Responsive To Gravity Or Working Fluid Force Patents (Class 416/117)
  • Patent number: 11440650
    Abstract: An aircraft is provide including an airframe, an extending tail, and a counter rotating, coaxial main rotor assembly including an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly. A translational thrust system positioned at the extending tail, the translational thrust system providing translational thrust to the airframe. At least one flight control computer configured to independently control the upper rotor assembly and the lower rotor assembly through a fly-by-wire control system. A plurality of sensors to detect sensor data of at least one environmental condition and at least one aircraft state data, wherein the sensors provide the sensor data to the flight control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erez Eller, Matthew A. White, David H. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11346321
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a vertical-axis windmill including a rotating vertical shaft and at least one vane assembly mounted to the rotating vertical shaft. The vertical-axis windmill rotates around a vertical axis when wind impinges upon the vane assembly. During rotation, a planar sail of the vane assembly moves along an oscillatory arc of about 90°, with the planar sail assuming each of a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation once during each 360° rotation of the vertical shaft. As described below, this configuration advantageously allows the windmill to be self-starting and suited for operation at low wind-speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Leiter, Ellen Leiter
  • Patent number: 11313349
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine rotor with a base having a rotational centre, a top surface, a top surface edge, and a plurality of top plates disposed radially around the rotational centre. The rotational centre defines an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the top surface. The top surface extends radially from the rotational centre to the top surface edge. Each of the top plates has a leading edge coupled to the base. Each top plate is passively transitionable between a first position above at a first height, and a second position above the top surface at second height. The rotor may also have a bottom surface with a plurality of bottom plates coupled thereto and disposed radially around the rotational centre. The bottom plates can be passively transitionable between a raised position and lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen McCrudden
  • Patent number: 11231011
    Abstract: The invention is made up of a supporting tower on which a rotor is installed, which comprises two parallel crossarms having two parallel rings fastened to the outer ends thereof which serve as a support for the bearings which, secured to the outer casing, make up the rotor, and said casing fixed on the inside thereof comprises a toothed wheel for transmitting the force of rotation, by epicyclic gearing, to the interior of the tower which forms a space suitable for housing the transmission, which is necessarily vertical, and runs towards the multiplier box. The blades are formed on two horizontal parallel beams which are joined and compacted together by metal boxes which house the guiding mechanisms and shafts that support and orient the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: José Antonio Torrecilla Contreras
  • Patent number: 11225944
    Abstract: Wind energy assemblies which contain arrays of wind diodes, which arrays are assembled into a wind energy collector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventor: Randal S. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11203422
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotorcraft, comprising a rotor shaft, a torque transmission unit that is non-rotatably mounted to the rotor shaft, a rotor hub that is rotatably mounted to the rotor shaft via an associated angular displacement enabling component, and at least two rotor blades that are connected to the rotor hub, wherein the torque transmission unit is coupled to the at least two rotor blades on a rotor assembly outflow side via a pitch control unit, wherein the pitch control unit transmits to the at least two rotor blades torque that is applied from the rotor shaft to the torque transmission unit, and wherein the pitch control unit increases a respective pitch angle of the at least two rotor blades if the torque is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Moritz Buesing
  • Patent number: 11053017
    Abstract: A vehicle which includes a flight controller that is configured to receive one or more desired forces or moments associated with a plurality of rotors in the vehicle and determine a plurality of motor control signals for the plurality of rotors based at least in part on the desired forces or moments and an expected rotor noise produced by at least one of the plurality of rotors. The vehicle further includes the plurality of rotors, where the plurality of motor control signals is used to control the plurality of rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Cameron Robertson
  • Patent number: 10988244
    Abstract: A helicopter rotor hub assembly for coupling a pair of helicopter blades to a helicopter mast. It includes a yoke assembly and a pitch assembly. The yoke assembly includes a central section and first and second sections extending respectively on opposite sides of the central section. Each one of the first and second sections has a pair of elongated arms defining inbetween a bearing-receiving interspace. The pitch assembly includes first and second attachment plates extending respectively along the first and second sections of the yoke assembly and first and second pitch bearing assemblies. Each attachment plate is connected to a respective one of the helicopter blades. Each pitch bearing assembly extends in the bearing-receiving interspace of a respective one of the first and second sections of the yoke assembly. Each pitch bearing assembly contacts a respective one of attachment plates to allow a pitch movement of the helicopter blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LAFLAMME AERO INC.
    Inventors: Enrick Laflamme, André Dubois
  • Patent number: 10876520
    Abstract: The first aspect of the present invention is a speed-controlling transmission or apparatus. In a non-limiting example, the speed-controlling transmission or apparatus is adapted for use with driving, driven or energy-related devices, apparatuses or systems. The second aspect of the present invention is a wind turbine apparatus that comprises a wind turbine and a speed-controlling transmission or apparatus. A non-limiting example of a wind turbine includes a mandrel, a plurality of supporting arms or trusses, and a plurality of umbrella-like vanes. The wind turbine is adapted for rotating in a generally circular orientation with respect to the vertical axis of a turbine-receiving structure during operation wherein the circular orientation is generally parallel to a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Bruce Logan Shrewsbury
  • Patent number: 10823138
    Abstract: A method for installing a plurality of rotor blades to a rotatable hub secured atop a tower of a wind turbine includes providing a counterweight assembly having, at least, a mounting assembly and a counterweight mass secured at a distal end of the mounting assembly. The method also includes securing the mounting assembly at a first position on the hub of the wind turbine such that the counterweight mass biases the hub to rotate about its rotation axis in a first direction. Further, the method includes consecutively installing the plurality of rotor blades onto the hub of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes adjusting a position of the counterweight mass between each consecutive installation of the plurality of rotor blades to continuously change a center of gravity of the hub and maintain a balanced rotor of the wind turbine during installation of the plurality of rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
  • Patent number: 10732072
    Abstract: A device for testing a rotor blade of an aircraft. The device is configured to receive and secure a shaft of the rotor blade. Once secured, the device is configured to allow for inputting combined loads and bending moments into the rotor blade to simulate the rotor blade behavior in flight. A testing assembly is also disclosed that includes the device and the rotor blade and methods of use that provide for testing the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mario A. Valdez, Zach K. Stahlecker, Raymond L. Churchwell, Jay A. Schultz, David Darrow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10655603
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a turbine shaft transmits mechanical power, a vane support structure is coupled to the turbine shaft, a vane is coupled to the vane support structure through a vane shaft, a balancing weight is coupled to a first location of the vane, and an alignment weight is coupled to a second location of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Noel Richard Potter
  • Patent number: 10543901
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the pitch angle of a propeller and rotor assembly that selectively limit the pitch angle according to a selected mode of operation. The system comprises a fine stop collar defining a primary channel, an oil transfer bearing (OTB) extending across the fine stop collar, and an actuator piston engaged with a propeller blade crankshaft to vary propeller blade pitch, wherein the annular piston is positioned about the OTB in fluid communication with the primary channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krzysztof Miskiewicz, Aleksander Krzysztof Szymandera, Piotr Szymanski, Adam Przadka
  • Patent number: 10526076
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency. A vertically oriented vibration attenuator is configured to oppose and attenuate vertical rotor induced oscillatory forces that would otherwise travel vertical down the rotor mast and into the airframe. A vibration attenuator having weights rotating about separate axes offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, David A. Popelka, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 10502183
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotation axis suited to be positioned in space in any way and N blades indirectly constrained to the axis through one or more radial arms that are integral with the axis, wherein the blades can translate in a radial direction with respect to the axis during the rotation of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Tommaso Morbiato
  • Patent number: 10473089
    Abstract: A vertical axis turbine is disclosed, having a vertically oriented rotor shaft, a plurality of radially extended arms rotatably mounted on the rotor shaft, and a chassis at the distal end of each. For each chassis, an upper blade set is on an upper portion, having upper blade panels interconnected pivotally by upper guide links, and a lower blade set is on a lower portion, having lower blade panels interconnected pivotally by lower guide links. Each chassis has an upper shaft with an upper gear, coupled to the upper guide links, and a lower shaft with a lower gear coupled to the lower guide links. The upper gear and the lower gear mesh, limiting rotation of the upper shaft and lower shaft to opposite directions with similar rotational speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Ali Mobaraki
  • Patent number: 10408190
    Abstract: Turbine systems comprising at least one blade that (i) has a pocket to receive wind and (ii) a closed edge that cuts through the wind with greater efficiency are disclosed. The blades can be stacked along a central hub to increase the effective area of the turbine blade system. When stacked, the blades are spaced apart in an amount sufficient to allow wind to pass between the blades as the closed edge of the blade cuts through the wind thereby decreasing wind resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Robert B. Deioma
  • Patent number: 10400748
    Abstract: A wind driven turbine is capable of generating electricity in a wide range of wind speeds and in any wind direction. The turbine employs sets of vertical blades that rotate a vertical drive shaft which in turn attaches on its lower end to an electricity generator. Each set of vertical blades is pivotally attached to a central support member so that the blades pivot toward each other to a closed position when rotating into the wind to provide less surface area for the wind to exert force against. Blades of each set of vertical blades also pivot away from each other when rotating away from the wind to provide more surface area for the wind to exert force against. The force of the wind on the blades causes them to pivot open and closed and to cause the drive shaft to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Roberto S. Sagel
  • Patent number: 10385824
    Abstract: The present invention is a wind turbine that includes a mandrel, a plurality of supporting arms or trusses, and a plurality of umbrella-like vanes. The wind mandrel is adapted for rotating in a generally circular orientation with respect to a vertical axis of a turbine-receiving structure during operation wherein the circular orientation is generally parallel to a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Bruce Logan Shrewsbury
  • Patent number: 10359024
    Abstract: A wind turbine for converting wind into mechanical energy, includes a support and a vane rotatably connected to the support, the vane including an elongated body and a wind receptacle formed as a lid hinged to the body such that the receptacle can adopt an open configuration wherein the lid is hinged away from the body, and a closed configuration wherein the lid is hinged towards the body, the lid having an outer surface directed away from the wind when the receptacle takes the open configuration, and an opposite inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the lid is provided with profiles protruding from the inner surface, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vane, and wherein the profiles diverge toward the site where the lid is hinged to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Helena Hendrikus Joosten
  • Patent number: 10309368
    Abstract: To an installation base fixed to the seabed surface, a vertical cylindrically shaped rotating body is attached to be able to rotate. Mounting frames are attached in a radially manner from the outer circumference of the rotary body. At the top side positions of the mounting frames, pressure receiving plates of flat plate shapes, of a specific gravity slightly smaller and lighter than seawater, and giving rise to buoyancy are attached by butterfly joints to be able to pivot. Further, stoppers and stoppers stopping the pressure receiving plates to within an angular range from slightly below the horizontal or 4° to the substantially vertical or 90° are provided. The rotation of the rotary body is increased to turn the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Chikao Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10208734
    Abstract: A lift-driven wind turbine has a turbine rotor with blades mounted to the turbine shaft by two struts hinged to the shaft and each blade to form a four-bar linkage. The blades' airfoil cross section generates lift that rotates the blades around the axis in the presence of a prevailing wind. The airfoil chord forms a geometric angle of attack ?G relative to the tangent of the blade path and the struts orient the blades with an outward tilt angle ?. The turbine is designed with values of ?G and ? that cause the lift generated by each blade to have an upward component that supports the blade against the force of gravity and a mean radially inward component that substantially balances centrifugal forces on the blade. Wind turbines designed according to the principles disclosed herein facilitate the construction of free-floating utility scale wind turbines for deep water installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Continuum Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Boschitsch, Alan J. Bilanin, Glen R. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 10145358
    Abstract: A wind turbine for converting wind into mechanical energy, includes a support and a vane rotatably connected to the support, the vane including a wind receptacle that can adopt a first configuration when the vane is in a position to travel in the direction of the wind, in which first configuration the receptacle has a first capacity to convert wind force into motion of the vane, and a second configuration when the vane is in a position to travel against the direction of the wind, in which second configuration the receptacle has a second capacity to convert wind force into motion of the vane, the second capacity being lower than the first capacity, wherein the turbine is provided with an arrangement that is operable to force the receptacle to adopt at least one of the configurations independent from the direction of the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Helena Hendrikus Joosten
  • Patent number: 9988146
    Abstract: A balancing apparatus for a rotary element is provided and includes a central hub portion and radial elements extending outwardly from the central hub portion. The balancing apparatus includes a conduit extending along the radial elements via the central hub portion, a mass movable within the conduit between the radial elements via the central hub portion and a mass balancing system which directs a movement of the mass within the conduit into and out of the central hub portion and along the radial elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: William A. Welsh
  • Patent number: 9989037
    Abstract: Vertical axis wind turbine, indistinctly applicable in land or sea, the main characteristic of which is its low visual impact due to the collapse of its tower and rotor as required by environmental or meteorological conditions. It is constituted by a structure that includes a base (3, 5), a plurality of supporting arms (10, 13), an elevation set (6, 7, 8) and a drive shaft (17) that acts on the generating elements (29) arranged at the base. Said structure supports a rotor (1) and its corresponding blades (2), attached by means of motorized shafts (20) that collapse and expand the blades (2) over the rotor (1). Whenever the electric motor (6) winds the tensioning element (8) attached to two pairs of lower arms (10), they rotate at their base and intermediate point and raise, during their movement, the upper arms (13) and the drive shaft (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Federico Mendieta Echevarria
  • Patent number: 9975630
    Abstract: A rotor system of a rotary wing aircraft, such as a helicopter, is provided. The rotor system includes a rotor mast, a rotor hub and at least four, angularly generally even distributed rotor blades and swash plate struts for pitch and subsequently flap control. The rotor blades are pairwise to each other with zero offset to the rotor hub. The rotor hub is provided with a hollow bearing with at least one further bearing inside. A first pair of rotor blades is mounted on the hollow bearing and is pivotable in a first flap direction generally perpendicular to the rotation axis. A second pair of rotor blades is mounted inside the hollow bearing on the at least one further bearing and is pivotable in a second flap direction generally perpendicular to the first flap direction and the rotation axis, and independently of the first pair of rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Kaspar Von-Wilmowsky
  • Patent number: 9970416
    Abstract: The invention is an energy conversion device driven by wind power, comprising a housing to protect the working components of the device from environmental damage and to insure correct flow of air through the device, at least one directing element, connected to the housing, air exit and entrance openings, one or more separating surfaces inside the housing, inside components forming a carousel, a frame structure surrounding the components inside the housing, set of sails, wherein each sail is comprised of a pair of blades connected by a hinge-like structure, wherein the free end of one of said blades is connected to said separating surface by a rail and the free end of the other of said blades is connected to a fixed point on said frame structure, a transmission system and lifting means for adjustment of the height of the structure above the ground or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Anatoli Pekelis, Adam Dekel
  • Patent number: 9777707
    Abstract: A windmill for generating electricity is described, which contains several improvements that enable the blades of the windmill to be much wider than conventional electricity-generating windmill blades. The rotor containing the blades will also change direction to capture the largest amount of wind energy available. The windmill includes a “shroud” surrounding the blades, which increases the wind velocity through the blades. Support structures for the windmill are described, and also a method of using the windmill to store electricity to use later is shown. The windmill is more stable than conventional windmills. A method of using a windmill to generate electricity is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Darell Allen Williams
  • Patent number: 9587631
    Abstract: A combined vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and vertical axis solar turbine (VAST) is disclosed. The apparatus has a plurality of counter rotating solar/wind collection panels which are mounted on respective counter rotating collars. The orientation of the panels is controlled by servo motors. Torque from the counter rotating collars is combined by a set of gears with the combined torque driving rotation of a power collecting column. Torque from the power collecting column is transmitted to a power transfer column through gears in a gearbox and then to a flywheel which has an armature as part of a motor generator whereby mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy with the motor generator. Solar energy from the PV panels is routed to a power conditioning unit which is also connected to the motor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: David John Pristash
  • Patent number: 9512822
    Abstract: Rotation device of a wind turbine blade, which comprises a hydraulic actuator to rotate said blade in relation to a longitudinal axis of rotation, and a hydraulic system to drive the actuator, wherein said actuator comprises a substantially toroidal hydraulic chamber concentric with the axis of rotation of the blade, said hydraulic chamber comprising at least one moving piston linked to the blade, and at least one respective fixed stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DCO Servosistemas, S.L.
    Inventors: Juan Gorostegui Eceiza, Juan Gorostegui Garmendia
  • Patent number: 9493151
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a torque determining device for determining respective divided torques outputted from a first electric motor and a second electric motor on the basis of total torque required for driving of a hybrid vehicle; a torque correcting device for correcting the respective divided torques of the first electric motor and the second electric motor such that pulsation torque of an internal combustion engine on a drive shaft is canceled by the respective divided torques outputted from the first electric motor and the second electric motor and such that the respective divided torques of the first electric motor and the second electric motor are directed opposite to each other with respect to the drive shaft; and a controlling device for controlling each of the first electric motor and the second electric motor so as to output respective one of the corrected divided torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Gen Kato
  • Patent number: 9452828
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency. A vertically oriented vibration attenuator is configured to oppose and attenuate vertical rotor induced oscillatory forces that would otherwise travel vertical down the rotor mast and into the airframe. A vibration attenuator having weights rotating about separate axes offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, David A. Popelka, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 9415252
    Abstract: A rotor with variable hydrodynamic resistance for a stationary water bicycle comprises a central body provided on its perimeter with a plurality of blades of the marine type comprising an inlet edge, an outlet edge and a convex helical surface, as well as provided on opposite outer faces with axles per pedals, wherein each blade, at the outlet edge, is connected to the rotor with elastic fixing means adapted to allow the automatic orientation of the blade as a function of the rotation speed imparted to the rotor through the pedals, the central body houses means for adjusting the maximum possible opening comprising a mechanical end stop element movable for modifying the maximum possible opening of each blade, such means for adjusting the maximum possible opening of the blades being able to be actuated by control means connected at one end to the means for adjusting the maximum possible opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ESSENUOTO ITALIA DI DELLE DONNE DANIELE & C. S.A.S.
    Inventor: Daniele Delle Donne
  • Patent number: 9377006
    Abstract: A vertical wind turbine to catch the wind force characterized by its system of aerodynamic panels are provided with blades fixed into horizontal axis that open and close simultaneously and symmetrically upward and downward due the gears like the butterfly wings rotated by 90° of its normal position, it is like opens an umbrella horizontally to receive on one side the wind buoyancy or pressure and in the other side close by the action of the wind. The top and bottom blades works as counterweight one to another both to open and close (flatness) which makes your weight null in relation to the effort of wind to open or close them independent of the self-weight of the blades what propitiate the maximum use of the wind force in the traction side without loss to the return of the blades to the traction position driving a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Flávio Francisco Dulcetti Filho
  • Patent number: 9121388
    Abstract: Vertical-axis wind turbine composed of first and second independent coaxial rotors (1 and 2), which coincide in the horizontal position, when mounted on one and the same vertical shaft (35), with the ability to rotate in opposite directions. The first and second rotors (1 and 2) bear blades (10 to 13) and (20 to 23) which are articulated to said rotors on non-coinciding vertical shafts (16-26). The blades (10 to 13) and (20 to 23) have curved active surfaces directed, on each rotor, in the same direction but in the opposite direction from the blades of the other rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DOBGIR, S.L.
    Inventor: Jose Manuel Juan Andreu
  • Patent number: 9074580
    Abstract: A staggered multi-level vertical axis wind turbine includes a cage structure including wind directing elements arranged circumferentially about outer edges thereof. Within the cage structure is a rotor including a centrally located shaft orientated along an axis and extending at least from one end of the cage structured to another end. The rotor includes a first rotor level of torque generating elements of a first type coupled to the shaft. The rotor includes a second rotor level of torque generating elements of a second type coupled to the shaft. The rotor includes a third rotor level including torque generating elements of the first type coupled to the shaft. The wind directing elements receive and re-direct wind onto the torque generating elements of the various levels, thereby producing torque and causing the rotor to spin. The rotor is coupled to an electrical generator, which generates clean and renewable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Tom B. Curtis
  • Patent number: 9062650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a Wells turbine, comprising a hub with a plurality of rotor blades having a drop-shaped profile orienting from a profile nose; the rotor blades are attached to the hub in a rotary fashion by means of a foot part such that the rotor blade angle is variable with respect to the plane of rotation, wherein the associated rotational axis intersects the chord for each profile section in a threading point, which is located in a region between the profile nose and the aerodynamic center of the profile; the adjustment of the blade angle is made passively by the equilibrium occurring during the operation of the wells turbine between the aerodynamic torque, acting on the rotor blades, and the centrifugal torque, wherein the average density of the rotor blade is selected to be less than 2700 kg/m3 and/or the mass distribution within the profile is selected such that the surface centrifugal torque of the rotor blade is reduced relative to a profile made from a solid and/or the surface centrifugal to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Raphael Arlitt, Helmut Bronowski, Jochen Weilepp, Michael Engelhardt, Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20150118050
    Abstract: A wind turbine for converting wind into mechanical energy, includes a support and a vane rotatably connected to the support, the vane including a wind receptacle that can adopt a first configuration when the vane is in a position to travel in the direction of the wind, in which first configuration the receptacle has a first capacity to convert wind force into motion of the vane, and a second configuration when the vane is in a position to travel against the direction of the wind, in which second configuration the receptacle has a second capacity to convert wind force into motion of the vane, the second capacity being lower than the first capacity, wherein the turbine is provided with an arrangement that is operable to force the receptacle to adopt at least one of the configurations independent from the direction of the wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Helena Hendrikus JOOSTEN
  • Patent number: 8933575
    Abstract: A hydroelectric machine and system is disclosed comprising an electric generator and water turbine configured for direct immersion into a naturally flowing body of water such as the ocean, stream, or a tidal basin. In one embodiment, the water turbine includes a rotor having plurality of pivotably moveable blades which sequentially open and close to capture fluid or kinetic energy when exposed to the water current from any direction. In one embodiment, the blades are arranged in overlapping relationship to maximize the number of blades and active blade surface area for capturing fluid energy and reducing flow turbulence around the water turbine. Various embodiments include arcuately curved blades and reverse curved trailing edges for early capture of fluid and initiation of the blade extension outwards from the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Harold Lipman
  • Patent number: 8899927
    Abstract: A device is described herein that harnesses wind energy by employing large rectangular airfoils mounted on a rotating frame. As the frame rotates, sliders cause the airfoils to expand and contract in a cyclical pattern. The aerodynamic drag of the airfoils is maximized during the power stroke and minimized during the recoil stroke. When subjected to wind, the wind causes more pressure on the expanded airfoils than the contracted ones, which drives rotation of the entire frame. The design is highly scalable, limited only by stiffness and strength limitations of the materials used in its construction. It may be possible to achieve efficiency of power generation that greatly surpasses that of traditional propeller style windmills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: John Andrew Nelsen
  • Patent number: 8747070
    Abstract: A spinning horizontal axis wind turbine is disclosed. The blades of the wind turbine are configured to allow the blades to simultaneously rotate in a vertical axis and a horizontal axis when acted upon by an external force such as a wind current. The tip of each blade travels along a helical “figure 8” pattern as the blade rotates through a complete cycle, moving from nearly vertical to nearly horizontal in a complete cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Greg E Blonder
  • Patent number: 8702390
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a hub including at least three spaced projections and a hub cap; at least three blades each including a root plate at one end, with the root plate including a sleeve having a hole on a windward side; at least three shaft members each interconnecting the root plate and a corresponding projection; at least three sets of four abutment plates each secured to either side of the root plate or either side of the projection; U-shaped steel torsion bars each having both ends at an inclined angle of about 15 to 25 degrees fastened in the abutment plate and disposing the root plate at an angle of about 4 to 10 degrees with respect to the corresponding projection; a spring on the rotation shaft on a leeward side of the hub; and pins each installed in a hub cap and sticking into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Chang Gung University
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Sun
  • Patent number: 8696313
    Abstract: Improvements in A wind generator, that may also be called and relates to, windmill, turbine or aero generator, on a vertical axis. The vertical axis gives the windmill the ability to be turned by air, or liquid if inverted, from any direction parallel to the earth's surface. Multiple blades rotate through a horizontal axis into the wind to lessen air resistance on one side while turning vertically on the other side to gain energy from the wind. The system is counter-weighted as needed, to reduce energy loss, by different methods including but not limited to gears, levers, pneumatics, cables, hydraulics or added counter-weight. The electrical generating machinery is below the blades or at the bottom of the vertical drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Peter G. R. Deeley
  • Publication number: 20140037450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic device of reversible type adapted to be used both as a water turbine and a hydraulic pump. Said device has characteristics of simplicity of construction and use. In the case of use as a water turbine it does not require distributors of a particular shape and does not require drops of great heights being adapted to take advantage of the pressure of the fluid and not only of the speed thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Abdullah Amirian
  • Publication number: 20130145753
    Abstract: An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Francis A. DiBella, Kevin D. Fairman, Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 8459949
    Abstract: A wind power generator with variable windmill wings, which has an installation mount; a vertical rotating shaft; a bearing; inner wing installation units; support rods; outer wing installation units; support rings; vertical support rods; windmill wings; support units installed on the vertical rotating shaft between the groups of the windmill wings made in the up/down multi-stage fashion, and connected to holders through wires; a power generator installed on the bottom surface of the central portion of the installation mount; windmill wing moving units installed on the vertical rotating shaft above the inner wing installation units to be movable in the up/down direction and fixing displacements of the windmill wings; and a driving device with a worm wheel installed on the bottom end side of the vertical rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: In-nam Lee
  • Patent number: 8439640
    Abstract: A propeller blade pitch control system includes a propeller hub for mounting at least one propeller blade, and a propeller shaft which rotates about an axis to rotationally drive the propeller hub. A pitch change yoke located within the propeller hub is configured to change a pitch of the at least one propeller blade in response to hydraulic fluid flow to a pitch change actuator. A propeller gearbox includes a first, rear end and a second, forward end located between the first, rear end and the pitch change yoke, and is configured to apply torque to the propeller hub. A hydraulic transfer bearing located between the first, rear end and the second, forward end of the propeller gearbox is operable to selectively permit a flow of hydraulic fluid from at least one hydraulic flow controller to the pitch change actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David V. Arel, Robert H. Perkinson
  • Patent number: 8439641
    Abstract: A system for converting between fluid movement, such as wind, and mechanical rotation is disclosed. The system includes a support which is rotatable about a first axis orthogonal to the direction of fluid movement and at least one panel mounted on the support for rotation about a said axis. The panel includes a matrix of flaps (elementary panels) mounted on the panel framework for rotation about a multiple secondary axes; and retaining hardware serving to resist rotation of the said flaps during a first portion of the rotation cycle of the support and permitting the flaps to rotate freely during a second portion of said cycle. The panel provides a driving torque during said first portion of the cycle and moving freely to an orientation of minimum fluid resistance during said second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Avigdor Steinberg, Yury Pleshov, Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 8403641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade tip and actuator assembly and method for controlling the speed of a wind turbine rotor blade. The invention consists of a moveable and turnable blade tip, an actuator assembly for turning the blade tip, control rods, cables and springs for controlling the blade tip, a magnet assembly for holding the blade tip in position and a hydraulic damping cylinder for controlling the rate at which the blade tip deploys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Paul Lewis Gay
  • Patent number: 8366403
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, at least one heater for heating a first portion of the air flow, and a casing comprising at least one air outlet for emitting the first portion of the air flow, and first channel for conveying the first portion of the air flow to the at least one air outlet. To cool part of the casing, the casing diverts a second portion of the air flow away from the at least one heater, and comprises a second channel for conveying the second portion of the air flow along an internal surface of the casing. This second portion of the air flow may merge with the first portion within the casing, or it may be emitted through at least one second air outlet of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John David Wallace, Chang Hin Choong