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).

  • Patent number: 5354175
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint Coleman, William T. Kurth, Joseph Jankowski
  • Patent number: 5320491
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint Coleman, William T. Kurth
  • Patent number: 4321417
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: William T. Kurth, William B. Andrulitis
  • Patent number: 4311869
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: William T. Kurth, William B. Andrulitis
  • Patent number: 4241493
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventors: William B. Andrulitis, Steven G. Miles, William T. Kurth
  • Patent number: 4167644
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1979
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: William T. Kurth, Steven G. Miles
  • Patent number: 4132570
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Paul J. Caruso, William T. Kurth
  • Patent number: 4019924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Mobil Tyco Solar Energy Corporation
    Inventor: William T. Kurth