Plural Impellers Having Relative Movement Or Independent Supports Patents (Class 416/120)
  • Patent number: 11884414
    Abstract: Engine has core compressor, combustor and turbine, fan located upstream of core and supersonic intake for slowing down incoming air at inlet formed by intake, bypass duct surrounding engine core, fan generates airflow to engine core and bypass airflow through bypass duct. Engine has mixer for exhaust gas flow exiting engine core, bypass airflow exiting bypass duct, thrust nozzle for discharging mixed flows, and controller for thrust produced by engine. To change level of engine thrust between transonic push operation and supersonic cruise operation, controller adjusts one or more components which vary relative areas available for hot exhaust gas flow and cold bypass airflow at mixer while holding fan inlet non-dimensional mass flow w ?{square root over (?)} T/P substantially constant, where w is mass flow of incoming air at fan inlet, T is stagnation temperature of incoming air at fan inlet and P is stagnation pressure of incoming air at fan inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert J Corin, John R Whurr
  • Patent number: 11608813
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling and monitoring agricultural equipment. The system includes a monitoring module that communicates with a remote user device to remotely turn a wind machine on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: WESTBROOK LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry Westbrook, VI, Neil Schultz
  • Patent number: 10968893
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower structure configured to hold a nacelle with a rotor and a parking structure for holding the rotor. To improve the ability to carry out maintenance and to allow easier assembly and disassembly of the wind turbine, the parking structure is configured to connect the rotor directly to the tower structure to thereby allow removal of the nacelle while the rotor remains fixed to the tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Ivar J. B. K. Jensen, Gunnar K. Storgaard Pedersen, Henrik Kudsk
  • Patent number: 10367441
    Abstract: A modular, electricity generating apparatus comprises an elongate, central member comprising a first end and a second end; at least one foil disposed about the central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; the solar foil comprising an outer surface having photovoltaic properties; the first end and the second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; and, the elongate central member at least partially formed of an electrically conductive material and configured to conduct electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Charles Martin Sieger
  • Patent number: 10316758
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a geared architecture for driving a fan about an axis. The geared architecture includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis, a plurality of planet gears driven by the sun gear and a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of planet gears. A carrier supports the plurality of planet gears. The geared architecture includes a power transfer parameter (PTP) defined as power transferred through the geared architecture divided by gear volume multiplied by a gear reduction ratio and is between about 219 and 328.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10316665
    Abstract: A shaft coupling between a first shaft and a second shaft includes a seal assembly to minimize leakage. The seal assembly includes a ring press fit against an inner surface of the first shaft and a clearance fit with an inner surface of the second shaft. A seal is supported between the ring and the inner surface of the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Scott D. Virkler
  • Patent number: 10287917
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a geared architecture for driving a fan about an axis. The geared architecture includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis, a plurality of planet gears driven by the sun gear and a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of planet gears. A carrier supports the plurality of planet gears. The geared architecture includes a power transfer parameter (PTP) defined as power transferred through the geared architecture divided by gear volume multiplied by a gear reduction ratio and is between about 430 and 645.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9605854
    Abstract: A fan support and storage apparatus for use in cooling a user's torso while the user is positioned adjacent the apparatus includes a base member having upper and lower portions. The apparatus includes a tubular support member having a first end operatively coupled to the base member and a second end opposite the first end. The support member has an elongate tubular configuration extending upwardly from the base member and supported in a vertical configuration above the base member. A fan assembly is slidably coupled to the support member and selectively movable therealong between the first and second ends of the support member. A fan drawer assembly is slidably coupled to the support member adjacent the fan member that is being slidably movable between the first and second ends of the support member. One or more accessory drawer assemblies may be slidably coupled to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Barbara D. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9440720
    Abstract: A paddle device, where this principle described may be configured to accommodate canoe, kayak, paddle boards or any similar watercraft using a paddle type device. This paddle device comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end with a paddle-like blade having a proximal end and a distal end and coupled to the second end of the shaft. This paddle blade device is equipped with one or more multi-blade propellers that are mounted on the paddle blade. The multi-blade propeller or multi-blade propellers are driven by the pulling motion of the paddler or driven by the action of the natural water current the paddler is navigating. The propeller is designed to swivel so as to keep the propeller blade more in direct alignment with the force of the water driving it. This insures that the propeller is at the most efficient angle to help propel and control the watercraft. The propeller or propellers are protected with a lattice type guard on both sides of the paddle blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Kidder Sawyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9352816
    Abstract: An oar rowing device that may be configured to accommodate a canoe, rowboat, rowing skull or any similar watercraft using an oar rowing device. This oar rowing device blade is equipped with one or more multi-blade propeller housing each having a multi-blade propeller. Each propeller housing with a multi-blade propeller is open on both sides of the oar rowing blade. This oar rowing blade may also be equipped with cone shaped orifice housings through the oar rowing blade each having a center rotating cone shape with inner ribs and grooves. The pulling stroke of the oar rowing device generates the kinetic energy to put into motion the multi-blade propeller and the inner rotating cone shape orifice device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Kidder Sawyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9109811
    Abstract: A heat pump water heater assembly is provided. The heat pump water heater assembly comprises a water tank, a cover having opposing first and second surfaces, a compressor, a connector configured to connect the compressor to the first surface of the cover, and at least one bracket comprising a first section mounted to the second surface of the cover by the connector and a second section extending outward from the first section and into a space between the water tank and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel Duplessis, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20150037151
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power generation device (1), comprising a shaft column (11) and at least two blade units (12-17), wherein the blade units (12-17) are sheathed onto the shaft column (11) and capable of rotating around the shaft column (11), the adjacent s blade units rotate in opposite rotational directions, each blade unit (12-17) has a plurality of arm portions (121-171) and a plurality of movable blades (122-172), the arm portions (121-171) extend radially outwardly from the shaft column (11), each of the movable blades is connected to one side of the corresponding arm portion and, after passing through a first radial centre line (19) of the shaft column (11), expands gradually, and after being expanded, does not interfere with the adjacent blade unit, the first radial centre line (19) is parallel to a fluid flow direction, and each of the movable blades is gradually closed after it rotates through a rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Sheng-Chu Tai
  • Publication number: 20140203564
    Abstract: A platform-like device for generating electricity from moving fluids has two has at least two fluid turbines coupled to one another through a frame. The fluid turbines are adapted to rotate in opposite directions. The fluid turbines also provide buoyancy for the platform so that the platform is self supporting in the water. The fluid turbines preferably have helicoid flights (screw-like threads) mounted to generally prolate casings. The fluid turbines preferably connect to electric generators through belt, chain-drive, or other transmission systems. The platform may additional support a wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Natural Power Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: John Pitre
  • Patent number: 8777554
    Abstract: A fan system is disclosed having a forward fan stage configured to pressurize an airflow and an aft fan stage having a tip-fan configured to pressurize a first portion of a pressurized air flow from the forward fan stage wherein the aft fan stage is driven by a second portion of the pressurized airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Lewis Baughman
  • Publication number: 20140112777
    Abstract: A system for mitigating wake losses in a windfarm is disclosed. The system may include a first horizontal axis wind turbine configured to rotate in a first direction and a second horizontal axis wind turbine positioned adjacent to the first horizontal axis wind turbine. The second horizontal axis wind turbine configured to rotate in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Chiranjeev Kalra, Stefan Kern, Henk-Jan Kooijman
  • Patent number: 8657560
    Abstract: An energy extraction device for extracting energy from a flow of fluid is provided. The energy extraction device comprises a rotating member for rotatably mounting to a support structure, at least one rotatable bank of blades connected to the rotating member through a connection disposed radially from the main axis of rotation of the rotating member, and, a pitch control system for controlling the angular position of the at least one rotatable bank of blades relative to a direction of the flow of fluid. The rotating member has a main axis of rotation and the at least one bank of blades comprises an array of spaced-apart blades secured together. Each of the at least one bank of blades has a bank axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: WATT3 Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Grenier, Thomas Grenier-Desbiens, Alex Grenier-Desbiens, Jérôme Grenier-Desbiens
  • Publication number: 20130328320
    Abstract: A wind power rotor has a first and second rotor device. The first rotor device rotates about a first axis of rotation and has at least two rotor blades moving on a peripheral track about the first axis of rotation. The rotor blades are such that they describe a virtual first shell surface of a virtual first rotating body upon rotation about the first axis of rotation. The second rotor device rotates about a second axis of rotation and has a second rotating body with a closed second shell surface. The second rotating body is arranged at least partially inside of the virtual first rotating body. The first rotor device can be driven by wind in a first direction of rotation and the second rotor device has a drive device, and can be driven in a second direction of rotation which is opposite that of the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Jost Seifert
  • Patent number: 8562283
    Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20130236306
    Abstract: A wind power generating system in which a plurality of stationary modules form a toroidal shaped tower that accelerates wind passing around and between the modules due to the Bernoulli Effect. Between the modules are located a plurality of vertical axis wind turbine rotors with an integrated generator system that in combination forms an integrated rotor and generator assembly connected to a rotatable yaw platform via an improved support arm. The rotor and generator assemblies act independently of each other to accommodate different wind conditions at different altitudes and to provide partial production to significantly enhance overall wind production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Cory
  • Patent number: 8438829
    Abstract: A turboprop propulsion unit includes at least one pusher propeller 5, 6 driven by an aircraft gas-turbine engine, with the aircraft gas-turbine engine being arranged in front of the pusher propeller 5, 6 in a direction of flight. A turbine outlet area 9 is arranged at the front in the direction of flight and a compressor area 14 faces towards the pusher propeller 5, 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Dimitrie Negulescu
  • Patent number: 8430635
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a system fan and an exterior fan to a chassis includes a mounting bracket and a plurality of connecting members. The mounting bracket includes a rectangular hollow frame and x-shaped spoke fixed in the rectangular hollow frame. Each of the connecting members includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion extending from an end of the first connecting portion. The system fan is secured to the chassis by the first connecting portion each running through the mounting bracket, the chassis, and the system fan. The exterior fan is secured to the chassis by fastening means each running through the exterior fan and one second connecting portion of the connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Zhu Chen, Lei Liu
  • Patent number: 8414250
    Abstract: A machine train includes a drive unit, preferably a steam turbine with axial exhaust flow, a geared turbine machine, and an additional compressor. The geared turbine machine has an integrated gear train with a drive pinion for driving turbine machine rotors via a large gear, and an output pinion of a rotational speed reduction power gear for driving the additional compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventors: Ole Hansen, Arindam Khan, Klaus-Dieter Mohr, Gerd-Ulrich Woelk, Hans-Otto Jeske
  • Patent number: 8382434
    Abstract: A counter-rotating fluid-propelling apparatus uses an oblong drive mechanism being oriented substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of a pair of counter-rotating impellers and which temporarily and simultaneously engages the edges of the impellers while they are in substantial contact. Each impellers can include a number of substantially rectangular planar panels, hingedly connected to one another along common edges to vertices. Each impeller has an axis of rotation that passes lengthwise through the middle of the impeller such that the axis is parallel to and equidistant from the panel edges. The impellers counter-rotate and remain in constant contact with respect to one another. During each revolution of the impellers, each of the panels of one impeller contacts its counterpart on the other impeller so that planar panels meet flat surface to flat surface and vertex to vertex. The impellers collapse so that constant contact is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Phillip Createman
  • Publication number: 20130041636
    Abstract: A method for providing potential flow elements including a vortex to capture rotation of a turbine, a dipole to capture a blockage effect of the turbine, a sink to capture extracted energy from wind by the turbine, and a source to capture recovery of flow due to inflow from around the turbine is described. Methods for providing configurations of a VAWT array based on a desired attribute of the array, using a low-order model when the array is subject to physical constraints are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Anna CRAIG, John Oluseun DABIRI
  • Patent number: 8348605
    Abstract: Device for discharging a fluid (5) fed into a reaction chamber (1) containing solid particles fluidized by said fluid, through a rotary chamber (100) provided with a finned wheel (13) having fins (14), which may deliver into said reaction chamber the solid particles that are concentrated along the rotary circular wall (8) of said rotary chamber under the effect of the centrifugal force, and processes for the catalytic polymerization, combustion, gasification, drying, impregnation, coating or other treatments of solid particles in suspension in a fluid or for the cracking, dehydrogenation or other catalytic conversions of a fluid using this device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Axel de Broqueville
    Inventor: Axel de Broqueville
  • Patent number: 8317477
    Abstract: Disclosed is a simultaneous twin pitch adjustment system that includes a flexible shafting cord operatively connected to first and second couplers. The couplers are supported by posts and are operatively connected to pitch communicators. A handle is supported by each post and is configured such that manipulation of the handle translates to adjustment of the pitch of an associated rotor blade assembly. When the simultaneous twin pitch adjustment system is engaged, manipulation of one handle further translates, via the flexible shafting cord, to adjustment of the pitch of another rotor blade assembly in an amount essentially equal to the amount the associated rotor blade assembly is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Multiquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Julius
  • Patent number: 8267660
    Abstract: A fan module includes a framework and at least two blade assemblies arranged inside the framework. Each blade assembly includes at least two blade units arranged in line. The rotating direction of each blade assembly is opposite to that of adjacent blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Jui Huang
  • Publication number: 20120163976
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides blades for vertical axis turbines capable of being operated by airflow and/or fluid. The turbine performance is optimized and adjusted with respect to an installation site adapting the turbine to the site and flow needs by modifying the blade's form. The blades can be configured so as to be capable of adjusting the position angle of its ends, leading to an increase in stability, particularly when the turbine reaches high rotational speeds. This configuration also provides the turbine with the ability to self-start more efficiently. The changeable blade ends can give the turbine the ability to absorb the energy of the fluid flow when it reaches the turbine at almost any angle in a vertical or horizontal plane and therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Nelson C. BATISTA, Rui MELÍCIO, João P.S. CATALÃO
  • Publication number: 20120070287
    Abstract: A propeller for an aircraft turbine engine comprising a plurality of vanes as well as a hub having a plurality of accommodating ports receiving the bases of said vanes, each vane base being rotatably mounted in its associated accommodating port. The propeller also has at least one vane retaining ring structure in the radial direction outwardly from the hub, being cladded around the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (Societe Par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventors: Laurent Lafont, Damien Prat, Lionel Diochon
  • Patent number: 8133005
    Abstract: A blower includes a housing and a plurality of impellers. The impellers are disposed in the housing, and a mutual air-gathering passage is formed between the impellers and the housing. Compared to the prior art, the mutual air-gathering passage of the blower of the present invention can collect the airflow and stabilize the airflow. Thus, the air pressure at the air outlet is increased, and the overall airflow performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Chun Hsu, Shun-Chen Chang, Wen-Shi Huang
  • Patent number: 8123482
    Abstract: A device for holding a hydraulic turbomachine in position, the turbomachine comprising a drive shaft along which are distributed turbines designed to rotate the drive shaft when they are immersed in a moving liquid, each turbine comprising drive blades distributed around the drive shaft, the device comprising at least one post extending along at least more than half of the length of the drive shaft and formed of the stacking of at least two post portions, each post portion being associated with a turbine or with an assembly of adjacent turbines; and a first linking mechanism attached to one of the post portions and to a bearing receiving the drive shaft and arranged between two adjacent turbines; and a second linking mechanism connecting at least one of the posts to the around by a rigid connection with respect to the ground along at least one axis parallel to the liquid motion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Institut polytechnique de Grenoble, Electricite de France
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Achard, Didier Imbault, Thierry Maitre
  • Patent number: 8079801
    Abstract: A serial axial fan unit includes first and second motors with their base portions, i.e., first and second base portions axially facing each other. A motor gap is arranged axially between the first and second base portions. An axial length of the motor gap is preferably in a range from approximately 0.3 mm to approximately 2.0 mm. This configuration reduces transmissions of vibration of each of the first and second motors to the other, thereby reducing vibration interference between the first and second motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Yoshida, Naoki Nakada, Mitsunobu Nakase, Yasuyuki Kaji
  • Publication number: 20110243730
    Abstract: A system and a method for measuring deflection of a shaft in a wind turbine and adjusting a pitch angle of a rotor blade in the wind turbine based on the determined deflection are described. The system includes an emitter, a receiver, and a controller. The emitter is positioned adjacent a first portion of the shaft and is configured to emit photons. The receiver is positioned adjacent a second portion of the shaft and is configured to receive photons emitted from the emitter and determine a location on the receiver where the photons strike the receiver. The controller is communicatively coupled to the receiver and is configured to determine deflection of the shaft based on the location on the receiver where the photons strike the receiver. The controller is also configured to adjust the pitch angle of the rotor blade based on the determined deflection of the shaft to reduce deflection of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Eric David Eggleston
  • Publication number: 20110237141
    Abstract: A hybrid marine drivetrain for a watercraft, the drivetrain including a driveshaft for driving a propulsion device of the watercraft, an internal combustion engine for driving the driveshaft, a motor for driving the driveshaft, a storage unit for storing energy in a form suitable for operating the motor, and a generator driven by the internal combustion engine for generating energy to power the motor, wherein a drive output of the motor is in direct driving connection with the driveshaft, a drive output of the internal combustion engine is in direct driving connection with a rotor of the generator, and a clutch is provided to selectively couple/decouple drive from the internal combustion engine to/from the driveshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: NT Consulting International Pty Limited
    Inventor: Richard Terrence Tamba
  • Publication number: 20110236207
    Abstract: Rotor platform of aerodynamic force is meant for generating aerodynamic lift force in horizontal position and aerodynamic transverse force in vertical position, with further practical implementation as a robust power installation of transport vehicle facilities. The principle of operation of the platform is based on the well-known Magnus effect—generation of transverse force acting on an object spinning in the ambient air flow. The basis of the construction is the unit of several coplanar rotors, wherein the rotors spinning is caused by the air flow force and the rotors provide the summed value of the generated aerodynamic to force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Stepanovich Klimov, Oleg Vyacheslavovich Klimov
  • Patent number: 8027772
    Abstract: A power transmission gearbox for rotorcraft for transmitting rotary movement from at least two engine members to a main shaft, wherein the gearbox presents at least two transmission systems for imparting rotary movement to the main shaft, each of the transmission systems including: an inlet shaft designed to be driven in rotation by an engine member; at least two reduction stages presenting different reduction ratios; a first gearwheel connected to the inlet shaft via a declutchable freewheel, the gearwheel meshing with a first toothed wheel secured to an intermediate shaft defining at least a first reduction stage; a second gearwheel connected to the inlet shaft via a simple freewheel, the second gearwheel meshing with a second toothed wheel secured to the intermediate shaft defining the second reduction stage; a main freewheel mounted on the intermediate shaft to rotate a complementary toothed wheel secured to the main shaft; and a clutch mechanism for the declutchable freewheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Michel Vialle
  • Publication number: 20110221202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine (1) with a vertical shaft (9) defining a vertical axis. The turbine (1) has a plurality of axially extending blades (2). Each blade (2) is connected to the shaft by at least one arm structure (3). According to the invention each arm structure (3) includes a radially inner section and a radially outer section connected to the inner section. The inner section includes at least three inner rod elements (8). These are connected to the shaft (9) at least there differently located shaft joints. The outer section is connected to the blade (9) at at feast one blade joint 14. The invention also relates to a wind power unit having such a turbine and to a use of the wind power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Hans Bernhoff
  • Patent number: 8002516
    Abstract: A wind harnessing system comprises a substantially helical structure including at least a portion of a spiraling groove and at least one energy converter positioned at least partially within the portion of the spiraling groove. In other embodiments, wind grooves formed by adjacent bands which are fixed with respect to one another, carry energy converters which are moveable with respect to these fixed bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Cleveland State University
    Inventor: Majid Rashidi
  • Publication number: 20110194935
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a first face gear driveable about a face gear axis in a first direction by at least one first pinion gear and a second face gear driveable about the face gear axis in a second direction opposite the first direction by at least one second pinion gear. A thrust bearing is located between the first face gear and the second face gear. The first face gear is configured to drive rotation of a first shaft in the first direction and the second face gear is configured to drive rotation of a second shaft in the second direction. Further disclosed is a power train for a rotary wing aircraft having a gearbox including a first face gear rotatable in a first direction and a second face gear rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd A. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20110193343
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wind turbine generator and a blade pitch angle control method thereof in which an aerodynamic imbalance of a wind turbine rotor at the time of shutdown is further reduced, the maximum load of a wind turbine is further reduced, and the wind turbine generator can be reduced in weight and cost. The wind turbine generator includes a collective pitch angle controller 11 that produces a collective pitch angle demand that is common to blade pitch angles of wind turbine blades, an individual pitch angle producing unit 13 that produces an individual pitch angle demand inherent in each wind turbine blade, multipliers 21 to 23 that multiply the individual pitch angle demand by the individual pitch angle gain; an individual pitch angle gain producing unit 14, and adder 24 to 26 that add collective pitch angle demands to the output of the multipliers 21 to 23 and supply the same to pitch actuators 31 to 33 inherent in the wind turbine blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi NAKASHIMA, Mitsuya BABA, Yoshiyuki HAYASHI, Kazunari IDE
  • Publication number: 20110150651
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes a housing including an air collecting portion, a first frame and a second frame. The air collecting portion has an air outlet defined in one end thereof. The first and second frames are located at two opposite sides of an opposite end of the air collecting portion. The first and second frames each define a receiving space therein for rotatably receiving an impeller. The first and second frames each further define a vent hole therein. The receiving spaces of the first and second frames communicate with the inner space of the air collecting portion via the vent holes thereof. Airflow generated by the two impellers travels to the inner space of the air collecting portion through the vent holes of the first and second frames, and exits the centrifugal fan through the air outlet of the air collecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIN-XIANG ZHA, YE-FEI YU, JER-HAUR KUO
  • Publication number: 20110142592
    Abstract: The present invention provides a supersonic compressor comprising a supersonic compressor rotor comprising a clockable rotor disk allowing restriction or opening of portions of a fluid flow channel of the rotor in order to enhance performance of the rotor during different operational stages, for example rotor start-up or steady state. The supersonic compressor rotor comprises a first rotor disk, a second rotor disk and a third rotor disk which share a common axis of rotation. The first and second rotor disks are rotatably coupled, and the third rotor disk is disposed between them. The third rotor disk is independently rotatable relative to said first and second disks, and comprises a raised surface structure for restricting or opening a portion of the flow channel defined by the rotor disks and at least two vanes. The flow channel comprises a supersonic compression ramp and encompasses the raised surface structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary William Nagel, Douglas Carl Hofer
  • Publication number: 20110085907
    Abstract: A helical auger turbine and hydrokinetic device for use with electrical generators for producing electricity. A helical turbine blade may be mounted on a central shaft, and a flange extending perpendicularly to an edge of the turbine blade. The helical auger may be a multi-section auger having radial sections covering a radial arc of between 45 degrees and 180 degrees, and that are rotational molded with identical center sections. The auger may have tapered end sections. The radial and end sections may be interlockingly mounted onto the central shaft to enable the complete transfer of torque captured by the helical auger by a moving fluid media, such as a tidal water flow, to the central shaft. The adjacent surfaces of the radial and end sections may be flush with one another to reduce disruptions of the moving fluid flowing over the completed helical auger and rotating the assembled helical auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Winfield Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 7922442
    Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20110081243
    Abstract: An improved wind energy generator is described. This invention is a wind turbine that utilizes airfoils in unique designs that are made of lightweight materials. The turbine is manufactured by low cost production methods as portable units that are stacked in series to provide for significant power harvesting. The use of three dimensional twisted airfoils enable high efficiency and easy start up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: John T. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110076146
    Abstract: A wind turbine electrical-generating system with air-directing vanes in the forms of sheaths over structural members crossing the sir discharge opening of the wind turbines. The turbines also have associated shroud assemblies which support the structural members and which cooperate with the vanes to provide superior performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew J. Falcone, Clark David Anderson, Brendan Savio Mascarenhas, Drew M. Rocky, David Hinman Leach, Russel Hugh Marvin
  • Patent number: 7914252
    Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7909567
    Abstract: Installing large-sized wind turbines creates numerous challenges and limitations, hindering acceptance of wind generated energy. With small-sized wind turbines, such hindrances are omitted or minimized. Sized ever smaller, more small-sized wind turbines may be installed per installation. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus for maximizing wind energy gathering potential of a plurality of wind turbines, each wind turbine having a sweep height, for a given location is provided. The present invention includes sizing sweep heights of substantially all wind turbines of the plurality of wind turbines to intersect at least one horizontal plane unique from horizontal planes intersected by a sweep height of at least one immediately adjacent wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Genedics Clean Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Gene S. Fein, Edward Merritt
  • Publication number: 20110064574
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting fluid motion energy, comprising one or more blades. Each blade comprising one or more vanes. Each vane having an exposed area. The exposed area when impinged by fluid motion, that is generally in the direction of the movement of a blade, is larger than the exposed area when not impinged by fluid motion. And the exposed area when impinged by fluid motion, that is generally opposing the direction of the movement of the blade, is smaller than the exposed area when not impinged by fluid motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: William G. Lange
  • Publication number: 20110052433
    Abstract: A fan includes a first motor having a first rotor and a second motor having a second rotor which is rotationally connected to the first rotor. The fan further comprises a first impeller which, when driven by the first motor, rotates along a first direction and creates a main flow along a direction perpendicular to the periphery thereof and a tangential flow along the tangent thereof. The fan also includes a second impeller which, when driven by the second motor, rotates along the reverse direction of the first direction and impel the tangential flow to the direction perpendicular to the periphery of the first impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHAO-JUI HUANG