Abstract: A system for cleaning solar panels (photo-electric and/or water heating etc.) is driven by fluid driven motor (water and/or air driven motor) such as a piston motor or a vane motor. Some or all of the outlet water/air from the motor is used for cleaning the panels. The motor preferably also operates a cleaning mechanism, such as a rotating and or linear brush arrangement. The motor, gear system and/or components may be made from plastic. Optionally, a cleaning device travels along the edges of panels, optionally without requiring an additional rail structure. The cleaning device optionally includes a trailing water/air supply hose. In some embodiments, electrical components of the cleaning device are powered by an internal power supply. Control is optionally via an electrically actuated valve, a timer (for example a real time clock), a wireless receiver and/or a controller.

Abstract: A system for cleaning solar panels (photo-electric and/or water heating etc.) is driven by fluid driven motor (water and/or air driven motor) such as a piston motor or a vane motor. Some or all of the outlet water/air from the motor is used for cleaning the panels. The motor preferably also operates a cleaning mechanism, such as a rotating and or linear brush arrangement. The motor, gear system and/or components may be made from plastic. Optionally, a cleaning device travels along the edges of panels, optionally without requiring an additional rail structure. The cleaning device optionally includes a trailing water/air supply hose. In some embodiments, electrical components of the cleaning device are powered by an internal power supply. Control is optionally via an electrically actuated valve, a timer (for example a real time clock), a wireless receiver and/or a controller.

Abstract: A pool cover winding system has first and second end supports rotatably supporting a shaft for receiving a pool cover wound around it. A bidirectional piston motor operates under control of a valve arrangement connecting a source of water pressure to a first inlet to generate rotation in a first direction for winding a pool cover around the shaft, and to a second inlet to generate rotation in a second direction for unwinding a pool cover from the shaft.

Abstract: A motor-driven chair has a central drive wheel located beneath the seat and linked so as to be aligned with the facing direction of the seat. A user turns the direction of motion by rotating the seat relative to a surrounding stabilizer assembly so as to turn the seat and the drive wheel towards a direction in which he wishes to move. A suspension arrangement maintains a desired distribution of user load between the drive wheel and the stabilizer assembly. A combination of fixed-axis wheels with castered wheels provides angular anchoring of the stabilizer assembly to facilitate the seat steering process. The entire structure is preferably foldable for easy transportation and storage.

Abstract: A motor (10) to be driven by a pressurized fluid includes a manifold (16) with an arcuate surface (20) defining a valve opening (22) surrounded by a sealing surface. A cylinder (26) has an aperture (30) cooperating with the arcuate surface (20). The cylinder (26) is pivotally mounted so as to be pivotable between a neutral state in which the aperture faces the sealing surface, an inlet state in which the aperture (30) is in fluid connection with the valve opening (22), and an exhaust in which the aperture (30) is in fluid connection with a drainage volume. A piston (34), deployed in the cylinder (26), is driven to extend by pressure within the cylinder. The piston is linked to a crank (36) so that rotation of a crankshaft (38) causes a cyclic motion of the piston (34) and cylinder (26) from the inlet state for an extension power stroke of the piston (34), through the neutral state and to the exhaust state for a return motion of the piston (34).

Abstract: A motor-driven chair has a central drive wheel located beneath the seat and linked so as to be aligned with the facing direction of the seat. A user turns the direction of motion by rotating the seat relative to a surrounding stabilizer assembly so as to turn the seat and the drive wheel towards a direction in which he wishes to move. A suspension arrangement maintains a desired distribution of user load between the drive wheel and the stabilizer assembly. A combination of fixed-axis wheels with castered wheels provides angular anchoring of the stabilizer assembly to facilitate the seat steering process. The entire structure is preferably foldable for easy transportation and storage.

Abstract: A device for aerating or mixing a body of water has a mechanical displacer driven by connection to a hydraulic motor such that a flow of liquid supplied to the inlet moves the mechanical displacer so as to displace water of the body of water. The device may be supported by floats or mounted on a fixed structure. The device is preferably actuated b a flow of water delivered via tubing from a pump located remotely from the body of water, thereby avoiding, the wet-environment shock hazard of electrically driven aerators and mixers.

Abstract: A fluid-driven motor has a manifold with an arcuate seal including first and second valve openings and a sealing surface. A cylinder pivotally mounted on the manifold has a facing surface cooperating with the arcuate seal. The arcuate seal and the facing surface define a position-responsive valve configuration such that, when the cylinder assumes a neutral position, an aperture of the facing surface faces the sealing surface, and when the cylinder is angularly displaced in either direction, the aperture overlaps one or other of the valve openings, thereby connecting to the correspond fluid flow channel in the manifold. A pressure compensation volume underlies the sealing surface and receives fluid pressure from the fluid flow channels through valves, or from the internal volume of the cylinder, so that a pressure within the pressure compensation volume approaches a value no less than a current pressure within the internal volume.

Abstract: A device for evenly winding a hose on a reel is provided, comprising, (1) a static shaft; (2) a pulley, adapted to move along the shaft, in an oscillatory motion in ±x directions, and further adapted to receive the hose, be made to rotate by the hose, and convert a motion of the hose, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the x-axis, to a rotation of the pulley, and as a result of the rotation, to the oscillatory motion in the ±x directions; and (3) a pulley housing, configured for containing the hose within and further configured for moving along the shaft with the pulley, thus ensuring that the hose travels with the pulley, in the oscillatory motion along the shaft. Additionally, the system may include a mechanism, configured for engaging the hose with the shaft, without impeding the even winding motion.

Abstract: A system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject includes an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips supported by a support structure so that at least a part of applicator is deployed so as to engage a recess between the lips of subject without obstructing contact between the subject's upper and lower lips. The proximity of the applicator to the lips allows the use of simple contact-based implementations of the applicator. At the same time, disruption of speech and other normal oral movement is minimized by avoiding any obstruction to contact between the lips.

Abstract: A pool cover winding system has first and second end supports rotatably supporting a shaft for receiving a pool cover wound around it. A bidirectional piston motor operates under control of a valve arrangement connecting a source of water pressure to a first inlet to generate rotation in a first direction for winding a pool cover around the shaft, and to a second inlet to generate rotation in a second direction for unwinding a pool cover from the shaft.

Abstract: A fluid-driven motor has a manifold with an arcuate seal including first and second valve openings and a sealing surface. A cylinder pivotally mounted on the manifold has a facing surface cooperating with the arcuate seal. The arcuate seal and the facing surface define a position-responsive valve configuration such that, when the cylinder assumes a neutral position, an aperture of the facing surface faces the sealing surface, and when the cylinder is angularly displaced in either direction, the aperture overlaps one or other of the valve openings, thereby connecting to the correspond fluid flow channel in the manifold. A pressure compensation volume underlies the sealing surface and receives fluid pressure from the fluid flow channels through valves, or from the internal volume of the cylinder, so that a pressure within the pressure compensation volume approaches a value no less than a current pressure within the internal volume.

Abstract: Provided is a two-stage valve including a housing fitted with an inlet port extending to an inlet chamber and configured for coupling to an upstream liquid supply line, and an outlet port extending from an outlet chamber and configured for coupling to a downstream supply line; a high flow-rate path extending between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber fitted with a hydraulic element configured for selectively admitting liquid flow therebetween at a demand position defined by substantially high flow; and a pressure regulating unit configured for controlling a pressure regulating flow path providing direct or indirect flow communication between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber for allowing liquid flow therebetween at a leak position defined by substantially low flow rates.

Abstract: A system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject includes an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips supported by a support structure so that at least a part of applicator is deployed so as to engage a recess between the lips of subject without obstructing contact between the subject's upper and lower lips. The proximity of the applicator to the lips allows the use of simple contact-based implementations of the applicator. At the same time, disruption of speech and other normal oral movement is minimized by avoiding any obstruction to contact between the lips.

Abstract: The hydroelectric generator of the present invention provides a pre-sealed, watertight device in which the rotor that includes the induction magnets is deployed within the main flow passage of the pipeline and thereby sealed within the pipeline, and he induction coil assembly is deployed outside of the pipeline such that the fluid is sealed within the pipeline away from the induction coils.

Abstract: A static-fluid-pressure-driven rotary motor includes a casing, which defines a chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and at least one rotor assembly rotatably mounted within the casing. The rotor assembly includes a rotor, a plurality of barrier elements associated with, and extending outwards from, the rotor, and a resilient seal associated with at least an outer edge of each of the barrier elements. As the rotor turns about its axis of rotation, the outer edges of the barrier elements passing in proximity to a facing wall of the casing chamber against which the resilient seals for a sliding seal while accommodating variations in clearance between the outer edge of the barrier element and the facing wall of the casing.

Abstract: The self-powered non-contact water outlet appliance of the present invention is configured so as to be deployed at a point of use as a unitary housing that encases a power supply unit and a flow control system. The power supply unit includes a pipeline-deployed electric generator deployed in a fluid flow passage configured in the outlet appliance and a power storage device that is charged by the electric generator. The generator is operatively responsive to a flow of fluid through the fluid flow passage. The flow control system includes an electronically actuated fluid flow control valve configured to control a flow of fluid through the outlet appliance, at least one sensor configured to sense a necessity to actuate the flow control valve, and a management system configured to manage operation of the flow control valve conditional to output received from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The hydroelectric generator of the present invention provides a pre-sealed, watertight device in which the rotor that includes the induction magnets is deployed within the main flow passage of the pipeline and thereby sealed within the pipeline, and he induction coil assembly is deployed outside of the pipeline such that the fluid is sealed within the pipeline away from the induction coils

Abstract: A device for evenly winding a hose on a reel is provided, comprising, (1) a static shaft; (2) a pulley, adapted to move along the shaft, in an oscillatory motion in ±x directions, and further adapted to receive the hose, be made to rotate by the hose, and convert a motion of the hose, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the x-axis, to a rotation of the pulley, and as a result of the rotation, to the oscillatory motion in the ±x directions; and (3) a pulley housing, configured for containing the hose within and further configured for moving along the shaft with the pulley, thus ensuring that the hose travels with the pulley, in the oscillatory motion along the shaft. Additionally, the system may include a mechanism, configured for engaging the hose with the shaft, without impeding the even winding motion.