Abstract: A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it. The brake mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having two or more pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, two or more springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

Abstract: A harness system for harnessing a user to a suspension device. The harness comprises a strap system having a plurality of straps configured and operable to connect the suspension device to a back region of the harness, each strap having a back end portion at said back region and connectable to the suspension device, and a front end portion located in a front side of the harness. The straps extend from the back region to the front side of the harness and wrap around all sides of a torso of said user. A single connector assembly is used for quick connection of front end portions of at least some of the straps at the front side of the harness in a single interlocking operation, thereby to secure the harness to the user.

Abstract: An anchor assembly configured for receiving therein and gripping a wall is provided. The anchor assembly comprises first and second anchor arms pivotable between a collapsed, storage position and an open, operable position in which the anchor arms define therebetween a clamping area for receiving the wall. Each of the anchor arms has a bent shape which is open in the operable position toward the clamping area. Distal ends of the anchor arms comprise first and second contact arrangements configured for bearing on the wall during use. The first anchor arm comprises a coupling arrangement facilitating coupling thereto an external cable assembly. The anchor assembly is configured such that, when the wall is received within the clamping area and the contact arrangements bear against an opposite face of the wall, a force is applied to the anchor assembly away from the clamping area biasing the contact arrangements toward the wall.

Abstract: A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it. The brake mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having two or more pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, two or more springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

Abstract: A wind turbine, particularly vertical axis, whose diameter is extensible and retractable, either from the length of the arms or the angle of the blades, or both, has advantages in operating in low wind speed regimes and surviving in high wind speed, regimes. The current application describes how to construct such a turbine, particularly the control mechanisms and the optimal aerodynamic configurations of the blades.

Abstract: A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it, are described. The mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation thereof, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

Abstract: A harness system for harnessing a user to a suspension device. The harness comprises a strap system having a plurality of straps configured and operable to connect the suspension device to a back region of the harness, each strap having a back end portion at said back region and connectable to the suspension device, and a front end portion located in a front side of the harness. The straps extend from the back region to the front side of the harness and wrap around all sides of a torso of said user. A single connector assembly is used for quick connection of front end portions of at least some of the straps at the front side of the harness in a single interlocking operation, thereby to secure the harness to the user.

Abstract: A harness system for harnessing a user to a suspension device. The harness comprises a strap system having a plurality of straps configured and operable to connect the suspension device to a back region of the harness, each strap having a back end portion at said back region and connectable to the suspension device, and a front end portion located in a front side of the harness. The straps extend from the back region to the front side of the harness and wrap around all sides of a torso of said user. A single connector assembly is used for quick connection of front end portions of at least some of the straps at the front side of the harness in a single interlocking operation, thereby to secure the harness to the user.

Abstract: A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it, are described. The mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation thereof, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

Abstract: An in-pipe turbine has uses in energy storage and circulation. Specific applications are in storage systems working by elevation, smart grid systems, pressure release, and heating/cooling systems. Storage and release of electrical energy are important parts of an electrical grid. A system for storage using particulates is presented. On a higher level, a water system can interact with an electrical grid in order to use and provide electricity and convey water in a more efficient manner. The connection of a smart water and smart electrical grid, which may include the use of an in-pipe hydroelectric turbine, is presented.

Abstract: An in-pipe turbine has uses in energy storage and circulation. Specific applications are in storage systems working by elevation, smart grid systems, pressure release, and heating/cooling systems.

Abstract: Aspects of the manufacturing of Flow Deflection Devices (FDDs) for wind turbines are presented as a system that requires adjustments in order to improve power output and adjust for changes in different conditions yet provides stability of shape.

Abstract: A harness system for harnessing a user to a suspension device. The harness comprises a strap system having a plurality of straps configured and operable to connect the suspension device to a back region of the harness, each strap having a back end portion at said back region and connectable to the suspension device, and a front end portion located in a front side of the harness. The straps extend from the back region to the front side of the harness and wrap around all sides of a torso of said user. A single connector assembly is used for quick connection of front end portions of at least some of the straps at the front side of the harness in a single interlocking operation, thereby to secure the harness to the user.

Abstract: Two-bladed vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) have many efficiency advantages over turbines with other numbers of blades. Principles for making them in the ideal fashion are presented for both drag and lift configurations.

Abstract: The special circumstances of working with hydroelectric turbines in pipes require innovations in blade shapes and systems that are presented here. An example is streamlining of the blades greater than that found in traditional hydroelectric turbines.

Abstract: A wind turbine, particularly vertical axis, whose diameter is extensible and retractable, either from the length of the arms or the angle of the blades, or both, has advantages in operating in low wind speed regimes and surviving in high wind speed, regimes. The current application describes how to construct such a turbine, particularly the control mechanisms and the optimal aerodynamic configurations of the blades.

Abstract: An in-pipe turbine has uses in energy storage and circulation. Specific applications are in storage systems working by elevation, smart grid systems, pressure release, and heating/cooling systems.

Abstract: Two-bladed vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) have many efficiency advantages over turbines with other numbers of blades. Principles for making them in the ideal fashion are presented for both drag and lift configurations.

Abstract: Hydroelectric turbines in confined spaces depend heavily on nozzles and relationships involving nozzles and related turbine components in order to obtain maximal efficiencies for a wide range of flow conditions.