An energy absorbing body comprising glass spheres embedded in elastomer, preferably with a metal reinforcing skeleton, for example aluminium honeycomb extrusion.

A heating and cooling system utilizing solar radiation as an energy source and a fluid body as a storage medium, the fluid body being distributed over the roof area of a dwelling or other structure with provision for controlling the absorption, storage and delivery of thermal energy to regulate the temperature in the enclosed areas of the structure.

An adjustable energy absorber including a housing having a ram slidably extending therefrom. A first control sleeve divides the housing into a pair of fluid chambers, which sleeve has an axially extending row of openings to provide communication between the two chambers. A second control sleeve surrounds the first sleeve and is nonrotatably connected thereto. The first and second sleeves have compatible outer and inner conical surfaces, respectively. The first and second sleeves are axially adju...

An instantly refuelable energy conversion system comprises a multicell array wherein each cell has a cathode, a solid anode fuel selected from the class consisting of iron, zinc and nickel and a ferric (and/or +3 valence nickel or zinc) chloride liquid oxidizer. In power delivery (discharging) e.g., using iron alone, the reactions are: At the anode, Fe.fwdarw.Fe.sup.++ + 2e yielding 0.44 volts, At the cathode, Fe.sup.+++ +e.fwdarw.Fe.sup.++ yielding 0.75 volts, the overall reaction being: Fe + 2...

For the simple Thomason "SOLARIS" heat collector, a simple outlet is used that requires a drop-outlet nipple with a U-slotted top end, and sealant to avoid escape of liquid or steam (vapor). In a modification, only one drop outlet is used for two "SOLARIS" panels, thus cutting the cost even further. In another modification a slotted, sloping pipe serves as an outlet and drain.

An energy trap comprising a body with a mouth and an internal reflective surface arranged in such a fashion that incoming wave energy is reflected internally and not externally so as to not escape from the trap.

An electrical energy regulator, particularly suitable, for a portable X-ray machine. A transformer primary of a converter is supplied with half waves of a.c. via a transistor whose conduction interval during each half-wave is controllable to regulate the peak voltage applied, after cut off of primary current, by induction from a tuned circuit formed with the primary to an X-ray tube connected to a secondary winding of the transformer.

An electrical energy regulator of the kind including an electrically energizable heater which, when energized, causes deflection of a bi-metal actuator which in turn influences operation of switch means. The switch means controls supply of electrical energy between input and load terminals which are respectively connected, when in use, to a power source and power using means. The switch means includes two heater contacts which must be closed to enable energization of the heater, and two control ...

A notched-energy absorber for attenuating high level accelerations such as ould occur during aircraft crashes, thereby avoiding injury to a user. The energy absorber force-displacement curve has a large initial spike, followed by a valley or "notch" and then by a constant force level intermediate the spike and valley levels. In one embodiment, a conventional square-response type shock absorber is connected between a vehicle seat and the vehicle body by a shearable diaphragm fixed to vehicle stru...

A solar heating system for a building in which the liquid in the solar cell is subjected both to radiation from the sun and to the heat from the exhaust chimney gases from the building furnace.