Abstract: Improvements in apparatus for converting one form of energy into another form with the use of an essentially closed, continuous loop passageway containing a plurality of freely movable, unrestrained bodies. Force generated by expansion of a gas is applied to successive bodies in one region of the passageway to propel them around the passageway in one direction. At another point in the passageway, at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the propelled bodies is converted into another form of energy. Each body, before being propelled around the passageway, enters a compressor section where it compresses the gas in the passageway, the compressed gas being bled off through a check valve where energy is added to it before it is used to propel a body around the passageway in the expander section which immediately follows the thrustor section.

Abstract: A geothermal energy transfer and utilization system makes use of thermal energy stored in hot solute-bearing well water to generate super-heated steam from an injected flow of clean water; the super-heated steam is then used for operating a turbine-driven pump at the well bottom for pumping the hot solute-bearing water at high pressure and in liquid state to the earth's surface, where it is used by transfer of its heat to a closed-loop boiler-turbine-alternator combination for the generation of electrical or other power. Residual concentrated solute-bearing water is pumped back into the earth. The clean cooled water is regenerated at the surface-located system and is returned to the deep well pumping system also for lubrication of a novel bearing arrangement supporting the turbine-driven pump system.

Abstract: Drive means for the displacer piston of a free-piston Stirling type motion device comprises a rod which has one end connected to the displacer piston, while the other end, which has a small piston thereon, is mounted for limited axial movement in a cylinder zone formed in a power piston or in a stationary cylinder. A pair of gas passages connect opposite sides of the small piston to a source of compressed gas. The source of compressed gas is created by movement of the power piston.

Abstract: A hold off valve for use in a two stage pressurizing mechanism to control the transition from a first operational condition to a second operational condition. A stepped piston in the pressurizing mechanism has a first diameter and a second diameter through which an input force sequentially operates a control valve to produce a first operational fluid force and a second operational fluid force in a pressurizing chamber. A relief chamber which is connected to the pressurizing chamber receives the first operational fluid force when the control valve is operated. The hold off valve retains the first operational fluid in the relief chamber until a predetermined pressure build up occurs after which the second diameter independently operates to produce the second operational fluid force.

Abstract: A coordinated control system for a power producing unit consisting of two, single reheat steam generators supplying steam to a single turbine-generator.

Abstract: To simplify control, decrease start-up time and improve efficiency, a heat storage device is provided connected to receive hot combustion gases from a burner, the heat storage device preferably including a vessel which contains a substance changing in phase between solid and liquid, and being heated by the exhaust gases from the burner. A heat pipe is in heat transfer relation to the substance, extending in a predetermined direction, and ducts, pipes or conduits conducting the combustion gases from the burner extend in parallel to the heat pipe, through the substance, or surrounding a vessel containing the substance. Preferably a group of heat storage units are joined to common inlet and outlet manifolds connecting combustion gases, arranged such that the flow speed of combustion gases further downstream is higher than that further upstream, to equalize heat transfer and hence storage capability and storage times of the individual units.

Abstract: A dual master cylinder has a cylinder housing in which one bore is provided. A pair of pressurizing pistons are mounted in tandem in the bore to define therewith a pair of pressurizing chambers. Each chamber is connected to a separate brake circuit. The cylinder housing also has formed in it a pair of secondary reservoir chambers which are connected to the bore by compensation ports. A single primary reservoir chamber is formed by a stamped metal reservoir body which is secured to the cylinder housing over the secondary reservoir chambers so as to cover those chambers and seal them. Fluid transfer ports through the bottom of the reservoir body connect with the secondary reservoir chambers, and have their axes axially misaligned relative to the axes of the compensation ports so that fluid returning to the reservoirs through the compensation ports will not be able to enter the primary reservoir chamber when a squirting action takes place.

Abstract: A turboset located in an engine room containing a helium atmosphere under overpressure includes a generator cooled by helium which is introduced therein through openings formed in the generator housing and flows through a connecting line to a location of the helium circulatory loop that has a gas pressure lower than the internal gas pressure of the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains booster brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or run-out condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure.

Abstract: The stages of a turbine system are independently controlled to produce a desired system power output by monitoring and comparing the power characteristics of each stage to the desired power output. Flow through each of the stages is adjusted until the desired power output is generated, while any flow that is passing through bypass lines about each of the turbine stages is varied inversely to the variations in the flow through the turbine stages. Non-linearities occurring in the system are offset by appropriate modification of the control of each stage and by comparison of the power output of the system with the power requirements to direct continuing control until the power requirements are met.

Abstract: A thermal actuator has means for containing a vaporizable liquid and means for vaporizing the liquid. Means is provided for supplying only a portion of the liquid to the vaporizing means to affect vaporization thereof and for subjecting the remaining liquid in the containing means to the vapor established upon vaporization of the liquid portion by the vaporizing means. A method of driving a thermal actuator and an actuating system including a thermal actuator are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic emergency trip system which automatically shuts off the steam supply to a turbine power plant upon the detection of specific operational contingencies is disclosed. The hydraulic portion of the system includes two pair of combined electrical and hydraulically operated pilot trip valves that are so arranged that the opening of any one valve of each pair decreases the hydraulic trip pressure to close rapidly the steam inlet valves to the turbine; that an open or closed failure of a single trip valve does not prevent a valid trip or cause an unwarranted trip; and finally that an open failure of one pair of the valves does not result in an unwarranted trip. Each pair of valves is electrically operated from an independent voltage source such that the electrical failure of one source does not cause or prevent an unwarranted turbine trip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power by passing a motivating fluid from a higher energy level to a lower energy level by compressing said fluid within a centrifuge type first rotor and discharging said fluid via nozzles near the first rotor periphery forwardly in the direction of rotation to a second rotor which is an inward flow type reaction turbine, then passing said fluid through a regeneration type heat exchanger to transfer heat from the inward bound fluid into outward bound fluid, after which the fluid is cooled in a heat exchanger to its original temperature and is passed outward again thus completing its cycle. Heat is added to said fluid near the periphery of the second rotor, or the heat may be added near the periphery of the first rotor, or both. Additionally, the fluid may be supplied to the unit from outside source, and returned to such outside source, and the cooling thus may be eliminated from the unit. Further, the entering fluid from outside source may be at an elevated pressure.

Abstract: 6.