Abstract: The present invention provides for a flexible connection for connecting train cabins in a train. The connection comprises a first tubular train cabin having an end portion having a first diameter and a second tubular train cabin having a front portion having a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter such that the end portion of the first train cabin fits within the front portion of the second train cabin. At least one flexible buffer ring, extending around an outer circumference of the end portion of the first train cabin is positioned as a cushion between the outer circumference of the end portion of the first train cabin and the inner circumference of the front portion of the second train cabin such that when the train enters a curve and the first train cabin turns relative to the second train cabin about a pivot axis. The flexible buffer ring provides a stable cushioned connection between the train cabins.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a flexible connection for connecting train cabins in a train. The connection comprises a first tubular train cabin having an end portion having a first diameter and a second tubular train cabin having a front portion having a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter such that the end portion of the first train cabin fits within the front portion of the second train cabin.

Abstract: A junction for connecting first and second adjacent sections in a guideway carrying pressurized fluid comprises female end portions on a first section, male end portions on a second section partially received within the female end portions, and a vessel. The vessel comprises a plenum bounded at one end by a piston. The plenum is in flow communication with a pressure source.

Abstract: An improved support structure capable of supporting a guideway in the form of a tube or tubes which may in turn carry a train for travel thereupon, which elevated guideway is capable of passing over existing right-of-ways, rolling or mountainous terrain, and rivers of moderate size. The improved support structure provides a uniform vertical thermal expansion and uniform loading deflection (due to the weight of a passing train) thus assuring that the elevated tubes are smooth and straight.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system having a guideway including a single tube or a pair of parallel tubes capable of storing pressurized air. Vehicles are suspended below, above, or beside the tube(s) by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected. Arcuate roller tracks between the vehicle and the carriage provide a banking mechanism for cornering. The tube(s) support continuous high-speed rails to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or wheeled suspension. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for propelling and braking a vehicle traveling along a guideway. The apparatus comprises a plurality of nozzles located along the length of the guideway that direct fluid jets. Strip valves are arranged end-to-end along the guideway. Each of the strip valves controls the fluid flow from a group of the nozzles. A power unit is mounted for travel along the guideway. The power unit opens the strip valves in succession to release fluid jets from the nozzles controlled by the strip values. Thrust vanes on the power unit are arranged to receive impulse energy from the released fluid jets to propel the power unit along either direction of the guideway. The vehicle is connected to the power unit.

Abstract: An improved support structure capable of supporting a guideway in the form of a tube or tubes which may in turn carry a train for travel thereupon, which elevated guideway is capable of passing over existing right-of-ways, rolling or mountainous terrain, and rivers of moderate size. The improved support structure provides a uniform vertical thermal expansion and uniform loading deflection (due to the weight of a passing train) thus assuring that the elevated tubes are smooth and straight.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system comprises a guideway including a single tube or a pair of parallel tubes capable of storing pressurized air. Vehicles are suspended below, above, or beside the tube(s) by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected. Arcuate roller tracks between the vehicle and the carriage provide a banking mechanism for cornering. The tube(s) support continuous high-speed rails to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or wheeled suspension. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arcuate tilting mechanism for use with a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a carriage traveling on a track where the mechanism comprises an arcuate roller gear divider mounted on the underside of the passenger compartment. An outer carriage roller track is mounted on the upper side of the carriage, so that the arcuate roller gear divider and the outer carriage roller track are in juxtaposed arcuate relation. A first set of roller gears is provided which engage the arcuate roller gear divider and the outer carriage roller track so that when the vehicle enters a turn, the passenger compartment can be angled into the radius of the turn, where the carriage remains parallel to the track.

Abstract: A turret hand drill (10) features a turret (22) mounted on the drill for swivel motion about a pivot axis (5) angularly spaced from the tool drive axis (3) of the drill between a pair of opposite index positions. The turret (22) includes a pair of chuck assemblies (26A,26B) arranged symmetrically about and coplanar with the pivot axis (5) of the turret (22) for selective positioning in alignment with the drill tool drive axis (3), with the idle chuck assembly extending downward out of the way. A spring biased clutch mechanism (70) allows for disengagement of a chuck shaft (30) from a drive shaft (20) of the drill by pulling on the chuck (28) to switch between chuck assemblies (26A,26B). A frusto-conical ramp (90 or 94) is engaged by a chuck half (72) of the clutch mechanism as the turret is swiveled to gradually retract the chuck half (72) against the spring bias so that the chuck half is automatically urged into operative engagement with a drive half (74) of the clutch mechanism upon alignment therewith.

Abstract: A junction for connecting first and second adjacent sections in a guideway carrying pressurized fluid comprises female end portions on a first section, male end portions on a second section partially received within the female end portions, and a vessel. The vessel comprises a plenum bounded at one end by a piston. The plenum is in flow communication with a pressure source.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system comprises a tubular guideway storing pressurized air and cantilevered beams extending bi-laterally from the guideway to support a continuous deck. Vehicles are suspended under the deck by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected by arcuate roller tracks. The beams support continuous angular channels slotted to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or magnetic levitation. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid and to prevent acoustic hammer effects, utilizing a condensing tube array. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a direct steam injection process heater is provided, having a first body for introducing a first fluid, generally a liquid or slurry, a second body for introducing a second fluid, generally steam, an orifice plate disposed between the two bodies, and a valve member for movement to and away from the orifice plate. The orifice plate has a plurality of frusto-conical holes which are engaged preferably by an equal number of complementary-configured, conically-tipped pins mounted onto the valve member. An actuator moves the valve member relative to the orifice plate such that the pins penetrate and partially or wholly obscure the holes, thus regulating the flow of the second fluid through the holes.

Abstract: A vehicle system for high-speed passenger transport between metropolitan centers comprises a guideway having a pair of parallel guideway tubes; a plurality of carriages levitated and propelled by pressurized air stored within one or both tubes; and a passenger car connected to ride atop the carriages and tilt relative thereto. The passenger car and carriages cooperate to define lateral air cushion zones under the floor of the passenger car for supporting and tilting the passenger car by air pressure. The carriages have pluralities of lift cells partially surrounding each guideway tube, with active peripheral skirts for minimizing air leakage. Pressurized air stored within the guideway is used to supply the lift cells and cushion zones, and also to propel and brake the carriages. Ram air is collected during vehicle motion to help supply the lift cells and cushion zones.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid is provided. The fluid mixing apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a first actuator corresponding with the first housing, and a second actuator corresponding with the second housing. The first housing is provided with an inlet for supplying a first fluid such as water in the form of steam, and a nozzle outlet attached to a nozzle end of the first housing. The second housing is coupled to the nozzle end of the first housing and includes a inlet for supplying a second fluid such a slurry. A mixing tube, which may be slidable, is contained within the second housing for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid therein before passing the mixture out of the second housing. Alternatively, collar member may be circumferentially mounted around a stationary mixing tube contained in the second housing, or alternatively, around the nozzle outlet of the first housing.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid is provided. The fluid mixing apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a first actuator corresponding with the first housing, and a second actuator corresponding with the second housing. The first housing is provided with an inlet for supplying a first fluid such as water in the form of steam, and a nozzle outlet attached to a nozzle end of the first housing. The second housing is coupled to the nozzle end of the first housing and includes a inlet for supplying a second fluid such a slurry. A mixing tube, which may be slidable, is contained within the second housing for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid therein before passing the mixture out of the second housing. Alternatively, collar member may be circumferentially mounted around a stationary mixing tube contained in the second housing, or alternatively, around the nozzle outlet of the first housing.

Abstract: A piezoelectric torque motor (10) includes a body (11), a pair of opposed nozzle assemblies (12,13) mounted on the body, a pair of piezoelectric actuators (14,15) extending upwardly away from the body, and a lever assembly (16) having an upper portion (95) engaging the upper ends of the actuators and having depending leg portions (96,98). A foot plate (94) is mounted on the lower marginal end portions of the lever legs, and is positioned between the nozzles. The piezoelectric actuators are supplied with differential voltages to cause swinging movement of the lever assembly between the nozzles. The improved torque motor may be used in the first- or pilot-stage of a two-stage electrohydraulic servovalve.

Abstract: A pulse-width-modulated solenoid valve has a body provided with an elongated chamber. The body has inlet and outlet openings communicating with the chamber, and has a seat surrounding the inlet opening and arranged to face into the chamber. An armature is mounted in the chamber for movement therealong toward and away from the seat. A coil is mounted on the body, and is adapted to be selectively energized to move the armature in one direction relative to the body. A return spring is arranged to urge the armature to move in the opposite direction relative to the body. The improvement provides a valve element which is mounted for movement with the armature toward and away from the seat, but also mounted for movement relative to the armature when the element engages the seat, such that the mass of the armature will not exert a substantial force against the seat. According to the improvement, the operating life of the valve may be greatly extended.

Abstract: A pulse-width-modulated solenoid valve has a body provided with an elongated chamber. The body has inlet and outlet openings communicating with the chamber, and has a seat surrounding the inlet opening and arranged to face into the chamber. An armature is mounted in the chamber for movement therealong toward and away from the seat. A coil is mounted on the body, and is adapted to be selectively energized to move the armature in one direction relative to the body. A return spring is arranged to urge the armature to move in the opposite direction relative to the body. The improvement provides a valve element which is mounted for movement with the armature toward and away from the seat, but also mounted for movement relative to the armature when the element engages the seat, such that the mass of the armature will not exert a substantial force against the seat. According to the improvement, the operating life of the valve may be greatly extended.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator has a ferrous alloy armature movably mounted within a body chamber. Two axially-spaced permanent magnets are arranged radially inwardly of the chamber and partially define the chamber at the ends thereof. A coil surrounds the chamber. The body is formed of a magnetically-permeable material. Because of the high reluctance of the magnets, each magnet forms a short magnetic loop which passes through the adjacent air gap, and forms a long magnetic loop which encircles the coil and passes through the distant air gap. The armature has a bistable toggle-like movement, and may be latched proximate either end wall. If springs are added between the armature and the body, the improved actuator may be used as a proportional position of force transducer within an operating range of armature movement.