Abstract: A venting-valve/check-valve combination useful for venting non-condensable gases and steam (or a combination) in a liquid pipeline comprises a venting-valve, a check-valve, and a capillary port through which gas can pass, said port having two openings, each valve controlling the opening and closing of one of said openings.

Abstract: The maximum kinetic energy per unit weight which can be stored in a rotating article, such as a flywheel, is a function of the tensile strength and the density of the material and is dramatically increased by subjecting it to an externally applied, inwardly directed radial pressure. The additional pressure is imposed by external means and is independent of the rotational motion of the article per se. Suitable pressurizing methods include magnetic containment, super-atmospheric gas containment, electrostatic containment and the like.As a result of the external pressure, the maximum stored energy per unit of mass (E.sub.max /m) of a rim flywheel can be greatly increased in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU1## where .delta. is the uniform tensile strength of the flywheel material, .rho. is its density, R is the radius of the flywheel, and P is the external pressure.

Abstract: A solar energy system is provided whereby solar energy which has been collected, concentrated and collimated is transmitted through a unique transmitter device to a solar energy storage or utilization device. The transmitter comprises modular tubes with highly reflective and smooth walls. Each tube is provided with alignment means such as alignment sights. Bent tubes additionally have, e.g., mirrors positioned at the bent sections to aid in alignment, whereby the total number of reflections made by the beam is minimized and the transmission of the entire system is maximized. Sufficient solar energy is thereby provided to operate, inter alia, water heaters, space heaters, small power plants, stoves, etc. with minimal disruption of existing facilities.

Abstract: A system of coil springs of proper elastic constant(s) is attached on one end to the (horizontal or vertical) shaft of a wind energy conversion system and on the other end to the rotor, thereby forming a non-rigid connection between the two. The direction of the spring windings is such as to wind, in the relative motion of the rotor with respect to the shaft, in the direction of the rotor rotation. The system of springs generally consists of two or more sections each with an appropriate elastic constant. The spring sections are connected to each other through a rotating wheel with appropriate mass and mass distribution, so as to maximize the moment of inertia. A tube-like sleeve which rotates freely with respect to the shaft and the mass wheel, acts as a support for the rotor and the rotating mass. The system of springs and masses (inertia) improves the performance of a rotational wind energy conversion system in many ways, e.g.

Abstract: A buoyant sail or wing tethered to a line an appreciable distance above the surface where the winds are at higher speed than at ground level is provided with wind velocity gradient sensing members to guide movement of the buoyant sail to the elevation of greatest wind velocity, the other end of the line is attached to an electric generator. A series of sails are utilized with one being retracted while at least one other sail is positioned to catch the wind away from the generator. The wings may have dividers to increase the amount of flow disruption of the wind and increase the drag coefficient and hence the amount of energy extracted, and a pulley system may be utilized in lieu of a single pass tether line.