Abstract: The invention consists of a method and apparatus for circulating electrolyte within individual cells of a liquid electrolyte battery while maintaining all cells at a uniform temperature. The invention is an improved method and apparatus for circulating the electrolyte within a cell by the introduction of an actuating fluid into a pump placed in the cell; the actuating fluid concurrently functions as a heat transfer medium through which the temperature of the electrolyte in each cell of the battery is controlled and homogenized. The current invention thus homogenizes both electrolyte concentration and electrolyte temperature throughout all cells of a battery.

Abstract: A transit system includes a number of service request terminals located at frequent placement intervals in local areas served by the transit system. Transit vehicles flow throughout the local service area without predetermined routes or schedules. Movement of the vehicles is determined solely by the dispatches assigned to them in real time in response to service request. Passengers use the service request terminals to transmit a service request to a central dispatch controller that receives the request and automatically dispatches the most efficient vehicle to service the request. The central computer determines the most efficient vehicle by calculating the total added travel distance to service the request and destination in relation to the dispatches previously assigned to each vehicle. The service request is dispatched to the vehicle which would have the minimum added travel distance.

Abstract: A mechanical torque converting transmission for producing an output with variable, controllable speed and torque characteristics comprises a rotary input shaft adapted for attachment to a rotary power source and connected to a main drive gear. The drive gear is meshed with a plurality of pinion gears which are journaled for rotation on an arm assembly. An eccentric device is driven by each pinion gear for creating a centrifugal force that cyclically urges the arm assembly in alternating forward and backward directions with a pulsating motion during each rotation of each eccentric device. A clutch is provided for allowing forward movement of the arm assembly while preventing movement in the backward direction during each eccentric revolution.

Abstract: An electrical modular roadway system adapted for transmitting power to and controlling inductively coupled vehicles traveling thereon. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, electrically connected inductor modules arranged in an aligned end to end spaced apart order to form a continuous vehicle path. Each module has a magnetic core and power windings which generate a magnetic field extending above the road surface. Controllable relays are connected between modules for allowing operating electric current to either activate or bypass selected modules. Sensing windings in modules are activated by the presence of a vehicle on one module to provide control signals to relays for other modules.

Abstract: A constant voltage inductive power coupling for magnetically transferring electrical power from a power source through an air gap to a load comprising a first electromagnetic inductor connected to a power source to generate a shaped alternating magnetic field, a said inductor with a saturable core separated by an air gap from the first inductor and magnetically coupled thereto to receive the shaped magnetic field, the core being responsive to the field to enter a state of magnetic saturation. A coil is electromagnetically coupled to the saturable core and has output leads connected to the load. A capacitor is in electrical communication with the coil to form a tuned circuit that is below resonance at the coupling operating frequency. The magnetic field induced by the first inductor to the second inductor causes voltage in the coil, whose magnitude is determined by the amount of magnetic flux in the core.

Abstract: An automatic guidance device for an electrically driven vehicle inductively coupled by a power receiver core to a roadway core connected to power source. The device which is attached to the power receiver core or to a ferrous bar connected to the underside of the vehicle comprises at least two sensor coils equally spaced from the midpoint of the power receiver core which is on the vehicle centerline. End portions of the vehicle core or bar which extend beyond the coils comprises magnetic poles which receive flux from the roadway inductor. Flux through the coils produces voltages which vary in proportion to their distance from the roadway inductor centerline and are compared to produce error signals used to control a steering servo on the vehicle. In event of roadway power failure a circuit is provided to enable the utilization of battery power to produce sufficient flux to maintain the production of error signals and thus steering control.

Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle having suitable batteries to drive the vehicle on conventional roads and a pickup receiver thereon for receiving power for a drive motor from a conductor embedded in a prepared roadway for driving the vehicle and for charging the batteries. The pickup receiver is supported on the vehicle so that it establishes a small air gap with the conductor for operation on a specially prepared roadway. On some vehicles the pickup receiver may be lowered to the proper position for operation on the special roadway and then raised to provide sufficient clearance to accommodate normal obstacles, such as driveway gutters, when the vehicle is driven on conventional roads.

Abstract: A roadway having at least one lane for traffic moving in one direction and at least one lane for traffic moving in the opposite direction is provided with power conductors for inductively coupling power to vehicles moving along the roadway. The conductors are embedded in the lanes and extend in the direction of vehicular movement. Power sources are provided along the roadway and the conductors are arranged so as to minimize the lengths thereof which are not directly employed for the inductive coupling of power to vehicles.