Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for harvesting electric energy from the earth's gravitational field includes a pneumatic, potential energy (PE) system which cumulatively generates a volume of compressed air with an energy equal to PE, during a predetermined duty cycle. This energy can then be released as an instantaneous burst of energy in the next consecutive duty cycle. Also included is an electro-magnetic system which continuously generates kinetic energy (KE) as a shuttle falls under the influence of gravity during each duty cycle. An interface between the two systems is provided by a water column that separates the two systems yet allows them to be interactive. Specifically, the burst of PE manipulates the water column to maintain its integrity as the shuttle uses the water column as a water pathway for a return to the shuttle's start point under the influence of its buoyancy.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for determining an operational status of one or more power grid components (35) of a power grid (30). The grid components (35) have component signatures representative of the operational status of the power grid component (35). The method includes obtaining, using a monitor (20), at least one of a current waveform or a voltage waveform at a location, analyzing the obtained one of the current waveform or the voltage waveform, establishing one or more waveform data values of the waveform, accessing a database having a plurality of component signatures, and by comparison of the waveform data values with the component signatures producing one or more results representative of the operational status.

Abstract: A machine for driving an electric generator moves a power module through a DOWN and UP duty cycle along a closed-loop, vertically oriented pathway. In the DOWN portion of the duty cycle, the module falls through air under the influence of gravity and generates kinetic energy for work to drive the electric generator. Upon disengagement of the power module from the electric generator, the kinetic energy of the power module then dives the power module into a bi-level water tank for a subsequent UP portion of the duty cycle. A valve mechanism and a displacement device are submerged in the bi-level tank to cooperate, in combination with each other, to create an unobstructed underwater pathway for the power module through the bi-level tank. The power module then rises under the influence of buoyancy to generate sufficient momentum for exit from the bi-level tank, and a consecutive duty cycle.

Abstract: The application provides nanoporous separator membranes, HF-scavenging membranes, and moisture-absorbing membranes comprising aramid microfibers and aramid nanofibers. Also provided are rapid methods of preparing nanoporous separator membranes and moisture-absorbing membranes. Batteries, battery systems and visual indicators comprising a membrane of the application and are provided.

Abstract: A machine for driving an electric generator moves a power module through a DOWN and UP duty cycle along a closed-loop, vertically oriented pathway. In the DOWN portion of the duty cycle, the module falls through air under the influence of gravity and generates kinetic energy for work to drive the electric generator. Upon disengagement of the power module from the electric generator, the kinetic energy of the power module then dives the power module into a bi-level water tank for a subsequent UP portion of the duty cycle. A valve mechanism and a displacement device are submerged in the bi-level tank to cooperate, in combination with each other, to create an unobstructed underwater pathway for the power module through the bi-level tank. The power module then rises under the influence of buoyancy to generate sufficient momentum for exit from the bi-level tank, and a consecutive duty cycle.

Abstract: A new use of foam or other material that possesses shock-absorption characteristics to add to, or replace, the conventional plastic or wooden physical structure of the tray commonly used for ammunition reloading, thus significantly improving the stability of cartridge case handling during and between the various stages of reloading. The invention enhances the stability of ammunition cases during the reloading process to reduce accidental powder spill.

Abstract: A system for cyclically lifting a large volume of water includes a piston plate having first and second sides. The water to be lifted exerts a water pressure on the second side of the piston plate, while compressed air held in a pressurized tank exerts an air pressure on the first side of the piston plate. The resultant pressure differential ?p is such that the piston plate is biased to move in a particular direction. A force actuator is provided that periodically exerts a force F on the piston plate to overcome the bias of ?p and thereby lift the volume of water.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a start/stop system is provided for a machine that drives an electric generator by moving buoyant modules on a duty-cycle pathway through a bi-level water tank. Included is a valve mechanism that maintains different water surface levels in the bi-level tank, and also establishes different spaces within the bi-level tank. Additionally, grips are included for selectively holding individual modules in respective spaces. To stop the machine, water is drained from the bi-level tank, and grips are activated, to hold modules in their respective spaces. To restart, water is introduced into the spaces and the grips are deactivated to release the modules for operation.

Abstract: A system is provided for directing a power module along a path through air, and then through water, during a machine duty cycle. On a power portion of the path, as the module falls through air from a start point under the influence of gravity, it engages with a generator to generate electric power. The module then enters a water tank where it is decelerated to zero velocity. On a return portion of the path, which is off set from the power path, the module remains submerged as it rises under the influence of buoyancy back up to its start point for the beginning of a subsequent duty cycle. Hydrodynamic features in the module design and structural features of a guideway in the water tank assist each other in directing the module through the submerged portion of its duty cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a motor controller to an electrical motor, said apparatus comprising: a motor interface board; a mounting mechanism for mechanically connecting said motor interface board to the electrical motor; at least one input lead for electrically connecting said motor interface board to at least one of an electrical power source and an electrical signal source; at least one output lead for electrically connecting said motor interface board to the electrical motor; and at least one connector for mechanically and electrically connecting said motor interface board to the motor controller.

Abstract: A system for cyclically lifting a large volume of water includes a piston plate having first and second sides. The water to be lifted exerts a water pressure on the second side of the piston plate, while compressed air held in a pressurized tank exerts an air pressure on the first side of the piston plate. The resultant pressure differential ?p is such that the piston plate is biased to move in a particular direction. A force actuator is provided that periodically exerts a force F on the piston plate to overcome the bias of ?p and thereby lift the volume of water.

Abstract: A machine for driving an electric generator includes a bi-level tank which simultaneously has a higher surface level and a lower surface level. In this arrangement, after a power module has been dropped from a launch point and after its engagement with the generator, the power module is returned through the bi-level tank to the launch point for another duty cycle. To do this, the operation of a displacement device inside the bi-level tank is coordinated with the operation of a valve mechanism. Specifically, the valve mechanism alternatingly provides for an entry of the power module into the tank through the lower surface level, and for a subsequent exit from the bi-level tank through the higher surface level. During this transition, the displacement device is activated to establish and maintain the respective surface levels in the bi-level tank.