Patents by Inventor Francis J. McCabe

Francis J. McCabe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8215897
    Abstract: A vertical wind turbine includes a blade which has opposite force producing sides that lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis along its direction of travel. The aerodynamic surfaces are driven by the wind through four phases of rotation. Driving torque is produced during three of the four phases. The blade includes a v-shaped nosepiece with rearward facing surfaces on each side that cup the wind during three of the four phases. The split tail of the blade captures the wind during a down wind phase of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Karl J. Douglass, Francis J. McCabe, Robert Dickie
  • Publication number: 20100150728
    Abstract: A vertical wind turbine includes a blade which has opposite force producing sides that lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis along its direction of travel. The aerodynamic surfaces are driven by the wind through four phases of rotation. Driving torque is produced during three of the four phases. The blade includes a v-shaped nosepiece with rearward facing surfaces on each side that cup the wind during three of the four phases. The split tail of the blade captures the wind during a down wind phase of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Karl J. Douglass, Francis J. McCabe, Robert Dickie
  • Patent number: 7513746
    Abstract: A method of mounting windmill blades their enhance performance is disclosed. The blades have a transverse cross-sectional shape having a predominately flat chord section and are mounted such that the chord section lies in a plane that is substantially at 90 degrees to the axis of the shaft upon which they are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: OmniWind Energy Systems LLC
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 7487922
    Abstract: A small windmill is provided upstream of a damper in an air duct. When air flows in the duct it rotates the windmill. The windmill shaft is connected by a cable to the damper operator through a transmission means, such that, as the shaft turns, it takes-up the cable an opens the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: OmniWind Energy Systems LLC
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 7267530
    Abstract: A windmill apparatus has multiple pairs of blades to enhance power output and lift performance. The apparatus has multiple double acting piston/cylinders actuated by the windmill, which includes several clutches that are used to engage and disengage the windmill from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20040206554
    Abstract: A windmill apparatus has multiple pairs of blades to enhance power output and lift performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6557583
    Abstract: A damper assembly in which the position of the damper blades is controlled by an electric powered actuator. The powered actuator rotates a threaded lead screw shaft attached to an operator means attached to the damper blades of the damper, which causes the damper blades to open and close or be positioned somewhere in-between. The actuator can be controlled by sensors in a remote location. The actuator allows the damper to be modulated to set up pressure differentials and to be closed well in advance of oncoming smoke, fire, or other detected toxic fumes. There are a variety of nuts and gear arrangements coacting with the lead screw to drive the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20020175305
    Abstract: A damper has a plurality of blades movable between an open and a closed position in response to an operating/actuating means attached to the blades. A shaft rotatable about its axis has lever arm means attached to it and to said blades, to open and close said damper in response to rotation of said shaft for 180 degrees of travel. Connector arm means are pivotally connected to crank arms and pivotally connected to said blades at pivot point locations such that the pivot points of said pivotal connections are over center of the plane of the axis of said shaft when the blades are in the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Francis J. McCabe, Paul B. Keenan
  • Publication number: 20020175307
    Abstract: A butterfly damper has a plurality of blades movable between an open and a closed position in response to an operating means attached to the blades and attached to an actuating means. A shaft rotatable about its axis in response to said actuating means has crank arm means attached to it and to said blades, to open and close said damper in response to rotation of said shaft. Connector arm means are pivotally connected to crank arms and pivotally connected to said blades at pivot point locations such that the pivot points of said pivotal connections are over center of the plane of the axis of said shaft when the blades are in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Francis J. McCabe, Paul B. Keenan
  • Patent number: 6454528
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust damper assembly has a motor and fan assembly pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from a louvered rotatable blade damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6447393
    Abstract: A damper assembly in which the position of the damper blades is controlled by a powered actuator which can be powered by a pneumatic drive, an electric motor drive, or other suitable power source. The powered actuator moves a drive shaft attached to the damper blades which causes the damper blades to open and close or be positioned somewhere in-between. The actuator can be controlled by sensors in a remote location. The actuator allows the damper to be modulated to set up pressure differentials and to be closed well in advance of oncoming smoke, fire, or other detected toxic fumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20020061252
    Abstract: A vehicle driven by at least one motor driven propeller has a windmill apparatus with multiple pairs of blades to enhance power output, lift and propulsion. Several clutches are used to engage and disengage the windmill and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20020061251
    Abstract: A windmill compressor apparatus has multiple double acting piston/cylinders actuated by the windmill. The windmill additionally has multiple pairs of blades to enhance power output and lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20010055947
    Abstract: A damper assembly in which the position of the damper blades is controlled by an electric powered actuator. The powered actuator rotates a threaded lead screw shaft attached to an operator means attached to the damper blades of the damper, which causes the damper blades to open and close or be positioned somewhere in-between. The actuator can be controlled by sensors in a remote location. The actuator allows the damper to be modulated to set up pressure differentials and to be closed well in advance of oncoming smoke, fire, or other detected toxic fumes. There are a variety of nuts and gear arrangements coacting with the lead screw to drive the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20010014284
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust damper assembly has a motor and fan assembly pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from a louvered rotatable blade damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6224481
    Abstract: A powered damper assembly in which closure of the damper blades is controlled by a powered actuator which can be powered by a pneumatic drive, an electric motor drive, or other suitable power source. The powered actuator moves a drive shaft attached to the damper blades which causes the damper blades to cycle between an open position and a closed position. The actuator can be controlled by sensors in a remote location, which allows the damper to be modulate it to set up pressure differentials and to be closed well in advance of oncoming smoke, fire, or other detected toxic fumes. The powered actuator maintains pressure on the damper blades to seal the damper tightly and prevent both smoke and fire from easily penetrating the damper. Optional remote placement of the sensors allow the damper be closed well in advance of the arrival of smoke, fumes, fire, etc. The remote sensors communicate with the dampers via direct wiring or, alternatively, via wireless transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6190122
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust fan assembly is provided having a motor and fan assembly mounted for movement on rails toward and away from a rotatable blade damper mounted on an angle to the motor/fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6132181
    Abstract: A windmill having a plurality of radially extending blades, each being an aerodynamic-shaped airfoil having a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge into the wind, and a trailing edge which has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge and an end cap. The blade is of substantial uniform thickness. An air compressor and generator are driven by the windmill. The compressor is connected to a storage tank which is connected to the intake of a second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6116178
    Abstract: A sail has a main sheet mounted to a mast; a leading vane on the other side of said mast from said main sheet and pivotally connected thereto; a trailing vane attached to the longitudinal edge of said main sheet remote from said mast; and an angled dual-lip member pivotally attached to the trailing edge of said trailing vane and wind spill plates to capture the air in the envelope of the sail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6039533
    Abstract: An aerodynamic-shaped fan blade for use in a fan apparatus. The blade has a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge section, and a trailing edge section which form concave and convex surfaces. The trailing edge has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge within the concave envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe