1. A turbine, comprising:
a rotor, the rotor comprising a hollow cone and an end cap, the end cap attached to the base of the cone, the cone having an inner surface;
a bearing, the bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race mounted on the end cap;
an intake shaft, the intake shaft mounted within the inner race, the intake shaft having an inlet passage;
a nozzle arm, the nozzle arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the nozzle arm connected to the intake shaft, the nozzle arm further having an internal passage communicating with the inlet passage;
a first nozzle, the first nozzle mounted on the second end of the nozzle arm, the first nozzle communicating with the internal passage and oriented to direct a stream of fluid substantially tangentially against the inner surface; and
an output shaft, the output shaft mounted on the apex of the cone and parallel to the axis of the cone, the output shaft having an outlet passage, the outlet passage communicating with the interior of the cone.
2. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressurized fluid is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
3. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressurized fluid selected from the group consisting of water, steam, combustion products, air, and refrigerant is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
4. A turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pitch of the cone is selected to optimize energy transfer from the fluid to the rotor.
5. A turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pitch of the cone changes at a point where the fluid changes phase.
6. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are convex with respect to the axis of the cone.
7. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are concave with respect to the axis of the cone.
8. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for attaching a rotating tool.
9. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for transmitting mechanical power.
10. A turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein motion of the rotor causes an electrical rotor coil to rotate about the axis of the rotor.
11. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle.
12. A turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first nozzle is adjustable.
13. A turbine, comprising:
a rotor, the rotor comprising a hollow cone, a cylinder, and an end cap, a proximal end of the cylinder attached to the base of the cone, the end cap attached to a distal end of the cylinder, the cone, cylinder, and end cap having an inner rotor surface;
a bearing, the bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race mounted on the end cap;
an intake shaft, the intake shaft mounted within the inner race, the intake shaft having an inlet passage;
a nozzle arm, the nozzle arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the nozzle arm connected to the intake shaft, the nozzle arm further having an internal passage communicating with the inlet passage;
a first nozzle, the first nozzle mounted on the second end of the nozzle arm, the first nozzle communicating with the internal passage and oriented to direct a stream of fluid substantially tangentially against the inner rotor surface; and
an output shaft, the output shaft mounted on the apex of the cone and parallel to the axis of the cone, the output shaft having an outlet passage, the outlet passage communicating with the interior of the cone.
14. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pressurized fluid is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
15. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pressurized fluid selected from the group consisting of water, steam, combustion products, air, and refrigerant is introduced into the inlet passage, the fluid issuing from the first nozzle and causing the rotor to rotate.
16. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pitch of the cone is selected to optimize energy transfer from the fluid to the rotor.
17. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pitch of the cone changes at a point where the fluid changes phase.
18. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the length of the cylinder is selected to facilitate phase change in the fluid.
19. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are convex with respect to the axis of the cone.
20. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a plane passing through and parallel to the axis of the cone and intersecting the surface of the cone creates lines of intersection with the surface of the cone that are concave with respect to the axis of the cone.
21. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for attaching a rotating tool.
22. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the output shaft further comprises means for transmitting mechanical power.
23. A turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein motion of the rotor causes an electrical rotor coil to rotate about the axis of the rotor.
24. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a second nozzle.
25. A turbine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first nozzle is adjustable.
26. A pump, comprising:
a rotor, the rotor comprising a hollow cone and an end cap, the end cap attached to the base of the cone, the cone having an inner surface;
a bearing, the bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race mounted on the end cap;
an outlet shaft, the outlet shaft mounted within the inner race, the outlet shaft having an outlet passage;
a collector arm, the collector arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the collector arm connected to the outlet shaft, the collector arm further having an internal passage communicating with the outlet passage;
a collector, the collector mounted on the second end of the collector arm, the collector communicating with the internal passage and oriented to collect fluid disposed against the inner surface; and
an intake shaft, the intake shaft mounted on the apex of the cone and parallel to the axis of the cone, the intake shaft having an intake passage, the intake passage communicating with the interior of the cone.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A footrest assembly for a utility vehicle comprising:
a base portion operable to support the weight of a passenger of the utility vehicle;
a first hinge receptacle extending from said base portion;
a second hinge receptacle extending from said base portion, said second hinge receptacle aligned with said first hinge receptacle;
a first locking mechanism provided in said first hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure a door within said first receptacle;
a second locking mechanism provided in said second hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure said door within said second receptacle.
2. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said first locking mechanism comprises a first pair of locking details operable to secure said door between said first pair of locking details.
3. The footrest assembly of claim 2, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a second pair of locking details operable to secure said door between said second pair of locking details.
4. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said door further comprises a first hinge post operable to be rotationally mounted within said first hinge receptacle.
5. The footrest assembly of claim 4, wherein said door further comprises a second hinge post operable to be rotationally mounted within said second hinge receptacle.
6. The footrest assembly of claim 4, wherein said first hinge post further comprises a cam surface operable to cooperate with said first locking mechanism to retain said door in one of an open position and a closed position.
7. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said door comprises linear high density polyethylene.
8. The footrest assembly of claim 1, wherein said door further comprises a recess that provides a handle for moving said door between an open position and a closed position.
9. The footrest assembly of claim 4, wherein said first hinge post further comprises a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a third cam surface.
10. A utility vehicle comprising:
a main body;
a front end of said main body;
a rear end of said main body;
a storage cavity within said main body, said storage cavity having an opening at said rear end of said main body;
a footrest mounted at said rear end of said main body,
a door mounted to said footrest, said door movable between a closed position in which said door covers said opening and an open position in which said door does not cover said opening.
11. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said door is rotationally mounted to said footrest.
12. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said door comprises a first hinge post and a second hinge post.
13. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein each of said first hinge post and said second hinge post comprise a camming surface.
14. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein said footrest further comprises a first hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure said first hinge post and a second hinge receptacle operable to rotationally secure said second hinge post.
15. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said footrest and said door comprise a polymeric material.
16. The utility vehicle of claim 10, wherein said door comprises linear high density polyethylene.
17. A utility vehicle comprising:
a main body;
a front end of said main body;
a rear end of said main body;
a front seat assembly facing said front end;
a rear seat assembly facing said rear end;
a storage cavity within said main body and beneath said rear seat assembly, said storage cavity having an opening at said rear end of said main body;
a cover movable between a closed position in which said cover covers said opening and an open position in which said cover does not cover said opening.
18. The utility vehicle of claim 17, wherein said cover is rotationally mounted to a footrest mounted at said rear end of said main body.
19. The utility vehicle of claim 18, wherein said cover and said footrest comprise a polymeric material.
20. The utility vehicle of claim 17, wherein said cover further comprises a first hinge post and a second hinge post, each of said first hinge post and said second hinge post comprise a camming surface.