fluid to produce fresh water and saturated brine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a required deaerating temperature differential between incoming water and sparge steam in a steam generation system having a vacuum deaerator. The present invention selectively combines raising the energy of the sparge steam with flash cooling of the incoming water to provide the required deaerating temperature differential. The energizing of the sparge steam is accomplished by a thermocompression device. The thermocompression device may also be used to reduce the pressure in a portion of the vacuum deaerator to cause the flash cooling of the incoming water.

Abstract: An indirectly-fired gas turbine system utilizing water augmentation for increasing the net efficiency and power output of the system is described. Water injected into the compressor discharge stream evaporatively cools the air to provide a higher driving temperature difference across a high temperature air heater which is used to indirectly heat the water-containing air to a turbine inlet temperature of greater than about 1,000.degree. C. By providing a lower air heater hot side outlet temperature, heat rejection in the air heater is reduced to increase the heat recovery in the air heater and thereby increase the overall cycle efficiency.

Abstract: A desk lamp comprising a lamp socket having a radially slotted diffuser connected to an elongated socket body thereof supported on a speaker above a spherical ceramic sound chest and covered with a lamp shade to hold a lamp bulb. Output sound waves from said speaker are guided by a spherical rod and evenly distributed through the radial slots on said diffuser.

Abstract: An indicator needle is provided with a base having a groove having a U-shaped cross section, which groove has an opening in an upper surface thereof and extends in a longitudinal direction of the indicator, and a light transmitting lens which plugs the opening of the upper surface of the base. A plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in the groove of the base. Base ribs each having a triangular cross section and formed integrally with the base so as to cross the groove of the base are provided in the groove of the base, as well. Light generated from the light emitting diodes directly illuminates the lens, or is reflected by the base ribs to illuminates the same.

Abstract: A method and installation for generating energy using the BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) reaction wherein condensate is pumped from an expansion chamber and is fed to a first heat exchanger. There, the liquid gas is heated in a first step to a certain temperature. The liquid gas is heated in a second heat exchanger with a safety valve to a higher temperature and, while expanding, is introduced via a pre-expansion valve, at the end of a feed line, to a BLEVE-reaction chamber. The BLEVE-reaction takes place in the reaction chamber, during which gas is released and supplied via the outlet pipe to a gas turbine. The gas turbine drives a generator. The turbine and the generator may be housed in the closed expansion chamber. The cycle of the method is controlled by means of a regulating control. The method described is particularly suited for a thermal power plant, the waste heat of which is transformed into electricity.

Abstract: In a hot gas or Stirling engine conventional regenerators for engines with a large displacement, designed for axially directed flow and usually lacking sufficient mechanical strength with respect to the high working gas pressures, have been replaced by radial flow regenerators. In the respective receiving spaces, the radial flow regenerators are surrounded externally and internally by an annular duct for the supply and discharge of the working gas. Thus, it is possible to ensure a larger flow area for the working gas and to design the engine with the desired mechanical strength.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a hollow, tubular handle (11) which holds two batteries. A shoulder (14) at the forward end of the handle contains a high output light bulb (10). A head (17) extends integrally from one side of the shoulder, while a tuft of bristles (12) is attached to the distal end of the head. Electrical conduits made of a series of sleeves within the handle and an externally mounted bow spring switch (18) constitute a normally open circuit. Holding the toothbrush automatically compresses the switch to turn on the light bulb. When the head and bristles are placed in the mouth, the light bulb projects a beam of bright light across open space onto the external surfaces of the bristles, teeth and plaque. Thus the visibility of the teeth and plaque is greatly improved to facilitate brushing. In addition, the illumination produces a very appealing visual effect which will induce children to brush more frequently and for longer durations.

Abstract: The miniature light assembly disclosed includes a housing with parts defining a battery chamber and a guideway for slidably supporting a light such as a diode. A light bulb extends from the housing to permit positioning the light with the fingertips. Leads of the light straddle a disk shaped battery with one lead being isolated from battery terminal contact by a disk. A disk aperture permits entry upon positioning of the light in the housing and contact of an irregular segment of the lead with the battery terminal. Resilient pads urge the leads toward contact with the terminal surfaces of the battery. Semicircular portions of the housing confine the light for sliding movement.

Abstract: The invention is a device for generating utilizable energy from potential energy of slowly driving motor vehicles such as street traffic. The device comprises at least one rigid pivoted plate supported on a bearing block. The plate can be lowered by the force of gravity of a motor vehicle such that air is urged out of flexible containers and directed into a pressure equalizing reservoir connected to a turbine or a hydraulic motor. Storage containers for water are supported on both sides of the bearing block on the pivoted plate. The filling of the storage containers is controlled in a manner such that the storage container is exactly filled at the right moment so that it assists in lowering the plate caused by the motor vehicle.