Abstract: A device and method of converting tidal currents into power. The device comprises a plurality of modules and is mounted in tidal water so that one face is presented inland and the opposite face is presented seaward. Each module comprises a turbine mounted on an elevator means which moves the turbine vertically in response to water level changes during a tide. The modules are alternately presented toward the inland and seaward directions thereby permitting tidal water movement associated with both flood and ebb tides to be converted into power. Apparatus for sensing the amount of water flowing over the turbine for controlling the movement of the elevator device, and apparatus for withdrawing power from the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high power wind turbine with kinetic accumulator is disclosed. The invention includes a circular wall, a wall turbine movably mounted to the circular wall so that it can be moved to face the wind, a non-linear generator connected to the wind turbine to generate electrical power, a fly wheel, and a drive wheel disposed in contact with the fly wheel to drive the fly wheel. A reversible non-linear motor is connected to the drive wheel to drive the drive wheel or to be driven by the drive wheel. The non-linear generator is connected to the reversible motor to rotate the drive wheel to rotate the fly wheel when the non-linear generator generates excess electrical power. The fly wheel rotates the drive wheel to drive the reversible motor to generate electrical power when the non-linear generator does not generate sufficient electrical power.

Abstract: A parachute system removably mounted on an aircraft. The system comprises a container removably and releasably attached to an aircraft fuselage. The container has a lid which is biased open and a locking mechanism which maintains the lid closed until a parachute is to be deployed. A drogue chute ejecting mechanism ejects a drogue chute when the lid is opened, and the drogue chute deploys a main chute stored in the container and which is connected to the container. A coupling attaches the container to the aircraft fuselage and is disconnectable so that the chute system can be jettisoned from the aircraft.

Abstract: A hedging apparatus is disclosed which comprises a wheeled vehicle having a specially adapted chain saw thereon for cutting limbs and branches from trees, hedges, or shrubs, which are planted in rows. The chain saw is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart guide bars which extend forwardly of the cutter chain, thus assuring the severing of limber branches which would otherwise be pushed aside by the saw and remain uncut. Resilient springs in the form of elongated rods can be used in conjunction with the guide bars to prevent chattering of the branches being cut. To particular advantage, a positioner can be provided for setting the chain saw blade at a selected pitch angle and for maintaining the selected pitch angle during a hedging operation. To further advantage, a hopper can also be provided for collection and disposal of the severed limbs and branches during the hedging operation so that they do not have to be subsequently gathered up and hauled to another site for disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating hydrogen and oxygen from water molecules. A solar reflecting means reflects solar energy onto a water containing tank to boil water contained therein and form steam. The steam is transferred either to a turbine-generator assembly for producing power, or to a dissociating means for producing hydrogen and oxygen. The steam in the dissociating means is forced to traverse a spiral path wherein it undergoes a circular motion to subject it to centrifugal force while contacting a heat transfer surface. Solar energy is concentrated on the heat transfer surface and heat in amounts sufficient to raise the temperature of the steam to the dissociation temperature thereof is transferred thereto. Hydrogen and oxygen are separated from each other by the centrifugal forces, and are withdrawn from the dissociating means. An electric starter and means for moving solar reflecting means are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar heated and cooled modular building includes insulated prefabricated wall and roof panels supported on prefabricated tubular wall columns and roof beams. Fluid circulating means is connected with the columns and beams to circulate fluid therethrough at a desired temperature from a source of the fluid to maintain a desired temperature in the building. A plurality of solar panels are supported on the roof of the building and a heat pump is connected therewith to circulate a heat exchange fluid through the panels to absorb heat. The heated heat exchange fluid is then used to obtain the desired temperature of the fluid circulated through the columns and beams.

Abstract: A high-speed ground transportation system wherein a vehicle rides on a film of air and is propelled as a free piston through a tunnel by pneumatic pressure. Seals on the vehicle create fluid communication between a high pressure area behind the vehicle and the area beneath the vehicle while preventing fluid communication between that high pressure area and an evacuated area located in front of the vehicle, to create an air film beneath the vehicle upon which it rides. Cargo handling means are located near the tunnel and shunting means enable the vehicle to be shunted into those cargo handling areas when desired. Booster stations located at selected points serve to increase a pressure differential across a vehicle to assist that vehicle when necessary, and magnetic means are used to maintain the vehicle in a upright orientation as it is propelled through a tunnel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a self-contained underwater breathing arrangement including a cap or helmet for a skin diver having a hollow walled arrangement wherein air may be stored for rebreathing as needed. Additionally, there is disclosed, with and without such a combination a snorkel attachment for breathing purposes secured to such a cap having an elongated tube adapted and constructed to extend to the surface of a body of water. The tube terminating on a reel mounted on a floating structure whereby the tube may be wound thereon and unwound as desired.

Abstract: A metal building with combined temperature control and firefighting system, wherein the building includes a metal frame structure having hollow members defining water flow passages for circulation of water throughout the building structure to heat or cool the building, depending upon whether hot or cold water is circulated, and having heat responsive devices and water distribution devices connected therewith, whereby in the event of a fire, water is caused to flow over portions of the building surface and through the frame members, to prevent damage or destruction thereto due to heat from the fire.

Abstract: The irrigation apparatus includes a quick-connect, self-piercing drip emitter insertable in a plastic pipe to effect a controlled, localized trickle of irrigating water. The apparatus is usable either above the surface of the ground or below the surface and may include a protective wrap to keep dirt from clogging the emitter and to spread the flow of irrigating water over a larger area.

Abstract: A tree saw for sawing trees beneath ground level. A saw blade is attached to the front end of a land vehicle which has furrow forming blades on the sides thereof. Movable cutting bits are pivotally attached to the saw blade longitudinal side edges and each bit has two cutting edges. One cutting edge contacts a tree during a forward stroke of the saw blade to cut the tree, and the other cutting edge contacts the tree on the reverse stroke to cut the tree. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the land vehicle moves the blade sideways to cut the tree while the vehicle moves forward and/or rearward.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting water wave movement into power. A float is located in a body of water, and the apparatus converts the up and down movement of that float caused by waves in the water to operate a pump to displace hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic pumping station which actuates fluid motors, or the like to produce power. The force of the float movement is multiplied by a mechanical advantage so that the pump displaces the hydraulic fluid on both the upward and downward movement of the float even in calm water. A plurality of modules are interconnected to take advantage of as much of a wave front as desired.

Abstract: A metal building with an integrated hot water heating system includes a heater for heating water, pipes connected between the heater and heating grids in the floor of the building and the structural columns and beams of the frame of the building for circulation of hot water through the frame and floor of the building to heat the building primarily with radiant energy, wherein a substantially uniform temperature is maintained throughout the building, and a savings of up to 70% in energy required to heat the building is realized.

Abstract: A deep sea mining apparatus and method for mining mineral nodules from the ocean floor, comprises at least one surface ship and preferably a plurality of nodule harvesting or mining machines supported from the surface ship and resting on the ocean floor for movement along the ocean floor and including nodule gathering devices to gather the mineral nodules as the machine passes over the ocean floor. The nodule harvesting machines include separable, nodule-containing crates which, when full, are lifted to the surface where they are recovered by a surface ship. The crates are emptied of their contents and subsequently returned to the machines on the ocean floor to be refilled. The placement and guidance of the harvesting machines on the ocean floor is controlled by sonar devices and television cameras and the like.

Abstract: A solar heated and cooled modular building includes insulated prefabricated wall and roof panels supported on prefabricated tubular wall columns and roof beams. Fluid circulating means is connected with the columns and beams to circulate fluid therethrough at a desired temperature from a source of the fluid to maintain a desired temperature in the building. A plurality of solar panels are supported on the roof of the building and a heat pump is connected therewith to circulate a heat exchange fluid through the panels to absorb heat. The heated heat exchange fluid is then used to obtain the desired temperature of the fluid circulated through the columns and beams.

Abstract: A lightweight electrical cable comprises a plurality of laminations of loops of continuous strips of silver foil, defining an opening at least at one end thereof for receiving a battery post or other electrical connector, and a spring clip engagable with the cable end received on an electrical connector to readily releasably secure the cable in place. The method of making an electrical cable as described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting uniform dispersion of digested effluent, includes a header pipe connected with a source of digested effluent under pressure, and a plurality of effluent discharge pipes connected with the header pipe, and a plurality of flow control effluent emitters are connected with the discharge pipes at spaced intervals therealong to effect uniform dispersion of the digested effluent in a disposal field and the like. The emitters are provided in different sizes and the effluent is pumped therethrough. The apparatus can thus be used in hilly terrain and will provide uniform dispersion of the effluent regardless of high or low ground elevations. The apparatus can be used to irrigate crops or lawns and the like, and thus the digested effluent is a valuable asset rather than a liability.

Abstract: A heater for orchards and the like includes a stackable, heat transmitting, upright housing. A fuel burner is supported in the housing near a lower end thereof and includes an air inlet chamber having an annular, upwardly directed outlet at the periphery of a fuel dispersing plate and air flows through the outlet under pressure in an upward direction and with a spinning motion to vaporize fuel and convey it to a combustion zone for turbulent, substantially pollution-free combustion of the fuel. The burner may also be used with conventional orchard heater housings to provide substantially pollution-free heating of orchards and the like.

Abstract: Quick-connect fittings for a trickle-type irrigation system wherein the fittings include gripping means thereon for quickly and easily joining the fittings to plastic pipes and the like without requiring the use of tools. In one form of the invention, the fitting has piercing means thereon for penetrating the wall of a plastic pipe to make a secure and leak-tight connection thereto without requiring the use of tools; and in another form of the invention, adjustable resilient orifice means is in the fitting.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for storing electrical energy and for converting DC power to AC power. The system includes a very large flywheel which is mounted in an evacuated housing and is driven by a plurality of wheels powered by DC electric motors which receive current from an input power source. An independent plurality of wheels coupled to AC generators selectively engage the rotating flywheel to withdraw energy from the rotating mass of the flywheel in the form of alternating current. Control systems are provided for adjusting the radial position of the drive and output wheels in dependence upon the speed of the flywheel. Additional control systems are provided to change the number of driving motors or output generators in contact with the flywheel depending upon the input power available or output power required.