Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically powered, hydraulic drive system for a vehicle, with the capability of being recharged with electrical energy from vehicle momentum, utilizing the hydraulic drive system. The power for the electric motor, which drives the vehicle wheels through a hydraulic rotator, is obtained from an energy storage device, which can be recharged by recapturing vehicle kinetic energy during braking of the vehicle, through an electric generator which is linkable to the hydraulic rotator. The hydraulic system includes a central hydraulic rotator driven by the electric motor or driving the generator, and satellite rotators driving the wheels, including dirigible front wheels.

Abstract: There is provided rotatable pressure tight pipe joints and non-rotatable pressure tight pipe joints. The rotatable pressure tight pipe joints preferably have mating spherical surfaces with a sealing ring overlapping the joint between two pipe ends and compression means resiliently holding the two body parts of the joint in contact. In the non-rotatable joints, the intersecting surfaces form a zigzag cross-section and are compressibly clamped together.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-rail vehicle system, which can be used to improve the efficiency of existing systems and to reduce risk of derailments. The systems comprises a vehicle designed to ride upon a pair of conventional outer rails and an additional load-carrying central rail. The central rail comprises a pair of slanted rails having external surfaces which extend, preferably, substantially perpendicularly one to the other, and are joined at an apex pointing upwardly. The intersection of the central rail surfaces coinciding, preferably, with the central line of the rail. The vehicle of the present invention comprises a central traction wheel with an axle secured to the vehicle by means permitting vertical linear movement and rotation about a vertical axis, the wheel, being rotatably secured about the horizontal axis of the axle. The vehicle also includes two or more pairs of outer wheels on axles; the wheels are designed to ride upon the three rails.

Abstract: There is provided an electricity generating system comprising two fluid circuits. The two circuits are in heat exchange relationship, one with the other. The first fluid circuit is in fluid flow connection with the solar heat collecting apparatus rotatable about both the horizontal and vertical axes, and capable of being driven by drive means for rotating the panel about the two axes. The second fluid circuit is in heat exchange relationship with the first fluid circuit such that the fluid in the second circuit is heated to its boiling point by the fluid in the first circuit. Electric generating means are in fluid flow connection within the second circuit to convert heat energy into electricity.

Abstract: There is provided a positive displacement hydraulic rotator unit capable of operating in either direction of rotation. The rotator unit comprises a housing defining a substantially cylindrical internal chamber centered about a first central axis, and a rotor within the chamber. The rotor is rotatably mounted about a second axis, parallel to the first axis but radially displaced. There are intake and exhaust openings into the chamber, angularly displaced about and through the cylindrical surface. The rotor comprises a substantially rigid core having at least three radially extending, centrally interconnected channels for slidably holding rigid elongated blades. The blades are in turn interconnected by a rigid member so that the rigid member and the blades rotate and move radially as a single unit.

Abstract: There is provided solar heat collecting apparatus which comprises a solar collector panel rotatably supported about a horizontal and a vertical axis and drive means for rotating the panel simultaneously about the two axes. The collector panel comprises a fluid carrying collector pipe extending longitudinally within the trough member. The collector pipe is maintained in fluid flow connection with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, through a series of fluid-tight swivel joints which permit the free biaxial rotational movement of the collector pipe with the collector panel.

Abstract: There is provided solar heat collecting apparatus which comprises a solar collector panel rotatably supported about a horizontal and a vertical axis and drive means for rotating the panel simultaneously about the two axes. The collector panel comprises a battery of individual collector units wherein each collector unit comprises an elongated trough member, a concave reflective surface forming at least a portion of the interior surface of the trough and a fluid carrying pipe extending longitudinally within the trough member, the longitudinal axis of the pipe being substantially coincident with the focal line of the concave reflective surface. The pipe can be formed of a material that is substantially transparent to solar radiation. In addition, there can be a linear focusing lens, substantially covering and extending over the concave reflective surface. The focal line for the linear lens should be substantially coincident also with the longitudinal axis of the fluid carrying pipe.

Abstract: A steering and propulsion system for a ship, including two side by side, fore and aft pipes underneath a ship's hull, and compressed air or steam delivered through tubes around an exterior of the hull to the two pipes, and controls to eject forwardly or rearwardly out from the pipes.