Abstract: A wind-driven electric generator of the downwind type has a wind turbine rotor with oppositely disposed flexible blades attached to the hub of a drive shaft by a flexible spar extending from the hub into hollow portions of the blades. The ends of the spar are attached to intermediate regions of the blades by respective ball joints. Each blade has a root-rib with a stub shaft that is slidably supported in a ball joint mounted on the hub. The blades are pitched to a stall position by a collective pitch mechanism in the absence of proper operating conditions. A nacelle cover of the wind turbine defines an airflow path through the head, and an airflow responsive device inside the nacelle cover controls the collective pitch mechanism to place the blades in a stall position or run position depending upon predetermined airflow conditions. A reverse-cone prevention device limits the ability of the blades to cone reversely.

Abstract: Wind-driven electric generator apparatus has a generator head supported on a tower for free-yaw movement and for free-pitch movement within predetermined limits. The generator head has a downwind rotor with a pair of elongated blades mounted on a hub that is rigidly attached to a rotor shaft driving an electric generator. The blades are flexible and have a coning angle therebetween that varies with wind velocity. The generator head is capable of aligning itself with the wind direction azimuthally and elevationally. A yaw brake prevents an excessive yaw rate. In most preferred embodiment, pitch movement and yaw movement beyond small angular ranges are regulated, and an electrohydraulic yaw drive system corrects gross azimuthal misalignment with respect to the wind direction.In a most preferred embodiment, pitch movement and yaw movement beyond small angular ranges are regulated, and an electrohydraulic yaw drive system corrects gross azimuthal misalignment with respect to the wind direction.

Abstract: A non-ferrous pipe coupling comprises tubular threaded male and female coupling elements attached to ends of respective pipe sections. The male element terminates in a cylindrical non-threaded, non-tapering sealing surface adjacent its threads and the female coupling element, which may be filament-wound, includes an internal sealing sleeve or liner with a web that provides a lip seal around the cylindrical sealing surface of the male element. The web is urged into sealing engagement with the cylindrical surface by fluid pressure within the coupling. The liner precludes egress of fluid from within the coupling through the female coupling element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wind-driven generator apparatus with variable pitch blades. The apparatus includes a yaw damping arrangement for resisting weathervaning rotation of a head assembly of the apparatus about a vertical axis and the apparatus further includes a pitch control mechanism for the blades which maintains the pitch substantially constant during normal operating r.p.m. of the blades but allows the blades to pitch up in an overspeed condition, and a brake mechanism for the generator shaft which includes an adjusting mechanism that compensates for wear in the brake.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wind-driven generator apparatus with variable pitch blades. The apparatus includes a yaw damping arrangement for resisting weathervaning rotation of a head assembly of the apparatus about a vertical axis and the apparatus further includes a pitch control mechanism for the blades which maintains the pitch substantially constant during normal operating r.p.m. of the blades but allows the blades to pitch up in an overspeed condition, and a brake mechanism for the generator shaft which includes an adjusting mechanism that compensates for wear in the brake.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wind-driven generator apparatus with variable pitch blades. The apparatus includes a yaw damping arrangement for resisting weathervaning rotation of a head assembly of the apparatus about a vertical axis and the apparatus further includes a pitch control mechanism for the blades which maintains the pitch substantially constant during normal operating r.p.m. of the blades but allows the blades to pitch up in an overspeed condition, and a brake mechanism for the generator shaft which includes an adjusting mechanism that compensates for wear in the brake.

Abstract: Wind generator apparatus employs an induction generator with a wind-driven rotor. Connection of the induction generator to AC power lines is controlled by apparatus that compares generator rpm and line frequency. The rotor blades have a pretwisted, varying-chord inboard portion and an untwisted, constant-chord outboard portion. The blades are self-starting, operate efficiently over a range of wind speeds with constant pitch maintained by a torsional biasing mechanism, and pitch up automatically when the normal rpm operating range is exceeded. An improved blade-supporting spar of low torsional stiffness has an I-beam configuration with filament-wound flanges. A pitch damper prevents torsional oscillations while permitting the blades to pitch up readily. The rotor, which includes a teetering hub, is free to weather-vane about the axis of a supporting tower, but a yaw damper limits angular velocity. A guy wire and gin pole arrangement stabilizes the tower and permits easy relating and lowering of the tower.

Abstract: Wind generator apparatus employs an induction generator with a wind-driven rotor. Connection of the induction generator to AC power lines is controlled by apparatus that compares generator rpm and line frequency. The rotor blades have a pretwisted, varying-chord inboard portion and an untwisted, constant-chord outboard portion. The blades are self-starting, operate efficiently over a range of wind speeds with constant pitch maintained by a torsional biasing mechanism, and pitch up automatically when the normal rpm operating range is exceeded. An improved blade-supporting spar of low torsional stiffness has an I-beam configuration with filament-wound flanges. A pitch damper prevents torsional oscillations while permitting the blades to pitch up readily. The rotor, which includes a teetering hub, is free to weather-vane about the axis of a supporting tower, but a yaw damper limits angular velocity. A guy wire and gin pole arrangement stabilizes the tower and permits easy raising and lowering of the tower.

Abstract: A high-speed steam admission poppet valve structure in a steam engine employs a low-inertia valve element spring-biased into seated position in a valve seat in the end wall of a cylinder and employs a valve lifter member fixed to the face of the associated piston for cyclically unseating the valve element, the lifter member and the valve element having cooperable engageable surfaces of conforming configuration which are maintained in engagement in both the unseating and seating of the valve element for maintaining the sealing surface of the valve element both parallel to and centered in relation to the valve seat in the seating of the valve element.The clearance volume of the cylinder may be adjusted manually or automatically to regulate the power output and efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: The temperature of a monotube boiler is controlled by apparatus that regulates the water flow only. Primary water is supplied to the inlet end of the boiler tube in accordance with the heat furnished to the boiler, and secondary water is injected into the boiler tube at a plurality of points spaced along the tube in accordance with the temperature of the steam as determined by a sensor located just upstream of the outlet end of the tube. One of the injection points, termed the feedback point, is located adjacent to and upstream from the temperature sensor. Feedback water injected at the feedback point has an immediate effect on the temperature sensor which is effective to maintain the steam at a substantially constant output temperature during steady state operation over a wide range in the heat furnished to the boiler, and during transient operation from one state to another caused by rapid and large changes in the heat furnished to the boiler.