Abstract: Wind turbine generator systems incorporating a multi-speed pole amplitude modulated type dynamo electric machine allowing efficient operation at consecutive speeds in a ratio preferably less than 2:1. A current limiting reactor, preferably including an inductance coil, and an over-running clutch, are utilized in conjunction with any multi-speed generation system to alleviate impact on a utility grid during switching among operational speeds.

Abstract: A wave motor comprising flotation means, a ramp carried by said flotation means to convert waves into breakers and means to cause the water in approximately the top half of the breakers to be moving horizontally forward at the time of impact against an energy conversion vane. The vane drives an electric generator that produces a pulsating D.C. current voltage basically the same frequency as that of the sea waves and an electrolytic cell driven by said generator produces hydrogen at the pulsing frequency of the sea waves.

Abstract: Solar radiation is concentrated by a parabolic reflector having a solar tracking system associated therewith, onto a heat absorbing conduit circulating a heat exchange medium through a steam generator having a burner as an auxiliary source of heat. The steam generator operates a turbine driven electrical generator. The electrical energy output of the generator in excess of load demand, is converted into and stored as chemical energy from which fuel for the burner is derived. The solar tracking system has two moveable signal generating cell means: the first generates a signal in response to solar energy in any position, the second generates a signal controlling a servomotor for tracking.

Abstract: Thermodynamic unit comprised of a pair of vessels which alternately raise and lower pressure in thermodynamic fluid is connected in a closed system to an engine, which utilizes the fluid in its gas phase, with the vessel raising pressure having a gas outlet connected to the engine and with exhaust therefrom being connected to the vessel lowering the fluid pressure. The vessels are alternately heated and cooled so that each alternately acts as a fluid pressure raising and lowering vessel, and each operates at the function opposite from the other vessel. Heat for the pressure raising vessel is any conventional terrestrially available heat source such as nuclear, geothermal, waste heat, electrical, solar, fossil fuel, and the like. The pressure lowering vessel delivers its heat to any conventional terrestrial sink. The gas engine is preferably a turbine, but may be another conventional gas-expanding engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently converting the power of running water to useful electrical energy; the apparatus including a pair of floating pontoons anchored in a running stream, and between which a plurality of paddle wheels, rotated by the water, drive a gear mechanism connected to an electric generator, and ducts under the pontoons converging toward the paddle wheels, for concentrating more water flow thereto.

Abstract: A hydroelectric generator is located in the basement of a high-rise building and connected in series in the clean waste-water line of the building, to produce electrical power in response to the flow of the waste water from the building. An automatically controlled valve in a bypass line serves to direct excess water flow around the hydroelectric generator unit and maintain the flow through the generator unit at a predetermined maximum level. An automatic switch-over device disconnects the generator output terminals from the electrical output terminals of the unit when the voltage and/or frequency of the generator output is unsatisfactory, e.g., too low.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating power from wave motion on a body of water. The mechanism includes a buoyant body which is adapted to float on a body of water and to roll and pitch in response to the wave motion of the water. A gyro-wave energy transducer is mounted on the buoyant body for translating the pendulum-like motions of the buoyant body into rotational motion. The gyro-wave energy transducer includes a gimbal comprised of first and second frames, with the first frame being pivotally mounted to the second frame and the second frame being pivotally mounted to the buoyant body. A gyroscope is mounted to the first frame for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first and second frames. A motor/generator is coupled to the gyroscope for maintaining a controlled rotational velocity for the gyroscope.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generation of electricity comprising a large, lightweight wheel attached to a fixed vertical central pylon and oriented to rotate in a vertical plane around a boom having an axis that is substantially horizontal, and pivoted at one end to the pylon. The wind wheel is supported at its rim by a carriage assembly that is constrained to move in a circular horizontal path about the central pylon. The wheel has a cylindrical outer rim and may include one or more perimeter frame structures. The outer surface of the rim is essentially flat in cross section and presents a traction surface for the takeoff of energy from the rim of the wheel. The wheel has a plurality of uniformly spaced radial spindles on which are rolled sails (soft airfoils), which when unfurled catch the wind to provide the rotational motion to the wheel.

Abstract: Two gas turbine power plants are started and accelerated by fuel controls on selection of dead load mode. The startup is coordinated so that one turbine-generator is controlled as the lead unit and it is driven to a speed higher than normal, short of overspeed condition at which time its breaker is closed on an auxiliary bus. Shortly thereafter the second turbine-generator is synchronized to the first and its generator breaker is closed to the auxiliary bus. The two units are then ready for a simultaneous 200% load pickup from the dead load bus. After the load is applied, the lead unit is placed under isochronous control and the follow unit is tracked to the lead unit. Turbine lead/follow roles can be reversed during startup under certain conditions, and predetermined data is exchanged between the controls to enable coordinated dead load pickup operation.

Abstract: An energy-conserving control system for an electrically driven vehicle comprises a traction motor (3) converting electricity generated by a first generator (1) into mechanical propulsion, and combined with a second generator into a single induction motor/generator (3) operative during deceleration to convert vehicle kinetic energy into electricity; a second motor (2) to convert electricity into mechanical energy stored in a flywheel, and a third generator operative during subsequent acceleration to convert energy stored in a flywheel into electricity to drive the traction motor (3). The second motor and the third generator are also combined as a single induction motor/generator (2). The respective functions of the various motors and generators during acceleration and deceleration are largely determined by variations in the direction and magnitude of the currents applied to their energizing or field windings.

Abstract: A fluid current motor having at least one vane mounted on a support for being moved by a fluid current. Flappers are pivotally mounted on the vane for orbital movement and are stopped from movement when moving with the fluid current and swing parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid current when moving against the fluid current. A governor system is further provided to regulate the speed of operation of the vane assembly, and to essentially shut off the motor in excessively strong fluid currents, thereby preventing damage to the fluid current motor. Electricity can be generated directly by the movement of the vane through use of a linear induction system.

Abstract: In a Francis type pump turbine, for the purpose of switching the operation of a synchronous dynamoelectric machine from synchronous condenser operation wherein compressed air is admitted into a runner chamber to force down water level therein so as to cause a runner to rotate in air, to a synchronous generator operation, the air is released from the runner chamber and an inlet valve and guide vanes are completely or nearly completely closed. Then the inlet valve and guide vanes are gradually opened until a predetermined degree of opening is reached while maintaining the degree of opening of the guide vanes to be larger than that of the inlet valve. After the predetermined degree of opening, both the inlet valve and the guide vanes are gradually opened. But at this time the degree of opening of the inlet valve is maintained to be larger than that of the guide vanes. To switch from the generator operation to the condenser operation the same characteristic curves are traced in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hydropowered bulkhead assembly is provided for association with damming or analogous structure defining a water passageway through either non-navigable dams, movable-type dams, chambers at locks defined for navigation procedures, canal drops or auxiliary locks and includes a selectively displaceable body to achieve asynchronous electric generation when disposed in an operative position relative the damming structure. Flow controlling means, such as tainter gates, chanoine wicket gates, miter gates, and the like are included and operable to permit overhauling of the assembly or when in an idle status. Alternatively, a plurality of asynchronous generators may be spliced together in any one bulkhead assembly to enhance the generation quality, dependent upon the requirements imposed by extreme, highly variable hydraulic heads.

Abstract: A liquid-to-liquid heat pump is utilized for supplying sufficient heat to generate steam from the condensate of a steam turbine. A liquid coolant is circulated through the condenser of the steam turbine for absorption of heat from the steam as the steam forms condensate. The liquid coolant is then circulated through the heat pump for recovery of the heat absorbed by the coolant during condensation of the steam. Sufficient transferred heat is transferred to the coolant to permit the heat pump to extract sufficient heat from the coolant to regenerate steam from the condensate. The transferred heat is supplied by a plurality of heat sinks buried in the earth to a sufficient depth so as to be in heat exchange relationship with the subterranean water system of the earth.

Abstract: An energy recovery system for a diesel electric locomotive is disclosed. The energy recovery system captures and stores the waste heat generated by the diesel engine of the diesel electric locomotive for use at a remote location at a later time. The energy recovery system also converts the electricity generated by the diesel electric locomotive during dynamic braking into heat, and captures and stores this heat for use at a remote location at a later time.

Abstract: A power plant and process for converting gas expanding and contracting energy sources into useful forms of energy and utilizing gravitational force, wherein a piston containing a magnet and able to free fall within an enclosed cylinder, having a non-magnetically-responsive center portion surrounded by an induction coil is repeatedly impelled upwards thereby inducing an alternating electric current in the coil. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of fuel and air is ignited beneath the piston and compressed air is pumped into a reservoir in response to the piston's upwards motion. The reservoir of compressed air is then used to assist in expelling contaminated gases to increase the pressure of the air and gas mixture, and to serve as an additional source of stored energy.

Abstract: A wind power generating system is provided to generate power for the farm or ranch, state or county service buildings, and light industrial uses. The concept utilizes wind energy efficiently to convert power and can be rendered inoperative to avoid destruction by excessive wind flows.

Abstract: A blade pitch angle control for a wind turbine-generator establishing an optimum power or torque reference signal which, when operating conditions so warrant, is not limited by the nominal torque or power ratings of various turbine generator components. The reference signal is indicative of a maximum blade angle setting for safe operation of the wind turbine. An integral or lag compensation circuit for enhanced transient and steady-state operation may be employed.

Abstract: A marine propulson system is described that includes a gas turbine, an alternating current generator, a fixed pitch propeller, a synchronous motor and a frequency converter. The frequency converted is connected electrically between the generator and motor during starting and reversal procedures when the motor would normally have to operate as an induction motor. Means are provided to brake the system dynamically to speeds within the capacity of the frequency converter. At speeds within the frequency converter's design capacity, the motor can be operated synchronously while it is running at a speed below the minimum operating speed of the turbine and generator.

Abstract: A drive unit for a compressor which is used in a heat pump. The drive unit includes a fuel-injection internal combustion engine which is coupled with the compressor and a starter associated with said engine and is fed from multiphase electric power supply lines. The starter is connected to the electric power supply by means of a switch. The starter is constructed as an electromagnetic drive motor having a stator and a rotor secured to the engine crankshaft and serving at least partly as a flywheel. The coil windings on the stator are fed current from the power source.