Abstract: Pipe inspection tools have a central shaft assembly with one or more stationary contact platform assemblies which extend radially outwardly therefrom. Each stationary contact platform assembly includes a platform which is moveable radially inward and outward sequentially to create periodic contact with a pipe wall and an axially moveable contact cart which maintains stationary contact over a period of time in which the platform is in the radially outward position.

Abstract: A pipe inspection tool having a central shaft assembly with at least one continuous band assembly which extend radially outwardly therefrom into contact with a surrounding pipe. The continuous band assembly includes a continuous band which carries at least one pipe inspection element and a roller which circulates the continuous band in order to form stationary, non-sliding contact between the pipe inspection element and the surrounding pipe over a period of time during which the pipe inspection tool moves within the pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for powering a motor by using a combination of an explosion motor and a turbine. The combustion reaction in said combination occurs by the reaction of a variable mixture consisting of silicon hydrogens, silicon powder in a water solution and air, whereby water and silicon nitride are produced as exhaust gas. The inner wall of the motor should be coated with silicon nitride, which continuously and simultaneously takes place during the combustion process. A sufficient lubricating film consisting of silicon nitride is always is always provided in the fringe area between the inner wall of the motor and the combustion chamber so that no friction occurs. After being expelled from the explosion engine, the excess heat in the combustion gases is mixed with cold, compressed air, which is then used to drive a turbine whose shaft is coupled to the shaft of the explosion engine to enable the latter to run uniformly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel energy concept that relates to an artificial silicon-nitrogen cycle and that constitutes the complement to the natural carbon-oxygen cycle. Pure silicon is produced from sand using solar energy. By repeated Muller-Rochow synthesis with silylchlorides the silicon is converted to higher silanes. The silylchlorides used are either silicons derived from chemical wastes or are economically produced from monosilanes or disilanes. They are mixed with silicon powder and combusted with air to give H2O and silicon nitride Si3H4, thereby generating power. The silicon nitride is converted to ammonia NH3 under alkaline conditions, thereby producing silicates. Part of the NH3 is converted to follow-on products, the major portion however is combusted with air to give H2O and N2, thereby generating power. The N2 cycle is thereby closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of driving a shaft by reaction of silanes, preferably silane oils, with air in a double combustion chamber and an assiciated drive mechanism. The hydrogen of the silanes reacts in the first combustion chamber with an insufficient level of oxygen of the air supplied, thereby producing high temperatures. At said high temperatures, the nitrogen from the air supplied reacts with the silicon of the silane to form silicon nitride. The resultant combustion gases and dust and the non-combusted hydrogen are mixed in the second combustion chamber with a large quantity of cold compressed air, the hydrogen undergoing late burning, and they subsequently enter a turbine chamber to actuate turbine blades connected to a shaft. The method is particularly environmentally-friendly since no toxic or polluting waste gases are produced.

Abstract: The description relates to a process and a device for drilling holes in hard rocks like granite, in which the rock to be drilled is exposed to a flame produced by gaseous hydrogen and fluorine together and the reaction products produced by the flame are taken out of the drilling with the aid of a sucked aqueous liquid. In order to be able to implement the process economically while preventing the formation of toxic and corrosive reaction products, the aqueous liquid used to remove the reaction products formed is a lye, e.g. a sodium hydroxide solution, in which the excess hydrogen fluorine formed during the combustion of hydrogen and fluorine is converted into a non-toxic fluoride, e.g. sodium fluoride, while at the same time the other reaction products are converted into water-soluble silicates, aluminates and alkaline fluorides.

Abstract: A discus-shaped aircraft is provided with a peripheral jet arrangement for generating lift and, in the bottom of the aircraft, at least one rocket engine supplied with silicon hydride and compressed air and operated under conditions in which the silicon hydride is reacted with nitrogen of the compressed air to form silicon nitride while the nitrogen of the silicon hydride compounds reacts with oxygen to form H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A method for accelerating a vehicle in the atmosphere, space or aerospace includes the steps of supplying a propellant having silicone hydride compounds into a combustion chamber, compressing air and delivering compressed air into a ring formed with a plurality of circumferential orifices which open into the combustion chamber, reaching thereby temperatures of about 3000.degree. C., cracking nitrogen molecules present in the air at the temperature which attack the silicon atoms to generate great mass.

Abstract: A reusable space craft having a disk-shaped casing which receives buoyancy upon horizontal travel through a gas atmosphere and three drive systems on the casing. A first drive system utilizes counter-rotating rotors driven by jet engines on the periphery. A second drive system utilizes a rocket rotor which can swing out from the both of the casing into an inclined position. The third drive system is a main thruster rocket at the center of the bottom fueled by an Si.sub.5 to Si.sub.9 silane propellant.