Abstract: The publication relates to a power converter according to the principle of the hot-air engine (Stirling engine), comprising a cylinder containing a main piston (4) and a displacement piston (3), each of which can be moved forward and backward on the axis of the cylinder and each of which possesses a piston rod assembly (20, 25) which is connected via connecting rods (17, 21) with a link system (21-24 or 17-19 resp.) to two parallel cranks (9) which rotate synchronously in opposite directions so that the displacement piston is moved phase-shifted to the main piston. The link system (21-24) of the main piston (4) comprises a frame element (24) which is rigidly connected to the latter's piston rod assembly (25) and has at least four journals (22,23) which are arranged symmetrically to the cylinder axis in a common plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis and which are oriented parallel to the crank shafts (9) and to each of which is linked a connecting rod (21).

Abstract: A self-contained, hydraulically operated clutch-type coupling, allowing a minimum of two vehicular type internal combustion engines to be mounted in tandem replacing the standard single block, multi cylinder engine. Flexibility is provided to the driver by a computerized control system to select operation of one or more engines to produce minimum to maximum horsepower at the flywheel, necessary to meet specific road and traffic conditions while maintaining a constant engine (RPM) speed. In one embodiment, a single engine is started to minimize undesirable emissions due to the combination of cold start conditions and wall quenching and fuel conservation purposes. Upon attaining engine operating temperature uniformity, the succeeding engine(s) can be started and operated to provide maximum available horsepower/torque to meet road load conditions.

Abstract: A method for energy conversion and storage includes the steps of providing a supply of processed natural gas. The natural gas is compressed and stored in a sub-surface storage reservoir. The compressed natural gas is then delivered from the reservoir to an electrical power generator to thereby generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A class of micromachine linear actuators whose function is based on gas driven pistons in which capillary forces are used to seal the gas behind the piston. The capillary forces also increase the amount of force transmitted from the gas pressure to the piston. In a major subclass of such devices, the gas bubble is produced by thermal vaporization of a working fluid. Because of their dependence on capillary forces for sealing, such devices are only practical on the sub-mm size scale, but in that regime they produce very large force times distance (total work) values.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust duct having a lower portion and an upper portion with a discharge outlet. A pivotable flap is located in the upper portion of the exhaust duct to influence the discharge rate of the exhaust gases passing through the discharge outlet to provide a high rate of discharge of the exhaust gases independently of the operating speed of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A lighting fixture comprising at least a pair of modules each having at least one light source. The modules are positioned spaced-apart on a wall or ceiling to define a gap between the modules. A cap covers the gap to provide a finished, uniform appearance for the fixture. The electrical conductors for the light in a first one of a pair of modules extends through an open side of the first module, across the gap between the spaced-apart modules, and through the open side of a second of the pair of modules, for connecting with a source of electrical current.

Abstract: A compressed air energy storage (CAES) system utilizes compressed air stored in a cavity for electric power and cold production. During periods of excess power production, atmospheric air is compressed then cooled in stages using energy from a motor/generator. Condensed water is then separated from the air which is then stored in a cavity. When there is an energy demand from the CAES system, the stored compressed air is heated using heat from an external low grade energy source such as refrigerated substances, surrounding water, surrounding air, waste heat sources and solar energy. The heated compressed air is then expanded through a plurality of expansion stages to provide mechanical power to the motor/generator for generating electricity.

Abstract: A work glove and illuminator assembly is provided. An illuminator is securely mounted on the glove and oriented to project a light beam distally of the glove toward the work surface when the glove is in use. The illuminator may have a self-contained light source, or utilize fiber optic-transmitted light from a light source remote from the glove. The assembly may comprise a laser generator or may utilize a fiber optic-transmitted laser light from a laser generator remote from the glove. The assembly may further comprise a video camera operably attached to a video receiver, a video monitor and/or a video recorder. In one embodiment of the invention, the illuminator is disposed within the interior of the glove and projects a beam of light through a glove tip which is translucent or transparent. The assembly is particularly suitable for use by health care professionals when examining or operating upon an anatomical part of a patient.

Abstract: An improved fiber-optic illuminated artificial Christmas tree, having a plurality of light sources contained in the main trunk, is provided. Each light source provides light for one or more tiers of artificial branches attached to the main trunk. Each branch contains a plurality of fiber optic strands such that the light-gathering ends are collected in a single bundle at, or close to, the end of the branch which attaches to the main trunk and the light-dispersing ends are distributed throughout the needles of the branch to form a natural and appealing lighting appearance similar to that of conventional strings of Christmas tree lights. The light sources can be removed easily for replacement of individual light bulbs as needed.

Abstract: A hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system, including an energy generation sub-system for receiving warm sea water, evaporating a working fluid at a natural depth of the received warm sea water to produce a working vapor, and generating energy from the working vapor and a pumping sub-system for pushing cold sea water up to a natural depth of the received warm sea water and condensing the working vapor with the cold sea water.

Abstract: A guide member is slidably mounted on a rod, a resilient seal bag is provided around a first end portion of the rod and secured to the guide member, and a tubular sealing member is slidably mounted on a second end portion of the rod. The rod is inserted in a heat conductive cylinder secured to the guide member, and wax is filled in the heat conductive cylinder. The seal bag has a base portion and a bag portion, and is engaged with the rod only at the base portion to form a gap between the bag portion and the rod. The gap is charged with lubricating oil. The sealing member has a tubular body, a skirt portion, a closed head portion, and a plurality of annular grooves formed in an inner wall of the body. The base portion is secured to the guide member, and the head portion is engaged with an end of the second end portion of the rod. A seal device is provided between the guide member and the rod so as to prevent the lubricating oil in the seal bag from entering in the sealing member.

Abstract: A steam generating power plant includes a generator connected to a network, a steam turbine driving the generator, a steam bleeder line being connected to the steam turbine and having a load-dependently adjustable valve, a system having a superconducting magnetic energy accumulator and being connected electrically parallel to the generator, and a control unit. The control unit furnishes electrical power directly from the superconducting energy accumulator to level a power deficit lasting on the order of several seconds in the network and the control unit at the same time adjusts the valve to increase steam available to the steam turbine. A process for operating a steam generating power plant, an interlocking electrical network in combination with a number of steam generating power plants, and a process for operating the interlinking network in combination with the steam generating power plants, are also provided.

Abstract: A motor-driven air pump operates when an engine is starting so that warming-up of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst may be expedited. The air pump has a low ventilation resistance to pass secondary air therethrough even when the pump is not driven by the motor. A high-response, low pressure-loss check valve is disposed in a passage connecting the catalyst in the exhaust gas passage and the air pump. When the engine is decelerating, the pump is not driven. However, the secondary air is introduced to the catalyst through the high-response, low pressure-loss check valve from the pump under the negative pressure caused by pulsation of the exhaust gas pressure. Thus, a bad smell from the catalyst may be prevented without increasing the size of the air pump and the motor.

Abstract: In filtering particles such as soot from a flue gas a porous filter body of a particulate material bonded together in the body is employed. The material is a metal or metal-like material having a thermal conductivity in excess of 10 W/mK, and the porous filter body has a porosity of 50-90% and a maximum pore size of 10-40 um. The porous filter body also has a thermal conductivity in excess of 10 W/mK. In accordance with the method, the flue gas is conducted through the porous filter body so as to accumulate the particles in the porous filter body. The particles accumulated in the porous filter body are burned off, whereby heat is generated locally. The heat generated locally by the burning-off of the particles is conducted throughout the porous filter body so that the temperature rise generated by the burning-off heat is reduced. Consequently, the porous filter body is not exposed to fatal, thermal stresses.

Abstract: A structure comprising an LP module of a steam turbine supported by a concrete support-block carried by posts standing on a concrete raft, and an enclosure constituted by an exhaust box surrounding the LP module and connected thereto via elastic seals and by a condenser provided with bundles disposed beneath the LP module and resting on the raft, wherein the enclosure is made of concrete. The condenser envelope made of concrete is thus totally independent of the turbine and of its support-block.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purging system for an internal combustion engine includes a catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage of the engine, for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. The system detects an engine operating condition and a catalyst temperature parameter indicative of the temperature of the catalyst. The supply of secondary air to the exhaust passage and the flow path cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage are controlled based on at least one of the operating condition of the engine and the catalyst temperature parameter.

Abstract: An illumination system having a concave minor for imaging a light source. The illumination system includes a light source, a first concave minor for imaging the light source and a second concave minor for reimaging the imaged light source at another location. The system timber includes a light collecting element passing through the surface of one of the concave mirrors enabling light removal without reimaging the light source outside the radii of curvature of the concave mirrors.

Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a low pressure steam turbine operating in a ventilation mode. The low pressure steam turbine has a closable inlet through which steam can be delivered when operating in a power generation mode and which is blocked off when operating in ventilation mode, an outlet which communicates with a condenser for condensing the steam to condensate and a bleed port between the inlet and the outlet. A bleed pipe is connected to the bleed port for diverting steam and/or condensate during operation in the power generation mode. Steam is supplied through a steam transfer pipe to the bleed pipe in order to cool the low pressure steam turbine when operating in the ventilation mode. Condensate may also be supplied to the bleed pipe. The cooling effect in the low pressure steam turbine is largely limited to those components which suffer most when it is operating in the ventilation mode, and the cooling provisions are extracted from resources that are already available.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining energy is disclosed. The method includes heating a fluid in a liquid state by heat exchange with a heat source to generate a vapor of the fluid at a first elevation. The vapor of the fluid is caused to rise to a second elevation within an enclosed space and is condensed at the second elevation by heat exchange with a cold source. The liquid obtained by condensing the vapor is caused to fall from the second elevation and the energy of the falling liquid is converted to another form of energy, which is preferably electricity. The apparatus of the invention includes structure for vaporizing a liquid to form a vapor, a vapor tower for increasing the potential energy of the vapor by causing the vapor to rise along an upwardly-extending path. Structure is also provided for condensing the vapor by heat exchange with a cold source and recovering the increase in potential energy from the vapor, preferably in the form of electric power.

Abstract: A lighting fixture comprising at least a pair of modules each having at least one light source. The modules are positioned spaced-apart on a wall or ceiling to define a gap between the modules. A tubular connector joins the modules together. A cap covers the gap to provide a finished, uniform appearance for the fixture. The electrical conductors for the light in one module extends through the connector into the adjacent module. The electrical conductors extend across the gap into the adjacent module for connecting with a source of electrical current.