Patents by Inventor William T. Kurth
William T. Kurth 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).
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Patent number: 5354175Abstract: A rotor hub is provided for coupling a wind turbine rotor blade and a shaft. The hub has a yoke with a body which is connected to the shaft, and extension portions which are connected to teeter bearing blocks, each of which has an aperture. The blocks are connected to a saddle which envelops the rotor blade by one or two shafts which pass through the apertures in the bearing blocks. The saddle and blade are separated by a rubber interface which provides for distribution of stress over a larger portion of the blade. Two teeter control mechanisms, which may include hydraulic pistons and springs, are connected to the rotor blade and to the yoke at extension portions. These control mechanisms provide end-of-stroke damping, braking, and stiffness based on the teeter angle and speed of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1993Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignee: Northern Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Clint Coleman, William T. Kurth, Joseph Jankowski
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Patent number: 5320491Abstract: A wind turbine has a rotor with at least one blade which has an aileron which is adjusted by an actuator. A hinge has two portions, one for mounting a stationary hinge arm to the blade, the other for coupling to the aileron actuator. Several types of hinges can be used, along with different actuators. The aileron is designed so that it has a constant chord with a number of identical sub-assemblies. The leading edge of the aileron has at least one curved portion so that the aileron does not vent over a certain range of angles, but vents if the position is outside the range. A cyclic actuator can be mounted to the aileron to adjust the position periodically. Generally, the aileron will be adjusted over a range related to the rotational position of the blade. A method for operating the cyclic assembly is also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1992Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Northern Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Clint Coleman, William T. Kurth
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Patent number: 4321417Abstract: Solar cell modules having light scattering surfaces at least in the land areas between a plurality of arrayed solar cells and optically coupled to the cells provide increased module output over modules not provided with light scattering land areas. Insolation impinging on the light scattering surfaces is diffused upwardly through the optical coupling medium and then downwardly toward a solar cell, thereby increasing the output of the module.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1978Date of Patent: March 23, 1982Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventors: William T. Kurth, William B. Andrulitis
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Patent number: 4311869Abstract: Solar cell modules having light scattering surfaces at least in the land areas between a plurality of arrayed solar cells and optically coupled to the cells by means of an internally reflective plate having a planar surface of incidence and an opposed textured surface provide increased module output. Insolation impinging on the light scattering surfaces is diffused upwardly through the optical coupling medium and then downwardly toward a solar cell, thereby increasing the output of the module.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1979Date of Patent: January 19, 1982Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventors: William T. Kurth, William B. Andrulitis
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Patent number: 4241493Abstract: The solar cell module of this invention is fabricated by placing an array of solar cells in a suitable mold having a bottom surface, an entry port and an exit port. A light transparent superstrate effectively serves as the top for the mold and is placed over the array of solar cells in the mold. The superstrate is spaced from the array such that the superstrate does not come in contact with the top surface of any of the cells or interconnectors of the solar cell array. Clamp means are provided to hold the superstrate in position while encapsulant is pumped into the mold under pressure through the inlet port in an amount sufficient to fill the mold. Thereafter the assembly can be placed in an oven and heated for a time sufficient to cure the encapsulant and bond the materials to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1978Date of Patent: December 30, 1980Inventors: William B. Andrulitis, Steven G. Miles, William T. Kurth
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Patent number: 4167644Abstract: A solar cell module consisting of a solar cell panel and a frame therefor is disclosed. The solar cell panel is formed from a hard, light transparent sheet material which preferably is glass and has arrayed on the bottom surface of the glass a plurality of individual solar cells interconnected in the requisite series and/or parallel circuit arrangement. The cells are bonded permanently to the underside of the panel by suitable bonding means such as a silicon adhesive. The rear surface of the solar cells and glass is covered with a suitable material, preferably with a light transparent elastomer, to protect the cells from the elements, thereby preventing corrosion of the electrical contacts. The frame extends around the perimeter of the solar panel and has at least one top flange that is essentially coplanar with the solar panel for supporting engagement with a setting strip of resilient material. The setting strip has parts embracing the flange and the marginal edge of the solar cell panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1978Date of Patent: September 11, 1979Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventors: William T. Kurth, Steven G. Miles
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Patent number: 4132570Abstract: A support for a solar cell array includes means for positioning the solar cells and limiting the relative movement of the cells. Integral rib stiffeners are provided as well as at least one integral junction box. The support further includes a perimeter skirt which may be used for connecting modules having the support to each other or to a mounting standard.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1978Date of Patent: January 2, 1979Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventors: Paul J. Caruso, William T. Kurth
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Patent number: 4019924Abstract: A solar cell assembly comprises a plurality of solar cells mounted on a laminate comprising a base electrically-insulative sheet, an electrically-conductive layer disposed on the base sheet in a predetermined pattern so as to provide first and second cell-connecting sections electrically insulated from one another, and a second electrically-insulative sheet having a plurality of openings and being disposed over the conductive layer so that selected portions of the conductive layer are exposed through the openings. The laminate is provided with a plurality of bent tabs, each of which includes an exposed portion of the first cell-connecting section so that the exposed portion can be attached to the top surface electrode of a solar cell. At least one exposed portion of a second cell-connecting section of the conductive layer is attached to the bottom surface electrode of the same cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1975Date of Patent: April 26, 1977Assignee: Mobil Tyco Solar Energy CorporationInventor: William T. Kurth