Responsive To Gravity Or Working Fluid Force Patents (Class 416/117)
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Publication number: 20030161729Abstract: A blade assembly for a windmill includes an output shaft with a first cross-shaft and a second cross-shaft operatively mounted relative to the output shaft. The first cross-shaft and the second cross-shaft include a first end and a distal end. A first blade is mounted on the first end of the first cross-shaft and the first cross-shaft is rotated by the first blade to impart rotation to the output shaft. A second blade is mounted on the distal end of the first cross-shaft and the first cross-shaft is rotated by the second blade to impart rotation to the output shaft. Stops are positioned on the first cross-shaft for limiting the rotation of the first cross-shaft relative to the output shaft. A third blade is mounted on the first end of the second cross-shaft and the second cross-shaft is rotated by the third blade to impart rotation to the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Hank Lindhorn
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Publication number: 20030123983Abstract: The present invention is an oscillating wing system like lifting surface featuring a symmetrical profile mounted free to rotate over a fixation point located ahead neutral point and self-trimming at angle of attack in the flow by adjustment of a trailing edge elevon, and whose the system is actuated by linear lateral or vertical movement allowing to produce electrical energy with the wind flow or water flow of a deep river or at flood/ebb tide.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Maxime Lambert Bolduc
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Patent number: 6554573Abstract: A rotor is intended to rotate in a fluid flowing in a flow direction and comprises a plurality of rotor blades, at the most four blades, which are arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation. Each blade forms a single-curved surface, the generatrix of which extends in a plane normal to the axis of rotation, and an imaginary plane interconnecting the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade forms an acute angle with the axis of rotation. In addition, each blade is pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot shaft in order to adjust the acute angle, the pivot shaft extends in a plane that is normal to the axis of rotation and is parallel to and spaced a distance from an imaginary radius radiating from the axis of rotation. The rotor is very silent and provides efficient energy conversion, for example extraction of wind power.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Vind-Och VattenturbinerInventor: Rikard Pedersen
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Publication number: 20020187038Abstract: A rotational power transfer device includes a rotatable shaft, a plurality of arm structures attached to the shaft and extending radially outward from the shaft, a plurality of pin structures attached to and extending radially outward from the shaft such that the arm structures and the pin structures are aligned, a plurality of panel members attached to the arm structures and hanging downward therefrom, and an energy converting member for converting energy to electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventor: Foy Streetman
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Patent number: 6489691Abstract: A wind power generation system mainly includes a wind catching mechanism slidably mounted on a guide rail mechanism. The wind catching mechanism includes a wind-catching means that is selectively oriented to face wind blowing against it, so as to cause the entire wind catching mechanism to slides along the guide rail mechanism before the wind and pulls a linking cable connected to a dynamo, so that the dynamo is actuated to generate power.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Inventor: Tsay Ying Lang
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Patent number: 6402472Abstract: A sail-type windmill wheel is provided in which the area of the wheel facing into the wind is adjusted by an automatic variation of the blade angle of the sails. The wind wheel comprises a hub (22) with a plurality of radially extending spars (18), substantially triangular sails (10) secured along one edge to said arms, the clew of said sails secured through a sheeting cable (24) to drawbar extension springs (28), and the drawbar extension springs secured to the tip of the next adjacent arm. During high wind speeds the automatic blade angle adjustment reduces the frontal area of the wind wheel with a corresponding reduction in the force of the wind upon the wheel. During normal working wind speeds the present invention maintains the sails within an optimum blade angle range for extracting energy from the wind.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventors: Allan Curtis Hogue, Jeanette Diane Hogue
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Patent number: 6354536Abstract: A hub mounted actuation system for providing control of a portion of a rotor blade, such as a flap, on a rotorcraft. The rotor blade is attached to a rotor shaft that rotates with respect to an airframe. The hub mounted actuation system includes a stationary support mounted to the airframe and a rotary support attached to the rotor shaft for concomitant rotation therewith. At least one hub actuator rotates in combination with the rotor blade and includes a piston which is slidable within a housing. The piston and housing define a pressure chamber within the actuator which contains a fluid to be pressurized. A displacement control device is disposed between the stationary support and the rotary support for controlling movement of the piston within the housing. A linkage connects the hub actuator to the portion of the blade to be controlled. The linkage is adapted to displace the blade portion as a function of the movement of the piston within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft CorporationInventors: Michael S. Torok, William A. Welsh, George Gustave Zipfel, Jr., Gregory Weston Terpay, Ka-Shu Lee, William Edward Vanderbeck
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Patent number: 6283710Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine rotor having self-fairing vanes wherein the center of pressure on each vane is coplanar with the journal for the hub of the turbine rotor.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Inventor: Lloyd I Biscomb
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Patent number: 6132172Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Inventor: Wan-Tsai Li
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Patent number: 6113350Abstract: 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 multType: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Stokwang Windpower Industrial Inc.Inventor: Hsun-Fa Liu
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Patent number: 5951249Abstract: A fluid energy turbine has a radial flow rotor in which fluid driven blades are peripherally distributed about a horizontal axis and in which auxiliary-biased outlet gates are provided for release of high fluid pressures to govern turbine speed such as in high windstorms.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Prime Energy CorporationInventor: Elmo Edison Aylor
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Patent number: 5570997Abstract: Windmill (10) having a plurality of hydrodynamic, folding blades (12, 14, 16 and 18) secured to a hub (64). The blades are propelled by wind current such that the windmill rotates about a central axis of a shaft (20) on which a hub (64) is journalled. Each folding blade extends radially from the hub and includes a lower blade portion (24) attached to the hub and an upper blade portion (22) pivotally attached to the lower blade portion. The lower blade portion includes a hydrodynamic surface extending from a first edge(43) and terminating at a trailing edge (42). The upper blade portion is hydrodynamically contoured so as to form a nose cone (44). An apex of the nose cone forms a leading edge (40) of the upper blade portion that is opposite a trailing edge (41).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Inventor: Charles W. Pratt
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Patent number: 5525037Abstract: A wind turbine for converting wind energy to useable energy having a plurality of overlapping sail members. The sail members extend radially outward from a vertically disposed shaft in three columns positioned equidistantly around the shaft. The overlapping sail members hang downwardly in a naturally biased, vertical orientation so as to block rotational movement of each other in one direction. This configuration allows the wind to engage with the sail members on one side of the shaft to rotate the shaft, and blow past the sail members on the other side of the shaft. Rotation of the cylinder is thus achieved while wind resistance is greatly minimized, regardless of the wind direction. A generator can be rotatably intercoupled with the cylinder to thereby convert the kinetic energy of rotation to useable energy. Each sail member is preferably positioned such that a gap resides between the sail member and the shaft, the gap being at least as wide as the sail member.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Inventor: John Cummings
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Patent number: 5520505Abstract: An energy conversion device which comprises a stacked array of alternating yawable and fixed toroidal modules about a central core structure. The yawable toroids have typically four impact impellers mounted in their peripheral flow regions for the purpose of capturing flow energy. The fixed toroids are mounted to complement and further enhance fluid flow impact impeller energy capture and to provide housing means for a variety of matter both associated and unassociated with the energy system. The stacked array of a toroid with impellers, designated a Toroidal Rotor Amplifier Platform (TRAP.TM.), and a toroid without impellers, designated a Toroidal Wind Frame (TWF.TM.), is referred to in aggregate, when used for wind energy conversion, as a Wind Amplified Rotor Platforms (WARP.TM.) system. Under wind energy conversion use, a WARP.TM.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Inventor: Alfred L. Weisbrich
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Patent number: 5425619Abstract: A fluid energy turbine has a radial flow rotor in which fluid driven blades are peripherally distributed about a horizontal axis and in which auxiliary biased outlet gates are provided for release of high fluid pressures to govern turbine speed such as in high storm winds. The blades additionally may be made featherable to govern the turbine speed by feathering the blades either preceding or after the gate openings or simultaneously as preset by the degree of biasing of both determined by matching to weather conditions in the area of use. In other embodiments, the gates are interconnected to the featherable blades for coordinated operation by means such as cables or rods.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Inventor: Elmo E. Aylor
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Patent number: 5285112Abstract: An efficient fluid energy collection and conversion system which has energy collectors that travel both upstream and downstream in a fluid stream. Energy collectors are mounted on a rotatable hub; during each rotation, the energy collectors travel through a downstream portion and an upstream portion of the fluid. The energy collectors' shape is changed to increase their drag while traveling downstream in the fluid stream to collect energy, and their shape is changed to decrease their drag while traveling upstream in the fluid stream to conserve energy. The energy collectors' shape are changed either passively by the pressure of the fluid stream, or actively, by computer control using servos, hydraulics, gears, pulleys, or the like. The system is adjustable to varying wind conditions. Some, or all, of the collectors are deactivated when less energy collection is desired such as during very high wind conditions. Likewise, all the energy collectors are activated when the winds are light.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1992Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: Star Energy Company, L.L.C.Inventor: Michael J. Mann
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Patent number: 5213528Abstract: A paddle wheel for propelling a water craft. The paddle wheel includes a plurality of oppositely disposed paddles which are rotatable with a supporting shaft. Each of the paddles are formed with side and end plates with a rounded portion between the outer edges of the sides. The bottom half portion of the paddles is filled with concrete and the upper half is filled with air or evacuated. Thus, the paddles remain in a vertical position as the paddle wheel rotates.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Inventor: Donald S. Seiford, Sr.
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Patent number: 5118255Abstract: A motor driven by a fluid motion, comprising a rotor with a vane whose surface varies according to the vane position relatively to the fluid flow direction. To create a thrust on the vane when the fluid moves quasi-parallel to the vane longitudinal axis, at least one side-panel is provided on the vane, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1990Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Inventor: Angel Moreno
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Patent number: 5083902Abstract: A windmill, comprising an axial support mounted for rotation about its vertical axis, elongated shaft sections arranged radially about the axial support, and a pair of vanes attached to each shaft section spaced about the axial support at right angles to each other for rotation about the axis of the axial support. A frame is included for attaching the shaft sections to the axial support, and a pillow block included with the frame provides a pivotal connection between the frame and shaft sections for allowing the shaft sections to rotate about their axis. A pair of counterweights attached laterally outward from each shaft section and positioned obtusely from the vanes in an alignment coaxial with its shaft section have a spaced configuration about the axial support for balancing the vanes dynamically about the axis of the axial support, when the vanes are rotated about the axis of the axial support, the counterweights further balancing the vanes axially about the shaft sections.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1986Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Inventor: Winfred A. Rhodes
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Patent number: 5071378Abstract: A boat impeller wheel includes a rotating shaft, and a plurality of supporting rods extending radially from the rotating shaft. An impeller vane is mounted rotatably on each of the supporting rods. When any one of the impeller vanes leaves water's surface, it can rotate about the corresponding supporting rod to a position appropriate for minimizing the splashes from the impeller vanes.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1990Date of Patent: December 10, 1991Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 4822239Abstract: A vertical axis windmill wherein the blades pivot between a power delivery and a recovery position with air gates associated with a non-rotating chamber containing the windmill acting to preclude airflow over the blades while in the recovery position. The blades either include chambers therein configured to receive a fluid moveable between the chambers as dictated by rotational speed of the windmill, or the blades are connected in pairs with elevational motion of one blade to a power delivery position assists the other blade of the pair in returning from the power delivery position to the recovery position.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1988Date of Patent: April 18, 1989Inventor: Michael E. Tsipov
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Patent number: 4818180Abstract: An apparatus relating to a vertical-axle wind turbine comprises fore eccentric compressible and tensible slide-cantilevers, rear eccentric tensible ropes, dual-rocker trapezoid linkages, slightly inclined flap-blades, and counter-lever with equipoises. Accordingly, all blades on the wind turbine can catch favorable wind force at optimum leeway about 260 degrees each rotation; can absorb centrifugal, centripetal and circumferential shocks from gusts and variable wind force and convert the same to the same direction of torque; can adjust their radius against variable wind speed to stabalize the rotary speed; and can release resistance from relative wind sensitively and streamlined within the remaining 100 degrees of the rotation under the control of respective dual-rocker trapezoid linkages and equipoises to drive the apparatus for converting wind force to mechanical power most efficiently for commitment.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1988Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Inventor: Hsun-Fa Liu
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Patent number: 4792700Abstract: A wind driven electrical generating system consisting of a post with guyed cable supports, a spinner cage mounted on a square wheel on a circular race, sail elements on the spinner cage, a swash plate mounted upon under side of spinner cage and providing an inclined work surface, a rocker arm mounted for vertical displacement and having upper and lower ends, a caster follower member mounted on an upper end of the rocker arm for engaging the swash plate as it rotates, a double acting hydraulic cylinder driven by the lower end, and hydraulic motor responsive to the double acting hydraulic cylinder, and an electric generator driven by the hydraulic motor to produce electric current.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1987Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Inventor: Joe L. Ammons
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Patent number: 4730795Abstract: The basic characteristics of an airplane and of a helicopter are combined into one flying craft: a HELIPLANE. This aircraft can fly forward like an airplane and hover like a helicopter. In the hovering mode, the craft lifting force is generated by gyrating blades and the craft control forces and moments are provided by a tail end propeller. In the forward flying mode, the craft lifting forces are generated by two wings and the gyrating blades. The propeller alone provides the forward propulsive thrust. The operations of the gyrating blades, of the craft control surfaces and of the power plant are all integrated, monitored and controlled to coordinate such operations during hovering, forward flight and any transition phase between hovering and forward flight. The gyrating blades never generate any forward propulsive thrust. The cyclic pitch motion of the gyrating blades needed to accommodate the craft forward flight velocity is induced by this forward velocity.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1986Date of Patent: March 15, 1988Inventor: Constant V. David
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Patent number: 4730119Abstract: A sail-driven wind motor (SDWM) is described, in which a reciprocating load amenable to intermittent, bidirectional drive (such as a water pump or air compressor) is driven by one or two arms, with each arm driven by at least one conventional fore-and-aft rigged sail. Masts for the sails are mounted on beams which are pivotally mounted on the arms. At least one mast and sail per beam, and at least one beam per arm are required to drive the load. Mechanisms are described for controlling the sails to drive the load, and to stop operation of the SDWM during excessive wind velocity. SDWMs for three types of sites are described: land, shallow water, and deep water. Each arm is supported by at least one cross-arm, which rides on wheels for a land site, or on at least one double-ended float for water sites. For all three types of sites, the sail drag must be transferred to the ground, while the sail lift must be transferred to the load via the arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1986Date of Patent: March 8, 1988Inventor: Lloyd I. Biscomb
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Patent number: 4681512Abstract: A windmill vane for use with a windmill having a vertical shaft. The vane comprises an open, rigid, planar, preferably semi-elliptical frame and a flexible sail on the frame. The frame can also be chevron shaped or semi-rectangular in shape. One end of the frame is affixed to the shaft, ad the other end is aligned therewith horizontally and radially outwardly from the shaft. The planar frame is oriented with a central portion leading the ends thereof relative to the instantaneous direction of movement of the frame around the shaft. The central portion of the frame is inclined at a 45.degree. angle upwardly from the frame ends relative to such instantaneous direction of movement. The sail is light weight, resilient, and preferably carried by a loose sleeve around the frame. The design of the vane ensures that the sail is full when moving with the wind and streams directly behind the frame when moving across and against the wind.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1986Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Inventor: Maxwell K. Barnard
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Patent number: 4649284Abstract: A windmill includes a supporting frame, a vertical transmission shaft rotatably mounted in the supporting frame, a plurality of fan blades, each having two bending edges longitudinally formed on the two vertical edges of the blade, horizontally pivotedly mounted on the vertical transmission shaft, a sweeping cleaner formed on the lower portion of the transmission shaft to remove the snow or dirts on a power generator, a power generator formed on the lower end of the transmission shaft, and a high-speed braking clutch automatically braking the rotation of the transmission shaft under stronger wind pressure for safely protecting the power generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1985Date of Patent: March 10, 1987Inventor: Leu Hsech-Pen
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Patent number: 4619583Abstract: A wind turbine with two rotors equipped with wings, which are mounted on horizontal shafts rotatably mounted in a bearing unit. The rotors are displaced 180.degree. in relation to each other. The bearing unit is connected to a rotatably mounted vertical output shaft with the rotor shaft projecting substantially radially on diametrically opposite sides of the output shaft, gear wheels of the rotor shafts engaging a gear ring mounted coaxially with the output shaft stationarily in relation to the output shaft. A second pair of rotors of the same type as the first pair are mounted on shafts which are rotatably mounted in the bearing unit perpendicularly to the shafts of the first pair of rotors and are displaced 180.degree. in relation to one another and 90.degree. in relation to the first pair of rotors. A gear train interconnects the rotors for position-synchronized rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1984Date of Patent: October 28, 1986Inventor: Bengt R. Wikstrom
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Patent number: 4566853Abstract: A vertical axis windmill with a plurality of horizontal arms (16) mounted on an upright central axis (12) so as to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane. Each arm (16) has hinged at its free end a blade 18 which is downwardly depending. Each blade 18 being mounted at an angle of pitch to the respective end of the arm (16) of from 20.degree. to 80.degree. and also mounted at an angle of tilt to the end of the arm (16) of from 5.degree. to 30.degree.. Preferably, each blade (18) comprises one or more paddles (14) hinged to one or more frames (15).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1983Date of Patent: January 28, 1986Inventor: Chalerm Likitanupak
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Patent number: 4561826Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine has one or more blades (10) mounted in cantilever manner on a hub (12) on a short tower (14). The or each blade (10) is unsupported above the level of the hub (12) and extends freely upwards. The hub (12) may be a rigid mounting or a pivot mounting. If two blades (10) are used, they are desirably arranged in a crossed configuration so as to extend along a common axis. The upward arm of the blade (10) can be straight and rigid, or flexible, or cranked, or curved. The wind turbine is suitable both for land-based use and on water-going craft.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1983Date of Patent: December 31, 1985Inventor: Derek A. Taylor
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Patent number: 4547125Abstract: A wind turbine, having(a) at least one pair of sail means, each said sail means having upper and lower portions hingedly connected together to permit said portions to move away from and towards each other to thus open and close, respectively, said sail means being in the shape of an airfoil;(b) a vertical shaft,(c) a support,(d) means mounting said vertical shaft in said support for rotation about the vertical axis of said shaft; and(e) means mounting said sail means to said shaft, said sail means being disposed to move under the action of the wind in a plane about said vertical axis; said mounting means for said sail means including means for opening and closing one sail means of each pair of sail means while the other sail means of said pair is closed and opened, respectively, as said sail means moves about said vertical axis in said plane, said mounting means for said sail means being operable to dispose said plane at a predetermined angle to the horizontal and being adjustable to change said angle as desiType: GrantFiled: December 15, 1983Date of Patent: October 15, 1985Inventor: Elihu H. McMahon, II
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Patent number: 4527950Abstract: A spider-like carrier having at least three generally horizontal arms has a hub mounted to the vertical, rotary-axis input shaft of a load. Each arm has at least one horizontal cross-arm secured to it near its radially outer end, which is supported from the ground by a low-friction support device such as a wheel or set of wheels. Mounted on each arm at the cross-arm or cross-arms is at least one sail, vane, airfoil or similar working member which is erected or spread generally normally to the wind when the respective arm is located for the working member to be blown downwind and is feathered or headed to the wind when the respective arm is located for the working member to be driven upwind. Horizontal axis and vertical axis journalling options for the working members and various sail shapes are shown, including a concave/convex sail and motor-oriented airfoil shape which provides lift when being driven upwind are shown.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1983Date of Patent: July 9, 1985Inventor: Lloyd I. Biscomb
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Patent number: 4456429Abstract: A wind turbine comprises a vertical, rotatable shaft and at least one arm, preferably two or more arms, extending radially outwardly from the shaft and rigidly connected thereto at one end. An aerofoil-shaped blade is connected to the other end of each arm and has a normal operating position in which the blade chord line at the point where the blade connects to the arm is generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the respective arm. The leading edge of the blade is disposed at a fixed acute angle relative to the vertical at all rotational speeds of the blade about the axis of the shaft. The arms preferably also have an aerofoil-shape. An overspeed control mechanism is provided to prevent the blade and arm from rotating beyond a predetermined speed limit about the shaft. The control mechanism includes a hinge mount pivotally connecting the blade to its respective arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1982Date of Patent: June 26, 1984Inventor: Robert E. Kelland
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Patent number: 4446379Abstract: Magnus cylinders are mounted for rotation at right angles to shafts that are revolved about a generally vertical axis. The shafts are free to rotate 180.degree.. The Magnus cylinders are continuously rotated in the same angular direction. At one position of revolution of the shafts, the cylinders rotate on an axis generally parallel to the axis of revolution of the shafts. When the apparatus is immersed in a fluid flow (gaseous or liquid) a torque of rotation is developed when the shafts are aligned with the fluid flow, and this torque of rotation is reduced as the shaft approaches a position transverse to the fluid flow. As the shafts pass this transverse position, a torque is developed by the rotating cylinder that rotates the shafts 180.degree. until the formerly downwardly depending cylinder is now upright and the formerly upright cylinder is now downwardly depending on its shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1983Date of Patent: May 1, 1984Inventors: John L. Borg, Catherine J. Borg
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Patent number: 4421458Abstract: A wind powered turbine of the vertical axis type having rotor blades (3) carried on a rotor arm (2), in which the blades can be reefed to reduce torque on the turbine. The blades have two portions (6, 7) pivotable with respect to one another by the reefing means so as to move from a position parallel to the rotation axis to a position at which they form an angle about a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1981Date of Patent: December 20, 1983Assignee: Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons (Trade Investments) LimitedInventors: John Allan, Peter J. Musgrove
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Patent number: 4415311Abstract: A vertical shaft 11 has several equally spaced blades 14 mounted thereon. Each blade consists of an inboard section 15 and an outboard section 16 skew hinged (17) to the inboard section. The inboard sections automatically adjust their positions with respect to the fixed inboard sections with changes in velocity of the wind. This windmill design automatically governs the maximum rotational speed of shaft 11.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1982Date of Patent: November 15, 1983Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: David C. Grana, Spencer V. Inge, Jr.
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Patent number: 4406586Abstract: A device to convert wave energy into mechanical energy, comprises a buoyant structure whose upper portion is in the region of wave action but whose lower section is below the region of wave action, so that the water adjacent the upper and lower sections of the structure has vertical movement relative to itself. This relative movement is used to rotate a vertical shaft having radially extending horizontal axles on which panels are pivotally mounted. Ballast and/or floats are used to impose on the panels a bias tending to maintain them horizontal. The relative movement of the water is used to impel fluid vertically relative to the panels in alternatingly opposite directions; and the bias imposed by the ballast and/or floats thus causes a planing wing action of the panels which impels the shaft in rotation in one direction regardless of the direction of the movement of the impelling fluid. The floating structure can rise and fall with the waves (FIGS.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1980Date of Patent: September 27, 1983Inventors: Olivier de la Roche Kerandraon, Pierre Guillaume, Daniel Paroldi
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Patent number: 4382190Abstract: A wind motor having two sets of wind force collectors which rotate in a horizontal plane. One set is vertically displaced from the other and rotates in an opposite direction. One set is connected to the stator and the other to the rotor of an alternator. The wind force collectors have valved wind traps which have high aerodynamic drag in one profile and low aerodynamic drag in the opposite profile.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1981Date of Patent: May 3, 1983Inventor: J. Merritt Jacobson
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Patent number: 4377372Abstract: A wind turbine is provided which consists of novel vanes horizontally oriented about a rotating hub connected to a vertical shaft. The vanes are free to pivot about two horizontal hinges such that two vanes connected to each other open when wind force is applied, and close when there is little or no wind force such that there is a minimal amount of resistance to the travel of the vanes when the vanes are against the wind.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1981Date of Patent: March 22, 1983Inventor: Carl Stutzman
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Patent number: 4365935Abstract: A vertical type wind-driven prime mover comprises a vertically extending rotative main shaft, a plurality of horizontal support arms radially extending from the main shaft, a rectangular support frame body pivotally connected to the outer end of each of the arms, a rectangular wind receiving plate pivotally connected to each of the support frame bodies so that these plates are swingable only on the same one side of the respective support frame bodies, and a weight attached to each support frame body to maintain the latter substantially vertical until the wind speed reaches a given value.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1980Date of Patent: December 28, 1982Inventor: Chousei Zukeran
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Patent number: 4274809Abstract: A vertical wind turbine having vertical blades, each blade being connected intermediate its ends by a hinge to a support arm having a hub that enables the blades to rotate around a vertical axis, a tie wire connected to the blade at positions spaced along the blade from the hinge, said tie wire engaging a spring-loaded pulley disposed inwardly of the blades, the arrangement being such that when the angle of inclination of the blades to the vertical axis alters under the action of centrifugal force the tie wire exerts a force on the pulley opposing the spring force whereby as the turbine speeds up the blades will remain at a predetermined angle of inclination until the force exerted by the wire exceeds the force of the spring. One end of the tie wire can be connected to a position on one blade and connected to another position on another blade so that all of the blades adopt the same angle of inclination to the vertical axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1979Date of Patent: June 23, 1981Assignee: P.I. Specialist Engineers LimitedInventors: Patricio E. Delgado, Barry A. Holmes
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Patent number: 4261687Abstract: A horizontal fluid-driven device for rotary motion comprised of a planar support surface upon which is assembled a radially spaced array of counterbalanced stop-lock pivot vanes operable by impingement thereon of a fluid current force to cycle, automatically and sequentially, the pivot vanes thereof unidirectionally through rotary displacement maximum drive to minimum resistance to maximum drive configurations within the fluid current, irrespective of the fluid current direction, with use of the device herein taught for landscape ornamentation and commercial display attention attracting applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1979Date of Patent: April 14, 1981Inventor: Horace E. Gerberick
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Patent number: 4224012Abstract: A plate is carried by the blade support shaft journalled within the frame of a wind motor. The axle shaft of the blade is securable to the plate at variable distances relative the support shaft to selectively vary the offset of the blade. A primary drive element, gear or sprocket, coaxial with the axle shaft and rotatable in response to rotation of the blade, drivingly engages a driven idler element, gear or sprocket, respectively, carried by an idler shaft journalled within the plate. A planetary gear rotatable in response to the driven idler element, drivingly engages a sun gear fixed to the frame coaxial with the support shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1978Date of Patent: September 23, 1980Inventor: Herbert O. White
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Patent number: 4204805Abstract: An improved type of wind turbine comprising a rotating assembly attached to a central hub, which is supported for rotation in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis, in a bearing on top of a tower of selected elevation. The rotating assembly comprises at least two radial spokes or arms positioned from each other at equal angles in a horizontal plane. The outer ends of the arms are attached to a connector assembly which generally is in the form of a U-shaped member lying in a vertical plane. A long thin vertically oriented airfoil is mounted on the ends of each connector, the plane of the chord of the airfoil is perpendicular to the axis of the arm which supports it. A torque shaft is attached at the axis of the hub and passes axially downwardly through the tower to an energy conversion device mounted in a housing on the base, which supports the tower. The tower may be guyed by means of cables, etc. which are attached below the level of the rotating assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1978Date of Patent: May 27, 1980Inventor: Victor W. Bolie
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Patent number: 4191507Abstract: To reduce drag in a lightweight windmill, a vertical centrally located frame has three vertical windmill-vane arrays extending radially outward therefrom spaced circumferentially 120 degrees from each other about the rotatable framework. Each vane array includes a plurality of flat flexible sails rigged one under the other between leading and trailing horizontal arms in the array with an upper leading edge of each sail being directly fastened to a different one of the leading arms and a lower edge of each sail being fastened by flexible cords to a different one of the trailing arms so that when the wind blows in the direction of the leading arm, the sail billows outwardly to turn the framework but when the wind blows in the opposite direction the sails are lifted flat to provide low drag. In one embodiment, the arms are cables, stretched radially from the central vertical framework by other cables so that the entire structure is easily disassembled for shipment.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1978Date of Patent: March 4, 1980Inventor: Gary J. DeBerg
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Patent number: 4186313Abstract: A wind operated generator is disclosed herein having a stationary frame or base rotatably supporting at least four sets of pivotal blades intended to be driven by impinging wind currents. Each set of blades operate in unison for opening and closing air passageways between adjacent ones of the blades as the sets of blades rotate about a common vertical axis. A wind direction sensor is provided which moves into the direction of the wind and electro-mechanical or mechanical interface networks operably couple the wind direction sensor to the respective sets of blades whereby the blades are responsive to wind direction so as to be properly feathered to propel the sets of blades. By employment of the interface network, those blades that are in position to actuate or rotate the windmill will receive the full force of the wind while other blades which are not in a position to accomplish the proper operation will be turned to permit passage of the wind thereby.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1978Date of Patent: January 29, 1980Inventor: Frank R. Wurtz
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Patent number: 4142832Abstract: A fluid current motor having a rotatable shaft, a plurality of rotor arms rigidly mounted to and extending radially outwardly from the shaft and a plurality of pairs of superposed rotor panels which pairs are pivotally mounted respectively to each said rotor arm, may be improved by providing a rigid connector between each pair of panels moveably connecting a leading portion of one rotor panel in each said pair to a trailing portion of the second rotor panel in each said pair such that the rotor panels in each pair of rotor panels will coactingly pivot between resisting and non-resisting positions in response to a fluid current.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1977Date of Patent: March 6, 1979Inventor: Woodrow W. Clifton
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Patent number: 4134710Abstract: A motor having an upright shaft with vanes driven by different, simultaneous, multidirectional, generally horizontal currents, for ocean offshore or beach installation, the vertical height, measured by the operative vertical span of the vanes, being significantly much greater than any known prior art wave operated motors and representing the novel concept of simultaneous driving of the motor by wave or inflow currents as well as undertow or outflow currents impinging simultaneously on separate, vertically spaced groups of vanes.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1977Date of Patent: January 16, 1979Inventor: DeWitt T. Atherton
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Patent number: 4123018Abstract: The invention relates to improvements to helicopters with coaxial rotors, of convertible type in particular, consisting of at least two contra rotative rotors carrying blades for lifting and propelling, the fuselage having an axis parallel to the axes of the rotors and wherein each rotor consists of a nave carrying arms radially arranged, the arms carrying a coating with a propeller blade section, movable in incidence through whirling on to said arms. The naves are axially displaced along and rotatably supported about a shaft coaxial with the fuselage axis and comprising a structural support member of the fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1977Date of Patent: October 31, 1978Inventor: Rene C. A. Tassin de Montaigu
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Patent number: 4113408Abstract: A wind operated generator is disclosed herein having a stationary frame or base rotatably supporting at least four sets of pivotal blades intended to be driven by impinging wind currents. Each set of blades operate in unison for opening and closing air passageways between adjacent ones of the blades as the sets of blades rotate about a common vertical axis. A wind direction sensor is provided which moves into the direction of the wind and electro-mechanical or electrical interface networks operably couple the wind direction sensor to the respective sets of blades whereby the blades are responsive to wind direction so as to be properly feathered to propel the sets of blades. By employment of the interface network, those blades that are in position to actuate or rotate the windmill will receive the full force of the wind while other blades which are not in a position to accomplish the proper operation will be turned to permit passage of the wind thereby.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1977Date of Patent: September 12, 1978Assignee: Frank R. WurtzInventors: Frank R. Wurtz, Thomas J. Hawkins