Abstract: An infinitely variable differential hydrostatic transmission utilizing a fixed displacement pump/motor and a variable displacement pump/motor interconnected with appropriate valving, to provide a mechanical/hydraulic differential drive which is capable of achieving an overall efficiency in the 98.degree.-99.degree. range. In the preferred embodiment, which utilizes axial piston type pump motors, pistons in multiples of four are utilized in order that each piston will have a piston located 90.degree. from it to serve as its control valve. The fixed and variable displacement motor/pump are provided as an integral unit containing bearing mountings, cylinder barrels, valve ports, piston seal mountings, hydraulic flow passages, pressure reservoirs and manifolding by forming a series of individual segments and sealing them together into a single structural unit. A unique mounting arrangement is utilized to positively attach the pistons to an anti-friction swashplate which eliminates all side loads on the piston.

Abstract: A heat transfer liquid 38 collects heat in a solar collector 10 and transfers the heat to water in a preheater heat exchanger 12. Use of a negative-pressure collector 10 by means of an ejector 24 and pressure relief valve 32 allows inexpensive and readily available materials to be used in the collector 10. Preferably, the preheat heat exchanger 12 is a converted gas hot water heater in which the heat transfer liquid 38 is sprayed onto a portion of the storage tank 20 and is collected in a reservoir 18. The negative-pressure solar collector 10 can also be used to heat swimming pool water.

Abstract: A handrail, suitable for use with an accelerating and decelerating moving walkway, comprising a plurality of overlapping handrail elements (51) movable about the periphery of a vertical, oval track, is disclosed. Handrail acceleration and deceleration is produced by changing the amount of element overlap. Element overlap is changed by an overlap control mechanism that comprises a plurality of suitably positioned cam rails (85a and b; 87a, b, c and d; 89a, b, c and d; 90a and b; and, 91) and a plurality of cam followers. The cam followers include rollers (69, 75 and 81) and arms (61, 71) that link the handrail elements (57) together. The rollers ride on the cam rails. The coaction between the rollers and the cam rails causes the arms to fold and unfold, which folding and unfolding action changes the amount of handrail element overlap.

Abstract: A practical and economical heat pump system stacks the evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expander to use heat from household wastewater more efficiently and effectively. A novel wastewater storage tank treats the wastewater to remove particulates while it supplies its warmest water to the evaporator to provide heat to the refrigerant in the heat pump unit. Heated water exiting the condenser is stored in a separate tank, such as an ordinary hot water heater. The system automatically ensures that the wastewater does not freeze in a substantial amount in the evaporator.

Abstract: A cable drive system suitable for use with moving walkways wherein a plurality of serially connected platforms (10) travel in a circuitous path of travel that includes change-of-direction regions (18, 20) connected by constant speed zones is disclosed. The cable drive system of the invention is particularly suited for use with an accelerating and decelerating moving walkway wherein acceleration and deceleration zones are located at the beginning and end, respectively, of each constant speed zone. The cable drive system comprises a drive cable (60) positioned beneath the constant speed zones of the path of travel and releasable cable-coupling mechanisms (98) associated with and connected to the platforms (10). An actuating mechanism (94, 96 and 122, 124) actuates the cable-coupling mechanisms to grip the cable (60) at the beginning of the constant speed zones and release the cable at the end of the constant speed zones.

Abstract: An accelerating and decelerating moving walkway, including a plurality of overlapping platforms formed such that walkway surface irregularities are minimized and such that the platforms change direction in a minimal amount of space, is disclosed. Each platform includes a pallet and a tapered, trailing edge flap. The underside of the flaps are combed and mesh with the combed upperside of the platform that they overlap. Each flap is hinged to its associated pallet in a manner that allows only a limited amount of rotation. Surface irregularities, which occur primarily when the overlapping platforms are stretched out in the constant speed zone, are minimized by convexly contouring the upper surface of the pallets in the direction of platform overlap; and, by controlling the rotation of the flaps so that contact is maintained between the flaps and the platforms they overlie.

Abstract: A handrail having accelerating and decelerating regions whereat people board and alight from an accelerating and decelerating walkway is disclosed. The handrail comprises a plurality of overlapping handrail elements. The elements move in a vertical, oval track having lengthy sides joined by curved ends. Acceleration of the handrail is synchronized with the acceleration of the moving walkway, and occurs immediately subsequent to the entry of people on the moving walkway. Deceleration of the handrail is synchronized with the deceleration of the moving walkway, and occurs just prior to the exit of people from the moving walkway. Pairs of adjacent overlapping handrail elements are operably connected together by an extendable and retractable member. Each extendable and retractable member is also connected to a cam follower. The cam followers follow acceleration and deceleration cams located internal to the vertical, oval track that defines the handrail path of travel.

Abstract: A linear induction drive system for an accelerating and decelerating moving walkway comprising a plurality of interconnected platforms that encompass the entire path of travel of the walkway and overlap one another by a small portion of their length in linear constant speed zones and by a substantial portion of their length in acceleration and deceleration zones is disclosed. The linear induction drive system comprises a plurality of stationary linear induction motor stators located in the constant speed zones. Affixed to the platforms are reaction rails formed of a plurality of links rotatably attached to one another such that the links are linearly aligned with one another in the constant speed zones and fold in an accordian manner in the acceleration and deceleration zones. In the constant speed zone the reaction rails are driven by power applied to the linear induction motor stators. Due to the platform interconnection this drive force moves the entire walkway.