Abstract: A vertical type wind-driven prime mover comprises a vertically extending rotative main shaft, a plurality of horizontal support arms radially extending from the main shaft, a rectangular support frame body pivotally connected to the outer end of each of the arms, a rectangular wind receiving plate pivotally connected to each of the support frame bodies so that these plates are swingable only on the same one side of the respective support frame bodies, and a weight attached to each support frame body to maintain the latter substantially vertical until the wind speed reaches a given value.

Abstract: A wind turbine of the type having an airfoil blade (15) mounted on a flexible beam (20) and a pitch governor (55) which selectively, torsionally twists the flexible beam in response to wind turbine speed thereby setting blade pitch, is provided with a limiter (85) which restricts unwanted pitch change at operating speeds due to torsional creep of the flexible beam. The limiter allows twisting of the beam by the governor under excessive wind velocity conditions to orient the blades in stall pitch positions, thereby preventing overspeed operation of the turbine. In the preferred embodiment, the pitch governor comprises a pendulum (65,70) which responds to changing rotor speed by pivotal movement, the limiter comprising a resilient member (90) which engages an end of the pendulum to restrict further movement thereof, and in turn restrict beam creep and unwanted blade pitch misadjustment.

Abstract: A turbine responsive to a moving fluid, which can be wind or another fluid, wherein a rotatable central shaft supports at least one radial arm with a blade assembly at the free end of the radial arm. The blade assembly includes a rocking arm pivotted on the radial arm, a blade member attached to the rocking arm, or a part thereof, and a counterweight attached to the blade. The blade assembly articulates with respect to the radial arm in response to the interaction between the moving fluid and the blade.The turbine is self starting and self controlling in response to excessive moving fluid velocity.

Abstract: Wind turbine of cross-flow type with curved or in sections straight vanes (1,2,9). Two vanes or sets of blades are formed in planes parallel to the rotor axis (3) and with the blade planes disposed approximately perpendicularly to one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a wind wheel having a set of movable vanes whose orientation with respect to the plane of the wheel is changed automatically to limit the speed to a safe level in winds of high velocity. The wheel is constructed and shipped in segments and is especially adapted for ease of assembly and truing for minimal eccentricity and lateral run-out.

Abstract: A windpower generator which includes a cupped blade design to be assembled from flat module sheets together with a resiliently biased mount to provide automatic feathering with a consequent speed control. A generator or alternating generator to feed electric output to an existing power system, as, for example, a residence or small business establishment, is associated with the windmill to serve as a counterbalance in the mounting and to cooperate with the self-governing blade assembly. A switching circuit is connected to feed generator power to the local utility power lines when net power is available at the winddriven alternator and in phase with utility power.

Abstract: A propulsive lifting rotor for an aircraft comprises two wings pivotally mounted about axes parallel to their leading edges. The wings (rotary airfoils) are located at respective sides of a plane at right angles to the rotor axis.

Abstract: A pitch change slide is mounted for longitudinal movement on a propeller shaft hub adapter in turn secured to the engine shaft of an aircraft engine, the said slide carrying a plurality of toothed racks each engaged with a spur gear on the base of one of a plurality of rotatably mounted propeller blades. Reciprocation of the pitch change slide changes the pitch of the propeller blades. The pitch change slide carries a coiled spring. A spring pressure slide, mounted for longitudinal movement on the propeller shaft hub adapter, has a flange bearing against the coiled spring, and is reciprocable on the propeller shaft hub adapter through a control rod operable from the aircraft cabin, thereby to adjust the degree of compression of the spring. Weights are mounted on the propeller blades and generate centrifugal force as the engine shaft turns, the said centrifugal force tending to rotate and change the pitch of the propeller blades.

Abstract: Mounted on a vertical axis there is a horizontal axis and, vertically spaced therefrom, a wind wheel generator and counterweight unit. When the wind speed exceeds a predetermined limit, the unit is swung thereby, in a vertical plane, decreasing the effect of the wind on the wheel and protecting it from overload.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a windmill including a wheel having a set of fixed blades and a set of movable vanes whose angular orientation with respect to the axis of the wheel is adjusted automatically for limiting the speed of the wheel to a safe level in winds of high velocity. The fixed blades may be installed to cause turning of the wheel under generally prevailing winds of a very low velocity. The movable vanes are connected to a speed sensing governor mechanism which changes their orientation from positive through neutral to negative for reducing the speed of the wheel when the wind velocity is excessive and the mill would otherwise reach damaging speeds. In addition, there is disclosed a mechanism for changing the orientation of the vanes from a remote location to stop the wheel. The mill wheel is also constructed in modular segments adapted to being shipped in sections and assembled at the operating site.

Abstract: This invention is an overspeed control arrangement for vertical axis wind turbines employing normally vertically positioned rotor blades, said control arrangement allows the rotor blades to tilt either forward or backwards to form a swept wing configuration, at wind turbine speeds beyond the design rpm. When the rotor blade is in a highly swept wing configuration its high drag and low lift reduces the turbine rotor torque to zero and eliminates excessive overspeeding and structural damage. The rotor blade can tilt about a radial or nearly so, tilt-support arm, mounted on a concentric bearing, the tilting starts at the feathering design rpm which is controlled by the geometric position of the combined center of gravity of both rotor blade and tilt-support arm. The control arrangement is automatic and passive and does not require the use of springs, pulleys or levers.

Abstract: A wind turbine having a flexible central beam member supporting aerodynamic blades at opposite ends thereof and fabricated of uni-directional high tensile strength material bonded together into beam form so that the beam is lightweight, and has high tensile strength to carry the blade centrifugal loads, low shear modulus to permit torsional twisting thereof for turbine speed control purposes, and adequate bending stiffness to permit out-of-plane deflection thereof for turbine yard control purposes. A selectively off-set weighted pendulum member is pivotally connected to the turbine and connected to the beam or blade so as to cause torsional twisting thereof in response to centrifugal loading of the pendulum member for turbine speed control purposes.

Abstract: A blade mounting having journal and thrust bearings locating the blades in a hub to relieve load and therefore friction by a torsionally flexible tension member secured within each blade so that centrifugal forces of the blade are transmitted directly to the hub, instead of thru the thrust bearing. Also, each blade is located in the hub so that the aerodynamic torque and thrust on the blade are transmitted directly to the hub as components of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: There is disclosed a propeller adapted for driving a vehicle, such as a boat. The propeller comprises a pair of pivotally mounted propeller blades which are adapted to assume an inactive position wherein the blades are substantially aligned with the direction of vehicle movement, and a working position wherein the blades are at an angle with respect to the direction of vehicle movement. A stop means on the propeller limits the forward pivotal movement of the propeller blades to those locations between the inactive position and a stop position wherein the propeller blades each forms an oblique angle with respect to the inactive position so the propeller blades can each assume a working position which is located on either side of a perpendicular position wherein the propeller blades are perpendicularly disposed to the direction of vehicle movement.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind-driven rotor which combines effective utilization of the energy in a strong wind with maintenance of effective torque at low wind speeds. In one embodiment, the rotor has a reservoir of liquid located near its base. A plurality of tubes radiate outwardly from the reservoir along the base, then rise upwardly along the outer edges of the rotor vanes. In another embodiment, a Savonius type rotor is modified so that the vanes are hinged, and the trailing edge of each vane weighted, whereby in a wind the rotor starts in a fully open condition and automatically feathers itself at high wind speeds.