Working Member Foldable, Pivotable Or Collapsible To Non-use Position Patents (Class 416/142)
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Publication number: 20140291440Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle (1) capable of being converted between a flying condition and an automotive riding condition. The vehicle has a telescopically extendable tail (10) comprising a first tubular tail segment (11) and a second tail segment (12) disposed axially slideable within the first tubular tail segment. The tail is provided with at least two form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) located at an axial distance (LI) from each other for providing a force-transferring coupling between the second tail segment (12) and the first tubular tail segment (11) in the extended state of the second tail segment (12), each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) capable of transferring torque and transverse forces, and each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) coming into engagement by axial displacement of the second tail segment (12) in the outward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Pal-V Europe, N.V.Inventors: Michael Alwin William Stekelenburg, Christiaan Cornelis Klok, Louis Petrus Valentijn Marie Van Rijn, Wouter Adriaan Soethoudt, Robert Christiaan Wegerif
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Patent number: 8801330Abstract: Systems and methods for installing a windmill are provided. The system has a hoisting platform and a carrier. The hoisting platform is operatively connectable to at least one platform leg extending a distance above a base. The hoisting platform is positionable along the platform leg(s). The carrier receives at least one component of the windmill, and is positionable about the hoisting platform and movable thereby whereby the component(s) of the windmill is/are positionable for installation.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Dean Allen Bennett
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Patent number: 8784057Abstract: A disc rotor blade retraction system includes a main blade spar incorporating a hydraulic cylinder and having a screw thread. A ball screw is concentrically carried within the main blade spar and is operably connected to a ball nut which has an outboard end connected to an intermediate spar with a hydraulic piston received for reciprocation in the hydraulic cylinder. A first geared actuator engages the ball screw and a second geared actuator engages the main blade spar screw thread. A hydraulic fluid accumulator providing pressurized hydraulic fluid is connected to an outboard end of the hydraulic cylinder and a controller actuates the first and second geared actuators.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Daniel M. Podgurski
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Patent number: 8753080Abstract: An upwind wind turbine includes a tilting coupling mechanism configured to couple base end portions of blades to a hub such that the blades can tilt between a normal position and a retracted position in which the blades are tilted in a downwind direction relative to the normal position. The upwind wind turbine also includes a tilting drive operating in association with the tilting coupling mechanism to switch the positions of the blades and a rotation stop to stop the rotation of the rotor. When the blades are switched to the retracted position, the rotation stop is actuated to stop the rotor in a predetermined rotational position in which the blades can tilt without interference with the tower, and the tilting drive is actuated to tilt the blades to the retracted position after stop of the rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masafumi Morimoto
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Patent number: 8734109Abstract: A foldable electric fan, comprising: a fan head, a support tube and a base, a turnover mechanism for turning the fan head up or down is provided between the top of the support tube and the fan head, is disclosed. Further, the base is foldable, and the electric fan can be arranged into a desk fan or a floor fan by turning the fan head up or down, and can be used for several different purposes in more broad fields. The fan head and the base of the electric fan can be folded-up, which reduces the space it occupies and cuts down the cost of package and transportation. Moreover, the foldable electric fan effectively reduces the inconvenience of traditional electric fans which need to be detached into several parts during package and transportation, and then assembled together for use.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Jiangmen Keye Electrical & Mechanical Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiangming He, Guanglian Lin
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Patent number: 8702393Abstract: A vertical axis windmill is disclosed which includes a set of frames attached via horizontal bars to a vertical axis of rotation, each frame comprising a plurality of swinging windows, each swinging window comprising an upper horizontal bar, vertical side bars, and a plurality of additional horizontal bars; a plurality of blinking sails comprising sheets of lightweight material, wherein the upper edge of each blinking sail is fixed at a horizontal bar, each blinking sail being allowed to move by pivoting or bending relative to the horizontal bar; a gap control rod for each of the frames, connected to each of the swinging windows in the frame such that all swinging windows in the frame move synchronously as the gap control rod is moved; and one or more electronically controlled actuators capable of moving the gap control rods.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Inventor: Jasim Saleh Al-Azzawi
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Patent number: 8678767Abstract: A wind turbine includes two sets of blades. A first set of blades is placed at a front location of the wind turbine. A second set of blades is placed behind the first set of blades. The first set of blades turns in an area within a first circumference. The second set of blades are mounted at a location sufficiently away from an axis of rotation of the wind turbine so that the second set of blades turns within an area that is within a second circumference and that is substantially outside the first circumference.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventor: Peter Mok
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Patent number: 8641379Abstract: An example a ram air turbine assembly (RAT) is mounted to an airframe and provides both electric power and hydraulic pressure. A turbine drives a drive shaft about an axis transverse to rotation of the turbine. The drive shaft in turn drives both a generator and a hydraulic pump at a common speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: David Everett Russ, Michael E. Larson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8631665Abstract: A portable cooling device including an insulated housing and a water cooler system, whereby water stored in a reservoir, or alternatively water introduced into the system through a specific inlet, is directed through a boustrophedonic series of piping to at least one misting orifice disposed proximal to at least one fan, which fan is directable within a fan housing, whence a chilled mist is directionably propelled from the device. The device has a power system including a photocell, a power inlet, and a battery, configureable to different situations to selectively engage the water cooler system and each fan.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Inventor: Anthony DeClementi
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Patent number: 8591169Abstract: A power generation system that generates power in low flow situations is disclosed. The system includes a set of vanes, wherein each vane is mounted on a corresponding mast, so as to selectively transmit energy from the flow medium to a rotor shaft or to freely deflect in the direction of flow, depending on whether the flow impinges on the vanes in an energy-producing or a non-energy-producing direction. This is achieved by mounting each vane on its mast, so that it deflects in the flow direction when the vane is subjected to non-energy-producing flow energy, and also coupling each vane to the mast of an adjacent vane, so that the vane exerts a pull force on the mast of the adjacent vane, when the vane is capturing energy-producing flow energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Inventors: Sergei Breus, Valentin Breus
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Publication number: 20130303830Abstract: An impeller for a pump is disclosed herein. The impeller can include a hub having a fixed end and a free end. The impeller can also have a plurality of blades supported by the hub. Each blade can have a fixed end coupled to the hub and a free end. The impeller can have a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, the blades in the deployed configuration extending away from the hub, and the blades in the stored configuration being compressed against the hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: THORATEC CORPORATIONInventors: Zijing Zeng, Phyllis Yuen, Michael R. Butler
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Patent number: 8579576Abstract: A support system for at least one water drivable turbine (1) that when in operation is immersed in a column of flowing water, characterized in that the system includes a deck or raft (3) for supporting said at least one turbine when immersed, the deck or raft (3) having an inherent buoyancy which is such as to enable the deck or raft (3) to rise through the column of water upon reduction of the buoyancy, the arrangement being such that the associated turbine or turbines (1) can be raised above the surface of said column in order to access the turbine for maintenance purposes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Marine Current Turbines LimitedInventor: Peter L. Fraenkel
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Patent number: 8529207Abstract: A pump wheel for a pump has a base body that can be rotated about a rotational axis and on which at least one wing element is arranged for conveying a fluid during the rotation of the pump wheel. The pump wheel has a pivoting device by which the at least one wing element is mounted in such a way that it can pivot about a pivoting axis arranged at an angle larger than zero degrees in relation to the rotational axis of the pump wheel, according to a rotational direction, between an action position in which a conveyor pressure for the fluid can be generated, and an idle position in which there is essentially no conveyor pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventor: Michal Kalavsky
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Patent number: 8500406Abstract: Methods for deploying a section of a wind turbine rotor blade include compressing a section of skin from an airfoil profile to a retracted profile, wherein the section of skin includes a shape memory polymer composite, and heating the section of skin to at least a transition temperature of the shape memory polymer composite so that the section of skin transitions from the retracted profile back to the airfoil profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carlos Rafael Ramírez Jiménez, Carlos Alberto Concha Flores
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Patent number: 8496423Abstract: A conveyance system and method for delivering at least one component of a windmill to a location is provided. The system is provided with a transporter and a transfer system. The transporter is positionable adjacent a base at the location. The transfer system is provided with a plurality of rails, a support and at least one slider. The rails are positionable on the base and the transporter. The support has a first portion of the rails of the transporter thereon. The support is positionable along a second portion of the rails on a surface of the transporter, and slidably movable between a retracted and an extended position whereby the support is selectively positionable adjacent the base. The slider carries the component(s) of the windmill. The slider is slidably movable along the rails of the transporter and the base whereby the component(s) is/are slidably transferrable between the transporter and the base.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Dean Allen Bennett
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Patent number: 8480363Abstract: A turbine with vanes and tethers that adjust to the wind includes: an axle, adapted to be positioned perpendicular to the airflow; a radial spar attached to the axle; a vane rotatably attached to the spar; and a positioning element to limit the vane from rotating substantially more than a perpendicular angle away from the spar. The device retains the vane in a position that utilizes the airflow to rotate the axle. The positioning element is a tether attached to the distal point of the vane.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Inventor: Thomas Mellus Fenaughty
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Patent number: 8449257Abstract: Wind generator comprising a folding mast (1) pivotally mounted about an articulation (5) positioned at a location some way between the lower (Ia) and upper (Ib) ends of the mast, a counterweight (19) is movably connected to the lower part of the mast and the wind generator comprises a control device (V2) adapted to move the counterweight so that the center of gravity (G) of the counterweight is moved toward and away from the articulation along the longitudinal axis (A) of the mast.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: AlizeoInventors: Richard Lavaur, Michel De Vivo, Alain Ghiretti
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Patent number: 8439859Abstract: The catheter device comprises a drive shaft connected to a motor, and a rotor mounted on the drive shaft at the distal end section. The rotor has a frame structure which is formed by a screw-like boundary frame and rotor struts extending radially inwards from the boundary frame. The rotor struts are fastened to the drive shaft by their ends opposite the boundary frame. Between the boundary frame and the drive shaft extends an elastic covering. The frame structure is made of an elastic material such that, after forced compression, the rotor unfolds automatically.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: AIS GmbH Aachen Innovative SolutionsInventors: Joachim Georg Pfeffer, Thomas Schmitz-Rode, Rolf W. Günther
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Patent number: 8419362Abstract: A turbine blade assembly includes an outboard blade section that folds onto an inboard blade section at a hinge located between the sections. When the outboard blade section is rotating to a folded position a longitudinal axis of the outboard blade section is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the inboard blade section. When the outboard blade section is in a fully folded position, the axes are parallel. The method of folding the outboard blade section includes adjusting the pitch of the turbine blade while it is rotating. Adjusting the pitch changes the pressure on a non-hinge side of the turbine blade and results in the outboard blade section folding with respect to the inboard blade section.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Fabio Paolo Bertolotti, John DiDomenico
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Patent number: 8382434Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventor: Phillip Createman
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Patent number: 8376707Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignees: Thoratec Corporation, The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Mark W. McBride, Thomas M. Mallison, Gregory P. Dillon, Robert L. Campbell, David A. Boger, Stephen A. Hambric, Robert F. Kunz, James P. Runt, Justin M. Walsh, Boris Leschinsky
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Patent number: 8328515Abstract: An improved wind-powered generator, comprising a wind wheel with semi-flexible sails, a supporting tower that can rotate freely with the wind direction, a fairing that ensures the wind wheel is always downwind of the tower, energy generators affixed to the upper tower and mechanically coupled to the rim of the wind wheel, and a controller that changes the angle of attack of the wings.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Inventors: Guirguis Saad Dawoud, Annetta Atia Yacoub
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Patent number: 8316614Abstract: Method for establishing a wind turbine (1) on a foundation (7) where at least a part of the wind turbine rotor (4) is attached to a wind turbine tower (2). Further, the method comprises the steps of positioning the wind turbine tower including the attached wind turbine rotor on the foundation, elevating a wind turbine nacelle (3) to a use position on the tower, and directly or indirectly connecting the nacelle to the attached wind turbine rotor. The invention also relates to transport of a wind turbine tower, and a vessel (10) suitable for transporting a wind turbine tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Anders Soe-Jensen
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Publication number: 20120292456Abstract: A foldable rotor system for a rotorcraft, the foldable rotor system comprising a rotor assembly operably associated with a driveshaft, the driveshaft being operable associated with an engine, the rotor assembly comprising a rotor blade connected to a grip pin. A swashplate is operable associated with the grip pin in order selectively change a pitch of the rotor blade. A blade fold actuator is operably associated with the grip pin such that the blade fold actuator is configured to fold and unfold the rotor blade about a blade fold axis. During an airplane mode, the rotorcraft can stop and fold the rotor blades so that the rotorcraft relies upon thrust from the engine for propulsion. The rotor blades are folded in a spiral fold path so that the rotor blades remain substantially edgewise, or feathered, during the folding process. The spiral fold path minimizes the aerodynamic drag experienced by the rotor blades while being folded during flight of the rotorcraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INCInventors: Charles Hollimon, Dudley E. Smith, David Ludolph
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Patent number: 8292585Abstract: A fan device having simultaneously foldable blades includes a rotatable driving unit. A plurality of supporting frames extend outwardly from the driving unit, each supporting frame has a pivot mounted on one end thereof. A plurality of shells are respectively mounted on the supporting frames, each shell has a center hole defined therein. A plurality of blades are respectively disposed on the shells. Each blade has an assembling portion disposed thereon. Each assembling portion has a through hole defined therein. A plurality of coupling rods respectively positioned between every two adjacent shells. When the driving unit rotates, the shells synchronously rotate and driving the coupling rods to be moved for simultaneously driving the blades to retractably fold/unfold.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Pan Air Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ching-Wen Liu
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Patent number: 8272831Abstract: A power generating apparatus suitable for use in extracting energy from the movement of water, in particular tidal movement, is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate, generally circular in cross section, buoyancy vessel (1), having depending from its underside on a mounting means, rotatable rotor blades (2). The rotor blades are connected to a power generating means whereby in use of the apparatus movement of water across the rotor blasé, drives them so as to generate power in the power generating means.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Scotrenewables (Marine Power) Ltd.Inventor: Barry Johnston
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Patent number: 8262032Abstract: A wing, such as a wing for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes a beam or box that can be selectively expanded from a collapsed condition, to increase the thickness of the wing. The beam may include a pair of plates that are close together when the beam is in a collapsed condition, and separate from one another to put the beam in an expanded condition. The plates may be substantially parallel to each other, and may have shape memory foam and/or resilient devices, such as coil springs, between them, in order to provide a force to separate the plates before, during, and/or after deployment of the wing. The expandable/collapsible beam may have a lock mechanism to lock it into place when the beam is in an expanded condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Terry M. Sanderson, David R. Sar
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Publication number: 20120183400Abstract: To provide a rotating-blade vertical-axis wind turbine capable of improving wind turbine efficiency and dealing with strong winds as well as capable of upsizing. For that, a rotating-blade vertical-axis wind turbine includes a wind-direction shaft of a wind vane mounted in a direction opposite to a rotation direction in the range of between 10° and 30° (both inclusive) from a regular reference mounting angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventor: Takayoshi Onodera
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Publication number: 20120142994Abstract: The invention relates to a compressible and expandable blade for the rotor of a fluid pump having at least two lamellae which are disposed adjacently, are pivotable respectively relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor and moveable relative to each other, and abut against each other in the expanded state of the blade such that they form together a continuous blade surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: ECP[ ENTWICKLUNGSGELLSCHAFT MBHInventor: Thomas Toellner
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Patent number: 8192159Abstract: Described herein is a rigid rotor assembly configured to allow rotation of helicopter rotor blades attached to the rigid rotor assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. The rigid rotor assembly includes a base including a shaft extending therethrough, a first spindle configured to engage the shaft, and a second spindle configured for placement onto the shaft. The second spindle is operable to maintain a first position with respect to the first spindle via an attachment mechanism therebetween, the second spindle further operable to maintain a second position with respect to the first spindle via the attachment mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Neal W. Muylaert, Lyndon Claudius Lamborn, Mark Stephen Durst
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Publication number: 20120134824Abstract: A wind generator that includes a lightweight, collapsible blade assembly mounted on a supporting structure that holds the blade assembly in fixed position that is exposed to low to moderate winds. The blade assembly is coupled to the distal end of a drive shaft linked to a low RPM, axial magnetic generator designed to produce A.C. electric current when rotated at low speeds. The blade assembly is a cylindrical structure with a longitudinally axis. Coaxially aligned around the longitudinal axis is an outer blade component and an inner blade component. The outer blade component is a non-rotating structure which includes a plurality of directional blades designed to direct the wind into and towards the blades on the inner blade assembly. The inner blade component is designed to rotate inside the outer blade component and coupled to the generator's drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: Pete Agtuca
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Publication number: 20120132117Abstract: A set of rigid sails that have an aerodynamic profile and that may be secured to a boat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventors: José Miguel Bermúdez Miquel, Ignacio Bermúdez Sánchez
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Publication number: 20120121417Abstract: An aircraft turbomachine propeller including multiple blades assembled on a hub rotating around an axis of rotation of the propeller, that can reduce risks of loss of the blade following impact of a foreign body. At least one blade includes a recess opening radially towards the inside in the area of the base of this blade. A retaining device includes a moving retaining mechanism positioned in the recess and configured to be moved from a retracted position to a deployed blade-retaining position, and vice versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (inc as a Societe par Act Simpl)Inventor: Laurent Lafont
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Patent number: 8157533Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprising an active elastic member arranged with access to the surface of the wind turbine blade is provided. The active elastic member is deformable from a first shape to a second shape and the lift coefficient of the airfoil with the active elastic member in the first shape is larger than the lift coefficient of the airfoil with the active elastic member in the second shape. Furthermore, a wind turbine comprising such a wind turbine blade and a method of operating a wind turbine comprising such a wind turbine blade are provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Kristian Balschmidt Godsk, Thomas S. Bjertrup Nielsen
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Publication number: 20120061522Abstract: This invention uses a novel shape of airfoil to achieve an improved lift to drag ratio and to improve performance at higher angles of attack. The airfoil has a three dimensional wave pattern that modifies the shape of a traditional airfoil to coordinate the airflow through channels on both the top and bottom sides. The uniquely shaped airfoil of this invention could have many uses including a wind turbine blade. This invention not only provides for a more efficient device by improving the effective angle of attack and lift/drag ratio, but also provides for a quiet airflow thus greatly reducing nuisance noise over conventional devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: John Sullivan, Collin Robert Sullivan
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Patent number: 8118552Abstract: A wind turbine includes a tower member a yaw system, and a wind energy collection system. The wind energy collection system includes a central hub and a plurality of blade members. The wind turbine further includes a component manipulating system operatively coupled between at least one of the plurality of blade members and the tower member. The component manipulating system includes a blade member support structure including a first end pivotally connected relative to the tower member that extends to a second end operatively coupled to the one of the plurality of blade members, and a winching system operatively connected to the one of the plurality of blade members and the tower member. The winching system is selectively operated to shift the one of the plurality of blade members relative to the tower member in order to enable serving of the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
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Publication number: 20120039713Abstract: An impeller for use in conjunction with a percutaneously-insertable blood pump or other rotatable equipment includes a blade that is segmented into a plurality of overlapping or abutting bladelets. In some embodiments, the bladelets are foldable and one side of each bladelet is concave.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: NUCARDIA, INC.Inventor: J. Michael Shifflette
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Patent number: 8113778Abstract: A wind turbine blade stowage arrangement includes a first section of the wind turbine blade nested at least partially inside a second section of the wind turbine blade; and a conformable spacer, arranged between the first and second sections of the wind turbine blade, for positioning the first section inside the second section.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jamie T. Livingston, Nicholas J. Tobergte
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Publication number: 20120014796Abstract: A fan blade for a ceiling fan includes a blade member and a support for the blade member. The blade member and the support are disassembled in a first mode to occupy a compact space for storage and transport and are assembled in a second mode to form a substantially rigid fan blade for assembly into a ceiling fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventor: Thomas Cartwright
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Patent number: 8092180Abstract: A blade assembly for a ceiling fan includes a mounting arm, a bearing, a cover, a spiral spring, a blade, and three screws. The mounting arm has a plate. The plate has a boss. The boss has a split. The bearing is sleeved on the boss. The cover has a stub. The stub has a receiving recess for receiving the bearing. The cover has a through hole for passing the boss. The cover has three bosses. The spiral spring has one end sleeved on the boss of the cover and the other end engaged with the split. The blade has three mounting holes and corresponding to the boss of the cover. The three screws pass through the mounting holes and fasten with the bosses of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Pan Air Electric Co., LtdInventor: Ching-Wen Liu
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Patent number: 8083212Abstract: The present invention provides a wind-turbine rotor-blade hoisting apparatus that enables attachment and removal of wind-turbine rotor blades without using a plurality of heavy machines and that enables attachment and removal of wind-turbine rotor blades on a site having a complex land shape with little flat land, a method for attaching a wind-turbine rotor blade, and a method for constructing a wind power generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Numajiri, Nobuyasu Nakamura
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Publication number: 20110268572Abstract: A hide-away windmill is exposed to the wind for use and covered or hidden for storage. In one version, the windmill has a support tower that is extendable and retractable within another housing. In another version, the windmill is inside another housing, and the walls or portions of the housing are movable to open up the housing to expose the windmill to the wind, for example, in a cupola-style housing with louvers or doors. In yet another version, the windmill is surrounded by an extendable and retractable housing, wherein, when the housing is fully retracted, the windmill extends beyond the housing to be exposed to the air and whatever wind is available, and, when the housing is fully extended, the windmill including its turbine blades is entirely or nearly entirely enclosed within the housing. The windmill may be repeatedly exposed to become operable, and repeatedly covered or hidden, not only to become inoperable, but also to be not visible, and protected from high winds, when not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventor: Roger D. Wilson
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Publication number: 20110253831Abstract: A toy helicopter includes a body, a rotor arrangement for generating a rotational power, and a foldable propeller blade including a bracket member coaxially mounted to the rotor arrangement and at least two blade leafs pivotally and symmetrically coupling with the bracket member in a horizontally movable manner to generate an evenly rotational motion thereof, so as to stably provide an upward force to lift up said body. When one of the blade leafs is pivotally folded by an external force to misalign the blade leafs with each other, the bracket member is kept rotating to generate a centrifugal force to essentially re-situate the blade leafs in line with each other so as to re-gain a control and balance of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventor: Randy Cheng
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Patent number: 8029241Abstract: A wind turbine includes a plurality of rotor blades, with each blade having a root portion connected to a rotor hub and an airfoil portion extending radially outward from the rotor hub. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a winglet pivotally connected to the main foil section so as to pivot from an in-line position wherein the rotor blade has a first sweep length to an articulated position wherein the rotor blade has a second sweep length. In the articulated position, the winglet may pivot to not more than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the main foil section. A deployable sleeve may be connected to the winglet so as to extend between the winglet and the main foil section in the articulated position of the winglet. The sleeve is stowable within either or both of the main foil section or the winglet in the in-line position of the winglet.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Lee McGrath, David Samuel Pesetsky, Jing Wang
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Publication number: 20110236210Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicants: The Penn State Research Foundation, Thoratec CorporationInventors: Mark W. McBride, Thomas M. Mallison, Gregory P. Dillon, Robert L. Campbell, David A. Boger, Stephen A. Hambric, Robert F. Kunz, James P. Runt, Justin M. Walsh, Boris Leschinsky
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Patent number: 8007236Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a supporting system for suspended wind turbines placed in mountainous areas and cliff seashores. The system includes: substantially vertical support the turbine is attached to and a turbine coupled using a mechanism allowing a full-circle rotation of the turbine around the support. A carrying cable stretched over the ground carries downward vertical loads applied to the system, and a number of guy ropes, placed angularly to each other, carry applied wind loads. In the second and the third versions of the invention it is disclosed modifications of the main structural system for supporting vertical-axis wind turbines and the turbines placed in cliff seashore.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventors: Yury Sherman, Mark Yankelevich
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Patent number: 7985048Abstract: In one embodiment, a folding rotor blade for an autogyro device comprises a plurality of connected rotor members. When the folding rotor blade is in a compressed state the folding rotor blade has a compressed length, and some of the connected rotor members are disposed in a non-parallel arrangement. When the folding rotor blade is in an extended state the folding rotor blade has an extended length, which is greater than the compressed length, and the connected rotor members are disposed in a parallel arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard D. Jones
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Publication number: 20110150652Abstract: A turbine is described. The turbine includes: (i) a shaft capable of rotation along its longitudinal axis and capable of connecting to an electrical generator, and the shaft having disposed thereon at least one shaft hinge; (ii) a radial arm including a first end having disposed thereon at least one first hinge; and a hinge pin that fits inside a cavity formed when at least one the shaft hinge of the shaft is in an engaged position with at least one first hinge of the radial arm, and in the engaged position the hinge pin capable of connecting the radial arm to the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Lucid Energy Technologies, LLPInventors: Mark Rydell Cosby, Roderic Alan Schlabach
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Patent number: 7927068Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: Thoratec Corporation, The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Mark W. McBride, Thomas M. Mallison, Gregory P. Dillon, Robert L. Campbell, David A. Boger, Stephen A. Hambric, Robert F. Kunz, James P. Runt, Justin M. Walsh, Boris Leschinsky
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Publication number: 20110042958Abstract: A collapsible vertical-axis turbine for wind or hydro applications is provided, comprising a plurality of vertical blades hingedly connected to a plurality of support arms, a tower having a rotating section, the rotating section hingedly connected to the plurality of support arms. In operating mode, the support arms achieve a substantially horizontal position in the operating mode, and in a collapsed mode the plurality of vertical blades preferably nest substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the tower. A cable means is provided for erecting the vertical blades into an operating mode. The disclosed configuration is easy to erect and collapse for transport, and is well-suited to be implemented as a small to medium scale turbine for deployment to remote locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Vaxsis Inc.Inventor: Roland J. VANDER STRAETEN