Abstract: The invention provides a flywheel system comprising a flywheel mounted for rotation within a chamber, a vacuum pump system and a valve for selectively closing a passage, wherein the chamber is coupled to an inlet of the vacuum pump system via the passage. The invention also provides a method of controlling the starting and stopping of the flywheel system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flywheel apparatus for energy storage and recovery including a housing within which there is a chamber in which a flywheel on a shaft rotates. The chamber is evacuated to at or near vacuum pressure, so that air resistance-related energy losses of the flywheel as it rotates are reduced. Maintaining near-vacuum pressure within the chamber requires an effective seal between the housing and the shaft. The effective seal must be maintained despite any relative movement (in particular translational movement) of the flywheel and the housing. To this end, the shaft is mounted via a bearing arrangement on a carrier on which is also mounted a sealing arrangement. The carrier is mounted on the housing such that the carrier, the bearing arrangement and the sealing arrangement move substantially together relative to the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably tuning an acoustic percussion instrument with a single adjustment. The system includes a cord attached to a tensioning device, the cord being arranged in connection with a plurality of brackets and tensioning elements. By increasing the tension on the cord, the tensioning elements are pulled in a downward direction with respect to the drum head, thereby increasing the tension thereon. The tuning system disclosed herein provides a substantially equal distribution of tensioning force through the arrangement of the cord and other elements of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably tuning an acoustic percussion instrument with a single adjustment. The system comprises a cord attached to a tensioning device, the cord being arranged in connection with a plurality of brackets and tensioning elements. By increasing the tension on the cord, the tensioning elements are pulled in a downward direction with respect to the drum head, thereby increasing the tension thereon. The tuning system disclosed herein provides a substantially equal distribution of tensioning force through the arrangement of the cord and other elements of the system.

Abstract: A ball tossing game consists of a tossing device that is thrown at a target device. The tossing device may consist of a string or other flexible connector, having a ball on each end thereof. The target has at least one and preferably multiple horizontally-oriented rungs, onto which the tossing device may be wrapped. Additional targets are provided, including a target defined by a vertically oriented post positioned proximate an end of a horizontal rung and perpendicular thereto. In another embodiment, a reduced-length horizontal rung is coupled to at least one of the rungs, and is oriented either above or below the rung. It may be desired to provide, for a single rung, vertically oriented posts and at least one reduced-length horizontal rung.

Abstract: A ball tossing game consists of a tossing device that is thrown at a target device. The tossing device may consist of a string or other flexible connector, having a ball on each end thereof. The target has at least one and preferably multiple horizontally-oriented rungs, onto which the tossing device may be wrapped. Additional targets are provided, including a target defined by a vertically oriented post positioned proximate an end of a horizontal rung and perpendicular thereto. In another embodiment, a reduced-length horizontal rung is coupled to at least one of the rungs, and is oriented either above or below the rung. It may be desired to provide, for a single rung, vertically oriented posts and at least one reduced-length horizontal rung.

Abstract: The sail toy land vehicle includes a generally rod-like elongated frame or central body, having a raised forward portion, an elongated rigid rear wheel axle structure includes a pair of rear outrigger wheels to help support the vehicle rollably along the ground. An aerodynamic upright sail structure has a sail positioned such that its center of gravity is disposed approximately over the rear axle structure of the vehicle, and positioned in a rearwardly inclined manner.