By Actuator Eccentric To Rotation Axis Patents (Class 416/108)
  • Patent number: 11479356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion device for an aircraft, comprising a blade (2) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (51) of the propulsion device along a circular path (52) and is mounted for pivoting about a blade bearing axis parallel to the axis of rotation; a pitch mechanism having a coupling device (31) and a bearing device (33); and an offset device (4) to which the blade is coupled, the offset device defining an eccentric bearing axis (41) which is mounted at an adjustable offset distance. The coupling device is coupled to the blade at a coupling point (32) which is positioned in such a way that the plane that comprises the blade bearing axis and the coupling point and the tangential plane to the circular path through the blade bearing axis include a certain, non-vanishing angle (w?) when the offset distance is set to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Cyclotech GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Winderl, Stephan Lanser
  • Patent number: 11118565
    Abstract: In a rotating machine having a fluidic rotor, the rotor comprises at least one blade mounted on an arm rotating about a rotor shaft forming a main axis of the rotor, the rotor being kept by a supporting structure in an orientation such that said axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid, the blade being mounted so as to pivot about an axis of rotation of the blade parallel to the main axis. The machine comprises means for generating a relative oscillation movement of the blade with respect to the arm at the axis of rotation of the blade, in order in this way to vary the inclination of the blade during the rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ADV TECH
    Inventor: Arnaud Curutchet
  • Patent number: 10479495
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an aircraft, including a fuselage having a longitudinal axis extending from a front portion through an aft portion; first and second tail members extending from the aft portion; a first cross-flow fan system rotatably mounted to the first tail member; and a second cross-flow fan system rotatably mounted to the second tail member. The first and second cross-flow fan systems are configured to provide a forward thrust vector and an anti-torque vector on the aircraft. The first and second cross-flow fan systems can have a rotational axis oriented generally vertically. In another aspect, there is an aircraft including a fuselage having a front portion and a tail portion; and a cross-flow fan system supported by the tail portion. Embodiments include a cross-flow fan system retrofittable onto an aircraft and methods for retrofitting an aircraft with a cross-flow fan system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk L. Groninga, Daniel B. Robertson, Matthew E. Louis
  • Patent number: 10458391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-frame impeller of a wind turbine generator set. The impeller includes blades and a blade adjusting device. The blade adjusting device comprises a blade adjusting chamber to which the blades are connected, a motor and an adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism comprises transmission mechanism, adjusting frame, rotating arm and connecting rods. Transmission mechanism comprises swinging arm, a positioning shaft, a main drive arm and a push-pull rod. The adjusting frame is assembled onto blade adjusting chamber; the rotating arms are fixed on the blade shafts and the connecting rods, and the other end of each connecting rod is hinged with the adjusting frame; two ends of the positioning shaft are installed on the fixed seat; swinging arm is fixed at positioning shaft and is hinged with main drive arm, and the main drive arm is connected with the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Zhang, Xiaoxin
    Inventor: Xiaoxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10421541
    Abstract: An aspect provides an aircraft including a fuselage and a cross-flow fan system attached to the fuselage. The cross-flow fan system including a cross-flow fan assembly associated with a rotatable wing member having an exterior aerodynamic surface. In one aspect, there is provided an aircraft with a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion; a first cross-flow fan system rotatably attached to the left side of the forward portion of the fuselage; a second cross-flow fan system rotatably attached to the right side of the forward portion of the fuselage; a third cross-flow fan system rotatably attached to the left side of the aft portion of the fuselage; and a fourth cross-flow fan system rotatably attached to the right side of the aft portion of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk L. Groninga, Daniel B. Robertson, Matthew E. Louis
  • Patent number: 10377480
    Abstract: A variable thrust cross-flow fan system for an aircraft including a rotatable wing member having a first housing member; an actuator assembly operably coupled to the first housing member; and a variable thrust cross-flow fan assembly including a first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween. The plurality of blades has a circular path of travel when rotating and includes a control assembly coupled to the plurality of blades to generate a variable thrust force. The control assembly includes a control cam that is substantially non-rotatable relative to the first and second driver plates and a hinge member that is fixedly connected to the control cam and to the first housing member at a hinge axis. Rotation of the first housing member by the actuator assembly imparts rotation of the control cam about the hinge axis, thereby changing the direction of the variable thrust force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk L. Groninga, Daniel B. Robertson, Matthew E. Louis
  • Patent number: 9950787
    Abstract: The invention is related to a control system for controlling collective and cyclic pitch of rotor blades of a multi-blade rotor 1a in a rotary-wing aircraft, the control system comprising a swash plate assembly with at least one non-rotating plate and at least one rotating plate that is mounted rotatably to the at least one non-rotating plate, the at least one rotating plate and the at least one non-rotating plate being mounted to a non-rotating sliding sleeve, wherein a spherical bearing is provided on the non-rotating sliding sleeve, wherein at least one non-rotating stop arm is provided for non-rotatably connecting the at least one non-rotating plate to the non-rotating sliding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Benedikt Bammer
  • Patent number: 9359056
    Abstract: A foot-operated propulsion system for small watercraft, such as kayaks. The propulsion system includes a pedal assembly that controls motion of a fluke fin that is submerged beneath the waters surface. The pedal assembly is located in the bow of the watercraft and the paddler works the pedals with his feet. Operating the pedal assembly causes a force to be transmitted to a drive unit located in the stern of the craft, which then controls movement of linkages in the fluke assembly, to force the submerged fluke fin to swing upward and downward, emulating the motion of flukes on a whale, and thereby propelling the watercraft along the surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Lyons
  • Patent number: 9346535
    Abstract: A new ring cam and ring cam assembly, developed for providing more diverse dynamic pitching schedules for cyclorotor blades, particularly for providing both cyclic and collective pitch control, can be used for any apparatus where dynamic variation of cam controlled movement is needed. The new ring cam has its cam surface on the inside of a ring, the cam surface defining a plurality of different cam profiles which can be dynamically chosen and applied according to need. The different cam profiles are provided by different configurations and by combinations of those configurations. One configuration uses a plurality of adjacent different cam profiles across the inside width of the ring, so that a cam follower follows different cam profiles as it moves across or relative to the cam surface. Another configuration moves a center axis of the ring in relation to the axis of rotation of the cyclorotor, or other rotating device, to dynamically change the effective cam profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Zachary H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20150147176
    Abstract: A fluidic rotor rotary machine has a rotor comprising at least one blade (4) mounted on an arm (2) rotating about a main axis (1) of the rotor, the rotor being held by a support structure (5) in an orientation such that said axis (1) is essentially perpendicular to the fluid flow direction, the blade (4) being pivotally mounted about a rotational axis (3) parallel to the main axis (1), the machine being characterized in that it comprises means for generating a relative rotational movement of the blade (4) relative to the arm (2) at the rotational axis (3), thereby varying the blade angle, said means comprising an eccentric mechanism rotating on said blade rotational axis. Application in particular to propellers and generators operating according to Lipp-type or Voith-Schneider-type kinematics, with possible mode switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ADV TECH
    Inventors: Arnaud Curutchet, Stephane Grismangin, Renaud Fourton, Gabriel Corde
  • Patent number: 8870534
    Abstract: The invention concerns a propeller device with a flow profile body assigned to a propeller and a multiple eccentric arrangement functionally coupled to the flow profile body, which has two eccentric components coupled with one another and able to rotate in opposite directions, and which is configured so as to convert a common rotational movement of the eccentric components in opposite directions into an oscillating movement of the flow profile body along a movement path between two end positions, and vice versa. Furthermore the invention concerns a vehicle drive unit with a propeller device, and also an energy conversion unit with a propeller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Bernd Grande
  • Patent number: 8602719
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine having a plurality of upright airfoils pivotally engaged. A continuous adjustment of the angle of attack of the airfoils to oncoming wind is provided by rotation of a control plate connected to the vanes which are mounted upon a rotating drive plate. A vane can be employed to rotate the control plate to affect the continuous adjustment of the airfoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: AF Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel Thomas Kelly
  • Publication number: 20110150650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a propeller device with a flow profile body assigned to a propeller and a multiple eccentric arrangement functionally coupled to the flow profile body, which has two eccentric components coupled with one another and able to rotate in opposite directions, and which is configured so as to convert a common rotational movement of the eccentric components in opposite directions into an oscillating movement of the flow profile body along a movement path between two end positions, and vice versa. Furthermore the invention concerns a vehicle drive unit with a propeller device, and also an energy conversion unit with a propeller device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Bernd Grande
  • Patent number: 7914258
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to a fluid mechanical converter having at least one energy-accumulator mass system that can be powered by a power drive. To provide a fluid mechanical converter, which improves overall efficiency using the simplest components, it is proposed according to the present teachings that the displacement of the driven energy accumulator-mass system is overlaid with a displacement that is caused by at least one inertial force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: bionic motion GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Spillner
  • Patent number: 7811059
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for desired angle of an oscillating electric fan is disclosed. The adjusting knob is conveniently located about the top rear portion of the fan motor, adjacent the clutch knob. Adjusting the oscillating angle may be made when the fan is at rest, when it is running and oscillating at the same time, or when it is running at a fixed direction. Adjusting is fast and simple, only one hand is needed and no tools and mechanical know-how is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Esteban Nacapuy Sagucio
  • Patent number: 7771167
    Abstract: The concealed rotary fan includes a rotary vane, a drive motor and a base. The drive motor is assembled into the base. The first end of the drive motor with the revolving shaft can be assembled onto a front support in a rotary state. The second end of the drive motor is fitted with a crank link, the first end of which can be driven to make the second end rotate. The second end is screwed onto a pivot point on to the base. When the revolving shaft of the drive motor rotates, the second end of the crank link will rotate synchronously, enabling the drive motor and revolving shaft to rotate axially and obliquely along with the rotary vane. Thus, the rotary fan allows automatic change of the outlet direction through the axial rotation of the rotary vane, the outlet area being expanded to improve the actual applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: King Jih Enterprise Corp.
    Inventor: Chiao Fu
  • Patent number: 7530785
    Abstract: A wind turbine with improved response to wind conditions is provided. Blade flap angle motion is accompanied by a change in pitch angle by an amount defining a pitch/flap coupling ratio. The coupling ratio is non-constant as a function of a flap angle and is preferably a substantially continuous, non-linear function of flap angle. The non-constant coupling ratio can be provided by mechanical systems such as a series of linkages or by configuring electronic or other control systems and/or angle sensors. A link with a movable proximal end advantageously is part of the mechanical system. The system can provide relatively large coupling ratios and relatively large rates of coupling ratio changes especially for near-feather pitches and low flap angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: The Wind Turbine Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Deering, Keith P. Wohlwend
  • Patent number: 7518864
    Abstract: A cooling fan is provided that does not place limitations on the installation conditions for the fan, is capable of cooling a backlight unit of a display panel with high efficiency, and produces less noise during operation. Also provided is an image display apparatus equipped with the cooling fan. The cooling fan includes a fan rotator composed of a rotational shaft that is rotationally driven by a driving motor and two vanes that have parallel revolution shafts that rotate together with the rotational shaft, are freely rotatable on the shafts, face one another, and revolve around the rotational shafts and a vane angle control unit that implements control so that each vane has a maximum rotation angle when a revolution angle of the vanes is in a vicinity of a first revolution angle and each vane has a rotation angle of 0° when a revolution angle of the vane is in a vicinity of a second revolution angle that is perpendicular to the first revolution angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Kimura
  • Publication number: 20080181776
    Abstract: A phase control structure for crank-connecting control disk has a control disk on a helicopter body. The control disk is connected with a crank assembly pivotally connected to the body. The crank assembly includes a connecting element, a first crank and a second crank. The connecting element, the first crank, and the second crank can pivotally rotate with respect to each other. When the control disk is pulled by a first or second pulling rod, the phase thereof can be achieved using the crank assembly. This can increase the precision in the motion of the helicopter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Aling Lai
  • Patent number: 6840738
    Abstract: A feathering fluid-driven turbine comprises impellers, arranged around the turbine axis and affixed to axles disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the turbine, and further comprises a vane, such as a wind vane, which points in the current direction of fluid flow, mounted on an axis. The impellers are operatively engaged by a feathering mechanism, which, responsive to the direction indicated by the vane, rotates the impellers along their axles so that impellers on the windward side of fluid flow are aligned to present maximum aerodynamic resistance to fluid flow and impellers on the leeward side of fluid flow are aligned to present minimum aerodynamic resistance, thereby maximizing torque output of the turbine regardless of direction of fluid flow. The feathering mechanism comprises an offset cam affixed to the axis of the vane, moving in conjunction therewith as the direction of fluid flow changes. Fitted to the cam is a collar that is rotatable with the rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Marvin L. Swanberg
  • Publication number: 20020009366
    Abstract: A helicopter blade assembly for permitting rapid forward flight in a helicopter having separate means for providing a forward impetus is disclosed. The assembly has a set of rotatable blades attached to a substantially vertical mast. These blades slope downward near to their distal ends, thereby creating an inverted disk virtual air foil when the blades are rapidly rotated by the mast. In a preferred embodiment the camber of the blades and, therefore, the shape of the virtual air foil is controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: DAVID CURT MORRIS
  • Patent number: 6283709
    Abstract: An electric fan mounted overhead for universal adjustment of the air flow direction. A mounting plate clamped to an overhead beam carries a sleeve that rotatively receives a vertical column. The lower end of the column pivotally connects with a mounting arm which carries the fan. A rotation motor can rotationally adjust the column to adjust the lateral direction in which the fan faces. A linear actuator pivots the mounting arm up and down to adjust the tilt angle of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan
  • Patent number: 6244919
    Abstract: A vertical axis and transversal flow nautical propulsor continuously self-orients the blades. The propulsor includes a plurality of blades rotatable about a vertical axis; a blade supporting plate for supporting the blades, wherein the blade supporting plate is rotatable about a vertical axis independent of rotation of the blades; a motor for rotating the blade supporting plate; a motor for each blade, for rotating the blade about its own vertical axis; and a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is supported by a rotor body coupled with the blade supporting plate. A plurality of spindles are provided on the rotatable shaft, wherein the spindles are coaxial with one another and with the rotatable shaft. The number of spindles corresponds to the number of blades, and the spindles are rotatable independent of one another in such a way to allow independent rotation of the relevant blade. The rotatable shaft and the spindles each have an inner end within the rotor body and an outer end outside the rotor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: S.P.N. S. R. L.
    Inventor: Piero Valentini
  • Patent number: 6135713
    Abstract: An actively controlled helicopter rotor blade includes a trailing edge flap actuated by a fast-acting actuator. A lightweight, rugged, fast-acting actuator suitable for use as the flap actuator comprises a pair of column actuators composed of a smart material such as piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, shape memory alloy or other material that exhibits a shape change when subjected to an external stimulus. Each of the column actuators is composed of multiple piezoelectric ceramic actuator elements bonded together to form the individual columns. Each of the column actuators engages the base of an actuator tube that, in turn, is urged against the column actuators by a tension member. Differential voltage applied to the columns causes a differential elongation of the column actuators, which causes the actuator tube to pivot about an axis proximal the tips of the column actuators. The movement of the actuator tube is coupled by a linkage to the rotor blade flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company
    Inventors: David B. Domzalski, Friedrich K. Straub, Dennis K. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6109875
    Abstract: A cycloidal propeller including a so-called slider-crank mechanism. The couplers of the slider-crank mechanism are attached to a control ring which is attached to a ball socket located at the lower end of a control rod. The required torsional retention relative to the rotor housing is accomplished by a dual parallel guide, which is mounted by revolute joint connections to the control ring on one side and by revolute joint connections to the rotor housing on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Hydro GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Harald Gross
  • Patent number: 6065935
    Abstract: The invention provides for a cycloidal propeller, in strictly rudder operation, accessory apparatuses that mesh with a gear drive connected to a shaft of the respective wing. The invention accomplishes relatively small actuation movements of the accessory apparatuses, sufficient to achieve a large pivoting movement of the wings, so that the wings can be adjusted over large angles without impediment. Therefore, wings having normal profiles may be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Hydro GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Herbert Perfahl
  • Patent number: 5993157
    Abstract: A cycloidal propeller to achieve strictly a rudder operation includes accessory apparatuses containing accessory drives. Clutches are used to couple the accessory drives to the propeller shafts, and additional clutches are provided to disengage the fixed connection of the normal propeller mechanism to the wing shafts in cruising operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Hydro GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Herbert Perfahl
  • Patent number: 5931639
    Abstract: A helicopter blade assembly for permitting rapid forward flight in a helicopter having separate means for providing a forward impetus. The assembly has a set of rotatable blades attached to a substantially vertical mast. These blades slope downward near to their distal ends, thereby creating an inverted disk virtual air foil when the blades are rapidly rotated by the mast. In a preferred embodiment the camber of the blades and, therefore, the shape of the virtual air foil is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: David Curt Morris
  • Patent number: 5844323
    Abstract: In the rotatable wheel having several radiate skeletons, some auxiliary axles are mounted on each radiate skeleton and provided at the lateral of a limb of the radiate skeleton to the direction opposite to that of external forces; a movable blade or a force accepting assembly accompanied with two movable blades is connected to an auxiliary axle, they contact one extension portion of radiate skeleton when subjected to a force to be folded inwardly and contact another extension portion when subjected to a force to be folded outwardly; the pushing forces from all directions, except that the force exerted on the movable blades is applied along the auxiliary axle, can be turned into forces to drive the rotating axle, this can be used to develope wind power, kinetic energy of liquid flow such as tide, or rapid water flow etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Ming-Tung Hung
  • Patent number: 5800126
    Abstract: A swinging head gear shell for an electric fan is provided and includes a body and a cover respectively molded from reinforced engineering plastics. The body has a mounting plate for mounting with screws, a first open top chamber and a second open top chamber linked in parallel and adapted for receiving a swinging head gear. The body has a plurality of screw holes for the mounting of the cover, and a vertical locating barrel through which one gear shaft of the swinging head gear passes. The mounting plate has a circular through hole through which the worm of the swinging head gear passes. The cover overlays the body to close the first open top chamber and the second open top chamber, and has a plurality of mounting holes respectively fastened to the top screw holes of the body by screws. The cover has a raised portion, and a through hole formed in the raised portion in communication with the second open top chamber for the control lever of the swinging head gear to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Ching-Lang Tsai
  • Patent number: 5599167
    Abstract: The device for controlling the pitch of the blades of a rotor using a mechanism having swashplates includes an auxiliary plate mounted on the non-rotating plate of the mechanism and which is secured in terms of rotation to the rotating plate of this mechanism and, for each blade, an articulated link in series with the corresponding pitch rod to which it is articulated, and including at least one arm articulated to the rotating plate, each articulated link being controlled by a lever articulated to it and to the auxiliary plate which is off-centered to the desired value so that each of the control levers controls the itch of the corresponding blade by applying a bicyclic component to it, the amplitude and phase of which component depend on the eccentricity of the auxiliary plate as defined with respect to the non-rotating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Eurocopter France
    Inventor: Louis J. Daldosso
  • Patent number: 5462406
    Abstract: The present invention provides an offset control mechanism and a variable blade-pitch mechanical kinematic system for cycloidal propellers. This is achieved by the concentric positioning of the drive shaft, the variable offset circular guide track, the eccentric X-Y slide plates, the propeller hub and the variable blade-pitch kinematic linkages, all about the axis of propeller rotation. The control actuation system is free-flooded in water and non-rotating, yet in close proximity to the rotating propeller hub. The pitch of each propeller blade is cyclically varied by the kinematic levers on each blade following a circular guide track during each revolution. Additionally, the circlar track swivel guide in the blade lever kinematics can also lever a trailing blade-flap to provide additional cyclic propeller lift in the direction of motion. The propeller improvements include a low-drag propeller hub and a variable-pitch blade ground plane ring about the ends of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Vitron Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Barry A. Ridgewell, Miles Fenton
  • Patent number: 5411372
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new pole mounted revolving air circulating fan for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which simultaneously revolves around a vertical axis. The pole mounted revolving air circulating fan comprises a telescoping support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the ends of the support pole frictionally engaging the mounting surfaces. A fan, comprising a rotary air impeller coupled to an electric motor through a drive shaft, is revolvedly mounted on the vertical support pole. A generally cylindrical motor housing encloses the motor and the motor power supply leads. A blade guard, constructed of wire rods forming a substantially annularly shaped wire cage, encloses the impeller to prevent injury from contact therewith. The guard has a central hole through the back wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: 5104541
    Abstract: A pump has an impeller with a circular series of airfoil vanes rigidly mounted thereon. The impeller is mounted in a casing which has a radially outwardly increasing internal axial extent, such that fluid flowing through the pump has a less constricted path peripherally of the pump chamber than centrally of the pump chamber. In another aspect of the invention, the impeller comprises two axially adjacent series of vanes separated by a radially extending partition which divides the interior of the pump casing into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber interconnected by a hole formed in the center of the partition. At least one of the central partition and the impeller plate are conical in shape, thereby to impart a radially outwardly expanding axial extent to the vacuum chamber, and a decreasing axial extent to the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: William H. Daniel
  • Patent number: 5011373
    Abstract: An individual pitch control device for the blades (7) of a rotor of a rotor craft employing respective rotating linear jacks (29) for controlling the pitch of the rotor blades. The linear jacks are implanted in a rotating support (25) which is driven in rotation with the rotor. The jacks (29) include rods (31) which are connected via additional rods (33) to drive pitch control levers (24) for each respective blade. The jacks (29) are linear, electrohydraulic, dual-action jacks having at least one body, and are supplied by control servovalves (36) which are also mounted in a rotating reference system. The servovalves (36) are supplied from a hydraulic circuit in a fixed reference system positioned on the rotor craft, having at least one hydraulic collector (27) which is at least partially rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventors: Jacques A. Aubry, Jean J. Mondet
  • Patent number: 4957413
    Abstract: An omnidirectional variable thrust propeller for a vehicle includes a hub, plurality of blades, and a plurality of shafts. Each shaft is coaxially rotatably connected to a respective blade and extends through the hub at an acute angle to a hub longitudinal axis. Each shaft has a lever arm and an inner end portion which terminates inside the hub. A reciprocably moveable device engages the inner end portions of the blade shafts to uniformly rotate the blades in one direction when the device moves longitudinally in one direction and uniformly rotate the blades in an opposite direction when the device moves in an opposite direction to enable a change of thrust. Another device pivotally supports the reciprocably movable device at a variable acute angle to the longitudinal axis. Another device selectively move the reciprocably movable device about the pivot point to nonuniformly change the rotation or pitch of the blade that alters the propeller's thrust direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reich, Richard W. Uhrich
  • Patent number: 4752258
    Abstract: To enable an exact and quick adjustment of the control point of a cycloid propeller ("Voith-Schneider-Propeller"), hydraulic adjustment cylinders are provided with electric proportional valves whose set value is determined by a cylinder stroke control circuit--preferably by way of an auxiliary valve current control circuit and a valve position control circuit. The travel and the rudder commands are transformed, by means of incremental transmitters which limit the adjustment velocity as a function of the load and the travel direction, according to suitable characteristics to control inputs which are transformed from ship coordinates to actuator coordinates and converted according to Pythagoras' theorem to set values for the cylinder strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Hochleitner, Harald Gross
  • Patent number: 4465431
    Abstract: Disclosed is an overload protection apparatus for variable pitch propellers, particularly cycloidal propellers. The apparatus is of the kind having a hydraulic servomotor (2) with an adjustment rod (1) for actuating a propeller, and having mechanical restoration means comprising an auxilliary adjustment means for adjusting a restoring lever (5) via an intermediate lever (6). As disclosed, the restoring lever (5) is pivotally linked to a first arm of the intermediate lever (6) which in turn is pivotally mounted on said adjustment rod (1) at a fulcrum (9). The first and second arms of the intermediate lever extend from opposite sides of the fulcrum. The second arm of the intermediate lever preferably includes a slideway (15) which receives a slide-shoe (16) affixed to an auxilliary adjustment lever (7), which is preferably an angular lever on which the auxilliary adjustment means acts at the end (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Gross
  • Patent number: 4392780
    Abstract: A vertical rotatable shaft is fitted with sets of radial arms extending from it to which are connected the leading edges of vanes rotatable about that member as axis. The vanes have sheets of flexbile material so that they may act like sails under pressure of the wind. A cam track, machined in a horizontal surface of a planar member just adjacent and outside the path of the vanes, guides the trailing edges of the vanes so that as the shaft rotates, the vanes are oriented about their axes to reach, run and tack before the wind. The member having the surface defining the cam track is attached to a tail assembly that orients the cam track to the wind direction. The inner assembly, which is pinned to the shaft makes a power rotor. The outer assembly which is free to rotate independently of the shaft is a cam cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Inventor: John R. Taft
  • Patent number: 4380417
    Abstract: An installation for extracting useful work, such as driving an electric generator from a fluid stream, includes a platform rotatable about a central axis and supporting a plurality of blades or vanes, each of which is rotatable about its individual blade axis to vary the angle of attack between the blades and the fluid stream during each revolution of the platform. The blades are coupled together so that each blade executes a similar motion during each platform revolution and so that the angle of attack of the fluid stream relative to a given blade is substantially zero when the fluid stream direction is perpendicular to the plane including the central platform axis and the axis of the given blade, the amount of variation in blade angle of attack during each revolution is variable to compensate for variations in the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Fork
  • Patent number: 4301981
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided with a wing in the form of an annulus having an airfoil shape in radial section, the wing being concentrically mounted on a vertical axle shaft which in turn is rotatably carried by a mounting on the fuselage. Rotation of the wing drives air centrifugally across the upper and lower surfaces to energize the boundary layer, enhance laminar flow, and produce lift. Vanes may be mounted on the inner portion of the surface to increase the flow and thus produce greater life. The vanes may be attached to a stabilizer ring which is eccentrically adjustable by a controlling mechanism to vary the extension of the vanes into and out of the wing at various points in the cource of rotation and thus vary the degree of lift produced. The wing may also be provided within its inner perimeter with airfoil lifting blades which produce additional lift, and the blades may be swung by a stabilizer ring to positions producing a desired thrust in a desired direction as the wing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Inventor: Joseph Hartt
  • Patent number: 4299537
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a windmill comprising a vertical shaft mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a number of blades each pivotally mounted for angular orientation about a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the vertical shaft, supporting arms extending radially outwardly from the vertical shaft for supporting each blade, and interconnecting links connecting each of the blades to a junction adjacent the vertical shaft longitudinal axis for controlling the angular orientation of the blades relative to the supporting arms. The interconnecting links have inner ends connected to the junction and connect the blades together at corresponding points so that the blades counterbalance each other to resist centrifugal force during rotation of the windmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Inventor: Frederick C. Evans
  • Patent number: 4286923
    Abstract: An overload protection device for the drive engine of a propeller, wherein the pitch of the propeller blades may be adjusted: A servomotor with a piston therein and the servomotor being controlled by a control valve which is adjustable by an adjustment lever. The piston of the servomotor is connected via a push rod to the control station of the propeller. An adjustment device is associated with the control valve for adjusting the control valve in a direction to reduce the pitch thereof when drive engine overload occurs. A signal from the drive engine passes through a converter which magnifies it. The magnitude of the signal, as converted, is proportional to the loading of the drive engine. A reversing valve, controlled by the position of the control piston of the servomotor, operates a double acting piston connected with the operating rod of the control valve. Depending upon the shifting of the operating piston of the control valve, the servomotor is operated to adjust the pitch of the propeller blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Gross
  • Patent number: 4278894
    Abstract: A wind-driven power generator comprising a plurality of blades mounted between a pair of spoked wheels on a vertical column, said blades being connected through an eccentric rod system to a vane for detecting the direction of the wind and positioning the blades so that at least one blade on one side of said column is directed perpendicularly to the direction of the wind whereas the blade or blades on the opposite side of said column are directed parallel to the direction of the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Gelindo Ciman
  • Patent number: 4225286
    Abstract: A device for generating a thrust in a liquid utilizing rotating cylinders. The cylinders are mounted on a rotatable hub and rotate about their own axes relative to the hub. The relative rotation follows, preferably, a sinusoidal path for producing the thrust, and in particular, each cylinder undergoes a reversal in its direction of rotation after each half rotation of the hub. A common control bar is included which is connected to each cylinder and eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the hub so that the points of reversal and the direction of thrust can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Fork
  • Patent number: 4194707
    Abstract: A lift augmenting device to provide a vertical take-off capability in aircraft which includes a pair of rotor assemblies with independently individually pivoted rotor vanes so that the attitude of the vanes can be changed at different positions along the circumferential rotational path of the vanes as they rotate with the rotor assemblies to pump air therethrough and selectively generate lift on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas H. Sharpe
  • Patent number: 4084537
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flank drive for propelling a boat wherein a plurality of propeller housings are rotatably mounted in a wheel body about and in driving engagement with a normally stationary guide wheel centrally of the wheel body, which wheel body is rotated about its own central axis by means of a propulsion motor to carry the housings about the wheel body axis and rotate the housings about their own axes, so that the propeller housings undergo epicyclic motion.The propeller blade in each propeller housing can be adjusted relative to its housing passively by relative motion between abuttments or positively by means of an automatic hydraulic control to the most effective angle of attack, whereby the blades mainly exert flank force to the surrounding water. The guide wheel may be swivelled to steer the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Inventor: Horst Eichler
  • Patent number: 3941502
    Abstract: A screw propeller assembly comprising a propeller shaft rotatable co-axially with a swash member, a propeller having a hub connected to the propeller shaft by way of a universal joint wherein the hub is mounted to the universal joint indirectly through jointing members, the jointing members and swash plate co-operating to cause the axis of rotation of the hub to move at an incline to the axis of rotation of the propeller shaft thereby providing a paddle action to the propeller in addition to the rotary motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Inventor: Albert Jackson
  • Patent number: RE36514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new pole mounted revolving air circulating fan for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which simultaneously revolves around a vertical axis. The pole mounted revolving air circulating fan comprises a telescoping support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the ends of the support pole frictionally engaging the mounting surfaces. A fan, comprising a rotary air impeller coupled to an electric motor through a drive shaft, is revolvedly mounted on the vertical support pole. A generally cylindrical motor housing encloses the motor and the motor power supply leads. A blade guard, constructed of wire rods forming a substantially annularly shaped wire cage, encloses the impeller to prevent injury from contact therewith. The guard has a central hole through the back wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark