Abstract: There is provided a Ti—Al-based alloy ingot having ductility at room temperature, in which the Ti—Al-based ingot has a lamellar structure in which ?2 phases and ? phases are arranged sequentially and regularly, and a thickness ratio ?/?2 of the ? phase to the ?2 phase is equal to or more than 2. There is also provided a Ti—Al-based alloy ingot having ductility at room temperature, in which the Ti—Al-based alloy ingot has a lamellar structure in which ?2 phases and ? phases are arranged sequentially and regularly, the ? phase has a thickness of 100 nm to 200 nm, and the ?2 phase has a thickness of 100 nm or less.

Abstract: A titanium alloy having ultrahigh strength and ultralow elastic modulus, and showing linear elastic deformation behavior is disclosed. The titanium alloy (Ti-20Nb-5Zr-1Fe-O) of the present invention consists of titanium, niobium, zirconium, iron and oxygen. More specifically, the amount of niobium is 18 to 22 at. %, the amount of zirconium is 3 to 7 at. %, the amount of iron is 0.5 to 3.0 at. %, the amount of oxygen is 0.1 to 1.0 wt. %, and the balance is titanium.

Abstract: An engine for converting thermal energy to kinetic energy is provided. The engine includes a first zone and a second zone and a movable loop, which extends between the first zone and the second zone. Containers are attached to the loop such that the loop and the containers are movable conjointly between the first zone and the second zone. Each of the containers is adapted to receive a varying amount of a working fluid therein and is adapted to be in a plurality of states, including a first state, in which it contains a first amount of the working fluid, and a second sate, in which it contains a second amount of the working fluid, the first amount being smaller than the second amount. Each of the containers is caused to be in its first state as it moves through the first zone and in its second state as it moves through the second zone so as to impart motion to the loop.

Abstract: An engine for converting thermal energy to kinetic energy is provided. The engine includes a body of fluid having a first zone and a second zone, a thermal energy source thermally connected to the first zone for providing thermal energy thereto, and a thermal energy sink thermally connected to the second zone for removing thermal energy therefrom such that the first zone has a temperature greater than the second zone. The engine further includes a movable loop, which extends between the first zone and the second zone, and a plurality of containers which are positioned in the body of fluid and attached to the loop such that the loop and the containers move conjointly between the first zone and the second zone. Each of the containers expands to a first volume when it is in one of the first and second zones, and contracts to a second volume when it is in the other one of the first and second zones.

Abstract: An engine for converting thermal energy to kinetic energy is provided. The engine includes a body of fluid having a first zone and a second zone, a thermal energy source thermally connected to the first zone for providing thermal energy thereto, and a thermal energy sink thermally connected to the second zone for removing thermal energy therefrom such that the first zone has a temperature greater than the second zone. The engine further includes a movable loop, which extends between the first zone and the second zone, and a plurality of containers which are positioned in the body of fluid and attached to the loop such that the loop and the containers move conjointly between the first zone and the second zone. Each of the containers expands to a first volume when it is in one of the first and second zones, and contracts to a second volume when it is in the other one of the first and second zones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable exercise device including a base having first and second opposite ends. The device also includes at least one resistance member pivotally mounted to the base between the first and second ends. The resistance member is pivotable between a first orientation, in which the resistance member is positioned generally upright, and a second orientation, in which the resistance member is pivoted away from the first end toward the second end. At least one urging member is coupled to the base and the resistance member for urging the resistance member toward the first orientation so as to provide resistance when the resistance member is pivoted from the first orientation toward the second orientation.

Abstract: An engine is powered by a hot liquid zone and a cold liquid zone. A plurality of fluid-tight containers, each which contains a working fluid which expands when exposed to the hot liquid zone and contracts when exposed to the cold liquid zone, are attached to a loop which rotates over sprockets attached to shafts. The difference in the buoyant forces acting on the containers exposed to the hot liquid zone versus the buoyant forces acting on the containers exposed to the cold liquid zone produces motion in the loop which imparts rotational kinetic energy to the shafts.

Abstract: A turn indication system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position in response to the actuation of a turn signal switch. A door-ajar indication system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position in response to the actuation of a switch so as to indicate an ajar condition of a door of the vehicle. A traffic observation system for a vehicle includes a wave receiving member for mounting to the vehicle such that the wave receiving member is oriented along a line of sight from an object approaching the vehicle from a lateral direction generally perpendicular to a path of motion of the vehicle, permitting a driver of the vehicle to perceive the object via a wave received by the wave receiving member from the object along the line of sight.

Abstract: A brake light system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position, which is different from the first position. The indicating member is movable from its first position to its second position in response to the actuation of a brake system of the vehicle so as to indicate the extent of engagement of the brake system.

Abstract: A turn indication system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position in response to the actuation of a turn signal switch. A door-ajar indication system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position in response to the actuation of a switch so as to indicate an ajar condition of a door of the vehicle. A traffic observation system for a vehicle includes a wave receiving member for mounting to the vehicle such that the wave receiving member is oriented along a line of sight from an object approaching the vehicle from a lateral direction generally perpendicular to a path of motion of the vehicle, permitting a driver of the vehicle to perceive the object via a wave received by the wave receiving member from the object along the line of sight.

Abstract: A brake light system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position, which is different from the first position. The indicating member is movable from its first position to its second position in response to the actuation of a brake system of the vehicle so as to indicate the extent of engagement of the brake system.

Abstract: A system adapted for use in evacuating a building includes a track assembly mounted to an exterior wall of the building. More particularly, the track assembly extends vertically along the exterior wall so as to be accessible by a user from the building. The track assembly is designed to permit the user to descend along the track assembly at a predetermined speed when the user is engaged to the track assembly through an engaging mechanism.