Patents by Inventor Ivan D. Wells

Ivan D. Wells 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: 4433544
    Abstract: A power generating station (20) having a generator (28) driven by solar heat assisted ambient wind is disclosed. A first plurality of radially extending air passages (32) direct ambient wind to a radial flow wind turbine (34) disposed in a centrally located opening (46) in a substantially disc-shaped structure (21). A solar radiation collecting surface having black bodies (40) is disposed above the first plurality of air passages (32) and in communication with a second plurality of radial air passages (44).A cover plate (50) enclosing the second plurality of radial air passages (44) is transparent so as to permit solar radiation to effectively reach the black bodies (40). The second plurality of air passages (44) direct ambient wind and thermal updrafts generated by the black bodies (40) to an axial flow turbine (48) which also derives additional motive power from the air mass exhausted by the radial flow turbine (34). The rotating shaft (26) of the turbines (34) (48) drive the generator (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ivan D. Wells, Jin L. Koh, Marvin Holmes