Abstract: Blade platforms (26) for compressor blades with airfoils (22) in high solidity relationship have edges of a major portion (44) a minor portion (46), and a canted intermediate portion (48). Minimum clearance (54) exists between the major portions (44) whereby twisting during stackup or operation is avoided. A circumferential seal (60, 64) is located under the platform coincident with major portion (44).

Abstract: A rotor system according to this invention includes a structurally flexible rotor shaft for transmitting rotor torque and other rotor loads to a rotor hub. The rotor hub is adapted to have rotor blades mounted thereon and is mounted by an elastomeric spherical bearing whose center is located at the rotor center. A flexible shaft made from fiber reinforced resin matrix material, connected to the rotor shaft at a connection located below the bearing center, extends vertically from that location through the bearing to a position located above the bearing center where it is connected to a connecting member fixed to the upper surface of the rotor hub.The flexible shaft is structurally stiff with respect to the mode in which it transmits rotor torque compared to the rotor torque stiffness of the other components.

Abstract: A windmill is provided which automatically compensates for increased wind velocity, causing the blades to feather and rotate at a substantially constant velocity rather than overspeeding. This is accomplished by pivotally mounting the blades so that they are rotatable between positions of relatively high angle with respect to the direction of the wind and positions of relatively shallow angle, with a resilient means biasing them to the former position. Tabs projecting forwardly at obtuse angles from the outer ends of the leading edges of the blades cause the blades to be pivoted to the feathered position when wind velocity increases.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced thermoplastic propeller is attached to a metallic rotor by an integral shank at the base of the propeller. By virtue of the manufacture of the shank and the propeller as an integral construction, improved transmission of centrifugal forces especially where the propeller and hub have greatly different cross-sections can be effected while simultaneously reducing weight. Attachment of the shank to the hub is made through a connection by which pre-stress can be applied to the propeller to assist in resistance of lateral impact force.

Abstract: A marine propeller possessing several features; e.g., one-piece cast or molded construction which in one embodiment preferably of the invention is a plastic of the class including polyester; an improved center or core structure in the form of a nave or barrel having an annular wall concentrically surrounding a power-shaft-receiving hub joined to the annular wall by relatively thin spokes configured as vanes functioning as an interior turbine. Propeller blades are joined to and project radially from the exterior of the nave in typical fashion.

Abstract: A rotorcraft having four symmetrically disposed intermeshing rotors coupled to a common drive unit, each rotor having a single blade which is formed with a lifting surface and an oppositely projecting balance arm. The four rotors are coupled to the drive unit by respective rotor shafts and the shafts are inclined with respect to one another such that the path surface traced by each blade is inclined with respect to the path surface traced by each other blade. Each rotor is connected to its associated rotor shaft by way of a universal joint which provides for torque transmission and which permits blade flapping and blade pitch adjustment, and actuators are provided for applying differential collective pitch to the rotors by way of pitch control shafts.

Abstract: A modified centrifugal airfoil fan wheel having a plurality of radially extending blades, a spaced back plate and front plate that interconnect each blade along the lateral edges of each blade, a center plate and a plurality of stiffeners. The center plate is spaced intermediate and parallel to the back and front plates and interconnect each blade along an intermediate portion. The plurality of stiffeners encircle and are secured to each blade at the outermost portion of the blades. The back plate, front plate and center plate each have a central concentric opening and each may have a cutout spaced between each blade. This modified design results in reduced stress during operation and an extended fatique life.

Abstract: A major design consideration in helicopters is that of compensating for ssses on blades resulting from air forces during blade revolutions. Spinning rotor blades are severely stressed. To some degree conventional articulated helicopter rotor hubs overcome vibration difficulties, but high maintenance is a problem. Hingeless helicopter rotor assemblies, generally employing composite materials, were developed to overcome these obstacles. Such hingeless helicopter rotor assemblies usually include a rigid central hub member, and radial flexbeams rigidly attached to the hub member. Flexbeam rotors do not completely eliminate the dynamic instability difficulty. Even using these designs energy must be absorbed by damping means. The shear principle of damping is utilized in this invention.

Abstract: A device for generating power from wind which includes a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction and propelling elements mounted on the shaft. The shaft is mounted for rotation in a frame which is also mounted for rotation. The device also includes a deflector on the frame for deflecting wind into the propelling elements by orienting the frame due to rotation thereof to have a portion thereof facing the direction of travel of the wind. The deflector also increases the force of the wind on the propelling elements by compressing the wind and further deflects the wind to strike the propelling elements at a position radially outwardly of the shaft and radially inwardly of an outer periphery of the frame. The deflector further prevents the wind from striking the propelling elements along a part of the outer periphery of the frame which faces the wind direction.

Abstract: An inboard servo for a controllable pitch propeller of the force rod type comprises a feedback device having at least two feedback rods connected to the piston and extending through the cylinder end wall and an output ring connected to the rods. An emergency lock-up includes at least two threaded locking rods fastened to the cylinder and passing freely through holes in the feedback ring, each of which receives one or more nuts that can be threaded along the rod for engagement with the feedback ring to lock the piston in a desired position.

Abstract: Damping of a turbine rotor is attained by a weighted member trapped between pockets formed in the neck of adjacent blades at one end and a space between the disk and TOBI rotor seal and forward extending blade lug at the other end. The feather seal which is a curved plate fits over the top of the weighted member and is trapped between nubs formed on the front and rear underside of the blade platform. The front face of the rim of the disk at the disk cavity is open ended and blocked off at the rear face. This assembly allows for individual blade removal and viewing from the rear face by removing a single rim cavity cover without disturbing the remaining components of the assembly. The inverted ring supports take up the axial loads alleviating the loads heretofore taken up by the TOBI rotor seal, allowing for a lighter weight installation.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of water powered devices that are adapted to be positioned in a stream of moving water and which carry water wheels for driving a driven device. The driven device may comprise a generator and a number of embodiments are illustrated for holding the generator against rotation and for absorbing its torque loading. In addition, a device is provided for insuring buoyancy of the device so that the water wheels float with their axis above the level of water. In some embodiments, the buoyant device comprises a buoyant float that also provides a hydrodynamic lift and a hydrodynamic force for carrying the device to the center of the stream. In other embodiments, the device comprises a hydrodynamic device that provides both the lift and the transverse force. An arrangement is disclosed which permits stacking of the water wheels for ease of packing and additionally an arrangement is disclosed for permitting replacement of individual blades of the water wheels.

Abstract: A gas turbine rotor blade platform sealing and damping system has elongated symmetrical insert elements of equilateral triangular cross-section loosely received within complementary shaped pockets at the spacing gaps between opposing convex and concave airfoil side edges of adjacently mounted blade platforms. The inserts and pockets are relatively configured to provide self-orientation of the inserts into gap sealing and vibration damping engagement with the platform edges when acted upon by centrifugal force due to rotor rotation. The convex platform edge is thickened at the point of closest proximity with the convex side of the airfoil. Alternative embodiments utilize insert grooves for increased leakage of cooling gas past the platform edges and incorporate a central bore for mass reduction.

Abstract: The blade (10) for a propeller constituted by a hub (20) to which the feet (12) are fixed has a leading edge (14) and a trailing edge (15) which is formed by two arcs (152, 153) having respective mean radii of curvature (.rho.2, .rho.3) which are different and interconnected without an angular point. These edges are both curved in the downstream direction and define a blade which narrows from the axis to the periphery of the propeller. Application in propellers of motorized fans associated with automobile vehicles.

Abstract: A fan having a plurality of blades where a selected number of the blades are arranged with their leading faces disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the fan. The remaining blades are arranged with their leading faces at angles to the axis of rotation such that the air streams from the two types of blades intersect to create turbulent flow. The fan's heat transfer ability is increased and the air flow from the fan is dispersed over a wider area than with conventional fans.

Abstract: By mounting an axle (18,19) in a wind mill wing (1) having a wing tip (22) capable of swinging out by means of a mounting (2,7,8) which may be bolted to the wing and which can furthermore squeeze about the axle (18), it is possible to mount this mounting on new wings as well as old wings in case the mountings thereof have become loose.

Abstract: A bladed rotor assembly comprising:a bladed rotor;an actuator for effecting a change of blade pitch;a first valve member connected to, and movable with, the actuator and having first and second passageways;anda second valve member co-operable with the first valve member and having first and second passageway systems formed therein for communication with the first and second passageways of the first valve member.The first passageway system of the second valve member includes first and second independent passageways, and is provided with a valve, and a bypass incorporating a non return valve. The valve is positioned so that when in a closed position fluid is prevented from entering the first independent passageway.

Abstract: An airscrew for propelling an aircraft has a hub, a jacket and a plurality of propeller blades secured by blade necks to the hub. These blade necks are secured to the hub with symmetric or equal angular spacings around the hub between neighboring radial blade neck axes. Each propeller blade has a longitudinal axis. At least certain of these longitudinal blade axes extend at different sweep angles relative to the respective radial blade neck axis. When the sweep angle is positive the respective sweep of the blade is a positive sweepback with a trailing sweep of the respective blade relative to a rotational direction of the airscrew. When the sweep angle is negative the respective sweep of the blade is a negative sweep forward with a leading sweep of the respective blade relative to a rotational direction of the airscrew. These differing sweep angles achieve a substantial noise reduction compared to conventional airscrews having a completely symmetrical construction.

Abstract: An air turbine including a plurality of elongated rotor blades extending from a hub, first and second airfoils interconnecting the blades, and a vane element positioned between the airfoils, said airfoils and vane element being concentrically disposed about the hub.

Abstract: An outer casing assembly for ceiling-fan motors includes an upper cover with a top surface and a downward-curving flange, having a central opening in the top surface and a plurality of bolt holes in the periphery of the downward-curving flange; a middle guard shell formed in a hollow body structure with an external circumference corresponding to the inner periphery of the downward-curving flange of the upper cover; and a lower cover with a bottom surface and an upward-curving flange corresponding to the structure of the upper cover, having a lower central opening in the bottom surface and a plurality of bolt holes in the periphery of the upward-curving flange. The upper cover, the middle guard shell and the lower cover are all made of mesh material, wherein the middle guard shell is vertically positioned between the upper cover and the lower cover both of which are connected together by screw bolts through the bolt holes of both the upper and lower covers.