Abstract: A water-driven generator for harvesting energy produced by naturally flowing water sources and storing the energy to later produce electricity when needed includes a housing with a plurality of linear spring motors received therein that are connected to an internal drive shaft. A first end of the drive shaft is coupled with a waterwheel submerged within a naturally flowing stream to wind the spring motors when the main power grid is operational. The opposing end of the drive shaft is operably connected to a generator so that the wound springs produce electricity whenever emergency power is needed.

Abstract: An electric valve, comprising a housing component and a valve body component, wherein the housing component is fixedly connected to the valve body component; a control component comprises a motor, and a control component is provided in an inner cavity of the housing component. With respect to the background art, the influence of moisture on the motor can be reduced.

Abstract: An assembly includes a sun gear that includes a external gear teeth and internal axial spline teeth, a drive hub including a first sleeve portion formed with lateral holes, and insert assemblies, each insert assembly including a sleeve located in one of the holes and secured to the first sleeve portion, a plunger located in the sleeve for displacement along the sleeve, and a spring urging the plunger laterally outward toward engagement with the spline teeth.

Abstract: A barrel includes a mainspring cooperating internally with a core, externally with a track of a drum by way of a resilient sliding bridle. The track and the bridle are of non-circular shape, nesting one inside the other in the free state of the bridle. The track and the bridle are arranged to make one raised portion of the bridle abuttingly engage with a sill of the track when the torque applied to the bridle is less than a torque limit value, and to allow radial constriction of the raised portion when the torque is greater than the limit value. The track and the bridle are arranged to allow the passage of the raised portion over the sill and to allow the bridle to travel angularly under the effect of the torque until the next encounter between the sill and the raised portion.

Abstract: An energy storing device is disclosed. In the energy storing device of the present invention, energy from an energy generating unit is stored in the form of spring torsion and then is output steadily. The energy storing device of the present invention includes a plurality of cog-wheels, a plurality of torsion magnitude limiting units, a plurality of single-directional input bearings, a plurality of energy storing units and a plurality of speed enhancing cog-wheels. Each of the energy storing units includes at least two end rotational disc portions, which are connected with each other co-axially. A leaf spring unit is provided between each pair of rotational disc portions and one end of the leaf spring unit is bent in an opposite direction. In addition, the energy storing units may be connected in series or in parallel to increase the efficiencies in energy storage and energy output.

Abstract: A tri-modal—energy storage mode, fail-safe mode, and operating mode—fail-safe actuator with low overall power consumption and specifically low fail-safe power consumption due to energy storage pawling mechanisms. Stored energy is discharged at a controlled rate in fail-safe mode. The actuator's sequencing through its three modes is enabled by a dual-cam/clutch system which is powered separately from the operational (shaft control) system.

Abstract: A spring motor mechanism for use with a child's swing (100) that includes a spring (300) attached to a slip clutch device (400) to prevent the spring (300) from beconing over wound. In addition, the spring motor mechanism includes an indecator (800) which reveals the amount of torsional energy stored in the spring (300). This can be used by an operator to approximate the time remaining before the spring (300) must be re-wound. The invention also includes an adjustable swing height system (700) that allows the operator of the swing to determine a maximum swing height and also prevents the over-swinging of the child seat (116).

Abstract: Elastic means for rolling up a roller curtain include a plurality of springs (26,27,28) fastened rigidly to a common support (15) connected to a shaft (2) and with respective support and constraint elements (36,37,38) which are geometrically coupled to the roller (19). A device for connecting the springs to a stationary frame (35) of the curtain (20) reduces the number of springs torsional turns with respect to the number of turns of the roller (19) by interposition of a speed reducer between the shaft (2), to which the springs are fastened, the stationary frame (35) and the roller (19). The shaft (2) end is located closer to the most external support and constraint element (36) and its extremity has a disc (11) mounted thereto. The coupling device together with the springs (50), their supports (15,36,37,38), the shaft (2) and an external support cylindrical body (6) form a compact assembly, which is introduced into one head of the roller (19).

Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising (a) a first and second member in rotational alignment to each another; (b) a torsional resilient mechanism for providing torsional resilience between the first and second members, the torsional resilient mechanism comprising at least two or more coaxial helical springs connected in series with the inner-most spring connected to the first member and the outer-most spring connected to the second member; and (c) one or more stops for preventing at least one of said springs from winding or unwinding beyond a particular point.

Abstract: A spring motor mechanism for use with a child's swing that includes a spring attached to a slip clutch device to prevent the spring from becoming over wound. In addition, the spring motor mechanism includes an indicator for revealing, based upon the amount of torque stored in the spring, the remaining number of child seat oscillations that can occur before the spring must be re-wound, and an adjustable swing height portion to prevent the over-swinging of the child seat.

Abstract: A spring assembly of the kind having a coiled strip spring member (34) supported at one end on an arcuate drum portion (16) about which it is reverse wound and coiled at its other end about an abutment (20) further includes a base plate (10) mounting the drum portion (16) and a second base plate (18) mounting the abutment (20), the base plates (10) and (18) being interconnected by pins (32) attached to base plate (18) running in slots (26, 28) provided on base plate (10) so as to prevent relative movement of the base plates which would allow the spring to coil further about the abutment (20). The base plate (10) is provided with a cover (40) with which it forms a housing portion and the base plate (18) is provided with a cover (38) with which it forms a second housing portion. The assembly can be dropped on to support pins (14, 22) attached to respective halves (42, 44) of a hinge, e.g. of an automobile trunk or lid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tensioning the accumulator spring of a high-voltage or medium-voltage power circuit breaker drive, in which a drilling machine or a power tool, such as a screwdriver, which is powered by a rechargeable battery, is used.

Abstract: A power transmission device comprising a rotatably mounted drum for housing a spring mechanism, one end of the spring mechanism being fixed to the interior of the drum, and the other end of the spring mechanism being fixed to a sprocket gear wheels provided on the drum axis. There is also provided a slip clutch adapted to engage the second sprocket gear wheel, a freewheel, connected to the slip clutch, a drive wheel coupled to the freewheel, at least one crank coupled by a drive to the drive wheel for rotating the drive wheel, and a speed control governor coupled to the drum. Cranking of the drive wheel drives the freewheel and then the slip clutch and sprocket gear wheel to wind the spring mechanism, causing the drum to rotate under spring-tension at a speed regulated by the governor so as to provide mechanical power.

Abstract: An energy storing device comprises a first drum, a second drum and at least one intermediate drum, an elastic cord wound from the first drum to the second drum via the intermediate drum, and means for mechanically connecting the drums so that the peripheral displacement of the second drum is greater than that of the intermediate drum and that of the intermediate drum is greater than that of the first drum. By providing the at least one intermediate drum, energy output from the device can be obtained even if the initial strain of the elastic cord is zero, and high energy output efficiency can be obtained in comparison with conventional one drum and two drum devices.

Abstract: A spring motor comprises an output drum rotatably mounted to a casing and a first end of a spring attached to the output drum. A second end of the spring is attached to a free floating locking plug, around which the spring coils in an unstressed state. A pin is mounted near the output drum to prevent the locking plug from passing between the pin and the output drum.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a valve and more particularly, to an electrically driven valve which is so arranged that, in the electrically driven valve adapted to selectively open or close the valve by rotating the valve body of said valve through driving by a reversible motor, there is incorporated a mechanism for automatically opening or closing the valve when it becomes impossible to control the valve for energization due to power failures, etc.

Abstract: An energy recovery system for a machine, and particularly an automotive vehicle, includes an energy storage device which selectively receives energy from the prime mover for storage via a predetermined path and delivers stored energy to the prime mover load via the same path. In the preferred embodiment the energy storage device is an elastomeric tube which is disposed for rotational movement about a shaft and secured at the ends to respective end members. Braking units permit selective braking and releasing of the end members relative to fixed supports. A set of planet gears are controlled by the brake actuation to drive a sun gear or be driven by a ring gear to effect energy inflow and outflow, respectively, from the elastomeric tube. The storage device is permitted to store energy or release its stored energy as a function of vehicle control and operational parameters.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided to prevent over tensioning of the spring motor of a window shade. The clutch assembly includes sleeve means, connected to one end of the spring motor, having an axial bore formed with internal threads which are engageable with threads formed along the window shade dowel, and also having sleeve locking means operable to engage retaining means formed on the interior surface of the window shade tube. The clutch assembly is operable to permit tensioning of the spring motor a predetermined number of turns of the window shade tube in one direction and then prevent further tensioning of the spring motor without restricting rotation of the tube in such one direction.

Abstract: An energy supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of energy by means of rotating rollers driven by an electric motor to a power toy driven by elastic materials is disclosed.

Abstract: A cable storage device having an operating pulley which is driven by a spring for retraction of cable which is payed out from the device is provided with a friction clutch interconnecting the spring and the pulley so that the clutch slips when the spring has been fully tensioned by paying out of the cable thereby to permit further paying out of cable without further tensioning of the spring.

Abstract: An improved spring motor in combination with a toy vehicle which can be easily manufactured and which can be wound up by moving the car forwardly and rearwardly in reciprocating movement without changing the physical configuration of the motor. The motor includes a first motor member about which a coil spring is engaged and a second motor member coaxial therewith and motion transmitting means interconnecting the two members such that the first motor member is rotated in response to rotation of the second member in the same direction but at a slightly slower speed. Power take-off means connect the motor to an item to be driven such as the rear wheels of a car. The motor is rewound through the power take-off means during which ratchet means allow the rotational motion transmitting means to be ineffective and during which a rewind ratchet holds the first motor means stationary to achieve high speed spring windup.

Abstract: An engine starter with a rotatable drum, a spring, and a planetary gear. An axially extending clutch bushing is permanently connected to one end of the motor shaft. The clutch bushing is via a clutch connectable to the sun gear, the clutch not engaging until the bushing exceeds a predetermined number of revolutions. Thus the spring of the engine starter is not retensioned for a new start until the engine has come well into operation. When the torque of the engine starter has reached a predetermined level the clutch disengages so that the spring is not broken.

Abstract: A device for winding a spiral spring to start an engine of a construction such that a pedal shaft and a driving sprocket which is supported on the pedal shaft are connected each other in a freely rotatable manner through a clutch which is engaged and disengaged in accordance with forward and reverse rotations of the pedal shaft, that a ratchet pawl which permits the forward rotation of the pedal shaft and prevents the reverse rotation thereof is caused to be engaged with the outer peripheral teeth of the driving sprocket, and further that the driving sprocket and a driven sprocket which is provided on a starter shaft to be connected with a spiral spring are interlinked by a power transmission chain so as to cause the spiral spring to be wound around the starter shaft at the time of the forward rotation of the driving sprocket.

Abstract: An improved engine starting device for a motorcycle of the kick pedal type is provided which is easy to operate, does not require any large force of operation and is thus particularly suitable for an unskilled and powerless person such as a woman or girl to operate. To this end, the device includes a spiral spring which is operatively associated with an engine crankshaft and with a pedal arm so that it can rotate the crankshaft for engine cranking by releasing its spring force or energy previously accumulated by several repetitive swing motions of the pedal arm due to the rider's foot operation. The device also provides improved safety in engine starting operation by preventing the motorcycle from starting to run unintendedly even where the engine is started with the engine throttle valve being opened excessively.