Abstract: The building system employs precast corners (16) and elongated walls (12) with integral footings (14 and 18) to construct a foundation and basement. Precast first elongated wall sections (50) and corner sections (52) and floor slabs form a first level. Upper level wall sections (74), corner sections (76) and floor slabs (72) form an upper level. Gable sections (90), a ridge beam (92) and roof slabs (94) form a roof. The precast members all include a steel mesh reinforcement (102, 104 and 106). Sections are rigidly connected together at their ends (58 and 68) by connector assemblies (108 and 160) that are connected directly to the reinforcement (102). The sections are secured together by sheebolts (120) that extend vertically from a lower section into an upper section.

Abstract: The building system employs precast corners (16) and elongated walls (12) with integral footings (14 and 18) to construct a foundation and basement. Precast first elongated wall sections (50) and corner sections (52) and floor slabs form a first level. Upper level wall sections (74), corner sections (76) and floor slabs (72) form an upper level. Gable sections (90), a ridge beam (92) and roof slabs (94) form a roof. The precast members all include a steel mesh reinforcement (102, 104 and 106). Sections are rigidly connected together at their ends (58 and 68) by connector assemblies (108 and 160) that are connected directly to the reinforcement (102). The sections are secured together by sheebolts (120) that extend vertically from a lower section into an upper section.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for a soft airfoil wind turbine wheel having an elongate support cable connected in tension between the rim and hub of the wheel, an elongate, rotatable spindle mounted adjacent the elongate support member and a constraint mechanism for constraining the spindle against excessive bowing in response to wind pressure. The constraint mechanism includes a plurality of clamps mounted to the elongate support member which loosely surround the spindle and any airfoil furled therearound except for a slot for passage of the airfoil. Rollers are located adjacent the slots to guide the airfoil therethrough and are mounted to rotate about members interconnecting the clamps so that the wind pressure exerted by the soft airfoil is distributed along the length of the support members. Bracing cables connected to the elongate support member further distribute the wind pressure forces to the wheel structure and ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for furling, unfurling, and controlling a flexible airfoil for use in connection with a wind turbine wheel, comprising a rotatably mounted spindle journaled at one of its ends (the head end) to the hub of a wind turbine wheel, and at its other end (the foot end) in a foot plate bracket adjacent the rim of the wheel. The bracket is attached to a diametral bracing cable, and a soft airfoil is furled on the spindle. The foot plate is rotatably mounted so that the spindle foot can swing through a small arc about a centerline defined by the outer end of the cable. A "V"-shaped boom is rotatably secured to the foot plate and the bracing cable at its free ends such that the boom is pivotable with the spindle about a common axis spaced from the rotational axis of the spindle. A pulley is affixed to the outer, apex end of the boom.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generation of electricity comprising a large, lightweight wheel attached to a fixed vertical central pylon and oriented to rotate in a vertical plane around a boom having an axis that is substantially horizontal, and pivoted at one end to the pylon. The wind wheel is supported at its rim by a carriage assembly that is constrained to move in a circular horizontal path about the central pylon. The wheel has a cylindrical outer rim and may include one or more perimeter frame structures. The outer surface of the rim is essentially flat in cross section and presents a traction surface for the takeoff of energy from the rim of the wheel. The wheel has a plurality of uniformly spaced radial spindles on which are rolled sails (soft airfoils), which when unfurled catch the wind to provide the rotational motion to the wheel.