Abstract: An electrical switch construction having a housing carrying a fixed contact and a snap blade having a contact to be snapped relative to the fixed contact as the blade is moved relative to the housing to provide a switching function with the fixed contact. A generally C-shaped actuator has opposed ends disposed on opposite sides of the blade, one end of the actuator being interconnected to the blade to cause snap movement thereof upon movement of that one end of the actuator in one direction relative to the housing. A compression spring is disposed between that one end of the actuator and the housing to tend to oppose movement of that one end of the actuator in that one direction.

Abstract: An electrical generator is powered by the kinetic energy in ocean waves breaking at the shore. Waves are directed up an inclined surface through which an intake port is defined at a level substantially below the average wave height and extending across the entire length of the generator. Water entering the port is directed to drive the blades of a turbine located below the inclined surface but above the normal water level. Water overshooting the port is collected as it flows back down the surface by a second port which similarly feeds the water to drive the turbine. Water overshooting the top of the inclined surface is collected in a flow-reversing channel and likewise directed to drive the turbine. The system is mounted on wheels which are movable on rails extending from the ocean floor onto the beach, whereby the system can be moved to optimum position for different tidal conditions.

Abstract: A solar energy powerplant has a group of tall, vertical towers open at both ends and containing a plurality of wind-powered impellers mounted in vertically spaced locations within each tower, such that thermal updrafts in the tower drives the impellers. Vertically spaced, radially projecting heating chambers are mounted externally on each tower and each chamber has an air inlet to admit ambient air and an air outlet into the tower for heated air. The heated air entering the tower for the solar heating chambers forms an updraft for powering the impellers. The heating chambers also contain heat exchange tubes which connect with an insulated water reservoir in the base for the towers.

Abstract: Foil elements capable of generating lift forces and converting such forces into rotational movement of a body are suspended and submerged in a flowing stream or fluid current. Control means are provided to cyclically regulate the angles of attack of the foil elements in relation to the fluid current and to maintain substantially constant lift forces throughout a rotational cycle. Power take-off and/or generating means is included in the system.

Abstract: A process for generating energy by utilizing the osmotic pressure resulting when two liquids having different chemical potentials are each placed in contact with opposite sides of the same semipermeable membrane. The process is particularly applicable to the production of energy from the system sea water/fresh water. The sea water is in the form of an enclosed body having an outlet orifice in communication therewith. The fresh water passes through the semipermeable membrane causing the osmotic pressure which ejects a stream of salt water through the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A control system for obtaining maximum power output from electrical generating water pumping, flywheel storage and like systems comprising a wind-driven prime mover coupled to an electrical generator over an extended range of wind velocities is described. The maximum electrical output power is obtained by synchronizing the speed of the generator, and hence the speed of the prime mover, with the maximum power output of the prime mover. Since the maximum output power of a wind-driven prime mover is proportional to the third power of the wind velocity, and is a function of an angular velocity-dependent power coefficient, means are provided for detecting the angular velocity of the prime mover and generating a signal proportional to the cube of said wind velocity.

Abstract: In areas where wind power, hydro power and earth heat power are all available and are to be developed, a common means and method of storing such power during off peak periods of power use are frequently required. Here power storage is accomplished by the lifting of under ground weights. Earth power may be geothermal heats, volcanic heats, heats from hot springs, deep holes in the earth, or heats from deep oil or gas wells, such as come to the surface when they bring up oil or natural gas. These are all here combined as a common source of power. Any or all may contribute power to the power storage.

Abstract: An electric generator arrangement has at least two wind or water wheels rotatably mounted on a common stationary shaft and coupled such that they rotate in opposite directions with a given ratio or a progressively variable ratio. The wheels carry the two cooperating parts of a first generator and may also each carry the rotor of a second or third generator cooperating with a stator on the shaft, the field excitation or current loading of the second and/or third generator being used to control the speed of the wheels.

Abstract: A plural phase stepping motor control circuit in which damping is accomplished by energizing a previously energized phase prior to the expiration of the power cycle on a pair of other phases. The duration of the damping pulse is inversely proportional to the speed of operation. The logic involved allows for forward or reverse running. A sprocket latch circuit locks out spurious overshoot responses, such as may be caused by vibration, damaged tape, or other irrationality.

Abstract: This invention is for apparatus used in combination with electronic commutation circuitry for a D.C. motor with a Y-connected stator winding wherein current control is accomplished by means of a cyclic current regulator. Current to the regulator is applied to the regulator by means of a series connected choke inductor and resistor, across which is connected in parallel a by-pass diode.

Abstract: Taking advantage of numerous sources of fueless energy such as the heats of volcanoes, hot springs, active and inactive oil and natural gas wells, geothermal heats and other natural steam power, some of these energy sources intermittent, and others continuous, are here combined to provide a steady flow of continuous fueless power for stationary or movable power plant use. It saves fossil fuels for uses far more important than their combustion, and does not pollute our human environment.

Abstract: A power generating machine which is actuated by the continuous swells occurring in the ocean. The machine is supported on a pair of spaced main floats, between which is a power float connected to a linkage which allows the power float to reciprocate vertically with the passing swells. A flywheel is driven through a one way clutch connected to the float linkage to drive an electrical generator, the linkage also being coupled to an air compressor. Sensing floats pivotally attached to the main float support structure detect the contour of the swells and, through associated drive means, cause the spacing of the main floats to be adjusted to the existing swells crest spacing for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A plural phase stepping motor control circuit in which damping in accomplished by energizing a previously energized phase prior to the expiration of the power cycle on a pair of other phases. The duration of the damping pulse is inversely proportional to the speed of operation. The logic involved allows for forward or reverse running. A sprocket latch circuit locks out spurious overshoot responses, such as may be caused by vibration, damaged tape, or other irrationality.

Abstract: Waste matter is incinerated utilizing pure oxygen in addition to the oxygen obtainable through ambient air thereby raising the temperature in the incinerator to an amount of the order of 500.degree.F greater than the incinerator temperature normally encountered when only ambient air is introduced into the incinerator. The incinerator combustion gases are passed into a waste heat boiler to generate steam for operating a steam turbine incorporating an electric generator. A portion of the electric power developed by the generator is utilized in conjunction with an electrolytic cell structure to perform an electrolysis operation upon water to separate the water into its constituent parts (hydrogen and oxygen). A portion of the hydrogen is utilized in the burner plenum of the waste heat boiler to increase the temperature of the incineration combustion gases.

Abstract: A supercharging system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprises a shaft carrying a gas turbine rotor at one axial end and a centrifugal air compressor rotor at the other axial end. A pair of bearings mounting the shaft for rotation in a housing are adapted to be attached to the vehicle, the housing at one axial end a turbine nozzle ring and a turbine exhaust ring cooperable with the turbine rotor, and having at the other axial end an axially located compressor inlet member and a radially located compressor outlet member cooperable with the compressor rotor. The turbine nozzle ring is adapted to be connected to the exhaust manifold of the engine and the compressor outlet member is adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of the engine thereby supercharging the same.

Abstract: A drive system for electrically driven vehicles in which an electric motor is adapted to be driven from a driving battery which is adapted to be switched by means of a switch from partial voltage to full battery voltage; an electronic control system is provided which acts on the switch as well as on the excitation of the motor and is controlled by the motor rotational speed, by a driving pedal and by a brake pedal; the electric motor then drives a hydraulic torque converter which is interposed between the electric motor and the driven wheels.

Abstract: A speed control device for a transistor motor having a stator provided with a plurality of field windings and a rotor consisting of a permanent magnet comprises position detecting means for detecting the position of the rotor, a plurality of driving transistors whose emitter-collector circuits are respectively connected in series to the field windings and whose bases are respectively supplied with the output from the position detecting means, a base current control transistor for the driving transistors whose emitter-collector circuit is connected through diodes to the respective bases of the driving transistors, and a servo circuit for maintaining the base current control transistor to be inoperative during the starting period of the transistor motor and, as the transistor motor approaches a specified rotation speed, controlling the base current of the driving transistors in accordance with a speed control signal.

Abstract: A tide-powered electrical generator wherein the energy from successive rising tides is stored in the form of potential energy for selective conversion to electricity. A float is constrained to vertical motion and it raises on successive tides a weight by means of a jack bar to reach a maximum predetermined height on a stable support structure where the weight is supported until release for the generation of electricity. Provision is made for the prevention of damage to the generator by excessive tidal rises.

Abstract: A hydroelectric generating unit includes a generator shaft about which buckets are pivotally mounted on a common carrier for travel in a common path at equal angular intervals. The bucket carrier is fast on the shaft. Water flow control means, located above the shaft, is driven by the shaft for delivering a measured quantity of gravity impelled water to each bucket as it passes through a loading zone shortly after the bucket has passed top dead center. Each bucket is caused to discharge its load in the vicinity of bottom dead center. A succession of such units, connected for operation in timed relation to one another, is desirably provided.

Abstract: Programming positioning apparatus is described for performing a programmed motion in a quick and smooth manner avoiding shock loads that shorten equipment life.The described apparatus is a hard-wired digital system which is preprogrammed with respect to maximum acceleration and maximum velocity; receives the programmed distance data, makes the required calculations relating to the time periods the system operates according to a maximum acceleration mode, a maximum velocity mode and a maximum deceleration mode in order to perform the programmed motion at maximum speed while keeping the acceleration forces within acceptable limits; and produces motion command pulses supplied to the drive. The maximum acceleration can be held to a constant value fixed beforehand, or can be varied so that the acceleration will automatically adapt itself to produced inertia-forces or to the capability of the motor to drive its load.