Abstract: An orbital track wind turbine for generation of electrical energy from wind power is provided. The wind turbine includes a plurality of spaced vertical supports to which at least two parallel spaced circular tracks are fixedly secured. These circular tracks are coaxial with one another and are positioned in parallel horizontal planes. A plurality of trucks extend between the circular tracks, the trucks having at least two grooved rollers which partially surround the circular tracks and operate in rolling engagement therewith. A circular power takeoff ring is coaxial with said circular tracks, and the power takeoff ring is attached to the truck which is rotatable in a horizontal plane about its central axis. A plurality of vertical airfoils extends around the circular power takeoff ring, with each of the airfoils being attached to a truck and the power takeoff ring.

Abstract: An orbital track wind turbine for generation of electrical energy from wind power is provided. The wind turbine includes a plurality of spaced vertical supports to which at least two parallel spaced circular tracks are fixedly secured. These circular tracks are coaxial with one another and are positioned in parallel horizontal planes. A plurality of trucks extend between the circular tracks, the trucks having at least two grooved rollers which partially surround the circular tracks and operate in rolling engagement therewith. A circular power takeoff ring is coaxial with said circular tracks, and the power takeoff ring is attached to the truck which is rotatable in a horizontal plane about its central axis. A plurality of vertical airfoils extends around the circular power takeoff ring, with each of the airfoils being attached to a truck and the power takeoff ring.

Abstract: A plasma heated arcjet wind tunnel is provided with tunnel segments in the arc-constrictor. The tunnel segments are fabricated of two concentric discs, an outer disc and an inner disc, with a groove formed in an outer edge of the inner disc. The two concentric discs which fit snugly into one another and are joined at their welded interface by a straight and angled butt joint formed between an inner edge of the outer disc and an outer edge of the inner disc. The straight and angled butt joints can be welded by electron beam welding, laser welding, or friction stir welding.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor includes a storage tank which stores an oxidizer under relatively low pressure, a turbopump preferably directly coupled to an outlet of the storage tank which pressurizes the oxidizer to a relatively high pressure, a combustion chamber including a solid fuel, and an injector between the turbopump and combustion chamber through which the oxidizer is injected into the combustion chamber. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the turbopump is operated by an expander cycle of a heat exchanger. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger is oxidizer tapped from the storage tank. A barrier is maintained between an oxidizer feed line from the turbopump and the injector until sufficient pressure is created by the turbopump to pump the oxidizer at the requisite pressure into the injector.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor includes a storage tank which stores an oxidizer under relatively low pressure, a turbopump preferably directly coupled to an outlet of the storage tank which pressurizes the oxidizer to a relatively high pressure, a combustion chamber including a solid fuel, and an injector between the turbopump and combustion chamber through which the oxidizer is injected into the combustion chamber. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the turbopump is operated by an expander cycle of a heat exchanger. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger is oxidizer tapped from the storage tank. A barrier is maintained between an oxidizer feed line from the turbopump and the injector until sufficient pressure is created by the turbopump to pump the oxidizer at the requisite pressure into the injector.

Abstract: A point-of-sale commercial transaction processing system, particularly suitable for the fast food industry, is provided. The transaction processing system utilizes (1) a customer interaction terminal (CIT) having a video display, an audio speaker, a microphone, and preferably a printer, (2) a computer system in communication with the customer interaction terminal (CIT) and running artificial intelligence routines to process or pre-process verbal requests provided into the microphone of the customer interaction terminal, and (3) a human-controlled response system in communication with the computer system which completes, corrects or verifies requests that cannot be satisfactorily completed by the artificial intelligence routines alone. The human-controlled response system is preferably in communication with the customer interaction terminal (CIT) and the customer via a high speed network connection.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a video camera for transmitting an image of a buyer to a remotely located human operator, a document reader for transmitting an image of identification document(s) to the remotely located human in control of the vending machine, and a user interface which gives the appearance that the machine is autonomous even though the operator's approval is required prior to vending an age-restricted item. The machine also includes a payment acceptor and a dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A virtual assistant system for information retrieval and management and service request processing includes a user interaction device (UID), a server computer, a system computer, and a human-controlled call center. The UID permits the user to provide voice or written instructions to the system computer via the server computer. The system computer runs artificial intelligence (AI) routines to process or preprocess commands provided into the UID by the user. When possible, the AI routines complete the requested service. Where the AI routines alone are insufficient, a human-controlled call center corrects and completes the service requests. Skilled human labor, then, is only relied upon when needed by the system. A great range of service requests can be made including, e.g.

Abstract: A software version management system, also called system modeller, provides for automatically collecting and recompiling updated versions of component software objects comprising a software program for operation on a plurality of personal computers coupled together in a distributed software environment via a local area network. The component software objects include the source and binary files for the software program, which stored in various different local and remote storage means through the environment. The component software objects are periodically updated, via a system editor, by various users at their personal computers and then stored in designated storage means. The management system includes models which are also objects.