Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanical energy storage system, incorporating upper and lower reservoirs supported in a rigid frame. Metal balls are initially stored in the upper reservoir, a form of storage with potential energy that can be converted to kinetic energy. The balls are selectively released from the upper reservoir. The balls are then guided by a plurality of ramps, and said balls are then deposited in the lower reservoir. The invention further relates to renewable energy, such as solar energy, as a means of returning the balls from the lower to the upper reservoir. A further object is that the invention will continue to operate during those periods of time when solar energy is unavailable, without relying on backup power from battery packs or from power coming directly from a utility company.

Abstract: A set of Gravity Power Towers with built in intelligence and connected with each other with a transport guide ways or path ways for the mass to be transported on wheels, form the transport network for transporting people and cargo point to point, powered by gravity.

Abstract: An electrical generator is driven by gravitational force provided by a plurality of pairs of water tanks. Each pair of water tanks is suspended by an elongated chain supported by a series of pulleys. The water tanks in each pair of water tanks move between an upper position and a lower position alternately by filling selected ones of the water tanks with water and draining from the other selected ones of the water tanks. The vertical movement of the water tanks alternately filled with water is translated by ratchet wheels and bevel gear wheels to rotate the electrical generator in the same direction for generating the electrical power.

Abstract: A rotary drive mechanism for toys, kinetic sculptures, and the like, employs a pawl and ratchet mechanism to transmit driving torque between a driving wheel and a driven inertia wheel. The driving wheel may itself be driven by means of a drive string that may frictionally engage a circular drive surface to permit the driving wheel to be rotated independently with limited slippage between the string and the drive surface. A fixed and uniform amount of energy can be imparted to the driving wheel and the driven wheel through a spring that is connected to the drive string and preloaded by a predetermined amount. A second inertia wheel can be mounted coaxially of the one inertia wheel and both wheels may operate with random motion through an interference coupling. The pawl and ratchet mechanism in one embodiment forms an escapement to provide intermittent drive to the wheels. The inertia wheel is rotationally unbalanced with a weight offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: In a toy target, target figures are rotated about a horizontal axis at a controlled speed by a gravitationally driven escapement mechanism. The figures are carried by wire elements for pivotal movement between "upright" and "knocked down" positions, and devices which attach the figures to the elements are arranged to return the figures automatically to their upright positions after they have been knocked down.

Abstract: A hydroelectric generating unit includes a generator shaft about which buckets are pivotally mounted on a common carrier for travel in a common path at equal angular intervals. The bucket carrier is fast on the shaft. Water flow control means, located above the shaft, is driven by the shaft for delivering a measured quantity of gravity impelled water to each bucket as it passes through a loading zone shortly after the bucket has passed top dead center. Each bucket is caused to discharge its load in the vicinity of bottom dead center. A succession of such units, connected for operation in timed relation to one another, is desirably provided.