Projecting Blade Axis Offset From Rotation Axis Patents (Class 416/202)
  • Patent number: 9731256
    Abstract: An impeller blade formed of a central base portion having a center axis. At least a pair of impeller blades is extended outwardly from the central base portion, with each impeller blade further including an extension. A leading edge is formed on each of the impeller blades, with each leading edge being defined by an outer periphery of the central base portion, and each leading edge having at least a portion that forms a continuous curve with a radius decreasing outwardly toward a radial tip of the corresponding impeller blade, wherein the continuous decreasing radius curve of each leading edge is formed by a portion of an ellipse centered on the center axis, a short axis of the ellipse being equal to a long axis thereof divided by approximately three and one-half. Each blade extension is projected from the corresponding impeller blade opposite of the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Jay G. Dinnison
  • Patent number: 9359072
    Abstract: A blade (20) of a rotor (5), the blade (20) having a suction side (21) and a pressure side (22) extending transversely from a leading edge (23) towards a trailing edge (24) and extending spanwise from a root section (31) towards a free end section (41). The blade (40) comprises, going from the root section (31) towards said free end section (41): a root zone (30); followed by rounded zone (35); said rounded zone (35) presenting rounded pressure and suction sides (22?, 21?) departing from said main plane (P1) in a direction (Z) parallel to the axis of rotation (AXROT) of said blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Sebastien Finck, Laurent Sudre
  • Patent number: 9138698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbine-type high-power impeller, to be used for mixing slurry in hydrometallurgical process reactors. The impeller is formed of at least five blades, each of which blades comprises a front edge, trailing edge, root and tip; the roots of the impeller blades are permanently attached by a joint to the hub or axis of the impeller, so that the front edge of the impeller blade is straight, and the trailing edge is chamfered, in which case the blade is narrowed towards the tip, and the blade is provided with two longitudinal folds arranged in parallel with the front edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Launo Lilja, Jari Tiihonen, Bror Nyman, Tuomas Hirsi, Jussi Vaarno, Jouko Peräaho
  • Publication number: 20140105743
    Abstract: A conical fan assembly, having a generally conical support member having an exterior surface and a vertical major axis, and a plurality of generally crescent-shaped fan blades extending from the exterior surface of the support member, wherein the plurality of fan blades define a helix configured to urge a fluid to flow in a spiral flow pattern up and around the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Clifford E. Bassett
  • Patent number: 8647051
    Abstract: An impeller for a centrifugal fan includes a hub, impeller blades, and struts for supporting the blades in a circumferential array spaced apart from the hub. The number of struts can equal the number of blades, each strut extended from the hub to support two blades while each blade is supported by one strut nearer to its leading edge and another strut nearer to its trailing edge. Another arrangement features two struts per blade, with one of the struts coupled to the hub and a given blade, and the other strut coupled between the given blade and an adjacent blade. The struts are recessed inwardly from the leading and trailing edges to promote smoother air flow. The blades and struts are provided with aerodynamic thickness profiles to further improve air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Bergquist Torrington Company
    Inventors: John F. O'Connor, Jan Najman, Michael C. Brauer
  • Patent number: 8545176
    Abstract: A wobble plate motor comprises a rotatable shaft having a bent end rigid with the shaft and an inclined plate journalled on the bent end. When only one side of the inclined plate is directly subjected to high pressure, the plate rolls on a base in the manner of a spinning coin as it decays, i.e. as its spin rate falls to a value where the coin is inclined to the axis of rotation. As the plate rotates, torque is generated on the rotatable shaft so the shaft may drive a work consumer such as a generator, pump or compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Jerry F. Willis
  • Publication number: 20130094967
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine system is revealed. Two vertical axis wind supply units are arranged beside a support rod and between an upper and a lower connection plates. The vertical axis wind supply unit includes blades around a rotor shaft. Each blade includes a blade body and valves. The blade body is a helical plate having a plurality of crossed barriers and insertion holes among barriers. Moreover, the valves are fixed on an upwind surface of the blade body and an upper side of the valve is connected to the blade body. Each valve is corresponding to at least one insertion hole. Each of the two rotor shafts are connected to a generator set by a transmission set. When wind turns the blades, each blade spin the rotor shaft and the transmission set transfers energy generated by the rotating blades to the generator set for conversion to electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: MAX SU
  • Patent number: 8419368
    Abstract: A high-efficiency wind turbine structure for providing torque to a rotary machine such as a generator. The structure embraces a flat central member arranged to rotate on an axis, and a plurality of peripheral vanes arranged so as to exhaust wind to a plurality of constrictions that exist between curved end portions of adjacent vanes. Improved efficiency and simplified construction are considered to be the advantageous characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Henry L. Blevio, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8313299
    Abstract: An inline centrifugal wheel has a back plate and a hub extending from the back plate. A front plate has a diameter greater than the back plate and is inclined to extend downwardly from a central aperture to its outer perimeter. Blades extend between the back and front plate and have an outer edge extending between the outer edges of the front and back plate. The blades extend tangentially to the central aperture of the front plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Minel Kupferberg
  • Patent number: 8240962
    Abstract: An integrated shipping and alignment fixture for shipping and aligning a jointed multi-section wind turbine blade is provided. The fixture includes a first shipping fixture supporting a first end of a section of the multi-section wind turbine blade; a second shipping fixture supporting a second end of a section of the multi-section wind turbine blade; supports on the the first shipping fixture and the second shipping fixture for retaining one end of the section of the wind turbine blade; an aligning device for aligning a detached section of the multi-section wind turbine blade with a retained section of the wind turbine blade; and a clamping device for clamping a detached section with a retained section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jamie Livingston, Dirk Jan Kootstra
  • Publication number: 20120134823
    Abstract: A wind turbine having a plurality of airfoils disposed on the end of spokes which extend from a hub connected to a drive shaft. The airfoils are preferably disposed on an angle of about 40 to about 50 degrees with respect to the plane of rotation of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel F. Tully
  • Patent number: 8123485
    Abstract: A rotor hub (10) of a wind power plant for a rotor, in particular with at least one rotor blade is provided, wherein a hub core body (12) and at least one hub outer body (16) are connected together by means of a flange connection (18). The rotor hub (10) is further characterized in that the flange connection (18) is constructed with a predetermined tilt angle (?) towards the rotational axis (24) of the rotor, wherein the tilt angle (?) of the flange connection (18) is constructed larger than the tilt angle (?) of the rotor blade connection surface of the hub outer body (16). Furthermore, a wind power plant may be provided with the rotor hub (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Repower Systems AG
    Inventor: Peter Quell
  • Publication number: 20110311364
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine that utilizes a unique semi-circular, angled, scoop design and frame to fully harness wind energy. The shape of the scoops maximizes wind collection while minimizing wind resistance. The angle of the scoops allows the wind turbine to catch wind, including updrafts, to produce a rotational and balanced lifting force on the scoop system. This balanced lift is possible due to a stable frame which maintains a fixed position of the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael D. CONNER
  • Publication number: 20110262276
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes an upstanding support structure, a plurality of generators disposed on the support structure, a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generators and positioned along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine, a plurality of struts extending from the central shaft, and a plurality of blades, each blade positioned at an end of a corresponding strut and oriented substantially vertically. The vertical axis wind turbine optionally includes strut ailerons, blade extension elements, or blade ailerons to increase the efficiency and duty cycle of the wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: EASTERN WIND POWER
    Inventor: Jonathan Haar
  • Patent number: 8002523
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for harvesting fluid energy including a wave turbine consisting of a long shaft having pairs of buckets positioned at intervals along the shaft and rotated 90 degrees from each adjacent pair. Each bucket is connected at an offset angle with respect to a plane that is normal to the shaft. When adapted for harnessing wave energy, the shaft is elevated above water surface and positioned at an oblique angle to the prevailing wave fronts. Each bucket is positively buoyant, so that buckets capture both potential and kinetic wave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Saxon D. Borden
  • Publication number: 20100308597
    Abstract: This invention relates to a wind turbine with vertical axis (3), having a rotor (F) and a generator (7) connected with said axis (3), and a supporting structure holding the axis (3) of said rotor (F) by means of bearings, and said rotor (F) consists of an axis (3) fitted with an upper bearing mounted in an upper part of an upper console (10) and with a lower bearing mounted in a building (20) formed along the ground level (8), and supporting rings (11) perpendicularly attached to the axis (3) spaced apart along said axis (3), and a plurality of arcuate beams (2) fitted with said rings (11) and supporting turbine blades (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Viktor Gyorgyi
  • Patent number: 7832985
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotor blade for a wind energy plant, with a blade root, with a first longitudinal portion starting from the blade root, with a second longitudinal portion, following up the first longitudinal portion and running into a blade tip, with a first surface, facing a tower of the wind energy plant in its assembled state, and a second surface, facing away from the tower of the wind energy plant in its assembled state, wherein an imaginary reference plane is spanned up by a rotation, taking place in the operation of the rotor blade, of the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal portion around the rotational axis of a rotor of the wind energy plant carrying the rotor blade which prevents collisions of the blade tip with the tower of the wind energy plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Rochholz
  • Patent number: 7513746
    Abstract: A method of mounting windmill blades their enhance performance is disclosed. The blades have a transverse cross-sectional shape having a predominately flat chord section and are mounted such that the chord section lies in a plane that is substantially at 90 degrees to the axis of the shaft upon which they are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: OmniWind Energy Systems LLC
    Inventor: Francis J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 7172392
    Abstract: A wind turbine with at least one blade having a pitch axis that is offset laterally so that the blade does not intersect with an axis of rotation of the wind turbine, and a center of mass and an aerodynamic center are offset from the pitch axis in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wind turbine. The blade is arranged so that the blade can pitch towards stall against the action of a resilient device and also so that the centrifugal loading on at least one of the blade and one or more components optionally attached to the blade, acts against the spring in a direction to shed power by pitching the blade towards stall and also so that the torque loading provided by a power conversion device acts to pitch the blade in the opposite direction, so as to reduce the amount of load shedding whenever the power is being extracted from the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Iskra Wind Turbine Manufacturers Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Wastling, John Charles Balson, David Irving, Robert James Cann
  • Patent number: 6659724
    Abstract: Front edges 212b of blades 212 are so constituted as to be deviated toward the upstream side in the air stream beyond an axial end surface 211a, as viewed from a direction at right angles to the axial direction of a boss 211, and the blades 212 on the root side thereof are continuous to the axial end surface 211a through smoothly curved surfaces 213. This enables the air to flow from the side of the axial end surface 211a toward the root side of the blades 212. Due to the air flowing from the side of the axial end surface 211a to the root side of the blades 212, therefore, the resistance decreases between the air and the surfaces of the blades 212 on the root side, making it possible to suppress the occurrence of stalling on the root side of the blades 212. The air on the front side of the boss 211 is effectively guided toward the outer direction (toward the blades 212), preventing a drop in the flow rate and in the fan efficiency of a blower 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeuchi, Shinichi Oda, Isao Murai
  • Patent number: 6582196
    Abstract: A windmill rotor of the front-runner type and airfoil type wind blades therefor in which the blade tips have a longitudinally forwardly curved configuration. The curvature solves the problem of inward flexure of the blade in strong wind conditions, without requiring modification of the manner in which the rotor as a whole is mounted in order to avoid having the blade strike the windmill tower under such strong wind conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: LM Glassfiber A/S
    Inventors: Søren Andersen, Henrik Albertsen, Peter Grabau
  • Patent number: 6554573
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Vind-Och Vattenturbiner
    Inventor: Rikard Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6106232
    Abstract: A propeller used to interact with a fluid to either move the fluid, e.g., a fan or generate thrust for propulsion, e.g., for an aircraft or boat. The propeller is characterized by at least first and second planar blades configured for mounting on a propeller shaft. Each of the planar blades defines a periphery including (1) a trailing edge lying substantially in a common plane oriented perpendicular to the propeller shaft and (2) a leading edge inclined at an angle of A.degree. relative to the common plane so that the midpoint of the leading edge is axially displaced, relative to the propeller shaft, from the midpoint of the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas V. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6077043
    Abstract: An impeller for a fan, with improved performance characteristics, has a central hub with a plurality of wings extending radially outwardly therefrom. The impeller also has a plurality of blades, such that each blade is attached in an extending manner from a corresponding one of the wings. When in combination with a fan having a motor, the motor imparts rotation to the impeller in a forward direction. Each blade is angled backwardly, at a selected angle, relative to its corresponding wing and the forward, rotational direction of the impeller. In an alternate embodiment, each wing of the hub has a first portion extending radially outward from the hub and a second, outer portion angled backwardly relative to the first portion of the wing and the forward direction of the impeller. A method of manufacture is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Hamid Massali
  • Patent number: 6042333
    Abstract: An impeller has a plurality of rotating passageways which can be defined between adjacent blades, the blades having a curved root portion and able to pivot across a part spherical hub to maintain a fine line contact. The passageways have a convergence to improve the efficiency of the impeller. The hub can be split into two relatively rotating portions, with the blades attached to each portion to provide an efficient means to vary the pitch of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Magiview Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Terence Robert Day
  • Patent number: 5462411
    Abstract: A device for connecting blades (7) to a hub (5) in a propeller of either a fan or an aircraft has a variable fitting in at least a moving position. An L-shaped element (1) connects each blade (7) to the hub (5) so that an attachment of the blade (7) to the hub (5) has a longitudinal axis eccentric with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hub (5). The L-shaped element (1) has a first long leg aligned parallel with a longitudinal axis of the blade (7). The L-shaped element (1) also has a short leg perpendicular to a flat plane of the blade (7) and parallel to a rotational axis of the hub (5). A screw (4) fastens the second short leg of the L-shaped element (1) to the hub (5). This screw (4) is aligned parallel to the flat plane of the blade (7) but has a longitudinal axis spaced from the flat plane of the blade (7). A circular crown (6) presses the L-shaped element (1) to the hub (5) while a hole (3) retains the screw (4) whereby the hole (3) is eccentric with respect to the crown (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Ceute S.A.
    Inventor: Emilio Bianchi
  • Patent number: 4863351
    Abstract: An airscrew for propelling an aircraft has a hub, a jacket and a plurality of propeller blades secured by blade necks to the hub. These blade necks are secured to the hub with symmetric or equal angular spacings around the hub between neighboring radial blade neck axes. Each propeller blade has a longitudinal axis. At least certain of these longitudinal blade axes extend at different sweep angles relative to the respective radial blade neck axis. When the sweep angle is positive the respective sweep of the blade is a positive sweepback with a trailing sweep of the respective blade relative to a rotational direction of the airscrew. When the sweep angle is negative the respective sweep of the blade is a negative sweep forward with a leading sweep of the respective blade relative to a rotational direction of the airscrew. These differing sweep angles achieve a substantial noise reduction compared to conventional airscrews having a completely symmetrical construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Rhein-Flugzeug GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Otto Fischer, Karl H. Gronau
  • Patent number: 4801243
    Abstract: An adjustable diameter screw propeller includes a hub having a plurality of spindles, each mounted in the hub for rotation about an axis disposed radially of the hub axis and a mechanism for synchronously turning the spindles in a common direction. A plurality of propeller blades having a fixed pitch contour and a skew in the range of 60.degree. to 90.degree. are attached to respective ones of the spindles, such that as the spindles are turned, the blades rotate between a first disposition in which the diameter of the propeller is maximum and a second disposition in which the diameter of the propeller is reduced. In addition, the pitch of the propeller increases as the propeller diameter decreases to compensate for the loss of power that would otherwise occur as the propeller diameter is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Bird-Johnson Company
    Inventor: John A. Norton
  • Patent number: 4693671
    Abstract: A self-adjusting propeller device having a control blade and a thrust blade connected together in nondiametrical relation and pivotally mounted on a hub for rotation about a hub axis. In response to a change in load on the device, the control blade pivots in relation to the hub axis at generally constant pitch, and, by virtue of the manner in which the pitch and thrust blades are interconnected and disposed on the hub, the thrust blade pivots at a changing pitch so that the device applies a substantially constant torque. Structure is provided for chaning the pitch of the control blade independently of the load from a remote location during operation of the device. The selection of control blade pitch positions provides for transmission of forces in either axial direction and at selected magnitudes including a neutral or non-force-transmitting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Tramtec Corporation
    Inventors: Harold C. Thornton, Jr., Clifton W. Hall
  • Patent number: 4519715
    Abstract: Propellers including blades affixed to a hub which provide generally axial flow of a fluid medium through the blade area. The blades are formed from cylindrical segments and include a generally straight leading edge and a generally convex trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Golobic, Michael H. Scott
  • Patent number: 4439108
    Abstract: A windmill including a hub, at least a pair of rotor roots rotatably coupled to the hub and rotor blades mounted on respective rotor roots, wherein wind forces produce rotation of the blades, the roots and the hub around an axis of rotation passing through the hub and the hub defines a plane of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Each rotor root is mounted in an initial position at a predetermined compound angle with respect to the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation. The rotor roots are spring biased in an initial position and are coupled to each other and to the hub by means of a spring and linkage members disposed in the hub. Upon rotation of the rotors, centrifugal force acts on the rotors in opposition to the spring biasing and produces synchronous rotation of the blade roots relative to the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation thereby decreasing the pitch of the blades with respect to the wind direction and correspondingly controlling the speed of rotation of the rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Inventor: Richard Will
  • Patent number: 4332526
    Abstract: A variable pitch propeller e.g. for light aircraft has blades which are mounted in a hub for rotation about their longitudinal axes. The ends of the blades entering the hub have a crown of peripheral teeth meshing with axially slidable racks located at the center of the hub. In order to permit adjustment of play at the teeth flanks, the crowns are arranged at the ends of the blades at right angles to the axes of the blades and can be moved towards or away from the respective racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Inventor: Raimund Culk
  • Patent number: 4304524
    Abstract: A variable-pitch marine propeller comprises helicoidal blades 6 each mounted on a hub 1 to freely pivot about radial axis 25 spaced in front, in the direction of rotation, of the center of pressure of the blade 6 whereby water pressure acting on the blade exerts a torque which tends to turn it about its axis in a direction to bring the surfaces of the blade into line with the flow of water over it. The axis 25 is also spaced behind, with respect to the direction of movement of the propeller through the water, a major portion of the pressure surface of the blade whereby, the resultant of the drag of the water exerts a torque which tends to turn the blade in an opposite direction. The shape and mass distribution of the blades relative to their pivot axes are also such that centrifugal effects tend to move the blades, in the absence of hydrodynamic forces, into a pitch equal to that of the helicoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Woodcoxon Engineering (International) Limited
    Inventor: John R. Coxon
  • Patent number: 4285637
    Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided in which the propeller blades are adjustable both rotatably and longitudinally. Pitch angle of the propeller blades may be adjusted by rotating the blades in the hub of the assembly. The outer diameter of the propeller blades may be adjusted by sliding the shafts of the blades into the hub of the assembly to a desired position and locking the shafts thereat by means of set collars. The hub of this propeller assembly is split providing for disassembly and removal of the entire propeller assembly from the drive shaft without removing inboard or outboard shaft bearings or other components. The entire assembly is specially designed for simplified construction by the average amateur homebuilder or hobbyist using only a hack saw, drill press and grinder. No casting, welding or machining is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Richard R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4257740
    Abstract: An improved speed governor is disclosed for feathering a plurality of blades on a windmill. Each blade is attached through a rotatable shaft to a support plate which in turn drives an output shaft. Each blade shaft is connected through a control rod to a governor hub which is free to slide axially on the output shaft. A spring biases the governor hub to a position wherein the blades assume a desired initial pitch. As the speed developed by the windmill increases, the force on the blades is applied through the control rods to move the governor hub against the spring. As the governor hub moves the control rods simultaneously and equally change the pitch of the blades to limit the maximum speed of the windmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: Wayne G. Duez
  • Patent number: 4249863
    Abstract: Several forms of surface impeller for aeration of liquids are disclosed. All of the forms are of the shrouded or closed turbine type. In one form, the impeller has a large-diameter flat steel horizontal upper disc adapted to be secured to the lower end of a vertically disposed rotatable drive shaft. Secured, as by welding, to the undersurface of the upper disc are a plurality, such as six or eight or other number, of vertical blades at uniform spacing. Each blade is curved in a retreating or backward direction relative to the direction of rotation of the impeller. Each blade has a long or deep vertical inner edge located forward of the center axis of rotation. The lower edge of each blade is inclined upwardly toward a relatively short or shallow vertical outer edge located near the outer periphery of the upper disc. The horizontal innermost portion of the otherwise inclined bottom edge of each blade is welded to a small lower tie plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Philadelphia Gear Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Connolly, David E. Gibson, Edward L. Heimark, Jerome B. Quinn, Richard E. Speechley, Richard L. Winter
  • Patent number: 4242046
    Abstract: A sheet metal construction for a fan spider. The spider arms each carry an integral rib running centrally along the arm and each rib is flat on its upper surface to mount a fan blade. The novelty of the invention resides in canting forwardly the spider arms. Such canting reduces certain stresses in the fan, thereby reducing cost of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Wallace Murray Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph V. Matucheski, Clifford S. L. Yee, Michael T. Spellman, Donald J. Hartley, William D. Barton
  • Patent number: 4163631
    Abstract: Several forms of surface impeller for aeration of liquids are disclosed. All of the forms are of the shrouded or closed turbine type. In one form, the impeller has a large-diameter flat steel horizontal upper disc adapted to be secured to the lower end of a vertically disposed rotatable drive shaft. Secured, as by welding, to the undersurface of the upper disc are a plurality, such as six or eight or other number, of vertical blades at uniform spacing. Each blade is curved in a retreating or backward direction relative to the direction of rotation of the impeller. Each blade has a long or deep vertical inner edge located forward of the center axis of rotation. The lower edge of each blade is inclined upwardly toward a relatively short or shallow vertical outer edge located near the outer periphery of the upper disc. The horizontal innermost portion of the otherwise inclined bottom edge of each blade is welded to a small lower tie plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1979
    Assignee: Philadelphia Gear Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Connolly, David E. Gibson, Edward L. Heimark, Jerome B. Quinn, Richard E. Speechley, Richard L. Winter
  • Patent number: 4155602
    Abstract: Trash removal apparatus in a sugar cane harvester comprises an axial flow extractor fan having multiple blades to draw trash out of harvested cane and to discharge it through a duct on the pressure side of the fan. The duct is in the form of a helical trash guide member which collects the trash out of the air flow and discharges the trash laterally. The diameter of the fan blades is chosen so as to leave a relatively large annular gap between their ends and the wall of the duct through which most of the trash passes thereby reducing power consumption by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Massey-Ferguson Services N.V.
    Inventor: Donald J. Quick
  • Patent number: 4116585
    Abstract: A plurality of blades are rotatably affixed to a rotatably mounted shaft and overlap each other in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft in a strong wind force. In a weak wind force, the blades rotate to large angles with the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Inventor: Mirko Maracic
  • Patent number: 4029434
    Abstract: A blade mounting having journal and thrust bearings locating the blades in a hub to relieve load and therefore friction by a torsionally flexible tension member secured within each blade so that centrifugal forces of the blade are transmitted directly to the hub, instead of thru the thrust bearing. Also, each blade is located in the hub so that the aerodynamic torque and thrust on the blade are transmitted directly to the hub as components of the centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Inventor: Clarence E. Kenney
  • Patent number: 3938463
    Abstract: A highly efficient system for propelling high speed water borne craft is closed. The use of an inclined shaft which permits an efficient machinery arrangement is facilitated by driving the vessel by a unique propeller which is designed to operate while partially submerged. The propeller is raked to maximize the horizontal thrust component produced as the propeller blades sweep through the water. The partially submerged propeller provides an attractive method for reducing appendage drag which is associated with traditional horizontal or inclined propeller shaft systems. Further, this concept and design represents a propeller system which unique among propeller systems produces near zero transverse forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Hecker, Edward A. Butler