Abstract: The windmill assembly is a low drag, streamlined body of revolution that captures the kinetic energy content of the accelerated laminar air surrounding the body. The assembly includes a power-generating, wind-driven turbine that is compact, lightweight and capable of producing a substantially greater output than a conventional windmill with a comparable size rotor. The turbine includes a protruding aerodynamic nose and outer cowling that provide a streamlined, wind-collecting inlet section that constricts the incoming air stream and increases its velocity through the turbine blades. The turbine further includes an exit section designed to exhaust the air stream with a minimum of turbulence. One or more generators are coupled to a turbine wheel, and are electrically switched on and off to maximize the energy capture over the full range of ambient winds. The wind turbine assembly may be configured around a blimp-type body having counter-rotating turbine assemblies.

Abstract: The basic shape of a large span dome (10) is defined by a primary network (20) of structural struts (15) which are so arranged between their junctions (16) that they fully triangulate the surface (13) of the dome. The struts throughout the network have substantially uniform cross-sectional dimensions which are defined with reference to strut loads encountered at and near the perimeter (37) of the dome. The central portion of the network is strengthened to withstand snap-through of the dome by a truss system (30) comprised of a secondary network (35) of truss members (33) which lie in a secondary surface (31) which is inside the dome and is spaced from the dome's triangulated surface. The primary (20) and secondary (35) networks are tied together by tie members (36) which extend between connections (34) of the truss members and the strut junctions (16) and which lie in the planes of webs (25) of respective struts.

Abstract: Glazing panels are mounted to a support member to have a substantially flush surface between the panels. Each panel carries on an inner surface along each mounting edge a member defining an elongate recess open away from a central part of the sheet. A central upstanding rib on the support member forms shoulders therealong which face toward the member. A resilient gasket extends along the support member on either side of the central rib. Each panel is placed in its desired mounted position with its mounting edge member in contact with the adjacent gasket so that the edge of the sheet is spaced to the side of the central rib which ends between the sheet outer surface and the support member. Resilient clips are engaged at intervals along each sheet between the sheet's recess and the corresponding shoulder to pull the sheet into sealing contact with its gasket via its mounting edge member.

Abstract: A dome is provided by first establishing a basic dome curvature over a space having a defined perimeter. The basic curvature is crossed by substantially geodesic lines which intersect at desired foundation points on the perimeter and inwardly of the perimeter to subdivide the basic curvature into diamond-shaped areas which cover the majority of the basic curvature. A structural module is provided for each area. Each module has its perimeter defined by an open structural frame and has a surface bounded by the frame which has curvature greater than the basic curvature in the area to which the module is related. The module curvature is defined by a subsidiary structural network carried by the module frame. The modules are connected to the foundation points and to each other in a selected sequence to define the overall dome. The process of connecting the modules to define the dome can be performed without substantial use of falsework under the dome.

Abstract: A clear-span dome for athletic stadia and the like includes a primary network of principal structural members which are interconnected to span a space to be covered and to define the principal curvature of the dome. The network members divide the principal curvature into a plurality of openings of selected configuration. The primary network is supported on foundations, around the perimeter of the space, which carry vertical and lateral loads of the dome. Each opening in the primary network is closed by a secondary dome which has its perimeter connected to the network principal members which form the perimeter of the opening. Each secondary dome has a curvature greater than the principal dome curvature. The primary network can be assembled, without use of shoring, from the perimeter of the space toward the center of the overall dome.

Abstract: A roof structure is composed of a plurality of prefabricated formed metal saddle elements which have four sides and which are bent along a diagonal between nonadjacent corners to define two triangular portions having corners opposite the bend line and lying in planes inclined to each other. The roof also includes half saddles similar to one triangular portion of a full saddle. The saddles and half saddles are connected to define plural pyramids having four sides and quadrilateral bases. A basal corner of a pyramid is connected to the basal corners of no more than three other pyramids. Depending upon the nature and location of supports for the roof, struts may be connected between some but not all of the pyramids adjacent their apices; in some instances, no struts are required.

Abstract: A clear-span dome for athletic stadia and the like includes a primary network of principal structural members which are interconnected to span a space to be covered and to define the principal curvature of the dome. The network members divide the principal curvature into a plurality of openings of selected configuration. The primary network is supported on foundations, around the perimeter of the space, which carry vertical and lateral loads of the dome. Each opening in the primary network is closed by a secondary dome which has its perimeter connected to the network principal members which form the perimeter of the opening. Each secondary dome has a curvature greater than the principal dome curvature. The primary network can be assembled, without use of shoring, from the perimeter of the space toward the center of the overall dome.