Abstract: An internal combustion engine starting circuit for a system including a combination direct current motor generator unit having an armature coil and field coil in series therewith to be connected to a source of direct current to function as a starter motor when the ignition switch is first closed and to function as a generator when the internal combustion engine starts to bring the motor generator unit to generating speed is provided with a starting solenoid to be energized to close a contact for connecting the motor generator unit to the source when energized. An ignition switch is adapted to be closed to complete a circuit through one coil of a double coil starting relay having a normally open contact to be closed to energize the starter solenoid in series with the ignition switch and the source.

Abstract: This invention is a multiple diverse energy source driven energy integration and multiple use-point system: which includes system air pressure compensated variable pressure and volume delivery of compressed air from multiple air compression stations which discharge and store compressed air into an included interconnecting collection storage and distribution conduit multiple module grid system; of largest needed and commercially available size pipe to keep the pressure drop to a minimum, and from which the compressed air is withdrawn at multiple points of need; when and as needed, through synchronized dual-precision-controls to turn, at optimum RPM speed regardless of varying work loads, air motor drives for operation of conventional electrical generating equipment with varying customer-use-demand output work loads.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes gas and steam turbines and steam generators and a digital/analog control system. In the control system, an automatic digital computer control generates position setpoints for the gas turbine fuel valves and the steam turbine inlet valves to control speed and load. A synchronizer system includes a sequencer which is largely embodied in the digital computer as an element of the automatic control and it further includes a synchronizer which is external to the automatic control. The sequencer connects the synchronizer to synchronize the three generators in a sequence which depends on the startup and loading operation of the turbines, the synchronization operation of the synchronizer and the operation of the breakers. Turbine speed changes are initiated by the speed/load control under synchronizer control.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved turbo-electrical generator powered by the conversion of natural energy into mechanical energy in order to propel ferromagnetic blocks about an irregularly, non-circular shaped closed loop track, alternately entering and passing through a plurality of electromagnets positioned about the track. As these blocks enter and pass through these electromagnets, their magnetic flux is maximized and then minimized and this change is converted into useable A.C. voltage. Means are taught for the conversion of solar energy, wind energy and wave energy into the necessary mechanical energy to propel these blocks about the closed loop. An alternative embodiment employs a rotatable, ferromagnetic cross shaped device which is rotated about a center axis by the passage of the blocks about the track. As the device is rotated, its extremities enter and pass through the electromagnets positioned about the track.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for generating electric and hydraulic power adjacent an undersea oil well for use in operating the well-head equipment. The difference in the temperature of the oil being extracted from the well and the temperature of the surrounding sea water is utilized to generate such power.

Abstract: A wave powered electric generator using direct energy conversion is described which includes, within a water and airtight, buoyant envelope tethered to a fixed point relative to the sea bottom, one or more stators and one or more elements moveable by the force of inertia, the relative motion of the moveable element within the stator generating electricity. Also within the buoyant envelope is a rectifier for rectifying the electric energy generated by the moveable element, and power transmission means for supplying the generated and rectified electric energy to a power station. In a preferred embodiment, a conductive fluid is employed as a moveable element, this fluid being passed through a concentrated magnetic field, the resultant electrical power being tapped by electrodes whose axis preferably is orthagonal to the field and direction of fluid motion.

Abstract: Described is an ocean thermal energy conversion system wherein floating, submerged and fixed drilling platforms installed offshore primarily for exploration and/or production of hydrocarbons serve also as working and supportive bases for means for producing electricity by the adiabatic expansion of hydrocarbon gases which are thereby cooled. The cooled gases are then heated by contact with the solar heated surface layers of water and thermally expand thereby actuating a turbine and an electricity producing generator. Pipelines usually installed for the transmission of gases and crude oil to the shore are used dually by running electric cables with them to bring the electricity produced by the system to on-shore consuming or storage facilities. The system also includes means for increasing the surface water temperature such as insulated pipes bringing heat-containing effluent streams from on-shore treating plants.

Abstract: In a control system for a hydroelectric power station system including upper and lower water reservoirs connected through a water channel, an intermediate water reservoir having a smaller storage capacity than those of the upper and lower reservoirs and provided on the water channel in cascade with the upper and lower reservoirs, and two power stations disposed between the upper and intermediate reservoirs and between the intermediate and lower reservoirs, respectively, the control system is arranged such that the water level of the intermediate reservoir is detected continuously and the detected value of the water level is used to correct the load instructions which are applied to the power stations for controlling outputs of the power stations whereby the water level of the intermediate reservoir is maintained substantially constant, while the power generation of the power stations is controlled so as to satisfactorily meet with the load instruction applied to the power system.

Abstract: The majority of a number of relays is held in a quiescent state, without power, in a local maintenance controller preparatory to assumption of control of a gas turbine power plant. Control transfer may be manually requested or may occur automatically in response to failure of the plant's primary control system. Regardless of the cause of transfer, a time delay relay is utilized to allow the quiescent relays sufficient latching time. The time delay period is chosen to reflect the maximum period of time for which a lack of trip availability can be safely tolerated.The relay sequencing arrangement is adapted so that when the quiescent relays are energized, alarm circuitry for predetermined plant parameters is automatically reset for on-line transfers, thereby allowing more rapid and efficient transfer and minimizing the need for operator intervention. Alternative means for manually resetting the alarm circuitry is also provided.

Abstract: A stream -or river-powered turbine consists of an elongated cylinder with radially-extending vanes, each vane having at its root a plurality of axially-spaced flap valves opening and closing corresponding openings therein. These valves open automatically as the vanes enter the tail wave to relieve the reverse pressure thereon, close while in the main stream to render the vanes fully effective, and open automatically as the vanes leave the stream to prevent the formation of vacuums on their trailing sides. The generator, which may be electric or hydraulic or pneumatic is mounted inside the cylinder and is driven as the result of relative rotation between an axial stationary torque tube and the cylinder via an oil lubricated chain that also serves to supply oil to other parts of the mechanism.

Abstract: Radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including an ionic dielectric having a dipole layer only on or near its surface. The dielectric is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth trifluorides and trichlorides, and is preferably lanthanum trifluoride or lanthanum trichloride. The radiant energy cyclically heats and cools the dielectric to cause cyclic changes in the capacitance and resistance of the capacitor without changing the dielectric state. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the dielectric breakdown voltage by temporarily connecting it across a source of emf causing a current to flow through a charging resistor to the dielectric. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector, as well as a solar energy cell. In the latter case, the dielectric is heated and cooled at a predetermined frequency and the capacitor is connected in circuit with a means for resonating the capacitor at the frequency.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic system for rapidly reducing the steam flow through the high pressure and lower pressure stages of a turbine power plant in response to a partial loss of electrical load, is disclosed. In response to the detection of a partial loss of load, the system provides for controlling a portion of the governor valves and all of the interceptor valves to close rapidly and independently of the turbine control system; also to operate the turbine control system to cause the remaining governor valves to operate to a predetermined partially closed condition independent of the normal governor valve reference demand signal by applying a signal for changing the open limit position of the governor valves; and to eliminate the affect of the impulse pressure loop from the turbine control system. The upper valve position limit signal and the slower rate of change reference demand signal is matched to the applied signal.

Abstract: A generator load curve is precisely matched to a wind-driven motor characteristic by means of a rotor speed-responsive tachometer effecting stepwise control of field current in the generator. Several variations of the tachometer circuit are described. Field current is controlled by an amplifier, and voltage regulation is effected by an override circuit disabling the amplifier.

Abstract: Discharge cooling water from the condenser of a steam turbine is pumped through the chiller of a refrigeration machine operating as a "heat pump" during heating duty, thus improving the efficiency thereof from that obtained when using water supplied to the chiller at a lower temperature. Evaporation of the refrigerant in the chiller removes heat from the water supplied thereto, whereby the water temperature is closer to that of the source from which it is taken for use in the turbine condenser.

Abstract: A machine and method for converting the wind's linear force to electricity, comprising of a rotor, walled at both inner and periphery radiuses, encircled by a periphery deflector and its inner radius covered with a core deflector. Tapping means attached to the back planar base of its plurality of rotor vanes and rotably associated with plurality of reciprocating generators. Rotation speed and generating electricity regulated by operating means, mounted to its axis.

Abstract: In an electric generator capable of producing surplus electrical energy at certain periods, that improvement which comprises utilizing the surplus electrical energy to directly heat an electricity conducting heat storing magma, the magma having passages therethrough for the selective reception of water producing steam during high demand or low energy producing periods to increase the total production of electrical energy.

Abstract: Radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including an ionic dielectric having a dipole layer only on or near its surface. The dielectric is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth trifluorides and trichlorides, and is preferably lanthanum trifluoride or lanthanum trichloride. The radiant energy cyclically heats and cools the dielectric to cause cyclic changes in the capacitance and resistance of the capacitor without changing the dielectric state. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the dielectric breakdown voltage by temporarily connecting it across a source of emf causing a current to flow through a charging resistor to the dielectric. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector.

Abstract: A centrifugal air-driven motor, or windmill, is disclosed wherein the blades thereof are made of a pliable, flexible, uniformly apertured sheeting made, for example, of plastic, affixed by a flexible support system, to a central rotatable shaft, so that as the apertured plastic sheet is moved centrifugally outwardly, under the influence of wind energy, the solid portions of the plastic sheet assume the shape of blades; further, the blade support system is made completely of thin, flexible, pliable, material, such as plastic, and the blades may assume different, e.g., forward curved, radial, or backward inclined configurations, during rotation of the windmill. The blades and support means therefor, are affixed to a central, axial, rotatable shaft. As the blades are driven, by wind force, their rotation is transmitted to the rotatable, axial, shaft through the blade support means, to thereby cause rotation of the axial shaft.

Abstract: A sea wave powered electrical generating apparatus includes converging dams 9 to funnel and amplify wave energy, a pressure chamber 8 having an entrance/exit gate 11 and a turbine rotor disposed on a vertical axis above the pressure chamber. The arcuate zig-zag configuration of the turbine blades coupled with windows 3 at the tops and bottoms of the blades results in a double action mode of continuous rotation as the wave surges pass up through and back down through the rotor.

Abstract: A fixed structure encloses a vertically spaced plurality of superimposed channels that are open at one end of the sea to receive deep sea waves approaching a shoreline. Each of the channels has an entrance ramp that slopes upwardly shorewardly to induce breaking of a wave at and over an apex of trailer service ramp that merges into a shorewardly downwardly sloping convergent conduit having fluid communication with a pressure chamber of the structure through a one-way valve controlled aperture at which the wave energy is concentrated. A portion of each ramp is overlain by a roof which may comprise the underside of a superimposed ramp of another channel. Each of the ramps is of upwardly convex configuration, transversely to the wave direction, and at opposite sides is provided with re-entrant scuppers for draining backwash from a receding wave.