Upstream Pivotal Mounting Patents (Class 416/11)
  • Patent number: 11898534
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising one or more wind turbine blades arranged to perform pivot movements between a minimum pivot angle and a maximum pivot angle, each wind turbine blade extending between an outer tip and an inner tip, wherein each wind turbine blade has an outer portion extending between the hinge and the outer tip and having a first length, and inner portion extending between the hinge and the inner tip and having a second length, wherein a coning angle of the blade carrying structure is larger than zero and/or a tilt angle of the rotor axis is larger than zero, and wherein a horizontal distance from the tower at a vertical position defined by a position of the hinge at tower passage to a point of connection between the blade carrying structure and the hub is equal to or less than the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Thomas S. Bjertrup Nielsen, Søren Dalsgaard, Brian Jørgensen, Kim Hylling Sørensen
  • Patent number: 11824466
    Abstract: A power supply including an input configured to receive input power, an output configured to provide output power to a load, at least one relay, a crowbar circuit configured to selectively divert the input power away from the load, and a controller configured to detect a high-voltage condition at the input, activate, in response to detecting the high-voltage condition at the input, the crowbar circuit to divert the input power away from the load, output, in response to detecting the high-voltage condition at the input, a signal to operate the at least one relay to transition from a first state to a second state, and deactivate the crowbar circuit in response to a determination that the at least one relay has transitioned to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qinghong Yu, Camilo Mejia, Daniel Santinho Lopes, Jeffrey M. August
  • Patent number: 11746747
    Abstract: The present invention, a multi-axial variable height wind turbine, includes a wind turbine, a structural support, a tilting boom extending between said structural support and said wind turbine, a multiaxial drive mechanism extending upwardly from said structural support for receiving said tilting boom where the multiaxial drive mechanism operationally connects the tilting boom to the structural support for rotation along a plurality of axes. The tilting boom includes a counterweight system positioned opposite said wind turbine which includes a moveable mass which is moved along the tilting boom by a drive mechanism for movement of the wind turbine between a raised position and a lowered position. The wind turbine also includes a plurality of pitched blade members extending between an inner hub and an outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Matthew Scott Hausman
  • Patent number: 10982650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine system (1) with several wind turbine modules (2) mounted to a support structure (3). A control system is configured to determine a lift command (21) for a particular wind turbine module (2?) of the 5 plurality of wind turbines modules (2). The control system is applying the lift command (21) to a corresponding rotor blade pitch adjustment system of the particular wind turbine module (2?) so as to create a lift force (F_up) in the opposite direction of gravity on the particular wind turbine module mounted on the support structure. Providing an upwards lift force on one, or more, particular 10 wind turbine module(s) may reduce, or eliminate, static and/or dynamical loads from the wind turbine module on the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Jacob Deleuran Grunnet, Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda
  • Patent number: 10609921
    Abstract: A decoy body that is configured with one or more flutter assemblies that make the decoy appear as though the wings/feathers are moving. The flutter assemblies include a suspension arm and lightweight flutter elements configured to be operable in very low wind conditions. The flutter assembly can be used on new or existing decoys. Movement of the wings attracts live game to the decoy spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Allen Dandurand, Murphy McNeill Holloway, III
  • Patent number: 10541523
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cable securement assembly for protecting cables and/or cable bundles within a wind turbine. The cable securement assembly includes a cable spacer having an inner surface and an outer surface separated by a thickness and one or more fastening components. The inner surface defines an open center configured to receive the plurality of cables therein. The inner surface defines a plurality of cable locations defined by one or more through holes configured through the thickness. The one or more fastening components are configured to secure one or more of the plurality of cables at each cable location via the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiahong Wang, Craig Dement, Jiemin Fu, Jay Leonard, Yang Liu, Roman Kolar, Edward Wayne Hardwicke, Andre Langel
  • Patent number: 10487807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine system comprising a plurality of wind turbines mounted to a common support structure (4) by a support arm arrangement (10) comprising a mount portion (12) and at least one arm (13) extending from said mount portion and carrying a respective wind turbine (6). Said support arm arrangement (10) is capable of yawing around said support structure (4); and said wind turbine system comprises an improved arrangement for cable guiding in this connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Torben Ladegaard Baun
  • Patent number: 10392827
    Abstract: Tall wind towers can be erected using a mobile tilting frame comprising a major gin pole and a minor gin pole having a longitudinal axis. The tilting frame has a support cable connecting the major/minor gin poles. The minor gin pole can pivot relative to the major gin pole so that the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Parsons Corporation
    Inventor: Elie Habib Homsi
  • Patent number: 10075053
    Abstract: An electric apparatus comprises a stator having an array of coils positioned within its periphery and a first rotor having an array of magnet pairs positioned within its periphery. The first rotor has one face adjacent to the stator. A second rotor made of conductive material is positioned adjacent to another face of the first rotor. A coupling mechanism may be connected to the second rotor. The electric apparatus may be connected to an electric power source and act as a motor for driving a mechanical load attached to the coupling mechanism. The electric apparatus may alternatively be connected to an electric load, a turbine being attached to the coupling mechanism for generating electric power. An enclosure may protect components of the electric apparatus against external elements, for example to allow underwater operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: IDENERGIE INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Blanchet, Gilles Trottier
  • Patent number: 10036368
    Abstract: A control device for a yaw system of a wind turbine, of the type having a supporting structure and a machine support rotatably mounted on the supporting structure for rotation about a yaw axis, includes at least one adjusting device connected between the supporting structure and the machine support of the wind turbine. The at least one adjusting device includes a drivetrain having a drive element and a gear mechanism and at least one yaw brake operable to selectively rotationally fix the machine support on the supporting structure. The yaw brake engages between the drive element and the gear mechanism of the drive train of the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: 2-B Energy Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Mikael Jakobsson, Huibertus Peels
  • Patent number: 10027266
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of controlling a wind power installation connected to an electric network having a generator with an aerodynamic rotor with an adjustable rotary speed, in which the wind power installation can be operated at an operating point which is optimum in relation to prevailing wind conditions at an optimum rotary speed, wherein the wind power installation is operated for a transitional period of time or lastingly at a non-optimum operating point at a non-optimum rotary speed and the non-optimum rotary speed is higher than the optimum rotary speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Beekmann, Wolfgang de Boer
  • Patent number: 9896310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load-handling means for a tower or a tower section of a wind turbine, which load-handling means has tower-attachment means for attachment to an upper end or in the region of an upper end of a tower or a tower section of a wind turbine, and attachment points for attaching at least one anchoring means of a lifting gear unit. The invention also relates to a method for erecting a wind turbine, in particular an offshore wind turbine. The load-handling means according to the invention includes at least one oscillation damper, or at least one oscillation damper is attached, in particular releasably and/or exchangeably, to the load-handling means, the damping frequency of which oscillation damper lies in the region of a natural frequency of a clamped or freestanding tower or tower section without a gondola.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Senvion GmbH
    Inventor: Marc Seidel
  • Patent number: 9726146
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly and a method of fixing a rotor blade of a wind power plant. The wind power plant comprises a rotor blade, a pitch adjustment means, a bearing for the rotor blade and a brake disk. There is an electro-mechanical brake configured to apply a controlled brake force to the brake disk that is a function of the pitch angle of the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AREVA WIND GMBH
    Inventor: Ralf Hagedorn
  • Patent number: 9551319
    Abstract: A yawing system (2) for a wind turbine and a method of operating the yawing system (2) are disclosed. The yawing system (2) comprises at least one yaw drive arranged to cause the yawing system (2) to perform yawing movements, a yaw bearing allowing mutual movement between two parts of the yawing system (2) during yawing movements, and a hydraulically driven preload mechanism (1) being adapted to provide an adjustable pre-load force to the yaw bearing. The preload mechanism (1) is automatically operated as a consequence of operating the yawing system (2). Thereby it can be ensured that the preload force is adjusted in accordance with whether yawing movements are being performed, or the position of the nacelle should be maintained. The preload mechanism (1) may be modular, in the sense that two or more preload mechanisms (1) operate independently of each other, thereby providing redundancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Lars Vermund Rasmusen, Thomas Frederiksen
  • Patent number: 9366224
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade is provided. The wind turbine blade includes a root region, a tip region, and a body extending from the root region to the tip region. The tip region includes a first winglet and a second winglet that extend arcuately away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Braaten, Anurag Gupta, Arathi Kamath Gopinath
  • Patent number: 9279407
    Abstract: A helical turbine is operatively connected to at least one generator system for generating electrical power. System performance is optimized by controlling the operative angle between the longitudinal axis of the turbine and the direction of the current flow and by controlling a pitch ratio of the turbine. A pair of turbines, arranged in V-shape, each at the operative angle from a neutral centerline, provides symmetry and counteracts reactive torque. For wind operations, the V-shape is freely rotatable into the wind. For bi-directional tidal operations, the V-shape is part of a buoyant structure, positioned in the current and anchored to the floor. The structure is fit with control surfaces to ensure the system orientation. In unidirectional currents, one or more turbines can be angled downwardly into the current at the operative angle, elevators ensuring the angle is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: JUPITER HYDRO INC.
    Inventor: Ross Sinclaire
  • Patent number: 9228564
    Abstract: An integrated wind turbine. Each turbine blade has a flexible skin. Openings in the leading edge lead to one or more inflation chambers for ram air inflation during operation. A pivotal connection with the support post allows the plurality of turbine blades to yaw such that the rotor plane remains substantially perpendicular to the wind direction. The wind turbine may also include self-deploying drag vanes that extend away from the flexible skin when the wind speed is greater than the speed of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Richard E. Wirz, Sebastian Aspe
  • Patent number: 9133815
    Abstract: A turbine blade is provided having a double helix shape with solid cross section. The turbine blades described herein may be adapted to be deployed in water or air such that usable energy may be extracted therefrom. The turbine blades may include a first and second endpoint located a distance apart on a central axis, with a helical edge spiraling in a directional rotation about the central axis from the first endpoint to the second endpoint. The turbine blade may also include a second helical edge spiraling in the same directional rotation about the central axis from the first endpoint to the second endpoint, such that the second helical edge is approximately congruent to the first helical edge and is located a distance from the first helical edge which defines a diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hench, Charles R. Fralick
  • Patent number: 9039367
    Abstract: Provided is a small-sized propeller windmill which can efficiently generate power even when a wing speed is low, has no possibility that the windmill is broken even when a strong wind blows, can stably ensure a weathercock direction of a base blade, and can suppress an environmental burden, in such a propeller windmill, the blade having a corrugated wing shape is supported in a cantilever manner by way of an elastic body, and the blade and the elastic body are made of paper or plastic. Further, to stably ensure the weathercock. direction of the base blade, a weathercock stabilizing mechanism is arranged behind the base blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Educational Foundation Bunri Gakuen
    Inventor: Akira Obata
  • Patent number: 9017034
    Abstract: An upwind wind turbine comprising blades extending radially from a rigid hub on a main shaft having a horizontal axis is described. The blades and hub constitute a rotor with a rotor plane. The main shaft is pivotally mounted in a nacelle on top of a tower which pivots around the vertical axis of the tower. The rotor plane adjusts in relation to wind direction, so during normal use the rotor is positioned on the upwind side of the tower. Each blade has at least a first leeward supporting mechanism having first and second ends. The first end connects to the blade at a first leeward mounting point positioned in a radial distance from the horizontal axis. The second end connects to a second leeward mounting point at a rotatable part and is positioned in an axial distance from the rotor plane on the leeward side of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Lars Fuglsang
  • Publication number: 20150104312
    Abstract: A trillium wind turbine can have a plurality of blades. Together, the swept-back, complexly-curved blades can be attached to an electricity-generating nacelle. Each blade has a main blade, and a trailing edge blade, and can optionally have a diversion blade. Wind is directed down the length of the blade and exits the tip. The main blade resembles a portion of a cylinder in form, the cylinder being twisted to change the angle of attack, thereby adding more lift throughout the length of the blade. The trailing edge and diversion blades are pitched relative to the wind and produce lift. Additionally, wind hitting the diversion blade is diverted behind the blade. Because the surface area and volume of the blade are larger near the base and smaller at the tip, the air traveling along the blade increases in velocity producing more thrust/lift. The turbine also automatically faces into the wind without the need for sensors or positioning motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Reno Barban
  • Patent number: 8894357
    Abstract: A fan module includes a bracket, a mounting plate, and a fan fixed to the mounting plate. A first side of the mounting plate is pivotably attached to the bracket. A second side of the mounting plate can be fixed to different positions on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Lei Liu
  • Patent number: 8866434
    Abstract: A control system for a turbine blade, including: an operational control element for generating and outputting an operational control signal, the operational control signal for non-emergency operation of a motor for controlling pitch of the turbine blade; an emergency control element, separate from and different from the operational control element, for generating and outputting an emergency control signal for emergency operation of the motor; and, an output stage element for receiving the operational and emergency control signals and for selecting one of the operational or emergency control signals, and with a means for receiving power for operation of the motor and with a means for providing the received power to the motor according to the selected operational or emergency control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Windurance LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Jones, Alan Duane Cleland, Paul John Rowan
  • Publication number: 20140219799
    Abstract: Multiple horizontal axis type rotors are coaxially attached along the upper section of an elongate torque transmitting tower/driveshaft, The tower/driveshaft projects upward from a cantilevered bearing means, and is bent downwind, until the rotors become sufficiently aligned with the wind to rotate the entire tower/driveshaft, Power is drawn from the shaft at the base. Surface mount, subsurface mount, and marine installations, including a sailboat, are disclosed. Blade-to-blade lashing, and vertical axis rotor blades may also be included. Vertical and horizontal axis type rotor blades may be interconnected along the length of the tower/driveshaft to form a structural lattice, and the central shaft may even be eliminated. Aerodynamic lifting bodies or tails, buoyant lifting bodies, buoyant rotor blades, and methods of influencing the tilt of the rotors, can help elevate the structure. This wind turbine can have as few as one single moving part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas Spriggs Selsam
  • Patent number: 8747067
    Abstract: A trillium wind turbine has an electricity-generating nacelle and swept-back, complexly-curved blades. Each blade has a main blade, a trailing edge blade, and a diversion blade. Wind is directed down the length of the blade and exits the tip. The main blade resembles a portion of a cylinder in form, the cylinder being twisted to change the angle of attack, thereby adding more lift throughout the length of the blade. The trailing edge and diversion blades are pitched relative to the wind and produce lift. Additionally, wind hitting the diversion blade is diverted behind the blade. Because the surface area and volume of the blade are larger near the nacelle and smaller at the tip, the air that travels along the blade increases in velocity as it travels producing more thrust/lift. The turbine also automatically faces into the wind without the need for sensors or positioning motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Reno Barban
  • Patent number: 8591168
    Abstract: A subsurface wave power generation system includes a seabed mounting plate adapted for securing to a seabed, a wing having generally opposed first and second wing surfaces extending between a first and second wing ends, the second wing end being pivotably mounted to the seabed mounting plate such that pivoting motion about a pivot axis generally parallel to the mounting plate is imparted to the wing by subsurface wave action acting on the first and second wing surfaces, and a drive arm pivotably connected to the wing to convert the pivoting motion into reciprocal motion. An electrical generator can be driven by the drive arm through a slip linkage. The slip linkage includes a first stage that converts the reciprocal motion of the drive arm into rotational motion and a second stage that selectively engages the a drive shaft of the generator drive to impart the rotational motion thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Clean and Green Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Elbert Lee Marcum
  • Publication number: 20130302165
    Abstract: Turbines and methods for their use, for generating power utilizing the flow of water or other fluids. In certain embodiments, turbines with helical blades oriented to efficiently intercept off axis or angular fluid flow, such as presented by whirlpool water flow patterns. In certain preferred embodiments, turbines having helical blades with major blade surfaces oriented to take advantage of whirlpool or circular-angle flow patterns, depending on geographic location of installation in the northern or southern hemisphere. In still other embodiments, turbines in which the pitch of rotor and/or helical blade surfaces is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Steven D. Beaston
  • Patent number: 8459949
    Abstract: A wind power generator with variable windmill wings, which has an installation mount; a vertical rotating shaft; a bearing; inner wing installation units; support rods; outer wing installation units; support rings; vertical support rods; windmill wings; support units installed on the vertical rotating shaft between the groups of the windmill wings made in the up/down multi-stage fashion, and connected to holders through wires; a power generator installed on the bottom surface of the central portion of the installation mount; windmill wing moving units installed on the vertical rotating shaft above the inner wing installation units to be movable in the up/down direction and fixing displacements of the windmill wings; and a driving device with a worm wheel installed on the bottom end side of the vertical rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: In-nam Lee
  • Publication number: 20130094964
    Abstract: A device is described herein that harnesses wind energy by employing large rectangular airfoils mounted on a rotating frame. As the frame rotates, sliders cause the airfoils to expand and contract in a cyclical pattern. The aerodynamic drag of the airfoils is maximized during the power stroke and minimized during the recoil stroke. When subjected to wind, the wind causes more pressure on the expanded airfoils than the contracted ones, which drives rotation of the entire frame. The design is highly scalable, limited only by stiffness and strength limitations of the materials used in its construction. It may be possible to achieve efficiency of power generation that greatly surpasses that of traditional propeller style windmills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: John Andrew Nelsen
  • Publication number: 20130011258
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a nacelle pivotally supported on top of a tower and having a tail rod, a rotator blade device mounted to the nacelle, a tail vane extended from the tail rod, two horizontal stabilizers mounted to the sides of the tail vane, a stable flap attached to the tail rod and located below one of the horizontal stabilizers, and a pivotal flap pivotally attached to the tail rod and located below the other horizontal stabilizer and pivotal relative to the tail vane to selectively engage with the horizontal stabilizer by a strong wind, and to generate a side force onto the tail vane, and to pivot the wind turbine and to deviate the wind turbine from a headwind and to prevent the wind turbine from being over-rotated or burned or damaged by the gale or strong wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Hai Pin Kuo
  • Patent number: 8342801
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling of at least one element of a first component of a wind turbine and a control device not permanently belonging to the wind turbine wherein the control device is connected to a communication interface of the first component for supporting the mounting of the first component and a second component of the wind turbine with each other and/or for the purpose of service of the wind turbine. Moreover the invention concerns the use of the control device for controlling of at least one element of a first component of a wind turbine during the mounting of the first component and a second component of the wind turbine with each other and/or during a service procedure of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Per Egedal
  • Patent number: 8288883
    Abstract: A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is pivotally connected relative to the base (12) about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis (22) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Patent number: 8109722
    Abstract: A turbine for use with a turbine generator, the turbine including at least one turbine blade for positioning in a flowpath, a hub mounting the at least one turbine blade, and a rotatable shaft in operational communication with the hub via a hinge assembly, an axis of the hub being independent of an axis of the shaft. The hinge assembly is disposed between the shaft and the hub and configured to adjust an angle therebetween. A controller assembly is configured to adjust at least one operational characteristic of the hinge assembly during turbine operation. In one embodiment the operational characteristic is a teeter angle of the hinge assembly. In one embodiment operational characteristic is a stiffness or damping force. Methods for using and controlling a fluid turbine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nordic Windpower Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles R. Gamble, Steve Taber
  • Publication number: 20110316283
    Abstract: A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is pivotally connected relative to the base (12) about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis (22) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Patent number: 8033794
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a nacelle that houses a dynamo and a vane wheel coupled to an end of the dynamo. The nacelle is movably mounted to a post. The nacelle has a body forming a circumferentially extending curved slot that has a front portion forming a reducing section and a rear portion forming an expanding section. The vane wheel has a hub at a center thereof and including a plurality of blades radially extending therefrom. Each blade has an end forming a down wash. With the curved design of the nacelle body, the rising angle of airflow exiting the nacelle is improved and with the down wash, the occurrence of tip vortex is suppressed, whereby the utilization efficiency of wind energy in the wind generation operations is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Jia-Yuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20110142627
    Abstract: A teeter mechanism for a multiple-bladed wind turbine includes a rotor shaft operable to rotate about a first axis. A spherical member is rotatable about the first axis along with the rotor shaft. A plurality of turbine blades is mounted to a rotor hub. The rotor hub rotationally drives the rotor shaft, and is operable to teeter about the spherical member such that the rotor hub rotates about the first axis in a first position and rotates about a second axis offset from the first axis in a second, teeter position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Robert H. Perkinson
  • Patent number: 7847426
    Abstract: A wind power generating system is disclosed. The wind power generating system comprises a plurality of blades to capture wind energy; a shaft coupled to the plurality of blades, and a power extractor for extracting power from the rotation of the plurality of blades. A rotation of the plurality of blades occurs in response to the captured wind energy, and a lift force is generated from the captured wind energy by the plurality of blades that is substantially along the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Makani Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Saul Griffith, Peter Lynn, Corwin Hardham
  • Patent number: 7522976
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind energy installation, in particular for adapting a wind energy installation (10) to given wind conditions, the wind energy installation (10) having a rotor (16), which can be driven by wind, with at least two rotor blades (20), whose respective angles of incidence of the wind can be adjusted by means of at least one adjustment device, and having a generator for converting the mechanical energy of the rotor (16) to electrical energy. During operation of the wind energy installation, parameters are measured with spatial and/or temporal resolution on the side of the wind energy installation (10) facing the wind, said parameters describing the wind conditions in the measurement region, preferably the wind speed and/or the wind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Daubner & Stommel GBR-Werk-Planung
    Inventor: Matthias Stommel
  • Publication number: 20090066088
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a vertical axis wind turbine. In one embodiment, the vertical axis wind turbine comprises a rotor comprising a vertical oriented shaft, and a plurality of vertical oriented blades angle-equally and radially secured to the vertical aligned shaft. Each of the plurality of vertical oriented blades has a face side, a back side, at least one window and at least one pane pivotally mounted onto the at least one window on the face side such that the at least one pane is rotatable between a closed position and an opening position around a pivotal axis responsive to a wind condition thereof. The pivotal axis is substantially perpendicular to the vertical oriented shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Ray-Hung Liang
  • Publication number: 20090058086
    Abstract: A wind turbine system is provided with a wind turbine rotor, a pitch control mechanism, and an emergency power supply mechanism. The wind turbine rotor includes a blade having a variable pitch angle. The pitch control mechanism drives the blade to control the pitch angle. The emergency power supply mechanism generates electric power from rotation of the wind turbine rotor and feeds the electric power to the pitch control mechanism, in response to occurrence of an accidental drop of a system voltage of a power grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Arinaga, Takatoshi Matsushita, Tsuyoshi Wakasa
  • Patent number: 7436083
    Abstract: A structure of an upwind type wind turbine and the operating method thereof capable of preventing the occurrence of damage of the blades by evading excessive irregular loads from acting on the blades in the slanting direction in the event of power failure when strong wind blows, are provided. In the upwind type wind turbine having a nacelle supported for rotation on a support, the nacelle is rotated to a downwind position by rotating it by 180° from a normal upwind position and kept in stand-by condition at a downwind position when detected wind speed is higher than the predetermined cutout wind speed, which is the reference wind speed for shifting to an idle operation state. When the detected wind speed is higher than the DWSS wind speed determined based on the maximum permissible instantaneous wind speed, the nacelle is rotated from an upwind position to a downwind position and the yaw brake is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Shibata, Toyoaki Furukawa, Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Yuuji Yatomi, Kazuhisa Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 7331761
    Abstract: A pitch bearing and related method for wind electric turbines has an annularly-shaped first bearing ring connected with an associated wind turbine blade, and includes a first raceway groove. An annularly-shaped second bearing ring is connected with the rotor portion of the wind turbine, and includes a second raceway groove aligned with the first raceway groove. Rolling elements are positioned in the first and second raceway grooves to rotatably interconnect the two bearing rings. A gear segment is formed on one of the bearing rings, and is configured to engage a pitch drive portion of the wind turbine to pivot the blade axially between different pitch angles. The gear segment has an arcuate measure of less than 200 degrees to facilitate economical manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kaydon Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Hansen, David J. VanLangevelede
  • Patent number: 7014416
    Abstract: A wind turbine uses a support tower with a rotatable upper portion supporting an electric generating turbine. A set of radially oriented blades rotate in a vertical plane. A control vane is mounted on a hinge bar and is movable vertically along the bar as well as bilaterally about the hinge bar, when the control vane is lifted out of a restraint well under the force of a wind vector moving in a first horizontal direction where the turbine would be counter-rotated. The control vane is pressed into the restraint well under the force of a wind vector moving in a second direction, essentially opposing the first direction. The control vane is urged to rotate laterally when lifted out of the restraint well, thereby rotating the upper tower portion until the control vane is positioned for being pressed into the restraint well so as to align the turbine blades for preferred blade rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Arnold Morten Lund
  • Patent number: 6979175
    Abstract: A downstream wind turbine for converting wind energy into electrical energy. In a preferred embodiment the downstream wind turbine adapted to respond to high winds and gyroscopic precession. The downstream wind turbine comprises a support tower; a yaw bearing attached to the support tower; a support frame operably linked to the bearing; at least one swing arm with one end pivotally attached to the support frame; an elongated carry member pivotally attached to the other end of the swing arm; a wind driven energy conversion system balanced on and attached to the carry member so that the carry member is biased to maintain an approximately horizontal orientation with respect to the support frame and in response to wind proportionally swings downstream, and which responds to gyroscopic precession forces by tilting up or down; and a governor device for modifying at least one dynamic characteristic of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Devon Glen Drake
  • Patent number: 6942454
    Abstract: The vertical axis wind turbine has two counter-rotating rotors mounted on first and second spaced apart vertical axes. Each rotor has a plurality of rotor blades extending generally inwardly from an outer circumference, the vertical axes being mounted on a support structure which is in turn rotatable on a third vertical axis on a platform. The third axis is spaced from a point midway between the first and second axes in a direction at 90 degrees to and forward from a line between the first and second axes. The vertical axis wind turbine further has a guide vane mounted on the support structure, having a vertex forward of the third vertical axis in the direction at 90 degrees from a line between the first and second axes. The guide vane has left and right symmetrical vane portions extending towards the rotors so as to direct airflow from wind primarily towards portions of the rotors outboard of the first and second axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Hans-Armin Ohlmann
  • Publication number: 20030035725
    Abstract: A wind power plant for producing electrical energy on a large scale, comprising a base, a housing, rotatable on said base around vertical axis. A wind tail, attached to the housing, rotate the housing toward direction of the wind, utilizing the power of the wind, and produces additional tunnel suction to the flow of the wind from front side to back side of the housing. A plurality of turbines, equipped with rotors with wide blades, is mounted inside the housing one above another. Deflectors cover from the wind the front side of the rotors above their axis of rotation while computer controlled governors are covering the remaining front side of the rotors below their axis of rotation, keeping steady the speed of rotation of the rotors. Working surfaces of turbines are covered from heavy snow and during the storm and protected from birds. Power plant saves the area of occupied land, utilizing higher speed of wind on higher elevations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Yevgeniya Sosonkina
  • Patent number: 6142757
    Abstract: An integral oil pump for an apparatus having a plurality of bearings, the oil pump comprising a housing with an opening for a shaft, a cavity within the housing, a ring gear encircling the shaft with clearance between the shaft and an inner surface of the ring gear, a plurality of evenly spaced keyways in the inner surface or the ring gear, a plurality of protrusions extending from the shaft that fit into the keyways to rotate the ring gear when the shaft is rotated, a floating gear meshing with the ring gear, the cavity enclosing the gears with very little clearance between the cavity and the gears, an inlet portion of the cavity adjacent the area where the gears mesh, an outlet portion of the cavity adjacent the area on the other side of where the gears mesh, an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet portion of the cavity and an oil reservoir, an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the cavity and with the bearings to supply pressurized oil to the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: David T. Borchert
  • Patent number: 6132172
    Abstract: An improved windmill includes a conical rotor unit, a frame for supporting the conical rotor unit and a base for supporting the frame. The conical rotor unit has a conical rotor with a plurality of spaced curved blades disposed thereon and a plurality of spaced slant blades located at an outer rim of the conical rotor. The conical rotor has small wind resistance and may rotate under low speed wind to generate rotor rotation. The frame is rotationable about the base to enable the conical rotor to capture wind from different directions. The conical rotor is heavier than conventional windmill rotor and may serve as a fly wheel to store kinetic energy for the windmill to produce steady rotation under different wind speed for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Wan-Tsai Li
  • 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: 6113350
    Abstract: A vertical-axle wind power machine comprises a vertical axle, a plurality of jointed radial arms, a plurality of counterbalanced oblique blades at the support points thereof, a friction-rewarding rotary speed multiplying transmission, and an automatic rotary speed regulating means to be performed by either a wind-operated or an alternative digital controlled rotary speed regulating device; the combination of which provides the oblique blades with great sensitivity to the alternation of lee wind and head wind for automatic swinging to the most efficient lee angle at upstanding and overturned positions to sail nearly three quarters and streamline against the head wind resistance for the remaining quarter every circle of rotation, is able to convert the centripetal and centrifugal component forces to the same torque direction of the tangential component force from the same blade by an eccentric-guided angular bracket means and a fork-rooted radial arm, is able to offset the friction loss in the rotary speed mult
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Stokwang Windpower Industrial Inc.
    Inventor: Hsun-Fa Liu