Patents Examined by Christopher Cuneo
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Patent number: 5821630Abstract: A system and controller for providing emergency power to an electrical load when a usual source of power for the load has failed, includes an electrical dynamo, an engine of controllable speed connectable by clutch to drive by a fixed speed ratio the dynamo, a continuously spinning flywheel to provide power while the engine is coming up to speed and during transient loads thereafter, and a control system. The flywheel is also connected with the dynamo, through a variable-speed transmission. When the engine is driving the dynamo, the speed of the engine is controlled by a loop, which involves sensing the torque of the flywheel, comparing the flywheel's speed with a first reference, and adjusting the throttle according to the difference.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Inventor: Herman P. Schutten
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Patent number: 5734202Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for generating electricity, which includes a plurality of components which cooperate together. A housing is provided which defines a substantially enclosed and continuous, closed-loop airflow pathway. At least one power consuming air propeller is provided within the closed-loop airflow pathway for propelling air within the substantially enclosed and continuous closed-loop airflow pathway. A means is provided for energizing the at least one power consuming air propeller. Preferably, this means is an array of solar panels for generating electricity, but could alternatively comprise or include internal combustion engines, coal powered combustion engines, water powered turbines, or any conventional equivalent prime mover. Additionally, the apparatus includes a plurality of wind turbines located in the substantially enclosed and continuous closed-loop airflow pathway.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1995Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Inventor: Melvin B. Shuler
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Patent number: 5714829Abstract: Magnetic heat engines directly converting heat to electricity, using emf induced by demagnetization. Generated power manifests as negative resistance, and almost any kind and shape of magnetic medium can be used. Electromagnetic engines are also tolerant to non-uniform heating, inherently non-contact and non-mechanical, easy to model and design, and operable at high frequencies. The engines are suitable for augmenting local heating, refrigeration without fluid refrigerants, efficient cooling of cryogenic components, synchronous cooling of digital circuits, completely solid-state power generation, and improvement of power plant efficiency and control.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1995Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Inventor: Venkata Guruprasad
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Patent number: 5705859Abstract: A non-railbound vehicle in which at least one driving wheel is coupled with an electric motor which is supplied with electric current via power electronics influenced by an electronic control depending on the power requirement selected by the driver via an accelerator pedal. The current is produced by a generator (2) which is coupled with an internal combustion engine. The current for driving the generator is supplied with an operating voltage in the medium-voltage range. Additionally, there is a vehicle power supply in the low-voltage range which ensures the supply of power to accessory electrical consumers. The low-voltage power supply has a vehicle battery and is supplied with current obtained by transforming a portion of the mechanical energy generated by the internal combustion engine. The generator can also be operated as an electric motor for starting the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Mannesmann AktiengesellschaftInventors: Erich Karg, Dieter Lutz
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Patent number: 5698905Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a motor vehicle, in which electric motors corresponding to the wheels of the motor vehicle are supplied by a generator, which generator is driven by an internal combustion engine, in particular via a direct current intermediate circuit. To be able to start the internal combustion engine, in the event of the failure of the battery provided for starting the internal combustion engine, by pushing or towing the vehicle or rolling it downhill, the electric motors can be switched over to operate as generators, and the generator can be switched over to operate as a motor, during an emergency starting phase, once the speed of travel of the vehicle exceeds a specified speed threshold. The emergency starting attempt can be initiated by the driver by means of a control mechanism, e.g. a manually actuated control switch or the accelerator pedal. If necessary, the speed threshold can be measured by means of a speed sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Alfred Ruthlein, Erich Karg
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Patent number: 5689141Abstract: In a compressor drive system for a natural gas liquefaction plant including a plurality of gas turbines each provided in an individual refrigeration cycle for pressurizing a different refrigerant, an electric motor is provided for each of the gas turbines so as to serve both as an auxiliary electric motor for generating a startup torque and as an AC generator, and the excess output power of the gas turbine is converted into electric power by this electric motor when the power requirement of the associated compressor is less than the power output of the gas turbine. Additionally, at least two of the gas turbines are of an identical make which is suitable for driving the compressor of one of the associated refrigeration cycles requiring a larger driving power.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Chiyoda CorporationInventors: Yoshitsugi Kikkawa, Osamu Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Naito, Junichi Sakaguchi
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Patent number: 5684335Abstract: A high-efficiency hydraulic torque generator for generating maximum torque is disclosed. It contains (a) two spaced apart sprockets, a pair of chains mounted on the sprockets, a plurality of supporting arms pivotably mounted on the chains at a regular interval from one another; (b) a plurality of water buckets respectively mounted on an outer end of the supporting arms between a matching pair of the supporting arms; (c) a pivot fixing assembly for pivotably fixing each of the supporting arms onto the chain. The pivot fixing assembly includes a support arm bracket, a pivot for pivotably fixing the supporting arm to the support arm bracket, and a support wheel for supporting the supporting arm. The support wheel is positioned such that it will cause the supporting arm to be perpendicular to the chain when the supporting arm is conveyed to one side of the chain. The supporting arm will collapse toward the chain when it is conveyed to another side of the chain.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1995Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Inventor: A-Lin Ou
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Patent number: 5684334Abstract: A starter device having a reduced output shaft diameter is provided. A stopper mechanism for impeding the outward movement of the pinion (12) along the output shaft (3a) is implemented by forming the helical splines (31) on the output shaft (3a) as being alternately open (31a, 31b) and closed (32a) helical splines. The thrust washer (21), for bearing the outward axial force of the output shaft (3a), is disposed in the front bracket (5) of the starter in front of the front bearing (16) and opposed to the front end (3d) of the output shaft (3a). Both the stopper mechanism and thrust washer configuration according to the invention allow for a reduced diameter of the output shaft (3a). The reduced diameter of the output shaft, in turn, affords the option of making the pinion (12) smaller in diameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1995Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keisaku Zenmei, Shuzo Isozumi
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Patent number: 5677581Abstract: A stepping motor according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical permanent magnet on whose outer periphery N and S poles are alternately polarized, a rotatably-supported rotor, a plurality of stator cores having pole teeth arranged so as to face the permanent magnet, an exciting coil for rotating the rotor when the coil is turned on, and at least two protruded teeth serving as auxiliary poles which face the cylindrical surface of the permanent magnet so as to generate a detent torque when it is magnetized by the permanent magnet. And each of the protruded teeth faces the consecutive N an S poles of the permanent magnet.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirohiko Yoshida, Tetsuo Imamura, Kenji Morikawa, Masayuki Yano, Kenji Tange
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Patent number: 5675188Abstract: An adjustable speed gas turbine power generation apparatus can maintain a rated output of the gas turbine generation apparatus irrespective of ambient temperature change. For this purpose, the rotational speed of the secondary winding of the generator is controlled by the gas turbine and alternating current excitation of the secondary winding is determined on the basis of the ambient temperature. The sucked air quantity (flow rate by weight) in the compressor can be increased by increasing the rotational speed of the gas turbine when the ambient temperature increases, so that an output from the gas turbine becomes nearly the rated output, while maintaining the desired frequency at the primary winding.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1994Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Motoaki Utamura
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Patent number: 5668414Abstract: An electricity generating device for generating electricity by using energy stored in a power spring. The electricity generating device includes a control circuit for monitoring a supply voltage supplied from a supply portion, a mechanical control portion, a voltage boosting portion, a power consuming portion and an electricity generating portion. The rotating speed of the electricity generating portion is controlled by the mechanical control portion, the voltage boosting portion and the power consuming portion. When the supply voltage is higher than a reference voltage, the rotating speed of the electricity generating portion is reduced and thus the unwinding speed of the power spring is decreased. Consequently, an amount of the energy of the power spring, which is matched with the power supplied from the supply portion, is consumed.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Osamu Takahashi, Yabe Hiroshi, Akira Takakura
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Patent number: 5663600Abstract: A wind turbine assembly includes a gear drive assembly having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, the inner member being positioned coaxially within the outer member. A pair of spaced bearings circumscribe the inner tubular member and support the outer member for rotation about the inner member. Propeller blades are coupled to the outer member for effecting rotation in response to wind. An electric power generator mounted to the inner member has a rotor shaft extending from one end. A gear unit is drivingly coupled between the rotor shaft and the outer member whereby rotation of the outer member is effective to cause rotation of the rotor shaft at a velocity substantially greater than a rotational velocity of the outer member for generating electric power from the generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kwang Henry Baek, Joseph Phillip Franz, John Peter Nadzam
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Patent number: 5659205Abstract: A sealless turbine generator mounted on a single shaft compising a radial turbine having a unique thrust equalizing mechanism mounted thereto and operative with a portion of the applied hydraulic fluid to the turbine radial runner and a thrust bearing for equalizing the generated thrust forces by providing a small axial, bidirectional movement of the thrust bearing and the elements mounted on the single shaft and an induction generator driven by the turbine. The shaft along with the induction generator and the turbine components except the turbine runner are isolated in a common housing and the entire assembly included in a submersible containment vessel having a fluid inlet and outlet for receiving the input hydraulic fluid flow at a preselected fluid pressure and velocity for controlling the speed of the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: EBARA International CorporationInventor: German Louis Weisser
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Patent number: 5659204Abstract: A locomotive throttle controller having a central processor unit which generates an analog signal for control of dynamic braking and includes an analog output driver which supplies the dynamic brake reference voltage. Such analog output driver includes a device for receiving an analog signal from the central processor unit and for converting such analog signal into an analog voltage signal. The analog output driver provides an arrangement for using such analog voltage signal to provide a regulated voltage output to a trainline which controls the dynamic braking. Incorporated into the output driver is a protection arrangement to protect it from reverse voltages on such trainline and an arrangement for protecting such output driver from excess current demand of the trainline.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1994Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake CompanyInventors: Craig A. Miller, Paul J. Kettle, Jr., Vincent Ferri
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Patent number: 5656865Abstract: A wind conversion unit is provided with a central shaft having one or more channels extending through the shaft perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. A blade unit having a spoon shaped blade with a concave face is secured at opposite ends of each channel to direct airflow through the channel and receive airflow from the channel. The concave faces of the blades on opposite sides of the shaft are oppositely oriented so that the concave face of one blade receives an airstream, directs the airstream through the restricted channel which then impinges the airstream on the concave face of the opposite blade. A velocity modulator driven by the shaft applies centrifugal force and gravity to a flowable material to compensate for changes in airflow velocity and force.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Inventor: Franklin T. Evans
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Patent number: 5644170Abstract: The Atmospheric/Aqua Turbine is an apparatus for producing energy by allowing air or water to be metered by controls through an adjustable air or water scoop into twin turbines to produce electricity when the atmospheric/Aqua Turbine is installed on vehicle or a boat and the vehicle is travelling at 30 mph or more or in the case of the boat the boat is travelling at 8 to 10 mph or more.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Inventors: David A. Bynum, Johnnie J. Bynum
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Patent number: 5644185Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system including a refrigerator of the of the absorption type having no moving parts and operating with ammonia, water and hydrogen to extract heat from a heat source and discharge heat from an absorber and having at least one thermocouple positioned to intercept heat flow from the heat source to the boiler and/or from the condenser to the evaporator. The system is arranged such that a boiler from one system absorbs heat discharged from the absorber of one or more other identical systems so that systems can be ganged together to produce a combine system having increased efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1996Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Inventor: Joel V. Miller
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Patent number: 5644183Abstract: A flat electric motor comprises a rotor with a flat, permanent magnetic disc which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and an electromagnetic stator with a stack of flat, electrically insulating supporting elements having first and second principal surfaces on which patterns of conductor tracks are provided such that there is formed a number of windings consisting of first and second coils arranged in a ring about the axis of rotation and which are formed by spirally extending conductor tracks on the first and the second principal surface of each supporting element. The coils which form part of one winding are electrically connected in series via connection tracks which a part of the conductor tracks, interconnections which extend between the first and second principal surfaces, and connection elements which connect connection tracks on different supporting elements of the stack to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Evert J. Van Loenen, Franciscus M.A.M. Van Gaal
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Patent number: 5644171Abstract: A starter comprising: a shift lever for engaging and disengaging a pinion and a ring gear of an engine; a magnetic switch for actuating the shift lever; a motor for driving the pinion; a front case having an open end to which the magnetic switch and the motor are mounted substantially in the same direction, the pinion being enclosed in the front case; a seal portion provided in the vicinity of the open end of the front case so as to seal a gap which communicates between the inside and the outside of the front case; the seal portion including a taper face and an elastic material, the taper face having an axis of taper substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor, the elastic material being fitted onto the taper face so as to be disposed between the magnetic switch and the motor and so as to be urged in the direction along which a width of the taper face becomes narrower.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Yumiyama, Shigehiko Omata, Takashi Suzuki, Yoshinobu Nakamura
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Patent number: 5635768Abstract: A gas turbine engine driven auxiliary electric power unit which includes a turbine (9), an air compressor (7) for supplying compressed air to the turbine and driven by the turbine, fuel supplying means (2) for supplying gaseous fuel to the turbine, a generator (10) driven by the turbine for generating electrical output power which is fed to a main electric user supply (14), first detecting means (15) for monitoring turbine shaft speed, second detecting means (19) for monitoring the output power of the generator, first modulating means (16,18,13) for modulating the turbine shaft speed to cause it to coincide with a predetermined shaft speed (17) by means of controlling current flow from the generator to the main electric user supply, and second modulating means (20,22,23) for modulating the flow of gaseous fuel which is supplied from the fuel supplying means to the turbine so as to cause the monitored output power to coincide with a predetermined output power (21).Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Peter H. Birch, Takeshi Ikeyama, Anthony D. Wearing, Mark G. Norton