Abstract: Turbine apparatus for a hydroelectric power station, with a turbine impeller, which is capable of rotating about a turbine rotary spindle, which is in particular arranged vertically, with turbine blades (4), which are fitted at an angle with respect to the turbine impeller (3), in particular a fixed angle, with a generator, which converts the mechanical rotation energy of the turbine impeller into electrical energy, wherein the generator is in particular an annular generator (5), with an annular rotor (6) and a stator (7), which is correspondingly arranged in annular fashion, wherein the turbine rotary spindle (2) is coupled to the rotor (6) in such a way that it is fixed against rotation, and the rotation about the turbine rotary spindle (2) takes place by means of a hollow shaft (8), with a pot-like receptacle (9), into which a fixed bearing journal (10) with movable bearings (11) arranged around it is inserted, in particular directly, and the turbine impeller (3) and the rotor (6) are capable of rotating a

Abstract: A mass transit system includes a plurality of pedestal-mounted rings which provide a support through which a vehicle travels. The pedestals are spaced apart on the ground, but no rail or connecting structure on or above ground is required. An underground conduit carries electrical and communications cable that connects the pedestals together. The rings include a plurality of rollers to drive, guide and stabilize the vehicle at lower speeds. For higher speeds flywheels are mounted on the pedestals. The flywheels are preferably driven by an electrical motor, which engages a friction or clutch plate on the vehicle separate from the rings. The friction plate or linear clutch is mounted separate from the rings on the vehicle and is lowered to engage and disengage the flywheel. The flywheel is also mounted on a shock absorber to smooth the travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bearing assembly in which the bearing surface is composed of ice, and lubrication is provided by the frictional action of a shaft or other supported member against the frozen surface, which liberates a thin film of liquid. A collar, composed of a synthetic resin polymer material, such as the material sold under the trademark Teflon, is mounted on the shaft and rotates with the shaft against the liquid film on the frozen bearing surface. A chill conductor ring, composed of aluminum, surrounds the collar, forming a chamber therebetween for receiving the freezable liquid, and a refrigeration system circulates coolant through passages in the conductor ring to lower its temperature and freeze the liquid into a bearing surface.