Abstract: A wind driven electrical power generating apparatus includes an armature. The apparatus also includes a wing secured to the armature. The wing defines a pocket having a hub end and an outer end. The width of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. Moreover, the depth of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. The wing and the armature produce a relatively large amount of torque during rotation of the armature which is converted to high rotational speed by a gear mechanism thereby driving a generator at a relatively high rotational speed. Such high torque production eliminates the need to rotate the armature at a high rotational speed. Moreover, the configuration of the wing allows the armature to be rotated in the presence of relatively low wind velocities. Hence, the apparatus may be efficiently utilized for electrical power generation in geographic areas which typically experience relatively low wind velocities.

Abstract: A fluid energy turbine has a radial flow rotor in which fluid driven blades are peripherally distributed about a horizontal axis and in which auxiliary-biased outlet gates are provided for release of high fluid pressures to govern turbine speed such as in high windstorms.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine of the type having collapsible fabric sails (10) that reside on the rim of a horizontally disposed square rotor wheel (12,14) supported on a pivotally operated vertical mast (30). Four sails (10) are joined in oppositely disposed pairs and communicate by cables (16) through guides (18) that are positioned on a square rotor hub (14) and control the shape of the linked sails. When acted upon by wind, the sails reciprocally open and close to form two shapes. The two shapes are a scoop and a wing. The scoop holds the wind when receding from the wind. The advancing sail forms a wing that rides the wind promoting stability and reducing friction in the rotor wheel. The action of the advancing sail dampens the sail action of the opening sail and limits the opening sail to a preferred scoop shape.

Abstract: A device for converting wind flow energy into mechanical energy has a base construction and a rotor with an essentially horizontal axis mounted on the base construction. The rotor has a number of elongated rotor blades which are connected to a rotary support and extend essentially radially therefrom. Each rotor blade or a part thereof is connected to the rotor support by a hinge connection for tilting the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade or part thereof to a predetermined orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the support. A hinge axis of the hinge connection between the rotor blade and the rotary support is directed at an acute angle both to the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade and to the axis of rotation of the support.

Abstract: A wind power generator having a plurality of wind mill blades whose pitch angles stably vary depending upon the wind power. A plurality of spokes radially extend from a horizontal power shaft. A plurality of protrusions respectively projecting from the spokes and the wind mill blades are paired with opposite protrusions by connector shaft. Each blade is rockable within a range from an extremely inclined position to a plane perpendicular to the power shaft to neary 90 degrees to the plane. One side of the wind mill blade strikes on the spoke at the above extremely inclined position. A plurality of blade springs are sandwiched in a compressed state between the spokes and the wind mill blades, surrouding the connector shafts respectively. Thus, each blade is biased toward the closing direction relative to the plane. If the wind is not so strong, each blade faces it to rotate the power shaft.

Abstract: Windmill (10) having a plurality of hydrodynamic, folding blades (12, 14, 16 and 18) secured to a hub (64). The blades are propelled by wind current such that the windmill rotates about a central axis of a shaft (20) on which a hub (64) is journalled. Each folding blade extends radially from the hub and includes a lower blade portion (24) attached to the hub and an upper blade portion (22) pivotally attached to the lower blade portion. The lower blade portion includes a hydrodynamic surface extending from a first edge(43) and terminating at a trailing edge (42). The upper blade portion is hydrodynamically contoured so as to form a nose cone (44). An apex of the nose cone forms a leading edge (40) of the upper blade portion that is opposite a trailing edge (41).

Abstract: A wind turbine for converting wind energy to useable energy having a plurality of overlapping sail members. The sail members extend radially outward from a vertically disposed shaft in three columns positioned equidistantly around the shaft. The overlapping sail members hang downwardly in a naturally biased, vertical orientation so as to block rotational movement of each other in one direction. This configuration allows the wind to engage with the sail members on one side of the shaft to rotate the shaft, and blow past the sail members on the other side of the shaft. Rotation of the cylinder is thus achieved while wind resistance is greatly minimized, regardless of the wind direction. A generator can be rotatably intercoupled with the cylinder to thereby convert the kinetic energy of rotation to useable energy. Each sail member is preferably positioned such that a gap resides between the sail member and the shaft, the gap being at least as wide as the sail member.

Abstract: A fluid energy turbine has a radial flow rotor in which fluid driven blades are peripherally distributed about a horizontal axis and in which auxiliary biased outlet gates are provided for release of high fluid pressures to govern turbine speed such as in high storm winds. The blades additionally may be made featherable to govern the turbine speed by feathering the blades either preceding or after the gate openings or simultaneously as preset by the degree of biasing of both determined by matching to weather conditions in the area of use. In other embodiments, the gates are interconnected to the featherable blades for coordinated operation by means such as cables or rods.

Abstract: A wind line power system in which a series of rigid rods are connected end-to-end to permit relative angular movement and transmission of axial torque from one rod to the next, with propellers extending laterally from and coaxial with each rod to convert wind force vectors substantially parallel to the rods to cumulative unidirectional axial torque on all of the rods which in turn drives an electrical generator.

Abstract: Setting pitch on a windmill airfoil having a longitudinal axis, a rotor blade and a rotor base secured to the rotor blade is accomplished by marking a windmill rotor hub for receiving the rotor base with a reference mark at a location corresponding to a first plane parallel to a plane of rotation of the windmill airfoil in use. The airfoil is positioned along a second plane relative to and substantially completely intersecting the longitudinal axis of the airfoil. The rotor base is marked at a location substantially parallel to the second plane. The airfoil is positioned relative to the windmill rotor hub so that the rotor base is in substantial engagement with the hub. The airfoil is moved relative to the hub so that the mark on the rotor base is aligned with the reference mark on the windmill rotor hub and the rotor base is secured to the windmill hub. An apparatus for marking pitch on a windmill airfoil is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a device that can obtain fresh water from fog. The fog water collecting device comprises a vertical shaft, windmill elements for producing rotational force from wind, a cylindrical rotating structure supported so as to rotate about the vertical shaft, a water collecting vessel secured at the bottom of this rotating structure, a plurality of flexible rods one end of each is fixed at the upper portion of the rotating structure and the other end of each is directed toward the water collecting vessel and, a receiving conduit for obtaining water collected in the water collecting vessel. When the rotating structure turns from fog containing wind, water droplets sequentially adhere and accumulate on the flexible rods, then collect in the water collecting vessel, and are subsequently directed toward an external destination via the conduit.

Abstract: A windmill with removable wind vane plates arranged in multiple rows and columns, comprising a base fixed firmly on the ground, a tubular post fitted upright in the base, a rotatable frame consisting of a rotatable tubular shaft fitting around the post and seated on the base. The windmill includes a plurality of wind vanes made of vane plate sashes with removable plates and fixed with the shaft to allow wind to blow against the plates to rotate the shaft to produce electricity via a generator.

Abstract: A Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed which includes a vertically extending hollow rotor shaft mounted on a support structure with two, three, or four rotor blades of troposkein configuration on the rotor shaft for rotating the shaft in response to wind energy and thereby drive a generator to produce electrical power. The turbine includes an erection hinge and gin pole which permits the turbine to be cable hoisted using a simple winch mounted at or near ground level. The erection hinge and pole also permits the turbine to be completely assembled near ground level. The turbine includes two sets of guy cables. The upper set holds the upper bearing assembly and the upper rotor shaft portion in a fixed vertical position. The lower cable set holds the lower rotor shaft portion and the support structure also in a fixed vertical position. A flexible coupling is used to connect the low speed shaft of the generator speed reducer to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A windmill includes a hub assembly (13) connected to a shaft (3) and having a plurality of blades (6) extending therefrom. Each blade comprises an inner section (6a) hingeably connected to a hub member (14) along a first axis (8) and an outer section (6b) hingeably connected to the inner portion along a second hinge axis (7) extending from a point on the trailing edge (11) of the blade adjacent the first hinge axis to a point on the leading edge (12) remote from the first hinge axis. The blades are resiliently biased towards a rest position wherein the inner section of each blade lies in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the blades and the outer sections extend outwardly in a plane at an angle to the plane of the inner section and at a pitch angle to the plane of rotation.

Abstract: A wind turbine is described which includes a vertical axle mounted for rotation to drive an output utilization device. Around the axle is arranged a circumferential array of wind vanes, each wind vane comprising a generally rectangular panel of flexible material supported in a frame and having a pocket opened along a vertical side which is able to flare out and catch the wind in one direction but collapse upon rotation around to the opposite direction, allowing a net output power to be generated by the wind being received in the wind vane pockets. A successive opening of the pockets insures a rapid opening action. A releasable hinging of the wind vane frame allows spilling of winds at excessive wind speeds.

Abstract: A wind turbine with a stationary tower and a set of turbine blades rotatably attached to the top and bottom of the tower. A set of upper and lower braces connects the turbine blades to prevent any sag or skewing of the turbine blades as they rotate about the tower. The wind turbine may also include a stationary shell attached to the tower and inside the sweep of the turbine blades, to direct the airflow toward the turbine blades at the shell periphery, thereby improving overall performance and efficiency of the turbine.

Abstract: An articulated blade whose forward vane section is directly pitched by relative fluid flow upon it, and whose rear deflector section deflects the flow upon it. A control arm, through parallelogram linkage, maintains the deflector in parallel orientation with it, thus cambering the blade when it pitches. Fluid is deflected always in a direction controlled by orientation of the control arm. High lift-drag ratios are possible at high angles of attack. The blade can be used to extract power from the fluid, or for propulsion through a fluid.

Abstract: Wind-driven electric generator apparatus has a generator head supported on a tower for free-yaw movement and for free-pitch movement within predetermined limits. The generator head has a downwind rotor with a pair of elongated blades mounted on a hub that is rigidly attached to a rotor shaft driving an electric generator. The blades are flexible and have a coning angle therebetween that varies with wind velocity. The generator head is capable of aligning itself with the wind direction azimuthally and elevationally. A yaw brake prevents an excessive yaw rate. In most preferred embodiment, pitch movement and yaw movement beyond small angular ranges are regulated, and an electrohydraulic yaw drive system corrects gross azimuthal misalignment with respect to the wind direction.In a most preferred embodiment, pitch movement and yaw movement beyond small angular ranges are regulated, and an electrohydraulic yaw drive system corrects gross azimuthal misalignment with respect to the wind direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two cylinder water well pumping system which uses the wind as a primary driving force with an alternate electric motor drive for use when the wind force is not adequate. The wind drives a square wheel turbine which in turn drives a swash plate which provides a cam surface which then drives a semaphore assembly directly or indirectly connected to sucker cables in turn connected to two pistons carried, respectively, in two cylinder sleeves. The inclined angle of the swash plate alternately drives the pistons to pump water from a well into a storage tank also serving as a mainmast supporting said turbine. In an alterenative embodiment, an electric motor is connected to drive an osillatable bar on a mechancial relay. The oscillatable bar is connected by cables to the semaphore assembly, and may be disconnected from the semaphore assembly by a solenoid. In this embodiment, the sucker cables are connected to the rockable bar in the mechanical relay rather than to the semaphore assembly.

Abstract: A power-producing windmill is disclosed. A paddle assembly having a central axis is supported for rotation on a frame. Two spaced-apart lateral sides supports the central axis and forms a channel in which the paddle assembly rotates. A pivotal vane is connected on one end of the channel for regulating the amount of air entering the channel is operated such as to regulate the rotational speed of the paddle assembly. A unique paddle configuration is provided which provides first and second wind-capturing cavities for increasing the total energy conversion efficiency of the wind to electromotive energy.

Abstract: Dual-plant blade construction for wind turbine rotors having a horizontal shaft having a rotor hub adapted to be mounted on the horizontal shaft and having a horizontal axis. First and second sets of straight blades are secured to said rotor hub in circumferentially equally spaced apart positions on the rotor hub. Each of said sets of blades include first and second blades having tip and root portions with the root portions of the blades being secured to the rotor hub at spaced apart positions along the axis of the rotor hub and the tip portions of the blades being secured to each other whereby there is generated substantially equal and opposite cyclic spanwise forces and minimal cyclic flatwise moments in the first and second blades in response to non-steady aerodynamic normal forces acting on these blades in non-uniform turbulent winds.

Abstract: A more efficient wind power generation system is afforded by extending tower heights to several hundred meters to operate wind catching rotors and generators aligned with the wind direction at various levels along the tower. With multiple vertically cascaded wind generators and higher velocity winds at higher elevations greater power is produced as a system characterized by a small footprint. This is particularly enhanced by a single mast construction, which is supported by a dynamic guy wire tensioning system to accommodate varying lateral forces primarily caused by the change in direction of wind loads on the tower. The mast is built from modular sections connected together at articulated joints, between which the various rotors are stationed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harnessing fluid energy from a fluid current and converting it into mechanical energy. The invention comprises a big wheel and a little wheel where the little wheel rotates about on axis parallel to but offset from an axis about which the big wheel rotates. The little wheel rotates within the big wheel. Flexible sails are fastened between masts of the big wheel and masts of the little wheel so that when the wheels rotate each sail is unfurled and extended during one phase of operation and said sail is folded upon itself during another phase of operation. When extended or stretched open, the sail derives power from the fluid current. When the sail is folded, it offers a reduced resistance to the fluid current into which said sail is moving.

Abstract: A motor driven by a fluid motion, comprising a rotor with a vane whose surface varies according to the vane position relatively to the fluid flow direction. To create a thrust on the vane when the fluid moves quasi-parallel to the vane longitudinal axis, at least one side-panel is provided on the vane, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A windmill, comprising an axial support mounted for rotation about its vertical axis, elongated shaft sections arranged radially about the axial support, and a pair of vanes attached to each shaft section spaced about the axial support at right angles to each other for rotation about the axis of the axial support. A frame is included for attaching the shaft sections to the axial support, and a pillow block included with the frame provides a pivotal connection between the frame and shaft sections for allowing the shaft sections to rotate about their axis. A pair of counterweights attached laterally outward from each shaft section and positioned obtusely from the vanes in an alignment coaxial with its shaft section have a spaced configuration about the axial support for balancing the vanes dynamically about the axis of the axial support, when the vanes are rotated about the axis of the axial support, the counterweights further balancing the vanes axially about the shaft sections.

Abstract: A more efficient wind power generation system is afforded by extending tower heights to several hundred meters to operate wind catching rotors and generators aligned with the wind direction at various levels along the tower. With multiple vertically cascaded wind generators and higher velocity winds at higher elevations greater power is produced in a system characterized by a small footprint. This is particularly enhanced by a single mast construction, which is supported by a dynamic guy wire tensioning system to accomodate varying lateral forces primarily caused by the change in direction of wind loads on the tower. The mast is built from modular sections connected together at articulated joints, between which the various rotors are stationed.

Abstract: Turbines are suspended coaxially between a hub structure and a pivot. The hub acts to stabilize the coaxial turbine system and it acts as the power take off. The pivot acts to stabilize the other end of the coaxial turbine system. A coaxial assembly of unique flexible turbines convert wind energy into rotational mechanical energy. Driver lines attached to the extremities of the turbines transmit this energy to the extremities of the hub structure. The hub imparts torque to a drive shaft at its center thorough a moment arm and the drive shaft supplies power to a useful application, such as generating electricity. The coaxial turbine system is suspended from tower to tower between existing power transmission lines. Electricity generated by this system is fed directly into the existing power distribution system. This coaxial generator system utilizes a variety of turbine configurations and can be suspended in the wind in a number of ways.

Abstract: A wind power plant construction includes a turbine with at least two blades, a shaft, and blade angle control apparatus. According to the wind power plant construction shown, supports are rigidly connected to the shaft substantially radially thereto, and are coordinated with the blades. At the extreme ends of the supports are flapping pivots, to which the blades are attached. The blade extends from the flapping pivot towards the shaft; that portion of the blade doing so constitutes an arm to which a control means is connected. The blade is weighted so that the centroid line and axis of rotation of the blade lie closer to the leading edge of the blade than does the buoyancy center.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a rotor for a fluid-kinetic machine comprising a rotatably supported hub, the support being provided with axial bearing means, an outer ring which is indirectly supported on said hub, and rotor blades which are arranged in an area between said hub and said outer ring. In order to provide a possibility of utilizing the influence of the gyroscopic effects, which occur during operation of the rotor, for the purpose of stabilizing the rotor, it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the outer ring should be composed of a plurality of arcuate sections in the circumferential direction and should be arranged essentially in the plane of rotation of the axial bearing means, and that the arcuate sections of the outer ring should be under the action of flexible tension elements which embrace said arcuate sections at least partly and which are secured to a carrier ring.

Abstract: A wind power or hydraulic power machine with axial feed, radial outflow and variable geometry vanes is disclosed. This machine has a support that channels the flow, in limiting the escape flows to the maximum, and provides protection in giving to this wind power or hydraulic power machine excellent resistance to axial stresses, and plays the role of an inertia wheel.

Abstract: An airfoil of a wind-driven wheel consists of a spar and several vanes pivotable independently of each other, the spar and the airfoil being located next to each other in a form-locked manner so as to form a streamlined airfoil section, pivot bearings and return springs of the vanes are provided inside the spar, a web passes through an aperture in the side wall of the spar and connects the vane to the pivot bearing, the vane being swivelable in the direction of excessively strong wind pressure so as to stress a return spring, the web remote from the hub and the region of the vane is removed from the hub has a larger angle of incidence with respect to the direction of the wind than the web nearer to the hub and the region of the airfoil nearer to the hub, the spar being rotatable in a spar root so that angle of incidence can be varied, the pivot bearings which are in connection with the same vane are connected by a crossbar, stress in the return spring can be adjusted by a retention and cover strip covers the

Abstract: A wind actuated device which has a sail in the shape of a double or single modified helicoid. The device may be provided as a decorative novelty device or may be supported on a mast as a wind indicating device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible tethered wind turbine useful, among other things, for generating electricity. A flexible shaft supported by guy wires is provided at its upper end with a flexible rotor and an airfoil assembly. Rotation of the airfoils in response to wind creates centrifugal force and tension which causes the rotor to become rigid during use. The light flexible shaft easily follows the rotating sails, which permits the entire turbine to automatically track the wind as it changes direction. As the rotor spins, its rotational energy is transferred to the shaft, which rotates along its entire flexible length.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a rotor for a fluid-kinetic machine comprising a rotatably supported hub, the support being provided with axial bearing means, an outer ring which is indirectly supported on said hub, and rotor blades which are arranged in an area between said hub and said outer ring. In order to provide a possibility of utilizing the influence of the gyroscopic effects, which occur during operation of the rotor, for the purpose of stabilizing the rotor, it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the outer ring should be composed of a plurality of arcuate sections in the circumferential direction and should be arranged essentially in the plane of rotation of the axial bearing means, and that the arcuate sections of the outer ring should be under the action of flexible tension elements which embrace said arcuate sections at least partly and which are secured to a carrier ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine having arm members each comprising an inner and outer portion at an angle of near 90.degree.. A vane is pivotally attached to each outer arm portion and biased at a desired pitch angle to the inner arm portion. Springs are provided to allow the vanes to move toward a neutral wind position when high wind conditions threaten the integrity of the structure.

Abstract: A wind driven electrical generating system consisting of a post with guyed cable supports, a spinner cage mounted on a square wheel on a circular race, sail elements on the spinner cage, a swash plate mounted upon under side of spinner cage and providing an inclined work surface, a rocker arm mounted for vertical displacement and having upper and lower ends, a caster follower member mounted on an upper end of the rocker arm for engaging the swash plate as it rotates, a double acting hydraulic cylinder driven by the lower end, and hydraulic motor responsive to the double acting hydraulic cylinder, and an electric generator driven by the hydraulic motor to produce electric current.

Abstract: A sail-driven wind motor (SDWM) is described, in which a reciprocating load amenable to intermittent, bidirectional drive (such as a water pump or air compressor) is driven by one or two arms, with each arm driven by at least one conventional fore-and-aft rigged sail. Masts for the sails are mounted on beams which are pivotally mounted on the arms. At least one mast and sail per beam, and at least one beam per arm are required to drive the load. Mechanisms are described for controlling the sails to drive the load, and to stop operation of the SDWM during excessive wind velocity. SDWMs for three types of sites are described: land, shallow water, and deep water. Each arm is supported by at least one cross-arm, which rides on wheels for a land site, or on at least one double-ended float for water sites. For all three types of sites, the sail drag must be transferred to the ground, while the sail lift must be transferred to the load via the arm.

Abstract: The flat-plate type wind turbine rotor blade comprises a rigid spoke having a single thin flexiblie skin associated therewith. The skin is formed to provide a delta-wing and a flap extension. The delta-wing and the flap extension are angularly disposed at about 25.degree. to each other. The spoke lies along the junction of the delta-wing and the flap extension. A substantially rigid peripheral member extends along the margin of the skin. The peripheral member and the spoke are joined to provide a frame to which the skin is secured. Arrays of parallel reinforcing rib members extend between the spoke and the peripheral member. These rib members are mounted on the pressure surface of the skin. The ribs on the delta-wing are positioned at an angle of about 60.degree. from the axis of the spoke; the ribs on the flap extension are positioned at an angle of about 75.degree. from said axis. They therefore coincide with the main flow paths of the air flow over the blade surface.

Abstract: A windmill vane for use with a windmill having a vertical shaft. The vane comprises an open, rigid, planar, preferably semi-elliptical frame and a flexible sail on the frame. The frame can also be chevron shaped or semi-rectangular in shape. One end of the frame is affixed to the shaft, ad the other end is aligned therewith horizontally and radially outwardly from the shaft. The planar frame is oriented with a central portion leading the ends thereof relative to the instantaneous direction of movement of the frame around the shaft. The central portion of the frame is inclined at a 45.degree. angle upwardly from the frame ends relative to such instantaneous direction of movement. The sail is light weight, resilient, and preferably carried by a loose sleeve around the frame. The design of the vane ensures that the sail is full when moving with the wind and streams directly behind the frame when moving across and against the wind.

Abstract: Wind mill blades are mounted on spokes provided on a power shaft via springs, and thereby in an ordinary wind velocity the wind mill blades are adjusted into a prescribed angle, while in a storm they are made parallel to the direction of a wind, thus enabling the wind mill blades, etc., to be prevented from being damaged and the wind mill blades to be large-sized.

Abstract: A collapsible vertical wind mill is disclosed, which comprises four main wings arranged in a rhombic form having a pair of opposed corners fitted on a shaft and auxiliary wings each provided on each of the main wings. The upper one of the pair corners on the shaft is fitted via a bearing capable of movement along the shaft. The other pair of opposed corners of the rhombic structure each have a hinged structure capable of variation of the angle.

Abstract: Wind turbine apparatus includes a plurality of air foil sail elements secured to a circular frame rotatable in response to wind reacting with the sail elements. The sail elements include deformable outer skin portions, one of which is flattened against an interior form in response to wind forces, and the other of which extends convexly away from the interior form. The deformation changes the camber of the sail element.

Abstract: An air foil which is coupled to a wind energy conversion machine is provided with a flexible and resilent trailing spoiler that limits the rotational speed of the machine and prevents overspeeding. The trailing spoiler is a flexible and resilient sheet that is laminated to the upwind side of a rigid blade so that a portion of the sheet extends past the trailing edge of the blade. The portion of the sheet that extends past the trailing edge bends towards the wind during high wind conditions to prevent overspeeding of the machine.

Abstract: The wind rotor of the present invention includes a vertically disposed, rotatable shaft operatively connected to a conventional generator. A plurality of bent lever arms are uniformly radially attached to the shaft and extend outwardly therefrom. Each arm has a vertically disposed rectilinear airfoil blade connected to the outer end thereof such that the wind generates aerodynamic lifting forces on the blades to cause rotation of the wind rotor. The bent lever arm transmits a greater portion of the lifting forces to the central shaft for increased torque in the wind rotor.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine has one or more blades (10) mounted in cantilever manner on a hub (12) on a short tower (14). The or each blade (10) is unsupported above the level of the hub (12) and extends freely upwards. The hub (12) may be a rigid mounting or a pivot mounting. If two blades (10) are used, they are desirably arranged in a crossed configuration so as to extend along a common axis. The upward arm of the blade (10) can be straight and rigid, or flexible, or cranked, or curved. The wind turbine is suitable both for land-based use and on water-going craft.

Abstract: An impeller for a windmotor consists of a rigid hub attached to a rotatingly mounted shaft, an outer rim concentric with the hub and a number of radial vanes of a flexible material, such as fabric, stretched between the hub and the rim, whereby their angle of inclination decreases from their inner to their outer ends. The rim is likewise made of a flexible, non-permeable fabric or other material in the shape of a hollow torus, which is filled with a gas at a pressure sufficient to maintain the shape of the torus under the stresses of wind and other forces. The torus may be filled with hydrogen or helium, whereby the entire impeller becomes lighter than air, thus eliminating the weight factor with regard to impellers with very large diameters.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a yaw spring return assembly to return the nacelle from a position to which it has been rotated by yawing forces, thus preventing excessive twisting of the power cables and control cables. It also includes negative coning restrainers to limit the bending of the flexible arms of the rotor towards the tower, and stop means on the rotor shaft to orient the blades in a vertical position during periods when the unit is upwind when the wind commences. A pendulum pitch control mechanism is improved by orienting the pivot axis for the pendulum arm at an angle to the longitudinal axis of its support arm, and excessive creep is of the synthetic resin flexible beam support for the blades is prevented by a restraining cable which limits the extent of pivoting of the pendulum during normal operation but which will permit further pivoting under abnormal conditions to cause the rotor to stall.

Abstract: Wind turbine apparatus includes a plurality of sail elements secured to a circular frame rotatable in response to wind reacting with the sail elements and a control system for the sail elements includes a weight having cables extending from the weight to the sail elements. Movement of the weight in response to wind velocity results in a change in the sail elements exposed to the wind.

Abstract: A wind power system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a vertically orientated main shaft. The wind power system further includes, in its preferred form, first and second horizontally orientated main frames, with the first frame including a plurality of vanes defining a first set of vanes and an equal number of vanes defining a second set of vanes located diametrically opposite each other about the main shaft. Similarly, the second horizontally orientated main frame includes a third set and a fourth set of vanes. Preferably, the vanes are flat and rectangular in shape and are pivotal about one of their vertical edges by a shaft pivotally mounted to the main frame between a first, wind catching position and a second, wind releasing position. The vanes of the vane sets are maintained in the same relative position to each other.

Abstract: An improvement in a wind electric generation system of the type disclosed in Jacobs et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,059,771, 4,228,361, and 4,228,362, with particular reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,361.