Patents by Inventor Dillyn M. Elder

Dillyn M. Elder has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6538340
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved turbine used to convert wind into mechanical energy, more specifically, a long axis type of vertical-axis turbine allowing large columns of wind to be harnessed. These devices differ from horizontal-axis (propeller) type windmills which typically rotate about a vertical axis in order that they may face directly into a wind. The improvement includes constructing the components of the invention from lightweight materials which allow the enhanced conversion of wind kinetic energy into mechanical energy by the wind turbine. The preferred materials include honeycomb sandwich panels manufactured from non-metallic materials such as aramid fiber. The present invention is designed to be employed as a cost effective alternate power source in any wind from a breeze to a gale wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Headwinds Corporation
    Inventor: Dillyn M. Elder
  • Publication number: 20030025335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved turbine used to convert wind into mechanical energy, more specifically, a long axis type of vertical-axis turbine allowing large columns of wind to be harnessed. These devices differ from horizontal-axis (propeller) type windmills which typically rotate about a vertical axis in order that they may face directly into a wind. The improvement includes constructing the components of the invention from lightweight materials which allow the enhanced conversion of wind kinetic energy into mechanical energy by the wind turbine. The preferred materials include honeycomb sandwich panels manufactured from non-metallic materials such as aramid fiber. The present invention is designed to be employed as a cost effective alternate power source in any wind from a breeze to a gale wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Dillyn M. Elder
  • Patent number: 6448669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbine used to convert wind or fluid energy, and in some embodiments the kinetic energy of water, into mechanical energy, more specifically, a long axis type of vertical-axis turbine allowing large columns of air or water to be harnessed. These devices differ from horizontal-axis (propeller) type windmills or watermills which typically rotate about a vertical axis in order that they may face directly into a wind. The present invention is designed to be employed as a cost effective alternate power source in any wind or water current condition from a breeze to a gale wind, to a slow to moderate to fast water currents. To increase the structural integrity, the torque generating elements, namely, the rotor blades, are not directly attached to the shaft but rather, they attach to the round top and bottom rotor cage plates through which torque forces generated can be transferred to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Dillyn M. Elder
  • Publication number: 20020047276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbine used to convert wind or fluid energy, and in some embodiments the kinetic energy of water, into mechanical energy, more specifically, a long axis type of vertical-axis turbine allowing large columns of air or water to be harnessed. These devices differ from horizontal-axis (propeller) type windmills or watermills which typically rotate about a vertical axis in order that they may face directly into a wind. The present invention is designed to be employed as a cost effective alternate power source in any wind or water current condition from a breeze to a gale wind, to a slow to moderate to fast water currents. To increase the structural integrity, the torque generating elements, namely, the rotor blades, are not directly attached to the shaft but rather, they attach to the round top and bottom rotor cage plates through which torque forces generated can be transferred to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Dillyn M. Elder
  • Patent number: 6191496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine used to convert wind energy into mechanical energy, more specifically, a long axis type of vertical-axis turbine allowing large columns of air to be harnessed. These devices differ from horizontal-axis (propeller) type windmills which typically rotate about a vertical axis in order that they may face directly into a wind. The present invention is designed to be employed as a cost effective alternate power source in any wind condition from a breeze to a gale wind. To increase the structural integrity, the torque generating elements, namely, the rotor blades, are not directly attached to the shaft but rather, they attach to the round top and bottom rotor cage plates through which torque forces generated can be transfered to the shaft. The unique design of an open cover on the top of the wind turbine allows wind from the direction above the wind turbine to be harnessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Dillyn M. Elder
  • Patent number: 5391926
    Abstract: A vertical-axis, high-wind turbine for use with an electrical generator for producing power by converting the energy of wind currents into mechanical, rotational energy, which is then used to operate the electrical generator. Fixed, stationary stators, while providing significant structural integrity, direct currents having horizontal components into a rotor assembly, where the rotors of this assembly are responsive to the currents by imparting rotation upon a central vertical shaft. Both stators and rotors are designed with functional curved blades for greater efficiency in operation. In fact, the stators are designed with a double-curve which in many ways, discussed herein, perform at levels higher than either straight, or single-curved stators. The present turbine is not equipped with any braking system, or feathering system to withstand the high winds; instead, it is capable of actual operation and energy conversion of these high energy-potential winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventors: Frederick J. Staley, Dillyn M. Elder