Abstract: A novel space theme amusement park ride is disclosed consisting of a fleet of sophisticated bumper-car type vehicles operated by players within a large dome covered facility. The vehicles are configured to resemble combat spacecraft and are equipped to float above the floor on an air cushion supplied by mechanisms within the vehicle. Each space car vehicle seats a number of players who work as a team and play different roles within the space car such as gunner, helmsman, and Captain. The vehicles are equipped with functioning controls that perform and/or simulate various functions, such as steering, spin control, communications, and simulated weapons' systems. The vehicles and auxiliary equipment include automated devices that override player controls when needed to keep player vehicles within safety limits and to direct the vehicles off the floor at the end of their rides. The floor is circular and may be a thousand feet or more in diameter and simultaneously support 100 to 150 space cars, as for example.

Abstract: A novel space theme amusement park ride is disclosed consisting of a fleet of sophisticated bumper-car type vehicles operated by players within a large dome covered facility. The vehicles are configured to resemble combat spacecraft and are equipped to float above the floor on an air cushion supplied by mechanisms within the vehicle. Each space car vehicle seats a number of players who work as a team and play different roles within the space car such as gunner, helmsman, and Captain. The vehicles are equipped with functioning controls that perform and/or simulate various functions, such as steering, spin control, communications, and simulated weapons' systems. The vehicles and auxiliary equipment include automated devices that override player controls when needed to keep player vehicles within safety limits and to direct the vehicles off the floor at the end of their rides. The floor is circular and may be a thousand feet or more in diameter and simultaneously support 100 to 150 space cars, as for example.

Abstract: A storage system and method are provided. The storage system may be for storing fluids, and include a first storage tank having an internal first volume defined by one or more exterior sides of the first storage tank being designed to have a super elliptical shape circumscribed by a rectangle or square so that the internal first volume is greater than an internal volume of a storage tank designed to have an elliptical or circular shape circumscribed by the rectangle or the square. The circumscribing rectangle may be a golden rectangle.

Abstract: A flow battery system and method are provided. The flow battery system includes first and second storage tanks initially respectively storing first and second electrolyte and a battery stack that includes a half-cell configured to charge and/or discharge a positive or negative liquid electrolyte provided from the first and second storage tanks. Electrolytes returned from the battery stack are returned with a higher SOC when the selected mode indicates a charging mode and electrolytes are returned from the battery stack with a lower SOC when the selected mode indicates a discharging mode. The flow battery system and method control a defined sequence for a selected mode of one of charging or discharging of the first and second electrolytes to charge or discharge the first electrolyte before charging or discharging the second electrolyte, based on the selected mode.

Abstract: A flow battery system and method are provided. The flow battery system includes a first battery stack including a first half-cell, a first pressure feed system, including at least a first storage tank and a first booster tank to store a liquid electrolyte, designed to generate a first booster pressure in the first booster tank sufficient to force the liquid electrolyte to be fed from the first pressure feed system through the first half-cell, and a return system to return the liquid electrolyte from the first half-cell to the first pressure feed system. The return system may include a gravity feed system returning liquid electrolyte from the first half-cell to a collection tank, and a pump to return the collected liquid electrolyte from the collection tank to the first storage tank. The pressure feed flow battery system may have a two-tank, divided 2-tank, or four-tank flow battery configurations.

Abstract: A gravity feed flow battery system and method are provided. The gravity feed flow battery system includes a first battery stack including a first half-cell utilizing a liquid electrolyte, a first gravity feed system, including at least a first storage tank and a first standpipe, designed to generate a first hydrostatic pressure in the first standpipe for the liquid electrolyte in the first standpipe sufficient to force the liquid electrolyte to be fed from the first gravity feed system through the first half-cell, and a return system to return the liquid electrolyte from the first half-cell to the first gravity feed system. There may be multiple gravity feed systems, including a gravity feed system for a positive electrolyte and a gravity feed system for a negative electrolyte. The gravity feed flow battery system may have a two-tank flow battery configuration, or a four-tank flow battery configuration.

Abstract: A flow battery system and method are provided. The flow battery system may include a feed system feeding positive electrolyte from a first storage tank to a positive inlet of a battery stack and negative electrolyte from a second storage tank to a negative inlet of the battery stack, a return system returning charged electrolyte from the battery stack to the first and second storage tanks, and a controller to selectively control at least one of the feed system and the return system so positive electrolyte, from the first storage tank, is applied a negative charge by the battery stack and then returned by the return system to the second storage tank, and so negative electrolyte, from the second storage tank, is applied a positive charge by the battery stack and then returned by the return system to the first storage tank.

Abstract: A die of uniformly distributed material comprising a plurality of faces having a triangular shape and a plurality of numbers imprinted on the die. Each of the plurality of numbers imprinted on the die appear on a separate face, wherein each number appears on at least twice on the die. The dice are capable of generating random numbers, including negative and positive numbers, for use with board games, lotteries, stock market determinations, scientific work and other applications where random numbers are needed. For more complex random number generation, the system includes at least two dice having a distinct color and at least twenty faces, and a pattern of numbers imprinted on each dice, each number of the pattern appearing on a separate face of the dice, wherein the numbers have a different color than the dice.

Abstract: The first panel illumination system includes a high intensity light source with a contoured reflector assembly for providing light to the input of an optical mixer and heat removal device. The optical mixer and heat removal device removes infrared radiation and transmits de-focused light to the input ends of a plurality of rectangular couplers connected to light conducting cables which are in turn connected to the light emitting optical fibers for a light emitting panel. These fibers are woven in accordance with specific weave ratio ranges and weave configurations to emit light uniformly across the extent of a light emitting fabric surface.

Abstract: The flat panel illumination system includes a high intensity light source with a contoured reflector assembly for providing light to the input of an optical mixer and heat removal device. The optical mixer and heat removal device removes infrared radiation and transmits de-focused light to the input ends of a plurality of rectangular couplers connected to light conducting cables which are in turn connected to the light emitting optical fibers for a light emitting panel. These fibers are woven in accordance with specific weave ratio ranges and weave configurations to emit light uniformly across the extent of a light emitting fabric surface.

Abstract: The light emitting optical fiber assemblies include light emitting panels that employ a nonwoven geometric grid of light emitting optical fibers which can be arranged to permit air to pass through the panel or to define apertures providing access through the panel. Also, such nonwoven fiber grids can be arranged to permit the panels to be cut or sectioned without losing all light emitting capability. Panels are provided which include the encapsulation of light emitting fibers in a light transmitting laminate, and the laminate is provided with light scattering formations which permit light to be emitted from the encapsulating layer. The panels and other light emitting units are provided with light or electromagnetic radiation from lightpipe harness assemblies which are designed to supply light to a plurality of use devices.

Abstract: A cap mounted self-illuminating patch which includes a reflector unit mounted to extend partially through the front surface of the cap. The reflector unit includes a screen supporting surface which defines the open side of a light chamber, and a light diffusion screen is mounted on the screen supporting surface to extend across the open side of the light chamber. The screen supporting surface and the screen are configured so that the screen substantially conforms in shape to the front surface of the cap, and a mounting structure is provided to space the screen outwardly from the front surface of the cap. Indicia or figures to be illuminated are provided on the screen, and light from a single point light source within the light chamber is substantially evenly distributed across the screen by a back reflector extending outwardly from the screen supporting surface away from the screen to define the light chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniformly distributing a substantially parallel beam of light along a light conducting distribution rod of fixed length is demonstrated using a series of imbedded beam splitting mirrors. The light distribution rod may have a wide variety of light distribution properties and may be bent into circular configurations. Also a method and light collection assembly is disclosed which use a series of mirrors to collect parallel or diverging light and redirect it into a narrow beam of parallel light. The collection is accomplished by spiral or asymptotic mirror surfaces which funnel the light by means of converging multiple reflections into a designated output pattern. A multiple channel optical fiber rotatable connector is a principle example of a device which employs both the light distributing and light collecting assemblies. This connector passes light between two relatively rotating sections.

Abstract: The apparatus for collecting, distributing and utilizing solar radiation includes a solar collection panel (24) having an array of solar gathering cells (1, 37) which provide radiation to a light collecting unit (3, 4, 39). This light collecting unit (3, 4, 39) provides radiation as a single beam to a lens system (5, 7) which provides a coherent beam to a lightpipe (8). This beam is then directed to use units such as a light to electricity converter (100, 154), heat distributing elements (202, 213, 230, 244, 270) and light distributing elements (322, 336, and 348).

Abstract: The light emitting optical fiber assemblies include light emitting panels that employ a nonwoven geometric grid of light emitting optical fibers which can be arranged to permit air to pass through the panel or to define apertures providing access through the panel. Also, such nonwoven fiber grids can be arranged to permit the panels to be cut or sectioned without losing all light emitting capability. Panels are provided which include the encapsulation of light emitting fibers in a light transmitting laminate, and the laminate is provided with light scattering formations which permit light to be emitted from the encapsulating layer. The panels and other light emitting units are provided with light or electromagnetic radiation from lightpipe harness assemblies which are designed to supply light to a plurality of use devices.

Abstract: Optical transmission devices suitable for use in constructing lightpipe networks are disclosed. The optical transmission devices include an optical coupler arrangement (1, 34, 72, 73) for connecting a lightpipe to other optical transmission or utilization devices with minimum interface losses. A lens element for collimating light (71, 92) may be secured to the optical coupler arrangement (1, 34, 72, 73), and two collimating lenses (84, 85) together with associated optical couplers (83, 86) may be combined to form an angular divergence reducer light travelling along lightpipes, lightpipe gates (184, 203, 214) for interrupting the flow of light along lightpipes, lightpipe switches (221-265) for directing light from a primary lightpipe to any selected one of a plurality of secondary lightpipes, and lightpipe merge devices (320-332, 360-385) for merging the flow of light from two lightpipes are all interconnected to form a light distribution system.

Abstract: The optical lightpipes are provided with an internal structural configuration which enables the pipes to either transmit light with greater efficiency or to emit light more effectively along the length of the lightpipe. For light emission, light transmitting optical fibers are doped in the core region with refractive and/or reflective light scattering particles. When with a single optical fiber lightpipe, ribs are formed on the exterior of the lightpipe to prevent the lightpipe from being deformed to an angle greater than the critical angle for light conductance. A single tubular lightpipe of plastic may be formed with an internal reflective layer and outer ribs to control bending of the pipe.

Abstract: The apparatus for collecting, distributing and utilizing solar radiation includes a solar collection panel (24) having an array of solar gathering cells (1, 37) which provide radiation to a light collecting unit (3, 4, 39). This light collecting unit (3, 4, 39) provides radiation as a single beam to a lens system (5, 7) which provides a coherent beam to a lightpipe (8). This beam is then directed to use units such as a light to electricity converter (100, 154), heat distributing elements (202, 213, 230, 244, 270) and light distributing elements (322, 336, and 348).

Abstract: A fiber optics illuminator is described consisting of a light bulb having a fiber optics coupler or coupling means integral with the bulb envelope. The bulb is provided with a combination of ellipsoidal and spherical mirrors which together direct all light emitted from the filiment through a small optical window located at the rear of said coupler or coupling means. To facilitate trapping of the light in the optical fibers, the light is made to emerge from the optical window at angles equal to or less than the critical angle of the fibers. This invention is intended for use as a primary light source for most applications involving illumination wherein visible or infra-red or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation is channeled by optical fibers to illuminate a specific environment.

Abstract: A light emitting fabric (10) in which optical fibers (12, 28, 46, 48) are part of the weave, replacing some of the threaded fibers (27), whereby the fabric is uniformly illuminated and, accordingly, decorated. The individual optical fibers are gathered into a bundle (15) at one end of the fabric and illuminated by a light source (17). Light traveling through the fibers is emitted in small amounts throughout the lengths thereof through small scratches (14) that pierce the outer coating. Uniformity and intensity of light are enhanced by providing a reflective coating (13) on the non-illuminated ends of the optical fibers. This fabric is usable in clothing; such as costumes, high visibility safety clothing, suntan suits (21); rugs, draperies, theater curtains, architectural panels (23), fiberglass boat hulls, and the like.