Abstract: A thermodynamic cyclic process with a gaseous working medium, which is alternately compressed and expanded, in which process a working medium is employed, which experiences a volume expansion due to chemical processes at the higher temperature after the compression and a corresponding volume contraction at the lower temperature after the expansion, is to be improved so that a higher efficiency is achieved. This is achieved in that the volume contraction is endothermic. In this case, the cyclic process can increase the efficiency both in heat engines and also in heat pumps.

Abstract: Condenser fluid comprising vaporized working fluid and non-condensable gases is treated by extracting fluid from the condenser and pressuring the fluid to liquefy the vaporized working fluid therein in such a way that the noncondensable gases are separated from the working fluid and can be vented from the extracted fluid.

Abstract: The powder actuated tool has a modular construction which comprises: a firing pin module; a pistol grip module; and a fastener driving module. The firing pin module and the fastener driving module are readily detachable from the pistol grip module so that if any module is damaged or needs maintenance, it may be readily removed from the rest of the tool and replaced at low cost and at no inconvenience to the user. The firing pin module includes a coherent breech assembly which is readily removable from, and securely attachable to the pistol grip module, which breech assembly comprises: a firing pin disposed in the breech assembly within a breech block; and cocking means extending from the breech assembly through the pistol grip module to engage the fastener driving module.

Abstract: A universal foldable lamp shade overshade which includes a uniformly pleated rectangular sheet of thin, somewhat rigid yet bandeable 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. A hole is formed through each panel adjacent its upper end through which a draw string is positioned in in-and-out fashion through alternate holes. 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 by tightening the drawstring, to be held in place primarily by gravity over and substantially covering a lamp shade.

Abstract: A unique arrangement of components comprising an open Rankine cycle power system for under water application is provided. The arrangement features a high energy density steam generator, a turbine, pumps and other apparatus to provide and control the flow of a seawater working fluid and the use of a mixing condenser to condense the spent steam. The mixing condenser uses droplets of seawater to condense the steam exhausted from the turbine. Alternatively, the steam may be introduced into a pool of water in the mixing condenser by means of a bubble device. The mixing condenser also provides a preheated feedwater supply for the boiler. This system facilitates the packaging of power sources an order of magnitude more powerful than current sources. Moreover, this system can be installed in current vehicles.

Abstract: In an engine based on the Stirling cycle the individual hot side and cold side cylinders typically used in conventional Stirling engines are subdivided into a cluster of parallel cylinders of smaller diameter than the single cylinder but with the area of the cylinder walls greater than that for the single cylinder for the same displacement and with spaces between the cylinders in the cluster to allow a heating or cooling medium to flow through the spaces and contact the enlarged surface area for tranferring heat into or out of the cylinders more efficiently. The described engine has the hot side cylinder cluster disposed horizontally to facilitate allowing hot gases of combustion to flow through the spaces between the subdivided cylinders by natural convection. Moreover, having the hot side cylinders disposed horizontally facilitates confining the hot combustion gases to one end region of the cylinders in isolation from the rest of the engine structure.

Abstract: A plurality of heat pipes in a shell receive concentrated solar energy and transfer the energy to a heat activated system. To provide for even distribution of the energy despite uneven impingement of solar energy on the heat pipes, absence of solar energy at times, or failure of one or more heat pipes, energy storage means are disposed on the heat pipes which extend through a heat pipe thermal coupling means into the heat activated device. To enhance energy transfer to the heat activated device, the heat pipe coupling cavity means may be provided with extensions into the device. For use with a Stirling engine having passages for working gas, heat transfer members may be positioned to contact the gas and the heat pipes. The shell may be divided into sections by transverse walls. To prevent cavity workihg fluid from collecting to the extensions, a porous body is positioned in the cavity.

Abstract: In a gas/steam power station plant, which consists essentially of at least one fossil-fired internal combustion engine (2), at least one steam circuit (1) and at least one heat exchanger (3), the heat exchanger (3) connected downstream of the internal combustion engine (2) is fed with exhaust gases (27) from the internal combustion engine (2). Together with a number of steam turbines (12, 13), the steam circuit 1 has a generator (14), a series of other auxiliary units (15, 16) and a water-cooled reactor (11) which produces an amount of saturated steam (B) from an amount of preheated feed water (C) treated in the heat exchanger (3) and fed to it. This amount of saturated steam is thereupon fed to a superheat stage (A) in the heat exchanger (3), where the actual final treatment of the steam takes place.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp guard 10 is formed of spaced parallel flat bars 12 interconnected at the respective ends by straps 18, 20. The guard can be secured at the rear of a vehicle by a quick release fastener associated with the strap 20. A pair of pins 24 are provided at the side of the strap 18 remote from the bars 12 and are adapted to snap fit into a channel of a profiled strip 22. The latter can be bonded to the side of the vehicle and thereby provide for quick and easy fixing and release of the lamp guard while enhancing the aesthetic appearance thereof.

Abstract: A neon tube lighting system, support apparatus and extrusion therefor is described for use in supporting neon tubing along a corner of a support surface. The support assembly preferably comprises an extrusion, a reflector and an elongate lens member. The extrusion has first and second wall members, and an angled base member interconnecting the first and second wall members and including a support, wherein the wall members and the base member form an enclosure having an opening therein between the first and second wall members. Each of said first and second wall members of the extrusion includes an angular member extending into the enclosure towards the angled base member to form a bearing or support surface. The reflector has first and second angular wall members and an intermediate member interconnecting the first and second angular wall members.

Abstract: Start-up particulate separating apparatus for the inlet steam flow to a steam turbine, where particulate material can be a cause of internal damage and erosion, comprising a steam inlet pipe to the turbine, a centrifugal separator, and means for directing the inlet steam from the inlet pipe to the separator for removing particulate therefrom.

Abstract: A Free-Piston Stirling cycle system includes a cylinder arranged within a sealed, pressurized housing. A power piston is arranged for reciprocation within or about one region of the cylinder, and a light-weight displacer, having a selected diameter is arranged for reciprocation within or about another region of the cylinder and defining with the cylinder a compression space and an expansion space. The power piston also defines with the cylinder, a gas spring space. A gas spring piston of preselected diameter couples the displacer with this gas spring space to establish a relative gas spring which generates a force to reciprocate the displacer by the relative motion between the displacer and the power piston. In accordance with this present invention the ratio of the diameter of the gas spring piston to the diameter of the displacer is made to be at least 0.50.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and corresponding apparatus for detecting open and short circuit faults in a valve position sensor. According to one aspect of the invention, a fuel or steam valve (2) in a turbine system is automatically opened and closed by a positioner/sensor combination (1, 36, 32). In the event a fault occurs in the position sensing circuitry, a fault signal is immediately produced which allows appropriate action to be taken, e.g., closing the valve, before the turbine is damaged.

Abstract: A fixture facilitating the lubrication of cables including a housing having a clamping portion and a resilient insert to receive and capture the elongate cable and the end of the cable sheath, the compressible material being clamped around these portions. A valved lubricant aperture is provided in the fixture for introducing lubricant under pressure to the cable sheath while preventing blowback of the pressurized lubricant. The compressible insert in the fixture is designed to be captured in the base of one portion of the fixture and at another point in the moving portion of the fixture to allow it to be opened and closed for insertion and removal of the cable and sheath.

Abstract: A compression piston and cylinder mechanism for the V type two piston Stirling engine which substantially reduces engine dead volume without increasing complexity or decreasing mechanical efficiency. A stepped piston is attached at its smaller outer portion to a relatively long connecting rod. The piston seal is located at the larger inner portion of the piston, thereby permitting a short passage of low dead volume to connect the volume swept by the compression piston to the engine's heat exchangers. A stepped cylinder corresponds to the shape of the piston, having a smaller outer portion that sustains the side loading resulting from connecting rod angularity, and a larger inner portion that the piston seals against.

Abstract: A wind powered device incorporates a solar furnace and vortex generator to provide additional power and boost the efficiency of the complete system. Two concentric dome assemblies connected by a centrally located shaft are connected to a base with bearings capable of rotating the whole assembly 360.degree. about a vertical axis to allow it to turn into the wind. The two domes form a furnace, an inner dome providing insulation for a solar boiler and an exterior dome refracting the incoming sunlight onto the solar boiler. The solar boiler is located at the center of the inner dome and generates steam to drive fans positioned at the poles of the outer dome. The outer dome also functions as a wind powered rotor. Inlet vanes at the periphery of the dome are open to the atmosphere. The exterior of the dome is provided with trapezoidal or curved channels at regular distances parallel to the path of rotation. These channels effect lift by the venturi effect. They also channel the light to the center of the dome.

Abstract: Thermal energy radiation is converted into another energy form by setting up a temperature differential between two heat sinks forming part of a conventional converter or heat engine, but the warmer heat sink derives its input energy by collecting optically-focused thermal radiation from a primary heat sink within the converter structure. Heat rejected by the cooler heat sink is recycled to the primary heat sink to enhance the thermal efficiency above the Carnot level set by the base temperature conditions. The power rating of the converter is enchanced by combination with a reverse heat engine which elevates the temperature of heat input to the primary heat sink and so the temperature of the radiating surface.

Abstract: Hydraulic air compressor and turbine apparatus includes a hydraulic air compressor having an air intake disposed above the water intake for entraining air in falling water, and the output of the hydraulic air compressor is used as a compressed air source for a turbine. The turbine apparatus includes a regenerator for heating the incoming compressed air output from the hydraulic air compressor. The hydraulic air compressor may include a pump for providing a flow of water for entraining and compressing air to provide a closed cycle system, and it may include an air pump or fan to increase the amount of air entrained in a given flow of water. Several different structures for negating a loss of water velocity are also disclosed, and several different turbine systems are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for controlling the rotational speed of a Stirling engine in such a way that effective use is made of dump power produced when the speed of the engine is maintained constant. The apparatus comprises a tank in which a working medium is stored, a first valve mechanism, a second valve mechanism, a dynamo for producing alternating current during operation of the engine, a load to which the alternating current is applied, an accessary receiving the alternating current via a distributor, and a control unit. When a change in the electric power consumed by the load is detected, the control unit actuates the first or second valve mechanism to force the working medium out of the tank into the working space in the engine or vice versa such that the speed of the engine corresponds to the change in the electric power. When the engine speed increases, the resulting increase in the electric power is consumed for the accessary such as a cooling fan or a battery that powers the starter.

Abstract: A mechanical force amplifier is disclosed including a gas-containing cylinder having one fixed end and one movable end determined by the position of an output power piston. A cold temperature zone and a hot temperature zone are maintained along the axis of the cylinder, the cold zone being adjacent the fixed end and the hot zone being adjacent the movable end. The power piston is resiliently urged toward the fixed end so as to compress the gas.A displacement piston is positionable along the axis of the cylinder within the cold zone and the hot zone and is designed to allow the gas to flow around it as the piston is moved. The displacement piston and the power piston are completely uncoupled from movement with each other except through the gas.