Abstract: In a timekeeping arrangement, including seconds, minutes and hours counters and associated display decoding circuitry, during temporary power line dropouts, the supply voltage for the hours and minutes counters is maintained by an associated voltage storage capacitor so that their contents are retained, and, upon the return of line power, the seconds counter is set to a number corresponding to 30 seconds. In this manner, over a number of random temporary power dropouts, the accuracy of the timekeeping arrangement is maintained without the need of readjustment or the use of auxiliary systems powered by standby power sources.

Abstract: A power supply of installations, especially of motor vehicles, driven by internal combustion engines which consists of a generator, a storage battery and loads as well as corresponding switching means; at least one thermionic converter acted upon by the hot exhaust gases serves as generator while at least one electric motor feeding mechanically into the drive connection of the installation is provided as load; the thermionic converter or converters as well as preferably also the storage capacity of the battery are designed as regards their power output for approximately the utilizable thermal energy of the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An improved, multi-function, stationary-contact-and-voltage-shield structure is provided for a high-voltage gas-puffer-type circuit-interrupter, in which the surrounding metallic shield provides a smooth, low-gradient voltage shape, collecting and cooling the dispersed hot arced gases, generated during the interrupting operation at the arc, by the provision of selectively-located venting cooling port holes provided in the metallic shield structure and also in the stationary contact structure.The arrangement of the enveloped stationary contact and surrounding main stationary contact fingers, together with the outer, encompassing vented metallic shield arrangement is such as to provide an improved highly-efficient single-pressure puffer-type high-voltage circuit-interrupter.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion system includes a centrally positioned tower supporting a solar receiver, and an array of pivotally mounted reflectors disposed circumferentially therearound which reflect earth incident solar radiation onto the receiver which thermally excites and photo-ionizes a working fluid to form a plasma. The plasma is accelerated and further heated through a ceramic turbo-compressor into a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator to produce direct current. The working fluid is then passed through a heat exchanger channel where the waste heat is removed by another working fluid which drives a vapor turbine connected to the ceramic turbo-compressor and an AC generator. Seed may then be removed and the working fluid is recycled in the closed cycle MHD system. The electrical power is distributed, part of it being used to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen which are stored and allowed to exothermally recombine to drive the system during low solar radiation intervals.

Abstract: In this monophonic pedal or truncated decay system, depression of a new pedal key immediately truncates tone production of a previously played, decaying note. If two notes are played simultaneously, both will sound until one is released, whereupon that tone will be truncated immediately without decay.The inventive system operates with a time-shared electronic musical instrument wherein selected keys are assigned to respective time slots in a repetitive timing interval. During each such interval, a first flip-flop is set by occurrence of the first assigned pedal key. A second flip-flop cooperates with the first flip-flop, and is set during each time interval by occurrence of a second assigned pedal key. A third flip-flop is set at the end of each timing interval to copy the contents of the second flip-flop. The third flip-flop thus provides, during the subsequent timing interval, a signal indicating that two or more pedal keys are being played.

Abstract: A door interlock includes first and second, normally intercoupled plates mounted to a circuit breaker for sliding movement between respective first and second positions. The first plate includes an aperture through which a circuit breaker trip pushbutton normally extends, thereby sustaining the plates in their first positions where the second plate serves as a catch for the door of the breaker enclosure. Upon depression of the trip pushbutton, the breaker is tripped and the plates may be conjunctively slid to their second positions where the first plate sustains the depressed condition of the pushbutton to ensure that the breaker is open, while the second plate clears the enclosure door such that it can be opened. If desired, the intercoupling between the plates may be defeated, such that the second plate can be slid to its second position independently of the first plate, and the door may be opened while the circuit breaker is closed.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a hydroelectric machine including a tube-type hydraulic machine having a bladed wheel which carries adjustable blades, rotates about a horizontal axis and is connected with a shaft which extends into a guide blade lattice hub, and an electrical machine which surrounds the bladed wheel and has a rotor secured to an annular rim in which the external ends of the adjustable wheel blades are pivotably mounted. The rotating set is provided with three radial bearing arrangements, one being associated with the rotating unit formed by the rotor and the rim, providing sole radial support for that unit, and consisting exclusively of hydrostatic devices which support without physical contact. The other bearing arrangements are associated with the shaft at its free and bladed wheel ends, respectively.