Miscellaneous Patents (Class 290/1R)
  • Patent number: 4742242
    Abstract: A buoyancy engine having a wheel, incorporating recesses on its periphery to contain linked buoyant lifting bodies, is attached by arms to a driveshaft and immersed in a vessel of liquid. The driveshaft is rotably mounted on sealed bearings in the vessel walls. The buoyant lifting bodies are linked into a continuous loop by flexible attaching hinges. The lifting bodies are introduced at the base of the wheel through an injection tube. The injection tube contains air injectors, powered by a compressor or blower, and the volume of air injected is controlled by a computer controller programmed with the amount of air required to allow the injection of the lifting bodies into the vessel, without significant loss of liquid from the vessel. When operating, the lifting bodies are injected into the vessel at a point below the wheel, and are held by the recesses on the wheel during their ascent through the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Dennis Alan De Shon
  • Patent number: 4739179
    Abstract: A system for generating power by vehicular movement having treadle plates upon which a vehicle overpasses. Treadle plates are pivotally fitted to the top of the vertical shafts. Resilient, compressible bladders are each fitted with an inlet and an exhaust, pressure plates for compressing the bladders, a series of connecting links, fulcrums, levers and arms, directly or indirectly attached to the lower portion of the vertical shafts and also to the pressure plates, and a generating means for converting the compressed fluid into electricity. As the vehicle overpasses the treadle plates, the vertical shafts are forced downwardly, and, accordingly, force is applied to the upper and lower plates via the linking system, thus compressing the bladder and the working fluid therein. The compressed fluid is then driven through pipelines into the generator, causing the production of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: Howard A. Stites
  • Patent number: 4733099
    Abstract: A magnetically driven generator/motor for producing singly or simultaneously mechanical and electrical energy outputs, having a housing including circular frame members with electromagnet drivers about corresponding driven magnets attached to at least one rotating stage fixed to a drive shaft and also carrying field coils, at least one counter rotating stage, bearing mounted to the drive shaft with peripheral driven magnets and armatures which produce electricity when rotated past the field coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: William O. Hutson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4718232
    Abstract: An apparatus which generates electrical power from a combination of gravity forces and the inherent buoyancy of a hollow body immersed in a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a long chain having a plurality of hollow buoyant elements attached thereto. The chain extends around a pair of sprockets and the buoyant elements are immersed in a fluid along the portion of the chain moving against gravity and the buoyant elements pass through an airspace along the portion of the chain moving with gravity. The combination of buoyancy and gravitational forces cause movement of the chain to thereby rotate the sprocket gears which are used to drive an electrical power generator. Also disclosed is a housing including a hatch assembly for the apparatus and a valve unit and an insulator for use with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: Robert W. Willmouth
  • Patent number: 4718233
    Abstract: A system for converting DC electrical solar generated energy to AC electrical energy. A DC motor is driven by electricity obtained from DC electrical energy producing solar panels. The DC motor drives an air compressor which in turn provides, via Archimedes' principle, a constant flow of air to a submerged cross-flow turbine. The turbine is rotated by the rising air bubbles through the water. An AC generator is connected to the shaft of the turbine. The output of the AC generator is then fed to the consumers or homeowners electrical supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: Wilford C. Barrett
  • Patent number: 4703621
    Abstract: A system for converting DC electrical solar generated energy to AC electrical energy. A DC motor is driven by electricity obtained from DC electrical energy producing solar panels. The DC motor drives an air compressor which in turn provides, via Archimedes' principle, a constant flow of air to a submerged cross-flor turbine. The turbine is rotated by the rising air bubbles through the water. An AC generator is connected to the shaft of the turbine. The output of the AC generator is connected to the shaft of the turbine. The output of the AC generator is then fed to the consumer's or homeowner's electrical supply lines. Special cleaning means removes impurities from the air flowed through the cross-flow turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: Wilford C. Barrett
  • Patent number: 4694187
    Abstract: An electromechanical constant speed drive generating system is provided with a mechanical differential having first, second and third rotatable shafts, wherein the speed of the second shaft is equal to the speed of the first shaft multiplied by the first contant plus the speed of the third shaft multiplied by a second constant. The first shaft is coupled to an external engine and is driven at a variable speed ranging between predetermined lower and upper limits. A constant speed generator is connected to the second shaft for producing a constant frequency output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Donal E. Baker
  • Patent number: 4691115
    Abstract: A system for rotating a drive mechanism which can be connected to an electrical generator or the like. The system (10) is particularly suitable for providing electrical power to a residence and includes a reservoir (14) for containing a volume of liquid such as water (16). Weight is applied to the upper surface of the liquid for forcing it downward. This liquid is discharged from the reservoir through a spout (36) which concentrates the discharged liquid into a stream which is directed against a drive mechanism (38) such as a turbine (40) for imparting rotational forces. The discharged water is received in a catch basin (50) from which it is then moved, as by pumping, back into the reservoir for a further cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Jerry W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4675563
    Abstract: A reciprocating linear motor (10) is formed with a pair of ring-shaped permanent magnets (50, 52) having opposite radial polarizations, held axially apart by a non-magnetic yoke (20), which serves as an axially displaceable armature assembly (14). A pair of annularly wound coils (30, 32) having axial lengths which differ from the axial lengths of the permanent magnets are serially coupled together in mutual opposition and positioned with an outer cylindrical core (24) in axial symmetry about the armature assembly. One embodiment includes a second pair of annularly wound coils (36, 38) serially coupled together in mutual opposition and an inner cylindrical core (26) positioned in axial symmetry inside the armature radially opposite to the first pair of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration
    Inventor: Michael P. Goldowsky
  • Patent number: 4661761
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine electrical system is disclosed which is adapted to use an internal combustion engine as a driving source. The generating system is constructed in a manner such that the output of an A.C. generator driven by the engine is rectified by a rectifier circuit, and the output of the rectifier circuit is inverted into an A.C. output by an inverter circuit adapted to use, a commutation command signal, the output of an oscillator circuit which generates a signal of a constant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Katsumata
  • Patent number: 4657289
    Abstract: An electrical power and signal generator and sensing device mountable on a rotatable body, such as a vehicle wheel, oribiting around its axis and using the rotation of the wheel to drive the generator through a friction drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Robert E. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4649283
    Abstract: A linear alternator capable of delivering multi-phase power and yet being driven by a free piston Stirling engine. The alternator has a permanent magnet mounted to the power piston of the free piston Stirling engine and an armature coil member mounted radially outwardly from the piston cylinder for generating one phase. A body, such as a second piston mounted in the same cylinder, is drivingly linked through a spring to be driven by the power piston. A second permanent magnet is mounted to the body and a second armature coil member is formed outwardly of the cylinder disposed outwardly from the body to provide the second phase. Proper design selection of the mass of the body and the spring constant of the spring, together with all other springs connected to the body, causes the body to be driven in phase quadrature with the power piston so that the voltage outputs of the two phases are in quadrature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Berchowitz, Robert W. Redlich
  • Patent number: 4649287
    Abstract: An energy storage system for a spacecraft is provided which employs a solar powered flywheel arrangement including a motor-generator which, in different operating modes, drives the flywheel and is driven thereby. A control circuit, including a threshold comparator, senses the output of a solar energy converter, and when a threshold voltage is exceeded thereby indicating the availability of solar power for the spacecraft loads, activates a speed control loop including the motor-generator so as to accelerate the flywheel to a constant speed and thereby store mechanical energy, while also supplying energy from the solar converter to the loads. Under circumstances where solar energy is not available and thus the threshold voltage is not exceeded, the control circuit deactivates the speed control loop and activates a voltage control loop that provides for operation of the motor as a generator so that mechanical energy from the flywheel is converted into electrical energy for supply to the spacecraft loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Frank J. Nola
  • Patent number: 4642547
    Abstract: A load regulator for a linear alternator driven by a free piston Stirling engine. A substantially constant output voltage is maintained across the useful load by shunting a portion of the armature output current of the alternator through a variable energy absorbing conductance and varying that conductance in proportion to changes in the output voltage of the alternator in order to maintain a constant total armature power output. The regulator may be made more efficient by forming the armature coil as a plurality of series connected coils by one or more taps and then switching the number of series coil turns in connection to the load approximately in inverse proportion to the square root of the steady state power demand of the load so that the total armature output power is switched between discrete levels while the output voltage is maintained constant for all those levels by the variable impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Redlich
  • Patent number: 4638172
    Abstract: The Engine-Generator combination comprises a small internal-combustion engine, such as is used to power model vehicles, such as model airplanes, and a direct-current generator operatively coupled to the engine. The generator produces from four volts and one hundred and fifty milliamperes of current to one hundred volts and a current in excess of two hundred and fifty milliamperes, upon the engine being run at speeds of from three thousand revolutions per minute to twenty thousand revolutions per minute, where the generator has from six hundred turns of #36 gauge magnetic wire on each of the three poles thereof, to one thousand turns of #40 gauge magnetic wire on each of the three poles. The generator, driven by the engine provides its direct-current power to charge nicade batteries carried by, and used by a model vehicle in which the engine-generator is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: George A. Williams
  • Patent number: 4631455
    Abstract: An electric starter motor and generator is integrated into the structure of an internal combustion engine by making the ferromagnetic pistons of the engine the relatively moving elements in the starter and generator. A coil is solenoidally wound around each sleeve of the engine. An electronically controlled switch sends battery current into an appropriate coil inducing a powerful magnetic field therearound. The magnetic field and piston interact resulting in a powerful magnetic force which moves the piston and thus cranks the engine. At appropriate times in the operation of the engine, fuel to the same can be shut off and the engine run as a high speed electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: Howard A. Taishoff
  • Patent number: 4629904
    Abstract: A small-scale hydroelectric generator has a micro-hydro axial-flow turbine mounted in a lower end of a penstock, preferrably of the siphon type, through which water is diverted from an intake basin. The turbine comprises a stator section formed with an axial core providing an annular passageway having an outlet end in close proximity to a rotor of a coaxial adjacent rotor section. The blades of the rotor have a length equal to the internal radius of the passageway. A plurality of flaps are arranged in an expandable circle between the stator section and rotor. A float mechanism located in the intake basin follows the water level and controls the extended positions of the flaps reducing the water flow through the penstock in a predetermined relation to the water level. The annular passageway has fixed vanes directing the stream of water in a helical swirling motion of predetermined pitch to impinge upon the blades which are disposed to receive the stream at an optimum angle of 90.degree. .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventors: Agustin Rojo, Jr., Jorge Leiseca
  • Patent number: 4628212
    Abstract: An oceano-thermosteric power plant is provided with plural evaporators and plural condensers, alternate parts of which are not operated at night and in winter on light load and hence a high efficiency heat exchange can be maintained. During the period that selected condensers and evaporators are not in service, excess cold water from the out-of-service condensers is circulated through the out-of-service evaporators in the opposite direction and hence the filth deposited inside the out-of-service evaporators can be washed away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Saga University
    Inventors: Haruo Uehara, Tsutomu Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 4622473
    Abstract: An off-shore platform is provided with a power grid comprised of a plurality of depending float members which are buoyant and weighted sufficiently to rise vertically in response to the buoyant energy of the wave action and to fall in response to gravity. A reciprocating piston member disposed in a cylinder is operatively connected to each float member to compress a fluid on the up stroke as the float member rises on a wave, and to extract fluid from a reservoir on the down stroke as the float member falls after the wave passes. The exhaust ports of the cylinders are commonly connected to accumulate fluid pressure in an exhaust reservoir sufficient to drive a turbine which powers an electric generator. The intake ports of the cylinders are commonly connected to an intake reservoir whereby the fluid extracted therefrom drives a second turbine and electric generator. The generating equipment disposed atop the platform sends the electricity to shore through subsea power lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Adolph Curry
  • Patent number: 4616140
    Abstract: A system for conversion of solar radiation into electric power comprises a single hot gas engine and two identical electric generators mounted at the two ends of the power output shaft of the hot gas engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: United Stirling AB
    Inventor: Jan C. Bratt
  • Patent number: 4614875
    Abstract: The present invention transforms the vast amount of existent vehicular travel into an equally-vast alternative energy resource employable for the generation of electricity. This transformation is achieved by means of a novel system which generally includes a momentum-conversion assembly configured to convert available vehicle momentum into operational momentum for an associated momentum-referenced electricity generator. The conversion assembly is accordingly structured to be responsive to the passage along an associated roadway of vehicles having predeterminable roadway-traversal momentum, with a portion of this momentum then being that which is cooperatively applied to the generator. The resulting double utilization of associated energy resources for both vehicle motion and electricity generation constitutes an effective increase in resource conversion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: Terrill A. McGee
  • Patent number: 4613007
    Abstract: A multi-function starter device comprises a starter motor mounted on an engine, an oil pump connected to the starter motor to derive an auxiliary device, wherein the oil pump is always connected to the starter motor to be rotated and an oil pressure switching valve to be operated by a car-driver is provided in a pipe at the discharge side of the oil pump, and wherein the oil pressure discharging valve is connected to the side of an oil refluxing path at the time of starting the engine and is switched to a pipe communicated with an actuator at the time of driving the auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinori Tanaka, Akira Morishita
  • Patent number: 4612447
    Abstract: Exercise method and apparatus activated air compressor driven by a pedal and crank exercise machine which is used for supplying kinetic energy to drive an air compressor. The compressed air is stored in a series of compressed air bottles similar to those used in scuba diving, the compressor being connected to the air storage bottles in sequentially switched fashion as each bottle reaches a desired predetermined pressure. The kinetic energy thus stored in the bottles in the form of high pressure air is released at a controlled rate to drive a turbine, for example, or any form of the air motor, which may then in turn drive any electrical generator, or supply a source of rotary power for any use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Eugene T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 4609826
    Abstract: An energy efficient apparatus suitable for use in hot, arid climates wherein a source of water is available includes in combination; a rotating wheel member which utilizes the buoyancy of outwardly extending members and a pair of temperature sensitive devices responsive to the change in ambient temperature to cause the moment about the axis of the rotating wheel member to increase, thereby aiding in the rotation of the rotating wheel member providing continuous output energy. The increase of the mechanical moment is caused by the mechanical change in position of an outwardly extending member and provides a portion of the energy obtained thereby to a spring and escapement mechanism which further couples additional energy to support the rotation of the rotating wheel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: Hyman Suroff
  • Patent number: 4602174
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer particularly useful as a linear alternator driven by a free-piston Stirling engine is disclosed. A relatively high permeability material is formed into a flux loop having at least a pair of spaced gaps formed transversely through the loop. The gaps are aligned along a reciprocation path for a magnet which is mechanically mounted for reciprocation between alternate positions within the gaps. The magnet has a magnetization vector transverse to the reciprocation path and is drivingly linked to a mechanical energy input or output for operation respectively as an alternator or motor. The armature coil is wound around a portion of the flux loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Redlich
  • Patent number: 4594521
    Abstract: A repeatable explosive-driven electrical pulse generator system includes an explosive propellant driver in which the chemical charge in a cartridge is exploded by impact of the driver's firing pin by the hammer of an actuator. The chemical energy released by the explosion drives a piston and piston rod within a cylinder of the driver from an initial retracted position to an extended position. Simultaneously, a high coercivity permanent magnet attached to the piston rod and disposed between the poles of a magnetic circuit in a slot of a ferromagnetic core is ejected from the magnetic circuit. Such rapid ejection causes rapid decrease in the flux flow in the magnetic circuit and generation of an electrical pulse in a coil coupled in the magnetic circuit. The restoring action of a reset spring and pneudraulic device compressed by the movement of the permanent magnet returns the magnet and piston rod to their initial positions where they are set for a repetition of the operating cycle of the generator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Inventor: Rex L. Schlicher
  • Patent number: 4572961
    Abstract: The electrical supply system on aircraft may employ a constant speed drive (CSD) to convert variable engine speed to constant speed for operation of synchronous 400 Hz electrical generators. The heart of these devices is a differential which mechanically sums the input of two shafts and outputs this sum to a third shaft. Connected to this third shaft is a constant speed synchronous generator. Connected to one of the input shafts is the turbine generator (most likely through gearing). The second input shaft is connected to a speed compensating drive which accounts for engine speed changes. The speed compensating device disclosed herein is an electrically compensating motor/generator arrangement. Bidirectional power flow in the electric compensation link uses two high-speed, permanent-magnet, three-phase machines interconnected by a power conditioning network. One machine is operated as a brushless dc machine, while the other functions as a variable speed synchronous machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: William U. Borger
  • Patent number: 4570077
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive system for a waste heat recovery system driven alterna having a rotor, comprises a hydraulic drive means for driving the alternator rotor and means for engaging and disengaging the hydraulic drive means and the alternator rotor. The hydraulic drive means and the alternator rotor are engaged for the hydraulic drive means to drive the alternator rotor and disengaged when the alternator rotor speed is marginally above a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: British Shipbuilders (Engineering and Technical Services), Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian G. Lambley
  • Patent number: 4551980
    Abstract: An intermittently operable non-fuel-consuming power generator, such as a photovoltaic array or a wind generator, is connected through a control circuit to a battery for for charging the same and supplying current to a time-wise substantially constant electrical load. An electrical generator, connected to an intermittently operable prime mover, charges the battery and supplies current to the electrical load when the prime mover is operated. A sensor circuit senses at least one electrical parameter, such as a failure of the power generator to produce current, for controlling the operation of the prime mover (i.e., starting of the prime mover). The sensor circuit also senses a second electrical parameter, such as the charge level of the battery. The prime mover is made operational only if the battery capacity is less than a predetermined threshold level when the power generator fails to produce current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Ormat Turbines, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 4551631
    Abstract: A wind energy collection and conversion system includes a plurality of turbine assemblies. The turbine assemblies rotate on a common axis transverse of a base. A plurality of shutter assemblies are disposed in a circular orientation around each of said turbine assembly and are independently operable for causing wind current to be directed thereby for rotating said turbine assemblies. Five wall elements extend outwardly tangential to the periphery defined by the shutter assemblies and intercept the wind current and direct the wind currents toward the shutter assemblies. A roof covers the power plant and thereby increases the overall efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Gaetano T. Trigilio
  • Patent number: 4540888
    Abstract: An improved engine generator set, especially adapted for a recreational vehicle or the like, includes a mounting tray dimensioned to be received through a recess in the floor board of the vehicle for mounting to the vehicle frame members. The mounting tray supports an engine whose drive shaft extends vertically downwardly through the mounting tray for mating with the shaft of a generator which is positioned directly underneath the engine so as to extend beneath the vehicle. In this way the overall floor space occupied by the generator set is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Kohler Company
    Inventors: Hugh S. Drewry, Ewald Keszthelyi
  • Patent number: 4539483
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system for utilizing existing motors with output shafts for drivingly rotating such as motors comprising a portion of a lawn mower, for example. The system includes a connector having one portion which is removably connectable to the output shaft of the motor and a power unit adapted for delivering power, such as electrical power, compressed air, or pressurized hydraulic fluid, for example, the connector being connectable to the power unit and the motor providing power input to the power unit through the connector for driving the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Power Technology Partners, Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles C. Freeny, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4532431
    Abstract: Method of and device for producing electric energy from a cyclic combustion process. The device includes two oppositely disposed aligned spark ignited internal combustion engine cylinders axially spaced from each other, means rigidly connecting the pistons so that they reciprocate in unison in their respective cylinders, and a reciprocable electrical linear generator-motor unit driven by said reciprocatory piston system. The generator-motor unit includes a very light coreless (ironless) coil rigidly attached to and reciprocatory with the piston system, the said coil reciprocating through a constant strength magnetic field. The beginning of the combustion process (or cycle) in each combustion chamber takes place at the lowest possible compression ratio sufficient for the initial ignition of the fuel-air mixture, the combustion process proceeding at a diminishing volume under the pressure from the compression- and combustion-forces of the opposite combustion chamber-piston system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: CUV "Progress"
    Inventors: Maxim D. Iliev, Stoyu S. Kervanbashiev, Stefan D. Karamanski, Frederik M. Makedonski
  • Patent number: 4511805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to external combustion engines and more precisely to motors using the Stirling cycle designed to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy.In accordance with the invention, this transformation is carried out inside a machine which is completely sealed, without a mechanical connection with the outside, in which the power piston drives the moveable part of an electrical generator. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, this electrical generator is a linear alternator. In accordance with a further original feature of the invention, control of the coupling between the displacing piston and the power piston is carried out by using electronic regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: BERTIN & Cie
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Boy-Marcotte, Gilbert M. I. Dahan, Michel Dancette, Marcel P. Le Nabour, Jean-Francois G. A. Pellerin, Jose Rivallin, Marcel A. J. Jannot
  • Patent number: 4508971
    Abstract: Using a two Reservoir System, a portion of the water moves from Reservoir to Reservoir. In its path, it collects air, which is expanded by Solar Energy, which helps to move weights, by an expanding and contracting float method to create substantial Hydro Power, after which it returns back to the path of which it started, without causing any pollution and without using any outside fuel whatsoever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Wayne E. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4504761
    Abstract: A piezoelectric array is mounted on one or more tires of a motor vehicle. As the vehicle drives down the road, the tire is flexed during each revolution to distort the piezoelectric elements and generate electricity. An electric circuit delivers the energy to the electrical system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventor: Charles G. Triplett
  • Patent number: 4500827
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electrical generator which includes a linear reciprocating armature mechanically coupled with a source of relative motion. The armature comprises a plurality of magnet means defining north-south poles in alternately opposite directions, the axis of the poles being orthogonal to the direction of reciprocation of the armature. Each of said pole magnets is mounted parallel at relative distances to each other that are equal to their widths in the direction of armature reciprocation. Further provided in the generator is a stator including a plurality of groups of continuous windings, each group corresponding to an adjacent pair of magnet means, each group wound parallel to a plane defined by the direction of reciprocation of the armature and the center point of the axis of the poles of the magnet means. Each winding has a width equal to the width of each pole of the magnet means in the direction of armature reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventors: Thomas D. Merritt, Mario J. Pasichinskyj
  • Patent number: 4498015
    Abstract: An energy storage device comprising three flywheels mounted mutually perpendicular on said shafts in three dimensions within a rigid enclosure. The shafts are interconnected within the enclosure through a bevel gear arrangement in which the motion of one flywheel is imparted to the other flywheels. The shafts pass through the walls of the enclosure through a bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Inventor: Mario H. Gottfried
  • Patent number: 4498014
    Abstract: An electric generating system is provided and consists of an external power source, an expansion engine connected to the power source, a large generator electrically connected to output of the expansion engine, a housing having a well, a pair of bearings mounted to side walls of the well, a motor having a drive shaft, the motor mounted vertically at bottom of the well, electrically connected to output of the generator with the drive shaft rotatably mounted in the bearings having an end extending therefrom, a large bevel gear driven by the drive shaft of the motor, a plurality of small bevel gears, each small bevel gear radially aligned and driven by the large bevel gear and a plurality of small generators, each small generator having a driven shaft affixed to a small bevel gear and mounted to the housing around the well to produce 100 percent output of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Inventor: Daniel Reyes
  • Patent number: 4491276
    Abstract: A pneumatic system is disclosed for regulating the acceleration and running speed of an air turbine and alternator used in electrostatic spray apparatus having a self-contained electrical power supply. The air turbine includes a rotor which is arranged to be biased in a first direction of rotation by a flow of impinging drive air and in a second opposite direction by a flow of impinging brake air. The flows of air cooperatively result in rotation of the turbine in a desired direction of operation and enable a minimized period of acceleration for a predetermined running speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Speeflo Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Clarence C. Reeves
  • Patent number: 4490668
    Abstract: A space-oriented apparatus for converting solar energy to microwave energy. The microwave energy is used to generate an RF beam for propagation to the earth. The apparatus is formed into an extended planar sandwich-like structure carrying solar cells on one surface facing the sun and microwave devices on the other face for generating the RF beam. The microwave devices are energized by the solar cells, and function to generate the RF energy. The apparatus is useful for converting solar energy to microwave power, and to operate communication satellites and satellites having radar functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Fred Sterzer
  • Patent number: 4489243
    Abstract: A solar powered system wherein a load such as a compressor (16) is driven by a main induction motor (14) powered by a solar array (10), and an auxiliary motor (18) shares the load with the solar powered motor in proportion to the amount of sunlight available, is provided with a power factor controller (20) for controlling voltage applied to the auxiliary motor in accordance with the loading on that motor. In one embodiment, when sufficient power is available from the solar cell array the auxiliary motor is driven as a generator by excess power from the main motor so as to return electrical energy to the power company utility lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Frank J. Nola
  • Patent number: 4486667
    Abstract: A machine for generating electrical power having a mechanical oscillator arranged to drive the armature of a linear generator. The oscillator, in turn, is driven by an independent prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Inventor: Ladislaw G. Srogi
  • Patent number: 4486038
    Abstract: Energy is stored in a hoop 12 spinning around a stator 10 both made of soft steel. At the interface between them there is a cavity in which there are conductors to provide a magnetic bearing between the hoop and the stator. A magnetic levitation device keep the hoop levitated. Energy is imparted to and withdrawn from the hoop by means of linear reluctance motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Crucible Society Anonyme
    Inventor: Gordon L. Bredenkamp
  • Patent number: 4484082
    Abstract: A power plant and process for converting gas expanding and contracting energy sources into useful forms of energy and utilizing gravitational force, wherein a piston containing a magnet and able to free fall within an enclosed cylinder, having a non-magnetically-responsive center portion surrounded by an induction coil is repeatedly impelled upwards thereby inducing an alternating electric current in the coil. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of fuel and air is ignited beneath the piston and compressed air is pumped into a reservoir in response to the piston's upwards motion. The reservoir of compressed air is then used to assist in expelling contaminated gases to increase the pressure of the air and gas mixture, and to serve as an additional source of stored energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: Donald C. Bucknam
  • Patent number: 4473753
    Abstract: A waste kinetic energy reclaiming system for an engine-driven vehicle includes a generator, and a variable torque-ratio coupling connecting the generator and the vehicle engine. The system also includes a clutch which selectably disconnects the coupling from the engine in response to whether or not braking of the vehicle is required so that the connection between the coupling and the engine is established only when braking is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hisashi Izumi, Shigeru Saito, Shuuji Torii, Kiyotaka Ozaki
  • Patent number: 4473751
    Abstract: A non-conventional electric power source including a reciprocating hydraulically powered ram coupled to an electric generator. A pair of matched nozzles coupling a hydraulic fluid supply to the ram. Reciprocation of the ram is effected by a flapper disposed between the nozzles which alternatingly cuts off hydraulic fluid flow through the nozzles responsive to the ram approaching its travel limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: HR Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Rombach, James L. Coakley
  • Patent number: 4468569
    Abstract: The varying impedance of a solar generator is matched with the fixed or varying impedance of a load driven therefrom by comparing the generator voltage with a reference voltage and producing a difference signal indicative of the difference, if any, in the voltages, repetitively switching "on" and "off" the current flow from the generator to the load according to the voltage difference so as to maintain the generator voltage at a substantially constant level. Energy generated during periods when current is not supplied to the load is stored for supply during periods when current is switched on to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Toowoomba Foundry Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Edgar T. Norris
  • Patent number: 4468568
    Abstract: A power generation system is taught utilizing a ferromagnetic material contained in a tape and rotatably disposed in a triangular configuration around a series of pulleys. The entire system is under water in the ocean so as to utilize the temperature differentials available between just below the surface of the ocean and approximately 100 meters below. The tape which is ferromagnetic passes through superconducting coils having parallel fields and thereby providing a very large magnetic field. The lower portion of the ferromagnetic tape, which is cooled by the ocean, experiences greater magnetization than the upper warmer portions of the magnetic tape. The lower portion of the tape experiencing greater magnetization is pulled up into the magnetic field and thereby causes movement of the tape. As the tape moves upward it is warmed by the ocean currents with the result that a lower portion of the tape now experiences the greater magnetization. This therefore causes continual movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Inventors: Walter J. Carr, Jr., Robert C. Miller
  • Patent number: 4454426
    Abstract: A linear electromagnetic machine has a stator with a coil mounted thereon. A reciprocating element has permanent magnet segments of alternating polarity so that reciprocation of said element relative to said stator in an axial direction causes periodic flux reversal through the coil to induce an alternating voltage therein. The magnetized segments are of equal axial extent and are axially spaced by transitional regions that are of axial extent substantially less than that of the magnetized segments. Flux return and core elements associated with the stator provides a relatively low reluctance magnetic path for flux lines resulting from magnetization of the permanent magnets wherein the reluctance is generally independent of the position of the reciprocating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: New Process Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Glendon M. Benson