Abstract: A process for producing energy from introducing water down a borehole, which includes (a) providing a borehole having a depth of at least 20,000 feet; (b) providing a casing in the borehole of a certain diameter; (c) introducing an internal pipe within the casing of a diameter less than the casing to define an annulus therebetween; (d) providing a means to introduce quantities of water down the inner pipe at predetermined intervals; (e) providing an air turbine at the upper portion of the inner pipe so that when the water is introduced down the inner pipe, a vacuum is established above the water flowing down the pipe, and air is sucked into the inner pipe through the blades of the air turbine to run the turbine; (f) allowing the water, upon reaching a certain depth to turn to steam at the lower end of the inner pipe; and (g) returning the steam up the annulus between the inner pipe and the casing to the upper end of the casing and exiting the system.

Abstract: A start-up method of a steam turbine plant including a condenser is disclosed. The condenser includes a tube bundle composed of a number of pipes for condensing an exhaust steam from a steam turbine and a hot well for receiving and storing a condensate therein. The interior of the condenser is airtightly divided into two spaces with a partition therebetween, one of them being an upper space containing the tube bundle and the other one being a lower space containing the hot well. A communication passageway(s) extends between the upper space and the lower space with an isolation valve in the form of a butterfly valve disposed on the communication passageway. At the shut-down of the steam turbine plant, the isolation valve is closed to isolate the upper space from the lower space while the lower space is maintained in vacuum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting thermal energy into electric power. A high pressure gaseous working stream is expanded, producing a spent stream. The spent stream is condensed, producing a condensed stream. The condensed stream forms first and second partially evaporated streams, which in turn form first and second vapor streams and first and second liquid streams. A rich stream is generated from the first vapor stream. A lean stream is generated from combining the second vapor stream with a mixing stream. The resulting rich and lean streams are passed through a boiler where they are evaporated. After exiting the boiler, the evaporated rich stream is combined with the evaporated lean stream generating the high pressure gaseous working stream, completing the cycle.

Abstract: A method for generating power and a power supply for use in the atmosphere on Mars that use the Martian atmosphere as a working fluid. The power supply has an open Brayton cycle combined turbocompressor and turbogenerator that use the Martian atmosphere for their operation. The Martian atmosphere working fluid picks up heat derived from a nuclear heat source that transfers the heat to the working fluid by laminar flow heat exchange. The combined turbocompressor and turbogenerator have provisions for separating dust from the dust laden Martian atmosphere and for operating with any residual Martian atmospheric dust that is ingested into the combined turbocompressor and turbogenerator. Reliability of operation is achieved by having two functionally separate power operating units that each have their own combined turbocompressor and turbogenerator and by only using one power unit at a time.

Abstract: A reversible thermal engine is provided which operates on the principles of the Stirling and Ericsson cycles. The engine comprises two variable volume compartments connected by passageway with a regenerator therein. Heat exchangers provide heating and cooling to the working gas during the cycle. Control means are provided to vary the volume of the gas transferring between compartments such that the volume variations of the gas are in the form of overlapping quadrilateral waveforms.

Abstract: A power system for a wheeled vehicle in which the vehicle is powered from a steam power plant. The fuel is stored on the vehicle in the form of a compressed block of solid fuel. A fuel grinder or pulverizer is provided between the fuel storage and the steam generator to allow the solid fuel to be delivered in a particle form.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the reciprocal movement of a free, gas-driven displaced in a cooling engine are disclosed. Mechanical stops in the form of a crank mechanism prevent axial overshooting of the gas-driven displacer in each direction. A uni-directional magnetic "detent" is established for the displacer at predetermined location beyond the top dead center and bottom dead center portions of the cooling cycle. Each uni-directional magnetic "detent" provides a magnetic retention force to hold the displacer from moving until a pre-determined pressure differential is established across the displacer's drive piston. The magnetic "detents" are formed by magnetic elements that operate in cooperation with the crank mechanism.

Abstract: A photographic lighting apparatus has a light gun with a handle and nose in which a light source is mounted, and a light guide projecting from the nose for directing a narrow beam of light from the source. The light guide has a coupling mechanism such as screw threads on its free end, and a hollow hood member is securable to the light guide via corresponding internal screw threads at one end. The hood member is of larger dimensions at its opposite end to spread the light beam, and is arranged for selectively mounting any one of a number of light controlling plates in the light beam intermediate its ends. Other hood members of different shapes and dimensions may be provided.

Abstract: A movable condition-responsive member such as a snap-acting dished metal member is mounted in a condition-responsive device to move between spaced dispositions such as between the original and inverted dished configurations of a dished metal member in response to occurrence of selected pressure, force or temperature conditions. The member is arranged to engage and move the device control elements during such movement to perform control functions. A series of artifacts such as laser-melted portions of the metal materials embodied in the member are provided in the surface of the member, typically after the member is assembled in the control device. Each artifact establishes a local pattern of stresses in the member at variance with a pattern of stresses in the member adjacent to the artifacts, and the artifacts cooperate to precisely determine the condition which results in the snap-acting member movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for using that apparatus for replacing an existing governor valve on a steam chest of a high pressure turbine that enables chemical foam to be input from outside the turbine for cleaning chemical deposits from the turbine. This device enables chemical foam to be input without penetrating the turbine's main steam loop. When the cleaning process has been finished, the original governor valve can be easily replaced in a short period of time. The apparatus includes an inlet for the chemical foam, a structure for attaching the apparatus to the steam chest of the turbine, and a structure which allows the foam to flow from the stream chest to the turbine.

Abstract: There is disclosed an oil-free compressor integral with a Stirling engine. The compressor is used as an air compressor or in air-conditioning equipment. The Stirling engine has a cylinder in which a displacer piston is slidable. An expansion space and a compression space are formed on opposite sides of the piston. The compressor comprises a first pressure chamber communicating with the compression space, a second pressure chamber connected with a Rankine heat pump circuit via valves, a first buffer chamber communicating with the compression space via a first orifice, and a second buffer chamber connected with the second pressure chamber via a second orifice. The first pressure chamber is partitioned from the second pressure chamber by a first diaphragm. The first buffer chamber is partitioned from the second buffer chamber by a second diaphragm. These two diaphragms are connected together by a rod such that they move together axially.

Abstract: A message-note holder has a fixed jaw member and a pivotal jaw member which is biassed toward the fixed jaw member by its own inherent springiness, which is achieved by the material from which it is made and by placing it in tension. The space between the lower ends of the jaw members defines the volume where a message-note is held by the note-holder of the invention. The pivotal jaw member has a laterally-projecting tubular member which is telescopingly and rotatably received within a tubular housing formed in the fixed jaw member, by which the two jaw members are rotatably coupled together. Within the tubular member of the pivotal jaw member there is provided an on-off switch for turning on and turning off a LED in alternating sequence of rotations or "squeezings" of the pivotal jaw member with respect to the fixed jaw member. Thus, when the pivotal jaw member is rotated for inserting a message-note between the lower ends of the jaw members, the switch closes a battery-powered circuit to energize the LED.

Abstract: Torque generating device using shape memory alloy consisting of multiple casings arranged at equal distances around the periphery of a rotatable wheel, each casing housing a coil of shape memory alloy. Part of the wheel is in a high temperature region where the temperature is higher than the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy and part of the wheel is in a low temperature region where the temperature is lower than the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy. When in the high temperature region the reversion force of the alloy rotates the rotatable wheel and in the low temperature region the alloy is forcibly deformed.

Abstract: A mechanochemical engine capable of desalinating sea water or brackish water by the conversion of mechanical work to chemical work, which comprises: a) a housing containing an elastomeric material capable of being stretched, to thereby allow salt-diminished water to move into the elastomeric material, while substantially repelling solvated salt ions from entry thereto, b) means for stretching and relaxing said elastomeric material in said housing, in connection with said elastomeric material; and c) means for uptake of said sea water or brackish water into said housing, means for draining concentrated salt water from said housing, and means for draining desalinated water from said housing.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism in a Stirling engine comprising, an output deriving device, a rod for connecting an operating piston defining an operating space and the output deriving device, an intermediate member for supporting the rod in fluid-tight manner via a bush, a sealing member secured to the intermediate member and including a lip in elastic engagement with the rod for assuring a fluid-tight fit, an intermediate chamber defined between the sealing member and the operating piston, a pressure chamber defined between the sealing member and the intermediate member, a first check-valve allowing fluid-flow from the intermediate chamber to the pressure chamber and a relief valve to be opened for releasing the pressure in the pressure chamber into a space for accommodating the output deriving device when the differential pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and installation is proposed for generating electrical energy in an open circuit for a gaseous fluid, comprising a compressor unit driven by a turbine receiving the compressed fluid after its passage through an exhaust gas heat exchanger, said method and installation further comprising a power generator driven by a gas turbine, the circuit also comprising a fuel cell receiving natural gas in its anode from an external source and receiving and gaseous fluid from the compressor unit as an oxidizing agent in its cathode, the electrical power originating from both the generator and the fuel cell forming the output of the method and installation.

Abstract: A built-up desk lamp, comprised of a lamp holder supported on a stand by a supporting frame for holding a lamp bulb, wherein the supporting frame is comprised of a plurality of frame sections flexibly adjusted into a desired length; the stand is comprised of a bottom shell connected with an upper shell for holding a connector, which bottom shell has a plurality of projecting strips respectively fastened in a plurality of retainer plates made on the upper shell and a lug connected to a bolt hole on the upper shell by a screw, which connector has one end inserted in a block on the inside of the upper shell and an opposite end connected to a power supply; the lamp holder is comprised of an upper shade connected with a bottom shade, which bottom shade has a plurality of hooks respectively hooked in a plurality of recesses on the upper shade, permitting the upper shade to be conveniently fixedly secured thereto by screws.

Abstract: A steam turbine system has a plurality of moisture-separator-reheaters (MSR) each connected via a respective drain line to a corresponding drain receiver. Each drain receiver includes a further drain line coupled through a flow control valve to a common line. The common line empties into a drain cooler connected at the highest pressure end of a series of feedwater reheaters. The drain cooler dumps through another flow control valve to one of the feedwater heaters. Each of the drain receivers includes a pressure sensor and liquid level sensor. A control processor monitors the pressure sensors and selects the drain receiver subjected to the lowest pressure. The processor then fully opens the valve associated with the selected drain receiver and thereafter regulates the liquid level in the others of the drain receivers by adjustment of their respective flow control valves in response to their respective level sensors.

Abstract: A hydraulic shape memory material force converter is provided comprising a shape memory material. The force converter utilizes hydraulic units and a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic unit is changed from a first position to a second position when the shape memory material, connected at one end to one end of the hydraulic unit and its other to a fixed point or a second end of the hydraulic unit, changes from a martensitic to an austenitic state upon heating. The hydraulic fluid responds to the movement of the hydraulic unit by moving from the hydraulic unit to a receiving device, which receiving device performs work due to the motion of the hydraulic fluid. Upon cooling the shape memory material to change it from the austenitic state back to the martensitic state, the hydraulic unit returns to its original position, with a biasing means being provided to return the hydraulic unit to its rest position.

Abstract: Single or multiple flexible robotic manipulator trunks can be made from individually activated, three degree-of-freedom, flexible robotic links. Three dimensional positioning and orientation of the distal end of each link is achieved exclusively by elastic deformation of the flexible link assembly without revolute or prismatic joints. The activating bending and torsional moments required for such a positioning are generated by the antagonistic action of a plurality of prestressed, inflatable, laterally bendable and axially extensible tubular actuators with the anisotropic, circumferentially reinforced walls. The positioning motion, working forces and manipulator arm stiffness are all controlled by asynchronously modulated pulse streams which regulate the distribution of energy from a common source of fluid under constant pressure.