Abstract: Blower wheel apparatus for squirrel cage type blowers includes flexible hubs with integral collars for fastening the blower wheel onto a rotating shaft so that the hubs and collars may be moved inwardly for inserting the blower wheel into a housing and then moved outwardly for securing the blower wheel onto the shaft after the blower wheel and shaft are disposed in the blower housing.

Abstract: A cooling fan assembly made of plastic material is composed of a plurality of fan blades and a boss and connected to a viscous fluid coupling device rotatably mounted through a bearing assembly on a driving shaft of an automotive vehicle. An axially resilient connecting member in the form of a plate spring is fixed to the boss of the fan assembly at one end thereof and to the coupling device at the other end thereof, whereby the inertia moment of the fan rotation causes the appropriate rotation of the fan assembly in spite of possible misalignment of the coupling device with respect to the driving shaft to thereby protect the bearing assembly from being damaged. Helical or waved springs may be interposed between the fan boss and the coupling device in place of the plate spring.

Abstract: A windmill including a hub, at least a pair of rotor roots rotatably coupled to the hub and rotor blades mounted on respective rotor roots, wherein wind forces produce rotation of the blades, the roots and the hub around an axis of rotation passing through the hub and the hub defines a plane of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Each rotor root is mounted in an initial position at a predetermined compound angle with respect to the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation. The rotor roots are spring biased in an initial position and are coupled to each other and to the hub by means of a spring and linkage members disposed in the hub. Upon rotation of the rotors, centrifugal force acts on the rotors in opposition to the spring biasing and produces synchronous rotation of the blade roots relative to the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation thereby decreasing the pitch of the blades with respect to the wind direction and correspondingly controlling the speed of rotation of the rotors.

Abstract: In a pitch control system for a wind turbine, a mechanical control system changes pitch angle of the rotor blades collectively in response to blade pitch moment. The control system is designed to be used with a downwind constant speed two-bladed horizontal axis teetering hub wind turbine. Pitch placement controls torque for a synchronous alternator connected to the electrical power grid. The pitch control system is manually lockable from the ground in run or shutdown modes. An automatic shutdown mode provides fullfeathering for protection from large amplitude vibrations or loss of the electrical grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radial fanwheel, wherein the fan blades are connected to a hub by spokes. Each fan blade is connected by connecting elements to the adjacent fan blades in the vicinity of their ends. Specifically, the spokes and connecting elements, as well as the fan blades themselves, are elastically deformable by the loads which develop.

Abstract: Hub flexures affording beamwise flapping (i.e. flapping perpendicular to the original tip-path plane), mount aircraft propellers through a hub assembly to a drive shaft of a fixed wing aircraft for increasing propulsive efficiency. The hub flexures permit the propeller blades of the fixed wing aircraft to exhibit advantageous beamwise flapping and reach equilibrium positions in response to loading conditions which would otherwise result in efficiency loss. The flexures permit only flapping perpendicular to the original tip-path plane and provide blade rigidity in radial, in-plane and torsional loading. The propeller blades may also be of the variable pitch variety wherein the flexures are advantageously inboard of the blade pitch change bearings. The flexures further facilitate both passive, or responsive flapping in response to actively induced cylic pitch to achieve maximum propulsive efficiency under any given loading conditions.

Abstract: A bendable and twistable element having a high level of tensile strength, while remaining flexible and bendable in respect of twisting is produced by individually forming in a mould unitary layers of resin impregnated cut lengths of a continuous member, with their ends located between resin impregnated layers of fabric, polymerizing the resin, locating a plurality of the unitary layers in a further mould with the interposition, between the superposed pairs of layers of fabric, of layers of glue, setting the glue by heating and compression to form rigid end members, injecting a viscous elastomer into the middle portion of the bundle of cut lengths of the several unitary layers and curing the elastomer. The elements have particular use for connecting helicopter rotor blades to a hub member.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic regulating device for wind-powered propellers having blades which are connected to the propeller hub by torsion springs and are self-adjustable in dependence of the wind forces acting on the blades and returnable by action of the torsion springs. The distinctive feature of the invention is that the torsion spring connecting each blade with the propeller hub has a substantial portion of its length pre-stressed between two abutment points situated on a radius from the propeller axis and radially spaced from each other. The abutment points permit twisting the blade about its longitudinal axis from an initial position by wind forces against action of the prestressed torsion spring. The abutment points are both fixed either in relation to the blade or in relation to the hub.

Abstract: A system of coil springs of proper elastic constant(s) is attached on one end to the (horizontal or vertical) shaft of a wind energy conversion system and on the other end to the rotor, thereby forming a non-rigid connection between the two. The direction of the spring windings is such as to wind, in the relative motion of the rotor with respect to the shaft, in the direction of the rotor rotation. The system of springs generally consists of two or more sections each with an appropriate elastic constant. The spring sections are connected to each other through a rotating wheel with appropriate mass and mass distribution, so as to maximize the moment of inertia. A tube-like sleeve which rotates freely with respect to the shaft and the mass wheel, acts as a support for the rotor and the rotating mass. The system of springs and masses (inertia) improves the performance of a rotational wind energy conversion system in many ways, e.g.

Abstract: Force transferring elements are disclosed which include a metal or plastic hub deep drawn or elongated with a flange extending therefrom and functioning as a force transferring element. The hub and flange may be of one piece with the flange having blades extending outwardly from the hub, the hub around its circumference being provided with a plurality of indented portions or corrugations to provide a spring action for engagement with a shaft. In another form of the invention two similar pieces are utilized each with a deep drawn or elongated hub and having outer rims which together receive a V-belt or the like. The elements may be connected to a shaft for input to the shaft, or may be carried on the shaft as energy converting or driving members.

Abstract: A cantilever mounted wind turbine having an interior stationary support column and a concentrically mounted rotatable rotor and having a first bearing between the support column and the rotor and a second flexibly coupled bearing between the support column and the rotor where the second bearing includes bearing surfaces and a flexible coupling between one of the bearing surfaces and the rotor in order to provide bending moment decoupling between the rotor and its support column.

Abstract: A speed control system for a windmill having blades which can be feathered for altering speed and with the blades under the control of a mechanism which includes a piston assembly and a fluid governor associated therewith. Spring means are used to feather the blades against the force of the piston assembly which is interconnected with the blades, and the speed of blade rotation actually creates the fluid pressure acting on the piston assembly and a governor is associated with the piston assembly for controlling the position of the piston and thus controlling the feathering of the blades, all according to the speed of rotation of the windmill blades. The windmill can be used for generating electric power, and fail-safe mechanisms are employed for protecting in the event of a windmill blade breakage.

Abstract: Fan blade assembly and shaft mounting in which there is minimized axial face run out or wobble of the rotating fan by virtue of the fan taking a perpendicularity signal from a shaft mounted hub plate which divorces the squareness of the fan shaft opening from influencing the hub plate perpendicularity signal. The fan is mounted on the motor shaft by a nut and Belleville spring assembly to provide end play takeup by the load deflection characteristic of the Belleville spring.

Abstract: A fan blade is attached to the shaft of an induction motor by means of a spring clip seated in a groove in the shaft resiliently and frictionally clamping the fan blade against a flat surface of a member secured to the shaft, such as the rotor end ring, thereby providing a perpendicular relationship between the fan blade and shaft and, when the end ring is used, abstracting heat from the rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus for deriving a rotational motion from air currents including first and second coaxial annular members spaced from each other along their axes by axial struts and a plurality of blade assemblies carried by the struts. In a preferred embodiment, the annular members are formed of circular I beams and the apparatus is supported for rotation about the axes of the annular members by rollers engaging the web of the I beams. The rollers may be carried by first and second posts with one of the posts being rotatable about the other such that the apparatus can accommodate changing wind directions. The blade assemblies may include an impeller hingedly secured to a cross-beam extending between adjacent struts with each impeller being individually spring biased to present more or less surface to the air current, dependent on its velocity.

Abstract: A plurality of blades are rotatably affixed to a rotatably mounted shaft and overlap each other in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft in a strong wind force. In a weak wind force, the blades rotate to large angles with the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine comprises one or more aerofoil section blades attached to a support structure. The blade has at least one part thereof which is acted on by centrifugal forces as the blade rotates with the support structure and thereby caused to increase its angle of inclination to the said vertical axis when the speed of rotation increases beyond the normal operating range, whereby the rate of increase of rotational speed with wind speed is reduced.

Abstract: A rotor blade is connected to a rotor hub, for example, in a helicopter, by t least one pair of damping elements and by a blade connector bolt. The damping elements comprise metal discs and layers of elastomeric material arranged in sandwich fashion. The damping elements are arranged symmetrically relative to the rotor blade, as well as to the blade connector bolt. Furthermore, the damping elements are connected in a force transmitting manner to the rotor blade on the one hand and to the rotor hub on the other hand.

Abstract: A multiblade, wind-driven, variable pitch propeller is used in a wind electric plant for the generation of electrical power from wind forces, and the propeller is rotatable in a plane at an angle to the tower axis, enabling larger propellers to be used without propeller-tower interference and also reducing the distance between the propeller and gear case. A snubber arrangement is provided on the propeller blade return springs to slow the governor action and prevent abrupt pitch changes and damaging flutter of the blades, and a self-centering, double-acting pivot washer is provided between the propeller blades and the return springs to ensure free pivoting and long life of the spring connecting bolts. Adjustable positive blade stop bolts are engaged directly between the hub and the propeller blades to limit return movement thereof.

Abstract: An impeller for a high-speed turbomachine, in which the impeller includes a hub which is frictionally fastened on a shaft of the machine by a tapered fit. A resilient, axially extending connecting portion of the hub is interposed between the impeller and hub and is welded to the impeller. The impeller encompasses the shaft and the hub so as to form a narrow radial gap therebetween.

Abstract: A variable pitch blade and blade mount which is suitable for propellers, fans and the like and which has improved impact resistance. The invention is particularly directed to composite fan blades and blade mounting arrangements wherein the blades are permitted to pivot relative to a turbine hub about an axis generally parallel to the centerline of the engine upon impact of a large foreign object, such as a bird. By thus providing for the pivoting of the blades upon impact, centrifugal force recovery becomes the principal energy absorbing mechanism and a blade having improved impact strength is obtained.

Abstract: A rotor apparatus comprising a blade having a root adapted to swing laterally within a supporting spindle under impact loading is provided with a flow path defining platform. The platform comprises an inner shroud extending generally laterally of the blade airfoil portion and adapted to swing laterally therewith. In one embodiment wherein the blade primarily comprises a laminate of composite filament plies, the inner shroud is bonded to the laminate. An outer shroud, fixed with respect to the supporting spindle, forms a lateral extension of the inner shroud with the blade in its normal operating position. The inner and outer shrouds are provided with a pair of complementary adjacent surfaces contoured to pass in relatively close-fitting relationship to each other when the blade swings under impact loadings.

Abstract: An improved resilient member is provided in a clamping connection between two members of a gas turbine rotor, said resilient member taking the form of a rim or outer ring provided with an annular row of inwardly protruding fingers. The resiliency is due partly to deflection of the fingers and partly to a twisting of the outer ring with the fingers.

Abstract: A turbomachinery rotor comprising a rotatable hub and a composite blade attached to the periphery thereof. The blade comprises a plurality of bonded filament laminates extending between, and wrapped around, a pair of hollow, semicylindrical inserts at the blade root. The laminates are bonded to the inserts so as to form a cylindrical blade root profile for insertion into a complementary cylindrical groove in the periphery of the hub. A slotted pin is positioned within the inserts to prevent the root from collapsing under loadings and to retain the blade in the hub.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is the combination of an aerodynamic blade having a root formed with outwardly curved shoulders and a transverse curved indentation, a rotor disc formed with a blade root receiving slot having curved complementary retaining surfaces in contact with those shoulders and an elastic split metallic roll pin disposed between the indentation and disc to provide damping, the radii of the curved shoulders and retaining surfaces being generated from an axis below said indentation.

Abstract: A turbomachinery blade platform comprising a pair of complementary platform halves, each having an outer flow path defining shroud adapted to extend generally laterally of the blade. An inner flange on each platform half, also extending generally laterally of the blade, is retained in a cooperating slot formed within the support structure retaining the blade. A structural member extending between the shroud and the flange is contoured to conform to an overlapping wedging surface disposed about the blade airfoil surface. The platform is thus provided with redundant retention by both the blade and by the blade support structure.

Abstract: An adjustable blade assembly for use in a rotary machine, such as a turbine or a compressor, wherein the airfoil is separable from the assembly at the blade platform. The airfoil is provided with a root which is seated within a complementary kerf formed within the platform. Each of the two sections is fabricated independently using standard machine tools, thereby eliminating the need of hand-forming, complex blade contours. In assembly, the airfoil is loosely supported within the platform whereby the stresses generated at resonant frequencies are highly damped.

Abstract: In an axial flow fan impeller, the natural frequency of vibration of the individual blades is increased by mounting each blade to the annular support rim or hub for swinging movement relative to the ring about an axis, which lies generally perpendicular to a radius passing through the mounting. For a given blade, the mounting enables the fan to be rotated at higher speeds with a corresponding increase in performance. The mounting also permits the use of thinner, lighter-weight blades for a given operating speed and this permits a reduction in the cross sectional area of the rim. If the impeller includes a mechanism for controlling the pitch of all the blades during operation, the use of lighter-weight blades reduces the stresses on the mechanism so that the design and strength of the latter does not tend to be a limiting factor on the maximum permissible speed for the impeller.

Abstract: A grip-yoke assembly for attaching a helicopter blade to the mast of the helicopter rotor having a conventional primary coupling to carry the centrifugal loads and a redundant path operative should the primary coupling fail to insure continued operability of the blade. In one embodiment, the redundant load path has a bearing surface formed on the inboard end of the grip and a corresponding thrust bearing mounted on an inboard yoke fitting for engagement with the bearing surface upon failure of the coupling. In an alternative embodiment, a bearing surface is formed on an outboard grip fitting and a corresponding thrust bearing is supported on the yoke outboard of the grip fitting.