Patents by Inventor Robert J. Barnes

Robert J. Barnes 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: 6364609
    Abstract: A Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The turbine includes an erection hinge between the support structure and support structure anchor which permits assembly of the rotor shaft and blades and gear box and electric generator very close to ground level. Using the three rotor shaft upper bearing guy cables to hold and pivot erect all non-anchor turbine components from a horizontal to a vertical operating position around the support anchor hinge. Support structure adjustable leveling and support bolts used to minimize erection hinge stress during turbine operation. Erection hinge offset beams to minimize crushing scissors action between the support structure and support structure anchor during pivot erection. Horizontal assembly and ground winch erection pivoting replaces the need for an expensive tall crane, with a rolling gantry and chain gear hoist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5252029
    Abstract: A Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed which includes a vertically extending hollow rotor shaft mounted on a support structure with two, three, or four rotor blades of troposkein configuration on the rotor shaft for rotating the shaft in response to wind energy and thereby drive a generator to produce electrical power. The turbine includes an erection hinge and gin pole which permits the turbine to be cable hoisted using a simple winch mounted at or near ground level. The erection hinge and pole also permits the turbine to be completely assembled near ground level. The turbine includes two sets of guy cables. The upper set holds the upper bearing assembly and the upper rotor shaft portion in a fixed vertical position. The lower cable set holds the lower rotor shaft portion and the support structure also in a fixed vertical position. A flexible coupling is used to connect the low speed shaft of the generator speed reducer to the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Robert J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5098511
    Abstract: Apparatus for folding, sealing and aligning seriatim a supply of documents into envelopes, each of the documents containing a water-activated adhesive on a portion thereof. The apparatus includes: a hopper for storing a supply of the documents; a device for applying moisture to a portion of the documents; a pair of folding rollers for imparting a fold to the documents; a buckle chute for stopping the forward progress of the documents and causing the documents to enter the nip of the folding rollers; a pair of ironing rollers located downstream of the folding rollers for maximizing adhesive contact of the documents and forming the envelopes; a conveying device located downstream of the ironing rollers for holding the envelopes together during transport prior to their release for further processing; and a downwardly billowing, flexible membrane situated above the conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 4733836
    Abstract: A nursing bottle holder allows an infant to rest on his side while nursing from a bottle. The bottle holder includes an inclined front wall. The front wall is supported at an inclination relative to the level surface to support the infant on his side. A flexible stem with a bottle retainer on its end allows a bottle to be positioned for holding the bottle while the infant drinks. The front wall is part of a compartment used to hold infant accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Robert J. Barnes