Abstract: A method of extracting a liquid, such as oil, from an underground reservoir, is characterized by introducing a pump operated by extraneous energy into a well bore at a level which is below the dynamic level of the liquid therein, and operating the lift device to lift the liquid to the surface of the well bore while conserving the residual reservoir energy, i.e. the energy remaining which corresponds to that normally used in lifting the liquid from the lift device level to the dynamic level. The pump is one in which the liquid pressure at its inlet applies equal and opposite forces to the pump drive member so that the latter is driven solely by the external drive and does not dissipate the liquid reservoir energy existing at the pump inlet level. In this manner, the residual reservoir energy at the pump inlet level is exploited to increase the quantity of the liquid transported to the well bore.

Abstract: A directed, high-velocity stream of compressible fluid is produced and put to use (as in a turbine) by adding heat to such fluid as it flows through and expands within an elongate nozzle prior to discharge therefrom but following passage through a throat of such nozzle. The fluid is supplied to the nozzle at pressure greater than the atmosphere into which the high-velocity stream is directed and discharged. Apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention comprises one or more elongate nozzles, each having a throat and constructed with means for adding heat to fluid flowing from such throat toward the nozzle outlet through an elongate discharge portion of the nozzle having flow passage of effective cross-sectional area that gradually increases from the nozzle throat to the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: The turbine rotor has about its periphery a steam track in the form of a groove. The groove is closed at its leading end by a small face and has walls which diverge in a helical pattern. The bottom and walls of the groove terminate in an outwardly sloping area which meets the closed leading end of the groove. Alternatively there may be a succession of grooves, each with a closed leading ends and diverging walls. Additionally the housing may include a stationary steam track closed at both ends with walls diverging in the opposite direction from the diverging walls of the groove in the rotor.

Abstract: A waterwheel assembly has entry and outlet flow directing channel portions and a flow directing member below the waterwheel. The waterwheel has a plurality of radially disposed paddles mounted on a rotatable shaft and arranged with spaces between the paddles in open fluid communication in the center portion of the waterwheel. The upper portion of the waterwheel is enclosed in a pressurized air cavity so water is kept in the lower portion of the waterwheel. A method of controlling the water flow in a watershed includes directing water flow through small channels which connect with larger channels with flow controlling waterwheels in the channels at selected location so that releasing water through the waterwheels controls water flow and thus regulates runoff in the watershed area.

Abstract: Wind driven apparatus is disclosed in the form of a windmill, and in the form of an electric generating unit for a vehicle such as a boat or an airplane or the illustrated automobile. The apparatus includes a base mounted for rotation, preferably about a vertical axis, and along its periphery carrying a series of cones each with an open mouth for receiving air or other fluid, to rotate the base about its axis. The apex of the base deflects the air as the apex moves into the direction of flow of the air. A partition secured across the cone inwardly of the mouth limits the amount of fluid received in the mouth and prevents passage of the fluid to the apex of the cone. When installed as a windmill, the base is horizontally mounted atop a column or other support and is drivingly connected with a pump or electric generator, or other suitable apparatus.

Abstract: A turbine or pump having a housing receiving a rotor journaled therefrom by a central shaft with the housing including a tangential inlet and a tangential outlet extending in opposed directions with the rotor including a central partition in the housing and curved blades on each side of the partition. The partition is provided with a central opening which communicates the inlet side of the partition with the outlet side thereof whereby fluid passes radially inwardly in engagement with the blades on the rotor to the radial central portion of the partition adjacent the shaft and then makes a U-turn and moves radially outwardly of the partition in relation to the blades for discharge.

Abstract: A power device utilizing a housing and rotor assembly receiving pressurized, non-compressible liquid from a pump for driving an output shaft which may be employed for many purposes. The housing is communicated with and positioned on top of the tank or sump for the liquid and the pump includes an intake associated with the tank for circulating the liquid which may be in the form of an oil, such as that used as transmission fluid, or the like. A bypass control is provided for the pump for varying the output characteristics of the shaft and a DC electric motor drives the pump. The electric motor is associated with an electric power system for providing electrical energy to the pump motor which includes an alternator or equivalent charging device, battery assembly and an inverter and convertor, in one embodiment, associated in a manner to supply sufficient electrical energy to the pump motor for driving the pump.

Abstract: A small gas turbine engine having a small, high speed shaft assembly including a central shaft member, a radial outflow compressor rotor secured to one end of the central shaft member with its inlet end disposed outboard of the shaft assembly, and a radial inflow turbine rotor secured to the other end of the central shaft member with its discharge end disposed outboard of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is supported at its ends, outboard of the rotors, by a pair of bearings which are axially secured but allow limited radial movement of the shaft assembly. An annular combustor is disposed between the turbine and compressor rotors in encircling relation to the central shaft member. Fuel is supplied to the combustor chamber from the exhaust end of the turbine through an axial passage in the shaft assembly opening at one end outboard of the exhaust end bearing and communicating at its other end with radial ports in the central shaft member arranged to sling fuel into the combustor chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure of this invention pertains to a gas turbine engine having an annular combustion chamber having an outlet duct to turbine entry vanes, an extension of the combustion chamber connecting a radially outer wall of the duct to fixed structure at a position adjacent the downstream and of the vanes, wherein the wall is covergent in the downstream direction, the extension is connected to the wall at a location upstream of the downstream extremity thereof, and cooling air passages ae arranged to lead cooling air to the junction so that on heating of chamber in operation said extremity expands radially outwardly and in the downstream direction thereby to make sealing engagement with an adjacent extremity of a shroud ring of the vanes.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system is disclosed. A power wheel or turbine is supplied with motive fluid from a hydraulic pump driven by an appropriate prime mover. The power wheel has oppositely disposed valve plates which alternately register with cavities disposed around the periphery of the wheel to define isolated pressure chambers. A sequencing valve alternately delivers fluid pressure to the pressure chamber in registry with a valve plate. A drive shaft transversely extends from the wheel and is adapted to be coupled to the driving wheels of a vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure gas engine having an inner first member of circular cross section with a periphery containing first energy conversion means for converting gas pressure to power and an outer second member extending around the first member and with a generally circular inner surface facing the outer surface of the first member and having second energy conversion means in the inner surface facing the first member and for converting gas velocity to power. In certain embodiments the inner and outer arrangements of the first and second members will be reversed.

Abstract: A double action fluid pump consisting of the combination of a rotor with multiple blades feathered at an angle perpendicular to the fluid surface, all enclosed within a casing which is contoured to the said rotor-blade assembly and its its related fluid movement area, said casing having a main suction chamber and a discharge chamber in line with each other and in line with the lower one third periphery of the rotor which requires the fluid to flow in a straight line through the pump. A supplementary suction chamber is located in the upper quadrant of the casing on its discharge side which furnishes additional fluid to the main suction chamber to balance the vacuum-pressure relationship of the two suction chambers and cause a rise of pressure behind the blade travel path, thereby minimizing or eliminating blade cavitation as well as increasing the supply and momentum of fluid through the main suction chamber.