Abstract: A high power source of electrical energy, such as a homopolar generator, is connected to a longitudinally extending coaxial structure which forms a gun barrel. Within the gun barrel toward the end to which the power supply is connected is mounted a coaxial projectile, or several projectiles, in engagement with one or more movable conductive elements, that extend between the two longitudinally extending conductors. The homopolar generator is switched to apply on the order of a megajoule of energy to the coaxial structure, and after being delayed for a short interval until the current has built up to a significant level, the conductive element is accelerated with the projectile as a result of the magnetic pressure building up within the coaxial structure. Velocities on the order of 2 kilometers per second with kilogram mass projectiles may be achieved with a gun barrel approximately one meter in length.

Abstract: A passive "core catcher" is provided for preventing the escape of radiation in the unlikely event of a major failure of a nuclear reactor by melt-down of the core. The "core-catcher" structure includes a narrow vertically downwardly extending isolation tube, and aligned narrow heat-exchange structure forming a chilled wall crucible in which the molten uranium oxide forms a container for itself including a "frozen" or solid layer of uranium oxide adjacent the heat exchanger wall. A passive cooling system may include a water tower adjacent the above-ground reactor structure, which dissipates heat from the core-catcher heat exchanger, and from within the above-ground reactor structure by a second local heat exchanger.

Abstract: An engine system operates on liquid air and LNG, with the LNG being burned to obtain more energy from an expansion engine using the liquid air as the working fluid; and the liquid air is employed to trap or prevent the undesired venting of LNG fumes, which could otherwise burn or explode.

Abstract: An automobile engine runs on liquid air plus a small amount of solid or liquid fossil fuel. The liquid is an efficient method of storing the energy of liquefaction. To get extended range and use of energy effectively some fuel is used to increase the temperature of this gas before it is introduced into the expansion engine. Two methods of using this fuel may be employed--one burns fuel internally in the expansion engine cylinders essentially at constant volume so a liquid form of the fossil fuel must be used; while the second method heats the gaseous working medium at constant pressure external from the expansion engine in a furnace so it can burn a wide range of either liquid or solid fossil fuels.With either system of operation the air/nitrogen as liquid is pumped at the rate of use from the insulated cold storage container up to high intial operation pressure (about 200 atmospheres) then passes through heat exchangers to bring it up to the intial temperature for expansion.

Abstract: A sunlight collector, containing a Fresnel lens, is mounted on the roof of a building and tracks the sun during daylight hours. A concentrated beam of sunlight is directed through a light transmission channel to locations within the building where the light is distributed. The transmission channel utilizes a focusing lens for further concentrating the solar beam, refocusing lenses for correcting divergences in the beam, reflectors for redirecting the beam, and beam splitters for distributing the beam into light fixtures located throughout the interior of the building. The light fixtures contain filters for controlling the intensity and spectral content of the incoming beam, and optical elements for dispersing the beam. Additionally, the fixture contains rigidly mounted fluorescent tubes, providing artificial light, which are automatically energized when the solar light is insufficient for lighting purposes.

Abstract: An automobile engine runs on liquid air and gasoline. The liquid air is initially pumped up to a high pressure such as 200 atmospheres (or 200 bars) and is then warmed toward the ambient temperature in a heat exchange and changes to the gaseous state. Subsequently, it is permitted to expand, doing useful work on a piston or other known type of expansion engine. The gas is then passed through an additional heat exchanger where heat is absorbed from the ambient, and is combined with a small amount of fuel such as gasoline. The gasoline is ignited, under constant volume conditions thereby bringing the pressure back up to approximately 200 bars and at a temperature in the order of 1200 degrees. The gas is then allowed to expand in a cylinder containing an additional piston, and as a final cycle, additional fuel is added and ignited, and the resultant gases expand to drive an additional piston and provide further power to the engine.

Abstract: A gasoline internal combustion engine is operated at all times with a full charge of air and is thus unthrottled. At low power levels for such an engine, the ratio of gasoline to air is too lean for normal combustion; therefore, special arrangements are provided by this invention for ensuring combustion.