Abstract: An engine speed control apparatus controls the rotational speed of an engine when the engine is overloaded.

Abstract: A compact portable power supply including an internal combustion engine that drives a generator and which engine is fueled by a pressurized source of gaseous fuel. The outer housing and control structure is configured in such a way that the source of gaseous fuel will always be oriented so that liquid fuel will not be delivered to the engine when the power supply is in use.

Abstract: A controller and method is disclosed for operating a variable speed turbine to better track wind speed fluctuations for greater efficiency in conversion of wind energy to electrical energy. The controller of the invention controls the rotor speed in accordance with a wind speed supplied by a wind observer in order to approximately follow the varying wind speeds. The wind observer predicts the average wind speed at a subsequent point in time over the cross-section presented to the wind by the wind turbine. The average wind speed is applied to a parameter schedule to determine desired values for rotor speed and torque which are used by arotor speed stabilizer to command a reference load torque. The load torque of the generator is controlled in accordance with the commanded load torque, and therefore the desired rotor speed is approximated. During operation, the wind speed prediction process is repeated at each subsequent time interval, and the load torque, and therefore rotor speed, is controlled accordingly.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a rotational speed of an engine outputs a drive signal for adjusting the opening of a control valve which controls a specific volume of intake air of the engine to control the engine speed. The drive signal is based on the sum of a basic control amount and a correction amount. The correction amount is varied such that an actual speed of the engine and a target speed tend to become equal during the idling condition. When the engine goes to the idling condition from the loaded condition, the drive signal is added to a predetermined value to provide a much larger value of the drive signal than in the normal idling condition, and is then progressively decreased until the sum becomes equal to said first control amount. Thus, the engine can be operated without too large a drop in engine speed.

Abstract: A downhole electrical power supply apparatus has a high fluid pressure source zone and a low fluid pressure discharge zone each defined at least partially within the apparatus. A fluid powered engine provides rotational mechanical output and is powered by fluid flowing from the source zone through the engine to the discharge zone. An electrical powered generator converts the rotational mechanical output of the engine into electrical output.

Abstract: A more efficient wind power generation system is afforded by extending tower heights to several hundred meters to operate wind catching rotors and generators aligned with the wind direction at various levels along the tower. With multiple vertically cascaded wind generators and higher velocity winds at higher elevations greater power is produced as a system characterized by a small footprint. This is particularly enhanced by a single mast construction, which is supported by a dynamic guy wire tensioning system to accommodate varying lateral forces primarily caused by the change in direction of wind loads on the tower. The mast is built from modular sections connected together at articulated joints, between which the various rotors are stationed.

Abstract: A power generating system comprising a fluid driven rotor, a generator, and a transmission assembly for coupling the rotor to the generator. The transmission assembly is controlled by an hydraulic circuit which comprises a valve which in a first state prevents flow of operating fluid through the circuit and in a second state permits such flow, whereby in the first state torque is transmitted from the rotor to the generator with substantially zero slip, and in the second state the assembly slips so as to permit the rotational speed of the rotor to increase relative to the rotational speed of the generator and maintain a substantially constant torque at the generator.

Abstract: An ocean wave energy conversion system comprising a float adapted to ride on the surface of the ocean in reciprocal vertical motion in response to ocean wave front action, first support means extending downward from the float deeper into the ocean; and, magnetohydrodynamic electric generator means mounted to the first means at a level of attenuated vertical wave action in the ocean, the generator comprising a duct arranged to channel the flow of sea water vertically therethrough in response to the reciprocal vertical motion of the float, second means including magnetic field elements for applying a strong magnetic field cross-wise to the longitudinal axis of the duct and the flow of sea water therethrough, electrode means positioned in the duct and in contact with the flowing sea water therethrough such that the electrode means receives electrical energy generated by magnetohydrodynamic phenomenon as the sea water passes upwardly and downwardly in a relative manner through the magnetic field, and transfer mea

Abstract: The prime-mover comprises a central inertial barge 1, a first outer wave-engaging pontoon 2 pivotally movable relative to the central barge 1 about the pivotal axis defined by the arrow A, and a second outer wave-engaging pontoon 3 pivotally movable relative to the central barge 1 about the axis defined by the arrow B. Two series of pumps 4 are mounted on the central barge 1 and driven by the pivotal movement of the outer wave-engaging pontoons 2, 3 respectively. A damping mechanism comprising two shafts 6a, 6b extend downwardly from the bage 1. The shafts 6a, 6b are provided with damping plates 7a, 7b at the bottom ends thereof. The damping plates 7a, 7b may be moved relative to the shafts 6a, 6b by being screwed up or down the shafts as required.

Abstract: An engine starter comprises an electric motor for starting an engine when the motor is energized, an electromagnetic switch including a pair of normally-open contacts connected to each other to form an energizing circuit for the motor at the time of energizing a coil of the switch, and a pair of normally-closed contacts connected to each other to form a grounding circuit for the motor at the time of de-energizing of said coil, and a restriction device for restricting a braking electrical current generated due to an inertial rotation of the motor.

Abstract: In a starter, the pinion, which is rotated by torque of an electric motor, is slid axially by the plunger of an electromagnetic switch and is pushed against the engine ring gear by a conically coiled compression coil, which allows employment of a small electromagnetic switch. Further, in an electromagnetic switch in which the plunger confronted coaxially with the stationary iron core slidably supporting a rod with a movable contact is moved towards the stationary iron core by electromagnetic force, a conically coiled spring is interposed between the plunger and the stationary iron core in such a manner that the spring is substantially coaxial with the plunger and the iron core, so that the playing of the rod is prevented.

Abstract: A windmill having a stator and a rotor. The rotor has the shape of a long convex blade having sharp edges and being symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis. The stator which surrounds and supports the rotor comprises a lower platform which acts as a base, an upper platform parallel to the lower platform and a set of vertical and also equally spaced vanes joining the two platforms. According to a first embodiment, each vane is formed of an outer stationary shutter joining the two platforms and of a movable inner shutter capable of pivoting about its longitudinal axis. In an other embodiment, the vanes are one-piece element and can pivot freely on posts of which the ends are secured to the two platforms. In either case, there is provided a control mechanism responsible for the angular orientation of the movable shutters or vanes.

Abstract: An engine starter/generator has a rotor which rotates on excitation caused by an exciting winding, a speed reducer which reduces the speed of rotation of the rotor, a first clutch which transmits the rotation of the rotor, the speed of which has been reduced through the speed reducer, to an output shaft of an engine, and a second clutch which is disposed between the engine output shaft and the rotor to connect together these two members when the speed of rotation of the engine output shaft is greater than that of the rotor. The speed reducer and at least either one of the first and second clutches are disposed substantially axially in line with one another. This arrangement reduces the radial dimension of the engine starter/generator. It can, therefore, be disposed with in the engine room of a vehicle without difficulty.