Abstract: A device for locking the pitch and for feathering adjustable-pitch fan blades of a turbine engine propeller, the device including an actuator having at least one movable portion designed to be coupled to pivots of the fan blades of the propeller in order to modify their pitch angle when it slides, a movable part having first mechanical device suitable for co-operating with the actuator when in a fan blade pitch-unlocking position in order to enable the actuator movable portion to slide over an extended actuator stroke; and second mechanical device suitable for co-operating with the actuator when in a fan blade pitch-locking position in order to enable the actuator movable portion to slide over an actuator stroke that is shorter than the extended actuator stroke, and an actuator.

Abstract: A marine propeller is provided with a valve that progressively blocks exhaust flow into aerating relation with the blades of the propeller as the propeller rotational speed increases. A piston within a housing moves radially outwardly, in response to centrifugal forces, as the propeller increases in rotational speed. This movement progressively blocks an aperture that allows the flow of exhaust gas into the region of the propellers. In certain embodiments, a secondary flow path is allowed even when the piston has moved to its extreme outward radial position.

Abstract: An axial flow turbine motor is provided which includes a rotor with a peripheral row of drive blades and a peripheral band-shaped wall element radially clamped against the tops of the drive blades, and a housing with at least one pressure medium inlet nozzle and an annular inner surface surrounding the rotor drive blades and the wall element, wherein the wall element is arranged to withstand centrifugal forces and uphold its clamping engagement with the drive blades at rotor speed levels up to a predetermined speed level, but to expand and loosen its clamping engagement with the drive blades at speed levels above the predetermined speed level, thereby moving into contact with the annular surface and interfering with the rotational movement of the rotor so as to prevent the rotor from reaching hazardous high speed levels.

Abstract: Blower designs for vented enclosures include an impeller having a plurality of blades. A plurality of one way valves are interleaved between the blades to permit substantial airflow only in one direction. One valve design incorporates flaps coupled to either the blades or the impeller body with spring loaded hinges. Another valve design incorporates a flexible flaps coupled to either the blades or the impeller body. In one embodiment, the one-way valves reside on an insertable hub disposed within an inner periphery of the impeller such that the valves and blades are interleaved. The valves close to restrict air flow when the impeller rotational speed is below a threshold range. The valves open to permit air flow when the rotational speed exceeds the threshold range.

Abstract: A centrifugally activated variable damper assembly for a stopped-rotor aircraft is disclosed for adjusting dampening level of teetering motions produced by the rotors during the in-flight conversion process from rotary-wing to fixed-wing flight, or vise versa. The assembly includes a damper valve responsive to centrifugal forces produced by rotational speed of the aircraft rotor. The assembly also includes dampers within the rotor system that operate at variable damping levels in response to centrifugal forces acting upon the damper valve.

Abstract: A system for controlling propeller blade pitch is disclosed. The system comprises a transfer tube, wherein the transfer tube defines an element of the rotatable portion and wherein the transfer tube is non-translating relative the rotatable and non-rotatable portions. A transfer bearing for providing hydraulic fluid to and interfacing with the transfer tube is also used, wherein the transfer bearing is located on the non-rotatable portion. The system further includes a pitch change actuator and a mechanism form for actuating the pitch change actuator, wherein the mechanism is fluidically connected to and translatable relative to the transfer tube. A device for measuring blade angle of the propeller blade is also provided, wherein the device is separate and distinct from the transfer tube.

Abstract: A self-adjusting variable-pitch propeller has a drive shaft rotatable about a shaft axis in a predetermined forward rotational sense, a hub carried on the drive shaft and limitedly rotatable relative thereto about the shaft axis both in the forward rotational sense and in an opposite backward rotational sense, and a spring operatively braced between the hub and the shaft for rotationally urging the hub on the shaft in the forward rotational sense. A plurality of blades projecting radially from the hub are each rotatable about a respective blade axis generally perpendicular to the shaft axis. Respective rods extending axially in the hub each have an inner end at a respective one of the blades and an outer end. Respective linkages connecting the inner ends of the rods to the respective blades angular displace the blades about the respective axes on relative displacement of the rods and hub.

Abstract: Wind turbines, improved gear box assemblies, sub-assemblies and components therefor, and a braking system adaptable for use with such wind turbines and improved gear box assembly.

Abstract: Wind turbines, improved gear box assemblies, sub-assemblies and components therefor, and a braking system adaptable for use with such wind turbines and improved gear box assembly.

Abstract: An improved gear box assembly is provided for a vertical axis wind turbine, the vertical axis wind turbine having a rotor having a centrally disposed axis oriented in the vertical direction, a bull gear supporting the rotor, a base below the bull gear, the bull gear being adapted to rotate above the base, the bull gear and base presenting a hollow housing and shaft terminating in an inner end wall and end surface respectively, the housing for receiving the shaft, one of the said hollow housing or shaft being stationary and the other being rotatable with respect thereto and secured to the bull gear, the shaft and housing when secured together presenting a space between the inner end wall and end surface, bearings supported between the housing and shaft, and sealing means for sealing the space between the housing and shaft, a fluid passageway extending into the space created between the inner end wall and end surface for feeding hydraulic fluid under pressure into the space for hydraulically elevating the bull

Abstract: A propeller and exhaust system for an outboard motor wherein performance is improved by permitting the flow of some exhaust gases in proximity to the propeller blades at low speeds so as to aerate this area and so as to preclude the aeration when the speed of the propeller exceeds a predetermined speed for improving thrust.

Abstract: A cup shaped disc (13) consisting of a central portion (20) having radially extending blades (18) is attached with its central portion to the protruding hub portion (12) of a radial flow turbine wheel (2) consisting of a backing plate (10) extending transversely to its rotational axis (7) and having axially protruding turbine blades (11) in addition to the protruding hub. At high rotational speeds this disc (13) will tend to straighten out, whereby the effective portion of the turbine blades will be reduced and the increase in the rotational speed restricted. This is of importance in ram air turbines for missiles.

Abstract: A wind rotor assembly is constructed as a variation of a Savonious rotor with two offset compound curve rotor plate members symetrically located about an axis and including a smaller S-shaped rotor at the axis in the space between the first and second rotor members. The assembly is used singly or in composite assemblies of several rotors on a common shaft, and it produces increased torque and operates at low wind velocity for use in the generation of electricity or in conjunction with a water pump or other applications.