Abstract: A redox gel battery comprising at least one cell consisting of: (i) a positive gel electrolyte containing reactive ions which are reduced but do not undergo phase transfer during operation of the battery; (ii) a negative gel electrolyte containing reactive ions which are oxidized but do not undergo phase transfer during operation of the battery; and (iii) a membrane separating the positive and negative gel electrolytes.

Abstract: A power control system (10) for managing power output from a battery (11) includes an output terminal (12) for delivering power from the battery (11) to a load, control means (14) connected to the battery (11) to sense pre-selected operating parameters of the battery (11), and in a first mode of operation to provide power from the battery (11) to the output terminals (12). A first capacitor (15), which stores a predetermined quantity of power is connected between the control means (14) and the battery (11), supplies its stored power to the battery (11) in response to a signal from the control means (14) which is in a second mode of operation. A second capacitor (16), which stores a predetermined quantity of power and is connected between control means (14) and the output terminals (12), supplies its stored power to the output terminals (12) in response to a signal from the control means (14) in its second mode of operation.

Abstract: An actuator for rotating a shaft includes a housing having a first port, a second port and a drive track. A first drive means is coupled to the first port and a second drive means is coupled to the second port. An array of balls which are spaced apart by spacers define a drive train extending from the first drive means to the second drive means via the drive track. A drive pin which extends outwardly from the shaft is connected to the drive train and the first and second drive means are driven so that the drive train will rotate the drive pin and hence the shaft.

Abstract: A loader arm assembly (10) includes a primary arm (11) pivotally mounted on a refuse collector (13) at or adjacent one of its ends, a secondary arm (15) connected to the other end of the primary arm (11), a grab assembly (17) connected to the other end of the secondary arm (15) and means for pivoting the primary arm (11) including a ram (31) connected to the point at which the primary arm (11) is connected to the refuse collector (13) and a cylinder (30) which has one link (32) connecting it to the refuse collector (13) and another link (33) connecting it to the primary arm.

Abstract: A refuse compactor (10) has a storage or compaction chamber (11), a lid (12) and a compaction blade (13). The compaction blade (13) is driven by cylinder (18) which may be attached to either the lid (12) or the chamber (11).