There is provided an apparatus for developing a propulsion force in a predetermined direction. The apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame slidably mounted within the outer frame. The inner frame supports a flywheel which rotates about a shaft defining a first axis. Masses are mounted to the flywheel for rotational movement with the flywheel and for lateral movement relative to the flywheel in a direction to increase and decrease a distance of a center of gravity of the masses from the first axis. The outer frame supports a mass movement control member rotating with the flywheel about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The control member moves the masses cyclically such that the distance from the first axis is at a maximum in the direction of propulsion and at a minimum in a direction opposite to the direction of propulsion. A directional control controls the displacement of the outer frame in relation to the inner frame for controlling magnitude and direction of the propulsion force by adjusting the amount of offset between the first and second axes.

An apparatus for converting rotational movement into linear movement in vehicles comprises a flywheel rotated about a center by a rotary motion producing motor. The flywheel has rotatably mounted thereon a plurality of weighted members which rotate about an axis associated therewith with each axis being spaced from the flywheel center. Each of the weighted members has a center of gravity which is spaced from the rotational axis associated therewith. Rotation of the weighted members is synchronized with rotation of the flywheel such that when the weighted member is on one side a non-rotating coordinate system, the distance between the center of gravity associated with the respective weighted member is further spaced from the flywheel center then when the weighted member is on an opposite side of the coordinate system such that an overall center of gravity of the rotating apparatus is always positioned on one side of the coordinate system. Preferably the apparatus is utilized with a mirror image thereof such that a flywheel associated with the mirror image is in the same plane as the flywheel of the apparatus but rotates opposite with respect thereto such that angular momentum of the apparatus generally cancels the angular momentum of the mirror image apparatus and only a linear thrust results. The apparatus may be utilized in coordination with additional similar apparatuses positioned perpendicular to the original apparatus and including flywheels having selective rotational speeds.

An improved power actuator with lost motion arrester for coupled use in accomplishing remote control, set, and set hold of rotary flow control valve adjustments wherein the lost motion arrester component is comprised of a circular rack and pinion timing gear assembly that functions to allow smooth mechanical operation during displacement of the power actuator to accomplish valve adjustment, but upon any valve adjustment set stop instantaneously provides in coupled combination with the power actuator assembly a positive mechanical lock and hold function in arresting the lost motion action by which operational adjustment and set of the power actuator mechanism is made.

The present invention relates generally to fluid displacement apparatuses and methods. The inventive apparatus comprises: a housing having an interior space; a crankpin positionable in the interior space; and a plurality of articulated displacement members positionable in the interior space such that the articulated displacement members extend from the crankpin and define in the interior space a plurality of displacement zones. The inventive apparatus can be embodied as a pump, a compressor, a fluid flow meter, a stirling-type engine, a relay system, an actuator, and many other devices.