Abstract: A MHD turbomachine includes a rotary ferromagnetic rotor, a stationary ferromagnetic stator surrounding the rotor and defining axially-spaced annular cavities which extend circumferentially about and radially from the rotor, and axially-spaced annular ferromagnetic disks surrounding the rotor and mounted for rotation with the rotor. The disks are disposed in the stator cavities so as to define a pair of annular passages on opposite sides of each disk which are connected in flow communication with one another at inner and outer peripheries of the disk. An electrically conductive fluid occupies the passages and is capable of flowing along an endless path through the passages. A pair of electrodes mounted to the stator radially conduct a flow of electrical current through the fluid between the outer and inner peripheries of the disk. A field coil mounted to the stator generates a magnetic field in axial relation to the stator and disk and transversely across the fluid within the passages.

Abstract: Automatic control apparatus for starting and then stopping and for continuing cyclical operation of an engine including two timer means, one for determining the running/not running ratio of the engine and the other for determining how long starting power is applied to the engine start system, typically the solenoid of a starter motor. One embodiment includes a vacuum switch for sensing and preempting the second timer operation when the engine is started and there is a vacuum present in the manifold. The preferred embodiment also includes adjustable controls for setting both timer means, these same means having switching contacts capable of carrying full power to the solenoid or other engine start component.

Abstract: A brushholder and carbon brush combination for use with electric motors and the like as a contact with rotating commutators. The brush assembly is provided with a unique locking tab which cooperates with the brushholder to provide both contact between the brush and the brushholder and to retain the brush in its cooperating position within the brushholder absent contact with the commutator.

Abstract: The coil structure for a discoidal winding for use in an axial gap dynamoelectric machine includes a continuously wound substantially flat annular disc portion containing the active coil sides and toroidal-shaped inner and outer ring portions formed by the inner and outer head turn portions respectively for the coil structure. The inner and outer toroidal-shaped ring portions are divided into a plurality of complementary, annular helically-shaped segments that are fitted together to form the complete coil structure having toroidal-shaped inner and outer circumferential ring portions, which define the inner and outer circumferential edges, respectively, of the discoidal winding, separated by the annular disc portion containing the active coil sides.

Abstract: An electrical switch device applicable, for example, to a lever switch arrangement for use in motor vehicles which is arranged to smoothly change over its functioning state through at least three steps of stepwise movement in each direction in its reciprocating operation.

Abstract: A kitchen mixer having a centrifugal speed control in which a control contact is positioned by a follower engaging a cam linked to a rotatable speed-selector knob. The cam has two levels so that by pressing the cam downward by means of a button on the outside of the mixer housing the follower engages second level and shifts contact to increase the mixer speed.

Abstract: A bulb type turbine generator in which upper and lower stay vanes house upper and lower oil tanks. The upper oil tank is connected to the rotary shaft bearing portion of the generator through an oil conduit and the lower tank is connected to a bearing portion. The oil conduits are disposed in the interior of the outer case so that oil passing through is cooled by the fluid flow. The outer casing together with the upper and lower stay vanes are divided to facilitate transportation and installation.

Abstract: A two-pole permanent magnet A.C. machine employs one set of permanent magnets disposed with their magnetic axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor and a second set of permanent magnets disposed so that their magnetic axes are oriented radially. This arrangement allows for significant reduction in flux leakage from the machine rotor and an increase in the power density of the machine.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy which combines water power and combustible fuel in a manner to utilize, according to varying conditions, the best combination of energy sources for maximum economy of electrical generation, including an elevated body of water having connection to a hydraulic generating means positioned at a lower elevation, the water flowing from the body of water to the hydro-electric generating means through a penstock, a fuel powered gas turbine generator adapted to use combustible fuel and compressed air as a means of generating electricity, a hydraulic air compressor means adjacent to the body of water, a penstock having a water inlet connected to the body of water and having a water outlet, the hydraulic head of which is below the water inlet, and an air outlet connected to the gas turbine generator and means to selectably divert the water flow to the hydro-electric generator and/or the hydraulic air compressor so that electricity may be generated selectably utilizing the energy

Abstract: A speed governor for a hydroelectric unit includes an error sensing means, an integrator and a gate opening control means connected to the output of the integrator for controlling the degree of opening of the turbine gate apparatus. The governor further comprises a limiter connected between the output of the error sensing means and the input of the integrator for limiting the maximum value of the integrator input signal to a limit value equal to the minimum integrator input signal value which insures the maximum permissible rate of change of the degree of opening of the gate apparatus.

Abstract: A turbo-electric power plant comprising a drag turbine with a hollow rotor in which are mounted the elements of an electric generator. The drag turbine is operated with a low-temperature propellant and the spent propellant is led out of the drag turbine in heat exchange with the elements of the generator. The drag turbine is propelled by a plurality of jets which are supplied from a manifold encircling the turbine which continuously diminishes in cross-section throughout 360 degrees.

Abstract: The power and speed control device for a turbo-generator set of the invention has a generator, a turbine, and a governing valve with a positioning control input, for regulating steam fed to the turbine. The device includes a turbine speed controller, a turbine power controller, a maximum selection circuit, a minimum selection circuit, a summing stage, and a device for supplying a constant reference value to the input of the summing stage. The controllers are connected to the maximum selection circuit and the speed controller is additionally connected to the summing stage. The summing stage is connected to the minimum selection circuit, the maximum selection circuit is connected to the minimum selection circuit, and the minimum selection circuit is fed to the positioning control input of the governing valve.

Abstract: The system described herein is particularly adapted to convert mechanical energy from a wind or hydraulic driven turbine into electric energy and comprises: an exciter generator and a main generator in a housing traversed by a rotatable shaft; the exciter generator consists of permanent magnet mounted to the housing envelope and of a rotor mounted to the shaft and having a one-phase winding, the rotor being made of non-magnetic material to eliminate cogging and static torque associated with permanent magnet excitation; the main generator consists of a three-phase stator winding on a magnetic core mounted to the housing envelope and of a pole-type rotor mounted to the shaft, the rotor having a winding wound on a magnetic core; a rectifying bridge is rotatably mounted to the shaft and is connected to the one-phase winding of the rotor of the exciter generator and to the winding of the main generator rotor so that the rotation of the shaft as a result of mechanical energy generates a three-phase electric energy

Abstract: A wind powered electrical generator having a rotatable wind wheel (21) carrying one of the armature (42) or field structures and a plurality of windvanes (45) connecting the rim to a central shaft (28), a stator (39) carrying the other of the armature or field structures, and a supporting structure (22) for the windwheel rotor shaft and the stator. The armature winding is carried by the windwheel at its perimeter, and the field structure is a ring structure which lies just radially outward of the armature winding and is carried by the fixed housing structure which perimetrally surrounds the windwheel. Bearing support (48) provided at the perimeter of the windwheel by low friction bearings carried by the fixed housing structure minimizes bearing stresses developed at the supporting shaft under wind loading conditions.

Abstract: A control device for a coin operated mechanism wherein the device includes a ratchet wheel formed having a plurality of teeth each having a front and a back face defining a tooth apex. The back face of each tooth and the front face of the next adjacent tooth define a well therebetween. The front face of each tooth is formed having a step which receives a ratchet follower to displace a normally open switch to its closed state at the end of each stepping operation of the ratchet wheel to operate the mechanism. A star wheel is operatively driven by a timing mechanism when the switch is in its closed state and is disposed to engage the ratchet wheel to cause rotation of the ratchet wheel conjointly upon rotation of the star wheel.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic dynamo includes a rotary engine having an engine casing, two rotors rotatably mounted within the casing having intermeshing blades and fluid medium inlet means for injecting a fluid medium between two intermeshing teeth of said rotors. The engine casing and blades are made of a non-magnetic material. The dynamo also includes a generator device composed of a plurality of magnetic rods, each of which is mounted in one of the teeth of the blades and a plurality of magnetic circuit elements mounted on the casing for cooperation with the rods. The circuit elements include a coil and a generally U-shaped magnetic bar having a base on which the coil is mounted and two ends between which the rods of one of the rotors passes upon rotation of the rotors so as to induce a flow of magnetic flux through the bar and thereby inducing an emf or current flow in the coil.

Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus is disclosed adapted to convert any type of rotatable mechanical energy into electrical energy in an efficient manner which includes a plurality of generators positioned upon a rotating wheel of arms wherein the wheel is secured to a rotating drive shaft. Cylinders such as drums are axially oriented around the drive shaft and are caused to rotate in an opposite direction therefrom by a reversing gear system driven by the drive shaft. These cylinders include grooves therein which are adapted to receive a drive belt which extends outward along the individual arms to a pulley located on the rotor shaft of each generator.

Abstract: A dedicated supervisory control system for a steam turbine-generator comprising a hierarchy of microcomputer subsystems interactive with a conventional analog electrohydraulic control system to provide control and monitoring capabilities during all operating phases of the turbine-generator. The separate microcomputer subsystems are programmed for coordinated interaction and communication through shared, dual-port read/write memory units and each microcomputer subsystem is programmed and configured to handle a separate group of control responsibilities in a distributed control system.

Abstract: Electric power is provided during periods of peak demand, employing a turbine generator facility activated by the expansion of compressed air, withdrawn from an underground air storage reservoir, in a substantially isothermal system. A generator system, which may comprise a steam boiler or a fuel gasifier, is employed for isothermal compression of air into reservoir storage during periods of low power demand.

Abstract: A power generator which uses the motion of water waves to drive liquid through an impulse turbine. A housing is located in a body of water such as an ocean, or a lake, or the like, which is subject to waves. One form of the generator includes chambers fixed within the housing and another form includes floating chambers. One form of the generator uses an open cycle wherein water from the body of water is used to drive the turbine, and another form has liquid interchange between a pair of reservoirs located within the housing.