Abstract: A method and apparatus for releasing for use, air that has been absorbed under pressure in sea water or in any other large free body of water. An elongated conduit, or equivalent means, is vertically disposed so that air released from its upper end is collected by an open-bottom container serving as a reservoir. The interface of the collected air and the submersion level of water within the reservoir is substantially below the free water surface level. A small amount of gas is introduced at the lower end of the conduit so as to rise upwardly through the conduit, thereby carrying water behind it, and to initiate a continuous process in which the rising water is under decreasing pressure, at times increasing temperature, thereby releasing more air, which in turn carries more water behind it, and so on. Air from the reservoir can be used as an energy source.

Abstract: A siphon motor comprising the combination of siphon means and generating means for generating electrical energy from a water source located below the generating means and a water discharge at a lower level than the water source. Water rises by siphonic action upward from the water source to a sealed working region maintained under partial vacuum, and descends to the water discharge. The working region contains the generating means. The system has particular utility as a source of power generation in remote locations having a water table within about 30 feet of the ground.

Abstract: A control system for a hydrostatic transmission is disclosed of the type including an engine driven fluid pump and a fluid motor. The control system includes a main control operable in response to an electrical command signal to vary the displacement of the pump, and a command signal generator for generating the command signal. The anti-stall control includes means for comparing electrical signals representative of engine speed and a reference speed, and generating an electrical anti-stall signal representative of the maximum percentage of commanded pump displacement which is permissible without causing the engine to drop below the reference speed. The anti-stall control includes means for electrically multiplying the anti-stall signal and the command signal, downstream of the shaping and rate limiting circuits. The invention provides a simple, inexpensive anti-stall control which can be adjusted to have the maximum possible gain (responsiveness) without inducing circuit instability.

Abstract: A control circuit for a hydraulic cylinder and shaft assembly to regulate movement of the shaft relative to one end of the cylinder. The circuit has a fluid pressure supply and associated reservoir and a metering valve with interconnected normally closed passage means connected at one end to the one cylinder end and at an opposite end to the reservoir. The fluid pressure supply, in a first condition, supplies fluid under pressure to the one cylinder end, and, in a second condition supplies piloting fluid under pressure for actuating the metering valve to regulate the fluid flow from the one cylinder end to the reservoir through the normally closed passage means.

Abstract: Two hydraulic brakes or clutches being primary users, are alternately, delayedly, hydraulically energized from a constant volumetric flow rate pump feeding also a secondary user via a pressure controller with a differential piston operated by feedback ducts from the primary users via a throttle valve. The latter valve is bypassed through a check valve for undelayed de-energization. A selector valve is disposed between the branch point for the secondary user and upstream as to energizing fluid from the feedback connection to the primary user. The pressure controller is described further as to several structural details.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting the displacement of a hydraulic cylinder barrel and its piston with a higher degree of accuracy even when a hydraulic cylinder is subjected to severe vibrations.

Abstract: A vehicle engine accessory drive system is disclosed including a hydraulic fan motor and a power steering gear mechanism in series flow relationship. The vehicle power steering pump is the sole source of fluid for the system and has its flow control setting at a flow rate X, which is substantially greater than the flow rate Z required by the power steering gear. A temperature responsive bypass valve is connected in parallel across the fan motor and the bypass flow and motor outlet f1ow recombine, then flow to a steering gear flow control which communicates a flow rate Z to the steering gear mechanism and all fluid in excess of Z bypasses the steering gear, recombining with the output flow from the steering gear and returning to the pump inlet. This system provides a flow to the fan motor resulting in a fan speed-versus-engine speed similar to a "viscous curve".

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling and taking up the axial displacement of large rotating cylinders, comprising a pair of end bearings, of which one is provided with driven rollers, while the other is provided with idle rollers, one of which is carried by a bearing orientable about a vertical axis. A first transducer senses the axial displacement of the cylinder and its output is connected to an input to a first device effecting a comparison with a reference signal; the output of the first comparing device is connected through an amplifier to an input to a second comparing device, a second input of which is connected to the output of a second transducer sensing the displacement of the guide roller bearing. The output of the second comparing device controls a servoactuator mechanically connected to the orientable bearing of the guide roller.

Abstract: A load responsive direction and flow control valve for use in fluid power load responsive system. The valve maintains a selected constant flow level for control of both positive and negative loads, irrespective of the change in the load magnitude or change in the fluid pressure, supplied to the valve. System is powered by a single fixed or variable volume pump. The direction flow control valve is equipped with a load responsive control which automatically regulates pump discharge pressure to maintain either a constant low pressure level or low pressure differential at the motor exhaust. The pump discharge pressure is either regulated by bypassing of excess flow to reservoir, or by a special load responsive control, which varies the pump displacement. Direction control valve may also be equipped with a control responsive to load pressure for controlling negative loads and an inlet pressure throttling control for simultaneous control of multiplicity of loads.

Abstract: A torque responsive apparatus for controlling a fluid actuated control device includes a first shaft connected to a drive motor and a second shaft connected to the first shaft through a coupling device that controls fluid pressure in a hydraulic control system whereby torque delivered to the coupling device effects shifting of the coupling member to vary the size of an opening through which a control fluid is being passed whereby a change in fluid pressure will result which is proportional to the torque of the first shaft.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for driving the pump rod of a deep well pump. The drive system includes a lift cylinder having a piston movable therein connected to the pump rod of the well pump. The lift cylinder piston is driven by fluid pressure provided from a motor having a piston slidable within a cylinder. The motor piston is driven by fluid pressure provided by a pump. A control valve is operated in response to the movement of the lift piston to control the flow of fluid from the pump to the motor. A pressure relief valve is connected between the pump and the motor and diverts fluid pumped by the pump from the motor when the fluid pressure between the pump and the motor exceeds a predetermined level. A vent is provided in the lift cylinder above the piston to permit the free movement of the lift cylinder piston during operation and to accommodate movement of the lift piston caused by expansion of fluid and gases in the system.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate a cooling system for use with a torque converter assembly and a radiator containing a coolant. The cooling system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cooling fan blades formed on the outer surface of the torque converter housing for rotation therewith, and opening means cooperating therewith. A shroud having speed responsive diverter means associated therewith is operatively connected at one end thereof to the opening means and mounted at the other end thereof adjacent a face of the radiator for cooling the coolant therein by communicating air toward or away from the radiator depending upon whether the fan blades are used as a blower or a suction device in particular vehicular applications.

Abstract: A gearless split torque hydromechanical transmission with regenerative braking and engine starting capabilities comprising two hydraulic pumps tied together by a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A fireplace system comprising a grate consisting of a plurality of parallel hollow members for holding logs having a rear header in communication with the hollow member for supplying fresh air to be passed through the hollow tubular members. The tubular members have discharge apertures therein for supplying air to support combustion. The front of the tubular members are provided with a header in communication with a muffler system for discharging heated air into a room.

Abstract: The hydraulic machine comprises an outer rotor, rotatably mounted around a longitudinal axis and connected, through an input shaft, to a driving motor, and an inner rotor mounted at the interior of the outer rotor, rotatable around a transverse axis, and connected, through a gear drive, to an auxiliary shaft coaxial to the input shaft. A hydraulic circuit is arranged at the interior of the inner rotor, and it presents an active circuit consisting of a pipe winding. The ends of the hydraulic circuit are connected, through rotary connections, to a fixed outflow and a fixed inflow connection. Upon rotation of the outer rotor and of the inner rotor around their respective axis, the inner rotor is subjected to a field of accelerations of Coriolis which generates between the ends of the active circuit a substantially sinusoidally varying pressure difference.

Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic fluid circuit for purging air from a hydraulic brake system in either an agricultural or industrial type of tractor vehicle by diverting hydraulic fluid through the auxiliary circuit from the hydraulic power system of the tractor into the hydraulic brake system. The fluid diverted into the brake system is observed flowing, through transparent means in conduits comprising the auxiliary circuit, until the fluid flow is clear, to the reservoir of the hydraulic power system. At which event, the brake system is now purged of air and the hydraulic circuit is disconnected between the tractor hydraulic power and brake systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a pressure flow control valve for a booster steering system which effects an extended traverse of movement of concentric coacting valve sleeves relative to each other by a combined axial and rotary movement of the inner sleeve in order to smooth out the flow under control in pressurizing a servomotor, thus achieving an improved, or flatter, regulation curve characteristic, wherein a safe road reaction resistance to steering is effected, and wherein undesirable pressure fluctuations in the system are minimized as compared with prior art valving to reduce compressional vibration in the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system including a wheel adapted to at least partially propel a vehicle over underlying terrain and a hydraulic motor coupled to the wheel to drive the same. A flow and pressure compensated pump has an output for providing hydraulic fluid under pressure to the motor and includes a control system having an input for receiving a hydraulic signal and for controlling pressure and flow output characteristics of the pump. A manually settable, pressure reducing valve interconnects the pump output and the control system input to provide a substantially constant, but adjustable, pressure signal to the control system so that output pressure from the pump to the motor may be controlled independently of loading on the motor to set the maximum torque delivery of the motor at a desired value.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for controlling parameters of fluid-driven systems. A control unit of the invention compares an input control signal to a tachometer signal from a fluid-driven turbine to produce a flow signal for controlling the turbine speed. The speeds of turbines in series are linked by the tachometer signal of the first turbine acting as the control signal for the following turbines. A critical speed interval is identified in relation to a range of values of the control signal. As the speed of a turbine is increased or decreased, its control unit holds the turbine speed at the limit of the critical speed interval, then rapidly accelerates the turbine through the interval to avoid prolonged operation at the turbine's critical speed. The individual critical speeds of separate turbines in series may be accommodated by critical speed intervals defined in separate control units for each of the turbines.

Abstract: In an hydraulic system in which an hydraulic accumulator is charged with hydraulic fluid under pressure by means of an hydraulic pump which draws hydraulic fluid from a tank, and an unloader valve disposed in a supply line between the pump and the accumulator is operative to prevent the accumulator from being overcharged and to allow the pump to re-charge the accumulator should the pressure stored therein fall below a desired minimum value, the unloader valve incorporates a control valve, and a pressure responsive slave which is operated by fluid pressure under the control of the control valve.