Abstract: An electromechanical cable capable of withstanding high pressures and temperatures of at least 200.degree. C., the cable comprising a core having a plurality of insulated conductors (3,5) covered with a conductive filler (7) which fills the voids between the conductors, the core being surrounded by a layer of conductive textile material (8) and by at least one layer of helically wound metal armor wire (9,10). The filler is a composite material comprising a silicone polymer with a semiconductor charge of carbon black.

Abstract: A variable inductor includes a coil, a moveable contactor, and moveable magnetic material caused to move proximate the coil and simultaneously with the contactor. The contactor establishes first and second portions of the coil and, relative to the condition using no magnetic material, the inductance of the first portion is increased while the inductance of the second portion is substantially unchanged. Thus, over substantially all the tuning range, the first portion inductance is maintained greater than the second portion inductance.

Abstract: A dielectric system for coaxial electrical conductors is provided. The dielectric system separates an inner and outer conductor and is composed of a first layer of braided high tensile strength polymeric fluorocarbon filaments in an open weave surrounding the inner conductor. Surrounding the layer of braided filaments is a continuous layer of a polymeric film which is in turn surrounded by a continuous layer of a crosslinkable polymeric lacquer enclosing both the layer of braided filaments and the layer of polymeric film.

Abstract: A control arrangement for vibratory conveyors, including bowl and linear types, in which the vibration frequency is set by the behavior of the conveyor and not by an applied frequency. A sensor, SC, senses the behavior of the conveyor and a frequency, of controlled amplitude and phase, is derived from the sensor output to energize conveyor drive means, AV and AH1 to AH3. User controls (HA, VA, PA) for amplitude and phase can be mark/space adjusters (HMS, VMS, DMS) effective on the base circuits of transistors connected to electromagnetic actuators. Low voltage operation (less than 50v) is provided without proportionally increased current, partly by energy recovery from the inductors in the actuators. Two levels of protection against supply ripple are included (RT, RLA) and the actuator drive can be stabilized against supply variation (MSC). The low-voltage operation provided is both safer and more efficient than mains voltage operation.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system is disclosed and comprises a spine and a plurality of wave driven pump units each comprising a pillow shaped flexible bag arranged with its length direction horizontal and mounted on the spine so that the water in which the system is located flows to both sides of the bag so that in use the bag is kept out of abrading contact with the spine. The lower edges of the bags are attached to the spine and the upper edge of each bag has a common outlet/inlet passage through which air is pumped back and forth by the bag collapsing and expanding under the influence of the waves. The common passage is at one top corner of the bag and at the other top corner is a dummy passage which enables the bag to be fabricated in such a manner that the corners are not stressed significantly in use. Also, a common pipe can be used to define the common passage of one bag and the dummy passage of the adjacent bag.

Abstract: The invention details a water wheel employing free-swinging buckets pivotally supported at the radial extremity of twelve spokes of the wheel. The buckets become captive in the load position at the top of the wheel, providing for controlled filling characteristics and at the bottom of the wheel providing for controlled discharge of the water. The orifice between the overlying water basin and the buckets is subject to two control functions; it is closed when no bucket is present for loading the water head to which it is subjected is variable for speed and power control. The closure of the orifice is accomplished by water seals and is claimed as a unique feature of this invention. The power output is delivered through the main shaft supporting the wheel and buckets through the optional use of conventional methods of coupling. The dumping of the spent water load at the bottom of the wheel employs a rack and pinion device to provide for the total discharge of the water from the drum-shaped buckets.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new cavitation free hydraulic turbine system which fully utilizes well-established hydrodynamic theories useful for low-head hydroelectric applications. The hydropower turbine system of the present invention makes use of a fixed blade propeller turbine with reverse blade angle and an upward flow passage. To eliminate the complex flow control adjustable vane system and elaborate tube design and construction of the prior art, the new turbine system is provided with a vertical needle valve and a near zero absolute velocity free exit flow design.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an anti-skid brake in a vehicle, in which an estimated vehicle speed signal is obtained by selecting the higher value signal from wheel speed signals of the front and rear wheels at the left and right side and anti-skid brake devices for the front and rear wheels are independently controlled by independent signals. In this way, the anti-skid brake control can always be performed assuredly while preventing locking of the wheels on slippery roads while also preventing unnecessary anti-skid braking operations at the time of sharp turning. In a modified method and apparatus, control of the anti-skid brake of the rear wheel on the left or right side is effected according to vehicle speed estimated from the speed of a front wheel on the right or left side, whereby gradual locking of the wheels at the time of braking on a slippery road is prevented, and the anti-skid brake control can always be accomplished assuredly and excellent braking effects can always be obtained.

Abstract: A cable which is capable of being made in a large pair size and yet which has excellent mechanical properties that maintain its integrity notwithstanding extremes in temperature during installation and shipping as well as during the rigors of installation includes a sheath system having a corrugated steel outer shield that is adhesively bonded to a plastic jacket. The corrugated steel shield which is formed to have a longitudinal overlapped seam that is preferably unsealed encloses an aluminum inner shield that in turn encloses a multiconductor core. Advantageously, the sheath system includes a plastic jacketing material which is capable of resisting biaxial stresses which are aggravated in a bonded sheath system. This results in jacket integrity about the longitudinal seam of the outer shield notwithstanding a notched cross-section and an unsupported bridged portion of the plastic jacket adjacent to the seam.

Abstract: By utilizing, in a hybrid (electrical-heat engine) vehicle an alternator which is totally free of elemental iron in its magnetic circuit, the alternator (with appropriate rectification means) can be connected, selectively, in series, parallel or in lieu of the storage battery pack for activating the electrical motor which drives the wheels of the vehicle or any other load mechanically coupled to the electrical motor. Quick surges of power can thus be delivered to the load to achieve, for example, rapid acceleration of a vehicle.

Abstract: A timepiece (1) contains a movement (2), topped by a dial (3) and housed in a casing (4) of a watch case. A crystal (5) is located over at least a portion of its periphery against the upper edge (6) of the casing. The edge (6) has a surface inclined (7) toward the inside of the case and defines with the opposite surface of the periphery of the crystal and with the outer edge of a riser (8) placed on the circumference of the dial (3) a housing in which a gasket (9) is deformably held.

Abstract: Electric motor starter circuits for operating motors which cannot be restarted under load, but which maintain sufficient momentum during merely momentary interruptions of AC power to continue normal operation upon power restoration. Conventional motor starter circuits drop the motor off line, even in the event of momentary interruptions. The starters disclosed herein prevent unintended and unnecessary equipment down time as a result of AC motor starters dropping out during mere momentary power interruptions through the provision of a delayed drop out circuit including a DC voltage storage capacitor connected to the coil of the motor starter relay subsequent to the initiation of normal AC energization. In one embodiment, actual motor rotation is sensed to determine when to allow the motor starter relay to drop out.

Abstract: A vibration resistant mounting bracket (10) that secures a power transformer (20,30) within the housing of an aircraft ignition system. The bracket (10) has a single source (11) that extends through the winding (30) and partially around the core (20) of the transformer and is characterized by a pair of downwardly facing surface portions (44, 45) and a pair of upwardly facing surface portions (52,53) which are located in parallel planes with each pair of surfaces being axially offset from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting the wave motion of a body of water to electrical energy includes a housing having a pair of opposed counter rotating shafts mounted to a common output shaft for driving the output shaft in a single direction and includes counterweights for restraining the shafts against rotation during oscillation of the housing about the axis of the shafts for thereby converting oscillating motion of the housing into intermittent unidirectional motion of the two counter rotating shafts and a substantially continuous motion of the output shaft which is connected to a generator unit for generating electrical energy. A torque storage spring is utilized to store the rotary energy and maintain a substantially constant speed output of the shaft to the electrical generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating heat and electricity for domestic use including generating hot air heat and steam heat, and utilizing the steam to operate a turbine/generator. When the generator's output reaches a predetermined level, the electricity coming from outside the building is disconnected, and the generator supplies at least a portion of the building's needs or feeds electricity back into the power grid.

Abstract: A low axial stiffnesss thrust bearing is disclosed. The thrust bearing includes a housing having a generally cylindrical space formed therein and a generally cylindrical thrust collar located coaxially within the space. The axial length of the cylindrical space is sufficiently greater than the axial length of the thrust collar to permit the thrust collar to move axially within the cylindrical space over a predetermined distance and to insure that first and second fluid chambers are formed on opposite sides of the thrust collar when the thrust collar is located centrally within the cylindrical space. A fluid circuit supplies fluid under pressure to the first and second chambers in such a manner that the fluid attempts to maintain the thrust collar at a predetermined axial location within the space even when external thrust forces are placed on the thrust collar.

Abstract: A reversible motor drive circuit for driving a motor in a first direction and thereafter driving the motor in a second direction opposite to said first direction. The circuit includes a first flip-flop having cross-coupled 1st and 2nd PNP transistors. The emitters of 1st and 2nd transistors are adapted to be coupled via a power switch to a power supply. The collectors of 1st and 2nd transistors are respectively coupled to opposite terminals of a DC reversible motor which are respectively coupled to the collectors of 3rd and 4th NPN transistors. The base of 3rd transistor is coupled to the collector of 4th transistor via an RC circuit having a first time constant. The base of 4th transistor is coupled to the collector of 3rd transistor via an RC circuit having a second time constant. The RC circuits and 3rd and 4th transistors form a second flip-flop coupled to the first flip-flop and the motor, wherein the first time constant is larger than the second time constant.

Abstract: Circuitry for driving stepping motor coils through a sequence of discrete steps, each winding of the stepping motor having drive circuitry which includes a first, low power circuit, having a regulated power supply, for supplying a substantially constant voltage and a second, high power circuit having a transistor constant current circuit, the substantially constant voltage being supplied to the base thereof. The second circuit can use a substantially unregulated power supply, the voltage of which may vary considerably. Such second circuit, however, supplies a substantially constant current pulse to its associated stepping motor winding even if the unregulated power supply voltage varies over a relatively wide range. The same circuitry configuration is used for each winding so that the current pulses supplied to each winding are substantially the same even if the winding resistances differ from winding to winding.

Abstract: Hydroelectric power plant containing a flow tube for the water, an inlet tube leading to the flow tube and a discharge tube leading from the flow tube. In the flow tube a turbine is arranged to be driven by the flowing water and which via a drive shaft drives an electric generator. Accentuated sub-divisioning as between mechanical unit and portions of an installation nature is provided. The turbine and generator are located in the direct vicinity of each other and together with the drive shaft form a unit which in its entirety is situate in the flow tube and arranged to be traversed by flowing water. The unit is so arranged that the turbine can be in contact with the water flow while the generator has a watertight enclosure into which the drive shaft extends through a watertight bushing. Furthermore an electric cable for transmitting the electricity produced is connected. The installation components, the said tubes, are made from prefabricated concrete components.

Abstract: A plurality of cylindrical rollers are embedded in a roadway over which wheeled vehicles move such that the vehicle wheels rotate the contacted rollers. A shaft transverse to the roadway supports the rollers and turns with them to transfer power from vehicle contact to an electrical generating apparatus. Power accumulating apparatus, such as a water or hydraulic fluid reservoir, may intervene between the shaft and the generator to smooth the power flow when vehicle travel is intermittent. Alternate apparatus may directly link the shaft to an electrical generator which may, in turn, charge batteries or pump water upwardly to accumulate power for response to later demand. The rollers may be housed in a metal or concrete trough and cross one or more lanes of traffic to a median power collector such as a spider and bevel gear arrangement that is capable of receiving rotating motion from four right angle directions at once.