Abstract: A savonius type windmill with multiple openings covered with horizontal blinds to let the air flow in reducing the drag from one end of the rotor blade while completely shutting the other side of the rotor blade by the winds own force to produce maximum torque.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wind power generating system. The system comprises moving bodies connected one with another by connectors and repeatedly circulated on a rail of an endless track; sail devices rotatably mounted to the moving bodies and exposed to wind, each sail device having a sail and a mast and including a rotating mechanism for rotating the mast; geared members affixed to one sides of the moving bodies; a generator having a gear which is meshed with the geared members and thereby rotated to allow the generator to generate electricity; direction changing devices located at both turnaround portions of the rail; and sail direction adjusting devices each for adjusting a direction of the sail in conformity with a direction of wind stream.

Abstract: A windmill is provided wherein the windmill comprises a central rotating shaft with an upper and a lower end opposite thereto. A blade arm is provided with an inward and an outward end opposite thereto, wherein the inward end of the blade arm is connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft. An aerodynamically shaped foil connects to the outward end of the blade arm. A cam frame connects to the central rotating shaft such that the cam frame remains substantially stationary when the central rotating shaft rotates. An outer tilted cam track connects to the cam frame, and an inner tilted cam track connects to the cam frame and is located inside the outer tilted cam track, wherein an axis of tilt of the outer cam track and an axis of tilt of the inner cam frame are transversely aligned.

Abstract: A windmill includes a freely rotatable revolution shaft, a plurality of pairs of pivotal support rods provided at the revolution shaft, and wind receiving blades respectively and rotatably set between the pivotal support rods with wind receiving blade shafts. The windmill is applied to the driving of a lifting pump, a generator and the like by employing revolution driving force. An anemometer/anemoscope measures wind velocity and direction. A servo motor controls the direction of the wind receiving blades based on the detected velocity and direction. Various methods of control are also provided.

Abstract: A wind-powered drive shaft, the rotary force of which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to drive a hydraulic pump, the crankshaft for a water pump, or an electrical generator. To a central shaft are attached two or more sets of arms extending radially outward from the central shaft and containing two or more arms each. Preferably the sets of arms are arranged in pairs about the central shaft. Each set of aims has two or more aims. Two or more pivot shaft are rotatably attached to each arm in a set of arms and between vertically adjacent arms a vane composed of light but strong material is connected to each pivot shaft. Attached to one of every two vertically adjacent arms is a stop, said stop being in such a location that the free end of the vane will contact said stop when such free end makes its closes approach to said central shaft.

Abstract: A wind turbine has an internal rotor carrying a plurality of turbine vanes in a circular path between an inlet opening and an exhaust opening. The inlet opening includes a stationary dividing vane that delivers one portion of the inlet airflow to a primary flowpath traversing the turbine vanes at two locations. The stationary dividing vane also delivers a second portion of the inlet airflow to a second flowpath which drives the turbine vanes as those vanes move in the part of the circular path from the exhaust opening toward the inlet opening. The turbine vanes may be mounted so as to have variable angular positions in different portions of the circular path. Turbine vane position can be controlled either magnetically or mechanically. Where vane position is varied magnetically, a plurality of permanent magnets with suitable controls adjust the turbine vane position. Where vane position is varied mechanically, a pair of cam arrangements may be employed.

Abstract: A fluid-activatable vane is defined by a thin vane body having opposed narrow leading and trailing side edges and opposed substantially smooth large top and bottom surfaces. The body has a central longitudinal axis and is substantially symmetrical on opposed sides of the axis. An attachment shaft is aligned with the central axis at a near end edge of the vane to secure two diametrically opposed vanes through a coupling wherein the vane will tilt along a 90.degree. arc from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane when exposed to a fluid flow. The two vanes form a propeller and are fixed to a respective end of the attachment shaft in a respective plane and offset 90.degree. from one another. A fluid actuatable torquing curved outer end edge portion is formed integral with the vane body in an outer end edge portion thereof and on a respective side of a central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for optimizing performance of a pump-turbine unit while operating normally in the pumping mode by identifying gate positions resulting in optimization of certain parameters of interest. Influences of gate positions on the optimized parameters is determined and used to evaluate the combined effect of the gate position on the parameters. Weighting coefficients may be used to alter the relative importance of each parameter in the gate position ultimately selected. Gate positions are optimized for each location in a multi-dimensional virtual cam matrix as conditions defining the locations are encountered. A parameter error or evaluation routine is provided for evaluating the consistency of monitored parameter values and for identifying trends that may require reconfiguration of the virtual cam matrix or alterations in the optimization routine, such as changes in the weighting of various parameters.

Abstract: This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a wind wheel (1) having at least one planetary gear wheel (10) affixed rigidly to a wind-wheel axle (2) from which gear trains for each of a plurality of wind-wheel plates (9) are rotated to maximum plate frontage in wind flow (30) by gear belts (21) intermediate the gear trains and axes of the plurality of wind-wheel plates. The gear trains each have a second gear wheel (12) with a 0.50-to-1.0 gearing ratio to the planetary gear, a third gear wheel (15) with a 2.0-to-1.0 gearing ratio to the planetary gear, a first gear-belt wheel (18) extended concentrically from a side of the third gear wheel and having a 0.60-to-1.0 gearing ratio to the planetary gear and, a second gear-belt wheel (20) having a gearing ratio that is equal to the first gear-belt wheel. The plurality of wind-wheel plates with corresponding drive trains is preferably six but can be any number appropriate for design preferences.

Abstract: In the rotatable wheel having several radiate skeletons, some auxiliary axles are mounted on each radiate skeleton and provided at the lateral of a limb of the radiate skeleton to the direction opposite to that of external forces; a movable blade or a force accepting assembly accompanied with two movable blades is connected to an auxiliary axle, they contact one extension portion of radiate skeleton when subjected to a force to be folded inwardly and contact another extension portion when subjected to a force to be folded outwardly; the pushing forces from all directions, except that the force exerted on the movable blades is applied along the auxiliary axle, can be turned into forces to drive the rotating axle, this can be used to develope wind power, kinetic energy of liquid flow such as tide, or rapid water flow etc.

Abstract: A turbine has an upright shaft defining and rotatable about a vertical main axis, a support plate fixed to the shaft, a plurality of upright vanes pivotal on the support plate about respective vane axes offset from and generally parallel to the main axis, and a control plate rotatable adjacent the support plate about a vertical control axis. The control plate can be displaced relative to the support plate in an adjustment direction perpendicular to the axes. Respective formations on the vanes form grooves extending radially of the respective vane axes and open toward the control plate and respective link pins on the control plate are engaged in the grooves. Respective ring gears are provided on the control and main plates, centered on the respective axes, of the same diameter, and directed toward each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for power production from low velocity fluid flow includes a lateral support arm assembly extending from a vertical drive shaft. A power blade is pivotally secured to the distal end of the support arm, and constrained to pivot within a defined operating angle. The center of force on the power blade is proximal to the power blade pivot, so that at the limit of travel of the support arm the thrust on the power blade moves the power blade into an over-center position, causing the power blade to pivot in retrograde fashion. The pivoted power blade then drives the support arm away from the extreme position, through a neutral position, to the opposite angular position, where the process reiterates and reverses. Thus the lateral support arm is driven continuously in oscillating, lateral motion.

Abstract: An improved windmill has an approximately vertical center support post. The windmill also has a plurality of wheels, each rotatably mounted on a separate horizontal axis, each axis being radially disposed about the center support post. The windmill also has a horizontal annular ring disposed radially about the center support post. The ring is mounted on the wheels so that the ring can rotate about the center support post. The windmill also includes a plurality of approximately horizontal beams. Each beam is radially disposed about the center support post. A first end of each beam is connected to the center support post and a second end of each beam is connected to the annular ring.

Abstract: A windmill includes a plurality of fan blade units pivotally mounted in a central vertical transmission shaft each unit having a right-leaf vertical fan blade and a left-leaf horizontal fan blade in which the vertical fan blade as rotated to the leeward can be feathered by a forward rotation of a driving motor to reduce its wind resistance during its leftward rotation towards the windward, and the horizontal fan blade when rotated to the windward can be vertically erected ready for receiving wind energy by a reverse rotation of the motor during its righward rotation towards the leeward for efficiently collecting the wind energy for driving the transmission shaft for power generation.

Abstract: An articulated blade whose forward vane section is directly pitched by relative fluid flow upon it, and whose rear deflector section deflects the flow upon it. A control arm, through parallelogram linkage, maintains the deflector in parallel orientation with it, thus cambering the blade when it pitches. Fluid is deflected always in a direction controlled by orientation of the control arm. High lift-drag ratios are possible at high angles of attack. The blade can be used to extract power from the fluid, or for propulsion through a fluid.

Abstract: An improved vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine in accordance with one embodiment, does not include a support tower but instead includes a bearing support for mounting a torque tube rotatably connected to blades, the bearing support being secured to ground by a plurality of guy cables. The torque tube may comprise a plurality of tube sections including an intermediate bearing and additional guy cables for supporting the torque tube to the ground in a vertical orientation. In another embodiment of the present invention, control means are disclosed for independently controlling the pitch of respective wind turbine blades in response to relative wind direction.

Abstract: Wind energy converting machine comprising a solid rotating ring carrying airfoils which are governed to have an optimal angle of attack to the wind approaching each of them when the wind velocity is below a chosen limit. In stronger wind the angles of attack are decreased to limit the power uptake. The ring is supported by stationary rollers which act as friction wheels to transfer the power to electric generators or the like. An example is described in which 90 airfoils, 30 meters high and with 3.6 meters root chord, perform a track of 200 meters diameter, at a speed of 8 m/sec. This turbine is calculated to produce 3.75 megaWatt in a wind of a velocity of 10 m/sec. or higher.

Abstract: A power conversion turbine for actuation by fluid in motion such as, for example the wind, with a body supported to rotate about a central axis and carrying a plurality of vanes spaced from said axis and being movable about respective vane axes parallel to said central axis and which vanes are circumferentially spaced from each other and dimensioned such that, when said vanes are in a FIRST closed position they collectively form a substantially unbroken cylindrical surface and are selectively movable from said FIRST position to a fully open SECOND position and said vanes including interconnecting means causing selected ones of said vanes to close as one or more opposing vanes are caused to move from the first to the second position by reason of passage of fluid and means integrally connected with said interconnecting means for infinitely varying the degree of opening of the vanes between fully closed and fully open positions.

Abstract: A cross wind axis type wind turbine includes four wind driven airfoil blades pivotally connected between upper and lower sets of support spokes supported on a rotating vertical column so that the blades are upwardly inclined towards the column axis to produce an accelerated downwardly swirling air flow in the turbine interior. The lower spokes are airfoil shaped to draw wind into the turbine to further accelerate the air flow in the turbine for improved blade efficiency. A feedback control arrangement responsive to changes in wind speed or direction adjusts the blade angles to the wind for optimum efficiency by virtue of a rack and pinion assembly connecting each blade to a center plate through connecting rods extending radially through each upper spoke.

Abstract: A windmill apparatus includes: a frame body structure adapted to be positioned on a flat top of a construction; a main shaft vertically installed in the middle of the frame body structure; a first main-shaft sleeve rotatably coupled with a lower part of the main shaft; a belt pulley fixed around a lower end of the first main-shaft sleeve; a rotation control device with a revolving arrangement rotatably installed around the first main-shaft sleeve; a direction control device installed in a closed upper portion of the frame body structure and mechanically coupled with the rotation control device for automatically effecting wind direction change; and a wind direction indicating device rotatably installed on top of the frame body structure and movably coupled with the direction control device for relaying wind direction change therefrom; thereby, wind force can be effectively utilized with minimal manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A frame supported for rotation about a central vertical axis has an enclosing cylindrical side wall with a plurality of openings formed therethrough at spaced apart angular position around the central axis. A plurality of vanes are located near the side walls for causing the frame to be rotated by the wind. Each vane is associated with one of the openings and is supported for pivotal movement such that it may be moved through its associated opening between an inward position inside the side wall and an outward position wherein it extends outward beyond the side wall.

Abstract: In a rotodynamic cross flow machine at least one vane (4) is positionably fixed in the rotor (40') so as to be able to pivot about two axes which are at least approximately perpendicular one to another, and of which at least one subtends an angle between 5.degree. and 85.degree. or between 95.degree. and 175.degree. with a plane comprising the rotational axis (1) of the rotor and the pivot point (14, 15) of the respective vane. Thereby is achieved, among other things, that the position of the vane can be set during operation in a simple way with the aid of a stationary setting means (18) which changes the inclination of an end element (5) of the rotor to which end element the vane is connected in said manner. The invention is applicable among other things to the construction of water turbines which have to work with a small head.

Abstract: A wheel intended to work with a fluid includes wing-shaped components (2) arranged around a central shaft (1) generally perpendicular to the direction of relative movement of the fluid (5). The wing-shaped components are articulated along pivoting axes (3) parallel to the central shaft and their orientation during the rotation around the central shaft is determined by a control mechanism (6,7,10, 11 and 16) made so that, in each angular position of the wheel, the planes (12) aligned along the pivoting axes of the wings and perpendicular to the main planes of the latter intersect approximately along the same straight line (13) located on the outside of the trajectory cylinder of the axes of the wings (4). The control mechanism has, for this purpose, an annular part (6) with an axis of rotation (8) parallel to but distinct from that of the central shaft (1) and adjustment parts (10) sliding on rods (9) mounted tangentially to annular part (6).

Abstract: To generate power from wind economically, a feathering vane is pivotally mounted perpendicular to a tail vane and shifts the orientation of a sprocket assembly controlled by the tail vane in response to wind velocity. The sprocket assembly changes the orientation of blades which orbit about and rotate the main power shaft so that, as wind velocity changes, the blade orientations are shifted in a compensating direction under the control of the tail vane. A lever shifts the position of the blades to positions that balance wind power and brake the rotation for maintenance purposes. The speed-control mechanism includes a damper to avoid being excessively affected by wind gusts. The main shaft is connected through a speed increaser which has less mass at the high-speed end than the low-speed end to an induction generator when used for cogeneration, the field of the induction generator being excited by the cogeneration frequency.

Abstract: A windmill employs a separate wind vane pivotably mounted on the chassis of the windmill. An internal sensor detects the relative angle between the wind vane and the windmill and activates the pitch-control mechanism of the windmill to feather the windmill blades whenever the angle exceeds a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device converting the kinetic energy belonging to the moving stream of the fluid such as the wind, river and gulf streams to the power capable of doing a useful work in the form of a rotational motion with torque. Said device comprises two or more blades revolving about the central axis, which blades are made to rotate about its own axis parallel to the central axis at an angular velocity equal to one half of that of the revolving motion of the blades about the central axis.

Abstract: A wind motor is disclosed wherein mounted on a support structure is a shaft carrying a rotor comprising blades connected with the shaft and extending longitudinally relative thereto at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof. Each of the blades is connected to the shaft through a girder having the shape of a triangular pyramid with one of the rods making up this pyramid extending from an apex thereof along the longitudinal axis of the blade to be connected therewith and with the end of the shaft at the outlet of the windstream, whereas two other rods extending from this apex are secured on a hub positioned at the end of the shaft which faces the windstream tangentially to this hub.

Abstract: A vertical axis windmill having a rotating structure is provided with a series of articulated vertical blades whose positions are controlled to maintain a constant RPM for the rotating structure, when wind speed is sufficient. A microprocessor controller is used to process information on wind speed, wind direction and RPM of the rotating structure to develop an electrical signal for establishing blade position. The preferred embodiment of the invention, when connected to a utility grid, is designed to generate 40 kilowatts of power when exposed to a 20 mile per hour wind. The control system for the windmill includes electrical blade actuators that modulate the blades of the rotating structure. Blade modulation controls the blade angle of attack, which in turn controls the RPM of the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor controller provides the operation logic and control functions.

Abstract: A vertical rotatable shaft is fitted with sets of radial arms extending from it to which are connected the leading edges of vanes rotatable about that member as axis. The vanes have sheets of flexbile material so that they may act like sails under pressure of the wind. A cam track, machined in a horizontal surface of a planar member just adjacent and outside the path of the vanes, guides the trailing edges of the vanes so that as the shaft rotates, the vanes are oriented about their axes to reach, run and tack before the wind. The member having the surface defining the cam track is attached to a tail assembly that orients the cam track to the wind direction. The inner assembly, which is pinned to the shaft makes a power rotor. The outer assembly which is free to rotate independently of the shaft is a cam cage.

Abstract: A wind turbine has axially aligned, spaced, rotatable support flanges with a plurality of vertically aligned air foils having opposed ends journaled thereto. The air foils are pivoted respective to the wind by a pitch flange mounted eccentrically respective to the support flanges. The pitch flange moves the air foils into an aligned relationship respective to the wind to optimize the energy derived from the blowing wind.

Abstract: A wind-driven machine having a hollow shell body supported on an upright rotatably mounted mast. The shell body is formed by multiple elongate shell segments circumferentially distributed about the mast. The shell segments are pivotally mounted for pivotal movement between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A wind powered generator rotatable about a vertical axis. A plurality of vertically disposed airfoils are provided, the airfoils being rotatable about a vertical axis parallel to the axis of the generator. The airfoils are selectively latched to be disposed perpendicularly of the wind direction during one phase of their revolution about the generator axis and are selectively unlatched to be permitted to rotate into a position generally parallel to the wind direction during other phases of their revolution. The latching and unlatching of the airfoils is determined by the wind direction and is effected by electronic means which determine the point of latching and unlatching as a function of the wind direction measured by a wind vane. The airfoils may comprise sails composed of a flexible material stretched into a predetermined shape on a frame.

Abstract: A device converting the kinetic energy belonging to the moving stream of fluid such as the wind, river stream and gulf stream is disclosed. Said device is comprised of two or more blades revolving about the central axis, which blades are mechanically linked to said central axis wherein each of said blades completes a half rotation about its own axis when it completes a complete revolution about said central axis. Each of blades further includes a pair of flaps rotatably disposed on each edge of said blade, which flaps are mechanically linked to the rotating and revolving motion of the blade wherein said flaps are automatically deflected to provide a suitable camber to the blades to generate a lift force on the blade.

Abstract: A wind motor includes three vanes mounted to rotate about a vertically oriented main shaft, and the three vanes are also mounted to rotate about individual axes which are equidistant from the main shaft and extend parallel to it. Through the use of cranks connected to each vane, and a simple triangular linkage interconnecting the cranks, the three vanes rotate together so that, as the wind impinges on the system, all three vanes cooperate to aid in rotation of the assembly around the main shaft. A collapsible unit includes arrangements for unfolding the vanes as the main shaft is raised into operating position. The wind motor is preferably located in an area where winds are funnelled at relatively high velocity to impinge on the wind motor. The vanes of the wind motor are oriented by a cog belt or a sliding rod, for optimum angular orientation with the wind, and arrangements are provided for holding the vane control assembly in this optimum orientation.

Abstract: A vertical axis windmill, having a plurality of propelling blades, or vanes, supported in a vertical position by horizontal support bars extending outward from a rotatable tube concentric with a main support pipe. In operation the blades remain down-wind or at an angle to the wind, and are never flat side to the wind. A cam controlled by a wind vane operates a linkage that acts to position the blades to the proper angle. Each blade is supported on a shaft that has a crank arm attached, and a device is provided to rotate the arm past center. Spring pressure is equalized on the cam rollers to reduce the reaction of the cam on the wind vane. The blades are wind directional and act somewhat as a wind vane. As the wind load on a blade increases, the angle of the blade changes and the blade adjusts itself to maintain a regulated rotating speed for the windmill.

Abstract: A base is provided and a rotor is journaled from the base for rotation about a first upstanding axis. The rotor includes a plurality of vanes journaled therefrom for rotation about second axis spaced about and radially outwardly from the first axis and vane displacement control structure is operatively connected between the base and the vanes for proportionally angularly displacing the vanes relative to the rotor 180.degree. in one direction during each 360.degree. of rotation of the rotor in the opposite direction. The vanes are angularly displaced in optimum positions relative to the rotor and each other to develop maximum thrust by the vanes on the rotor responsive to fluid flow against the vanes from a predetermined side of the first axis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A journaled rotor is provided for rotation about an axis to be disposed transverse to a fluid flow path and the rotor includes a plurality of mounting portions spaced radially outwardly from and circumferentially about the axis having a plurality of vane assemblies rotatably mounted therefrom for angular displacement about axis generally paralleling the axis of rotation of the rotor. Vane assembly displacement control structure is operatively connected to the vane assemblies for angularly displacing the vane assemblies relative to the corresponding mounting portions 180 degrees each 360 degrees of angular displacement of the rotor and in directions opposite the direction of angular displacement of the rotor upon rotation of the latter.

Abstract: First and second windmill wheels are mounted on and non-rotatably connected by shaft means, which define a vertical axis. Each of said windmill wheels has rigidly interconnected vanes, which are adapted to return opposite to the direction of the wind. Said two windmill wheels define axially outermost flight circle planes which intersect at an acute angle. The vanes of each of said windmill wheels are adapted to describe an orbital line, which is tangent to a corresponding orbital line described by the vanes of the other windmill wheel at an apex, which is disposed between said flight circle planes. Control means are operable to move said windmill wheels relative to each other so as to move said apex about said vertical axis and thus to vary said angle when measured in a vertical plane that is at right angles to the direction of the wind.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid motor of the turbine class in which a pair of rotatable blades are carried in orbital revolution around the output shaft of the motor and wherein the blades are operably interconnected to the output shaft and to a weathercock vane so as to present an optimum surface to the driving fluid at all times.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vertical axle paddle motor including a support structure with a rotor mounted on the vertical axle, the rotor having a plurality of arms with paddle members pivotally attached to the end of the same. Each of the paddle members include a plurality of adjustable vanes which move from an open to a closed position within the paddle. Vane position in the paddles is controlled by a wind velocity and wind direction control, operating a pair of cams forming a composite cam surface which is engaged by cam followers on each of the rotor arms associated separately with motors on the paddle, to adjust the position of the vanes within the paddles for maximum efficiency in rotation. The wind velocity cam may be adjusted relative to the wind direction cam to increase the amount of time the vanes of the paddles are held in an open position to reduce and stabilize rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: The invention covers a mechanism for turning a horizontal axis rotor windmill into the direction of the wind, either under the instruction of a small pilot vane, or automatically without the use of such vane. This is accomplished by cyclically controlling the pitch of the rotor blades during revolution whereby to decrease the gyro forces on the rotor when yawing, as well as to take advantage of the force of the wind on the blade to assist turning the axis into the wind. The mechanism of the present invention automatically and cyclically alters the pitch of the blades as the yaw angle of the wind changes so as to present a cyclically different angle of attack between the blades and the wind, thus utilizing the force of the wind to cause the turning of the axis of the rotor into the wind.