Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine rotor having self-fairing vanes wherein the center of pressure on each vane is coplanar with the journal for the hub of the turbine rotor.

Abstract: A sail-driven wind motor (SDWM) is described, in which a reciprocating load amenable to intermittent, bidirectional drive (such as a water pump or air compressor) is driven by one or two arms, with each arm driven by at least one conventional fore-and-aft rigged sail. Masts for the sails are mounted on beams which are pivotally mounted on the arms. At least one mast and sail per beam, and at least one beam per arm are required to drive the load. Mechanisms are described for controlling the sails to drive the load, and to stop operation of the SDWM during excessive wind velocity. SDWMs for three types of sites are described: land, shallow water, and deep water. Each arm is supported by at least one cross-arm, which rides on wheels for a land site, or on at least one double-ended float for water sites. For all three types of sites, the sail drag must be transferred to the ground, while the sail lift must be transferred to the load via the arm.

Abstract: A hull floating on a body of water is tethered by an anchored mooring cable so that it is disposed to trail from the anchor in a current. The hull supports a rotary load such as an electric generator, air compressor or water pump having a transversely extending rotary input shaft extending beyond the hull in both lateral directions. Balanced sets of vanes arranged in wheels mounted to respective ends of the shaft are disposed in a partially submerged condition to be turned by the water current, thus turning the shaft and the rotary load. A load output conduit is provided for transmitting the load output from the load. Where the current changes direction periodically, the load output conduit may follow the mooring cable and both be pivotally mounted to the anchor so that the hull may swing around as the current changes direction. A debris-deflecting fender is shown.

Abstract: A spider-like carrier having at least three generally horizontal arms has a hub mounted to the vertical, rotary-axis input shaft of a load. Each arm has at least one horizontal cross-arm secured to it near its radially outer end, which is supported from the ground by a low-friction support device such as a wheel or set of wheels. Mounted on each arm at the cross-arm or cross-arms is at least one sail, vane, airfoil or similar working member which is erected or spread generally normally to the wind when the respective arm is located for the working member to be blown downwind and is feathered or headed to the wind when the respective arm is located for the working member to be driven upwind. Horizontal axis and vertical axis journalling options for the working members and various sail shapes are shown, including a concave/convex sail and motor-oriented airfoil shape which provides lift when being driven upwind are shown.

Abstract: A generally toric lighter-than-air gas bag-type airfoil is tethered to the ground at a plurality of angularly widely distributed points about the periphery of the gas bag. A wind turbine is mounted at the entrance to the axially central vent. The tether lines are entrained about individually operable power winches, preferably controlled by a microprocessor which takes in wind direction and tether line tension data and operates the winches and inflation gas inlet and outlet valves to orient the wind turbine into the wind for maximum power output.

Abstract: A plurality of wind turbines are supported aloft on the same tethered airfoil which is provided with devices for orienting the wind turbines into the wind. Various ways and devices are described for converting the wind energy into electrical power and for connecting and providing the plural outputs to the same electrical power grid. The principles are applicable whether there are a small number of relatively large wind turbines, a large number of relatively small wind turbines or some of each.