Abstract: Nuclear devices are detonated periodically inside an underground cavity in which a working fluid absorbs most of the thermal energy released by the device detonation. The kinetic energy contained in the shock wave created within the working fluid is absorbed by shock absorbers located outside the inner wall of the cavity. This wall consists of adjacent plate segments that separate and recoil outwardly as do pieces of shells of fragmentation grenades. The shock wave kinetic energy is transferred to the segments that are constrained in their outwardly-directed flight by shock absorbers. The shock-absorbing system is solidly attached to the rock structure surrounding the cavity. The loading transmitted to the rock is of a much lower intensity than that which the plate segments sense, though of a much longer duration. The momentum trapped in the shock wave is thus absorbed by the rocks but in a manner such that the rock structure is not affected.

Abstract: Method of forming various versions of an apparatus for displaying diverse types of artistic creations in which the shapes and the colors of the art piece change continuously. The changes have both a temporal and a spatial nature, and may occur according to a set programmed schedule or at random. The art objects so formed may have a flat surface, curved surfaces and/or combinations of flat and curved surfaces. The color range extends over the whole spectrum of white light components. The art object does not emit light but reflects incident light. Under set conditions, the incident white light is either not reflected at all or a spatial combination of quasi monochromatic light rays is reflected. In some specially constructed configurations, the wave length of the reflected light is not affected by the observer's viewing angle. In other specially constructed configurations, the viewing position of the observer affects the wave length of the reflected light rays and the color which such observer perceives.

Abstract: A power-transmitting and torque-converting mechanical drive system provides an infinitely variable (IV) ratio of angular speed adjustments between a first shaft and a second shaft. Power is transmitted by means of a plurality of independent chains of balls pushing one another forward. These balls interact with a first body of revolution mounted on the first shaft and a second body of revolution mounted on the second shaft by means of cooperating groups of balls simultaneously constrained between sets of cooperating straight grooves and corresponding helically-laid grooves located on facing surfaces of the bodies. One group of balls is located between the first body and a plurality of segment structures, whereas the other group of balls is located between the second body and the segment structures equipped with short straight grooves.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating reinforcing spikes for insertion in a preferential direction into a structure reinforced in three directions substantially orthogonal. The structure is substantially a body of revolution and the reinforcements are provided by filaments made of high-strength high-elasticity-modulus materials. Strands made with such continuous filaments are wound helically in two generally perpendicular directions along a surface substantially parallel to both the external and internal body surfaces of revolution. The distance between these two surfaces is variable and defines the body thickness which may reach an appreciable percentage of the body diameter at certain stations. The spikes are made of parallel fiber segments bonded by a resin matrix so as to be stiff, and have two pointed ends.

Abstract: A proximity sensing and indicating system for use in automobiles for instance to provide a warning signal to both the car driver and possibly other drivers that the car so equipped is approaching an obstacle at an unsafe speed and/or is getting too close thereto. The system operation is autonomous and is not monitored by the driver once the system is turned on, it responds only to the presence of an obstacle located ahead of the vehicle. The system detects the differential velocity between the car and the obstacle and determines the distance separating the car from the obstacle which may be fixed or moving in a general direction substantially oriented in the same direction as that followed by the system-equipped vehicle. A signal is generated whenever the combination of differential velocity and separation distance reaches an unsafe level.

Abstract: An external combustion engine including a rotary motor equipped with non-sliding vanes but conformable to the shapes of the envelopes within which they are contained and forced to operate and a combustion member comprising a sleeve in which a piston is free to reciprocate. The two end closures of the sleeve and the piston ends cooperate to form combustion chambers at both ends of the piston strokes. The motor compresses air for admission in the combustion chambers where fuel is burned and is also used for expanding the combusted gas resulting from the fuel combustion. The gas expansion produces more energy than is required to compress the air. The energy difference constitutes the energy yielded by the engine in the form of shaft power. The air admission the combusted gas exhaust from the combustion member, the fuel injection and ignition are all timely controlled by the piston motion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating thin mattresses and the article manufactured thereby in which small hollow spheres are used for both connecting and separating two parallel layers of a structural material that constitute the mattress surfaces. The spherical shells are generally flexible and are filled with a fluid selected for the article application. The article outer skins or layers are also generally flexible and may be stretchable. The spherical shells make two point-contacts, one with each skin, and become bonded to the skins during the fabrication process. The skins may be air-tight or permeable and even provide built-in passages either through the mattress thickness or from the mattress internal volume to either one of the mattress two sides. The shells are impermeable and may or may not contact one another. In any event, they are not bonded to each other. Depending on the nature of the skin materials, the mattress may be highly flexible, but in all cases is compressible if the shells are also flexible.

Abstract: AN external-combustion gas turbine in which the fuel combustion takes place in a free-piston combustor. The gas turbine is the motor component of this type of engine and provides external power by means of its shaft. The gas turbine comprises an air compressor and a combusted gas expander both mounted on that same shaft. The compressed air output is directed to a storage-tank and heat-exchanger combination. The air is then admitted in the valve-less free-piston combustor and further compressed. Fuel is burned therein which further raises the pressure of the combusted gas resulting therefrom. The combusted gas is then directed to the storage tank where it exchanges some of its heat content with the compressed air. The combusted gas is then ducted into the turbine inlet and expands therein, providing energy to drive the compressor and yield shaft power.

Abstract: An external combustion rotary engine comprising a motor member, a free-piston combustion member and a storage tank serving also as a heat exchanger and located between the motor and the combustor. The motor rotors rotate inside an enveloping structure eccentrically with respect to a power shaft to form alternatively compression and expansion chambers. Compressed air produced thereby is ducted first to the storage tank and then to the combustor for burning fuel to produce combusted gases which are in turn ducted to the storage tank where heat is exchanged between the hot gases and the cooler compressed air. The combusted gas is then expanded in the expansion chambers. A fraction of the compressed air is further compressed to a higher pressure level so that it may be used in air pad cushions to isolate the various engine rotating parts from the fixed structures surrounding them. The use of such air cushions prevents contacts between moving parts and eliminates friction, heat production therefrom and wear.

Abstract: A power-transmitting system provides conservation of (speed) X(torque) product between an input shaft and an output shaft. It represents the equivalent of the power being transmitted through the system. This power is transformed into the form of incompressible fluid flow at high pressure by a volumetric pump coupled to the input shaft. This fluid flow is forced at that pressure into a volumetric motor. The fluid then pushes on pistons which are constrained by a fixed enclined track. The pistons are laterally guided in a rotor and radially arranged therein. The enclined track forms a closed curved surface which surrounds these pistons and the resultant of the reactions of the track surface on the pistons results in a torque being exerted on the rotor. The structure supporting the track surface is slidable in a manner such that the piston strokes are adjustable between zero and a set maximum.

Abstract: A ball positioned between three circular cross-section bars acting as support. The bars are substantially parallel and oriented generally vertically. One end of each bar is partly restrained but permits full rotation of the bar about its longitudinal axis, but only limited motion laterally. The other bar end is partly restrained by a structure and is controlled by an operator's hand for providing limited bar movement. Two of the bars have handles and the third bar position can be set and remains fixed during a game. The bar cross-section diameters vary lengthwise between bar ends. The ball is urged by means of one specially shaped first bar to move upward against a recall force. A second bar with handle is controlled by another hand. The combination of the variations of the bar diameters and shapes lengthwise with the recall force acting on the ball creates difficulties for the ball to move axially, though urged to do so.

Abstract: A power-transmitting and torque-converting positive drive system provides an infinitely variable (IV) ratio of angular speed adjustments between a power input shaft and a power output shaft. The power is transmitted by means of a continuous chain of balls pushing one another forward. These balls interact with the input shaft and the output shaft by means of the cooperation of two groups of balls simultaneously constrained between sets of associated short straight grooves and corresponding helical grooves. One group of balls is located between the input shaft and a sleeve, whereas the other group of balls is located between the output shaft and that sleeve. The balls are guided and restrained in a plurality of open-loop channels that enable each ball to progressively shift from one group to another, each ball acting as the individual tooth of a gear.

Abstract: The basic characteristics of an airplane and of a helicopter are combined into one flying craft: a HELIPLANE. This aircraft can fly forward like an airplane and hover like a helicopter. In the hovering mode, the craft lifting force is generated by gyrating blades and the craft control forces and moments are provided by a tail end propeller. In the forward flying mode, the craft lifting forces are generated by two wings and the gyrating blades. The propeller alone provides the forward propulsive thrust. The operations of the gyrating blades, of the craft control surfaces and of the power plant are all integrated, monitored and controlled to coordinate such operations during hovering, forward flight and any transition phase between hovering and forward flight. The gyrating blades never generate any forward propulsive thrust. The cyclic pitch motion of the gyrating blades needed to accommodate the craft forward flight velocity is induced by this forward velocity.

Abstract: An external combustion engine including a rotary motor equipped with non-sliding vanes but conformable to the shapes of the envelopes within which they are contained and forced to operate and a combustion member comprising a sleeve in which a piston is free to reciprocate. The two end closures of the sleeve and the piston ends cooperate to form combustion chambers at both ends of the piston strokes. The motor compresses air for admission in the combustion chambers where fuel is burned and is also used for expanding the combusted gas resulting from the fuel combustion. The gas expansion produces more energy than is required to compress the air. The energy difference constitutes the energy yielded by the engine in the form of shaft power. The air admission, the combusted gas exhaust from the combustion member, the fuel injection and ignition are all timely controlled by the piston motion.

Abstract: A control and actuating system for adjusting the cyclic pitch of the blades of a helicopter automatically and independently in response to the blade gyrating angular position and to the helicopter forward velocity. This action is also independent of the control and adjustment of the collective pitch. The actuation of the blade pitch is performed by means of cams and followers. A hydraulic force-amplifying system is used between the follower/cam assemblies and the blade pitch actuator so as to isolate the follower/cam assemblies from the load carrying components of the system. The displacement signals generated by two cams are combined into a single linear displacement signal which causes a corresponding rotational movement of the blade. The axial position of one cam is determined by the pilot's action and the axial position of the other cam is defined by the helicopter forward speed.

Abstract: A rotary fluidized bed combustion system in which air and particulate solid fuel are introduced and mixed. The mixture is caused to rotate to generate an artificially induced gravitational field. Some of the air is introduced so as to flow inwardly at a later time in a manner such that it interacts aerodynamically with the fuel particles which are propelled outwardly by the centrifugal forces caused by the artificial gravitational field, thus generating a fluidized bed effect for the particles. The fuel and air chemically react and combustion results. As the fuel particles burn, their sizes decrease and they are slowly pushed inwardly by the gas flow which is forced to follow an elongated path around generally conical surfaces of decreasing radii, toward the exhaust vent. The residence time of the fuel particles, inside the combustion region, is thereby increased. The combustion effectiveness of the fuel is thus considerably improved and no recycling of the unburned fuel particles is then required.

Abstract: A slidable vane motor is used in conjunction with an externally located combustion member in which fuel is burned and compresses air for delivery to the combustion member and expands the combusted gas resulting from the fuel combustion in the compressed air. The vane motor and combustion member thus cooperate to form an external combustion engine. The energy extracted from the expansion of the gas is greater than the energy required to compress the air. The energy difference is delivered by a drive shaft external to the engine. The motor vanes slide quasi radially in guiding slots as the motor rotates to cause volumes of air trapped between contiguous vanes to decrease and trapped volumes of gas to increase concurrently. The vanes are thus subjected to pressure differentials which are applied quasi normally onto the vane sliding surfaces. The resulting torque is reacted by the action of high pressure air cushions located between the cooperating surfaces of the vanes and their slots.

Abstract: Structures are constructed and arranged on a camp site to provide shelter to evacuees seeking survival, as a GROUP, in case of a nuclear attack on or near their city. The construction, disposition, arrangement and shapes of the structures are such that people inside these structures are not affected by the blast of the nuclear explosion, for peak overpressure levels well above those which conventional structures cannot survive. The structures and the camp site are equipped to provide the elimination of fallout dust in a short time so as to bring the total exposure of the evacuees to radioactivity levels low enough to be safe, until the radioactivity within miles has decayed down to levels acceptable for long time exposure. The sheltering structures are interlinked to provide a quasi normal indoor way of life during the period of necessary confinement of the evacuees, so that no evacuee feels the urge to leave the protection provided within the compound against the surrounding grounds radioactivity.

Abstract: A double-bar riding wheel positioned between two circular cross-section bars acting as support. One end of each bar is partly restrained but permits a limited amount of rotational movement of the bar. The other end of each bar is held by an operator's hand by means of a handle, thus providing the wheel actuating motion by lifting the handles. The bar cross-sections generally increase from one end to the other. The riding wheel is equipped with two shafts, one attached to each one of the two sides of the wheel. The combination of the variations of the bar shapes lengthwise and of the shaft shapes lengthwise makes it difficult for the wheel to remain astride of the two bars while being urged to ride forward by the operator. The shapes of both shafts and bars are such that the degree of difficulty increases from one end of the bars to the other. The object of the operation, is to make the wheel ride the full length of the bars, or at least to proceed as far as possible from the starting point.

Abstract: An external combustion engine including a rotary motor providing the means for compressing air and expanding combusted gases, and an externally located combustion member in which fuel is burned. The combustion member comprises a sleeve and a free piston reciprocating therein, thereby forming combustion chambers between its two ends and the end closures of the sleeve, as it reaches the end of its stroke. The back and forth motion of the piston is independent of the rotation of the motor as these two components are not mechanically connected, having only ducting connections therebetween. The combustion member air admission, combusted gas exhaust, the fuel injection and the ignition are all timely controlled and activated as a result of the free piston motion and location in the sleeve. The fuel/air ratio is continuously monitored so as to prevent high combustion temperatures.