Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus for extracting useful energy from moving fluids such as water, the apparatus including a shaft and a plurality of integrally formed blade modules which are coupled together to form the shaft, a plurality of blades is integrally formed on the free ends of arms, the arrangement being such that the blades can be resiliently displaced relative to the arms when located in the moving fluid to thereby produce useful torque on the shaft.

Abstract: An elongate rod having a first end or end area and an oppositely disposed second end or end area, the first end suitably structured for connecting to a rotary drive such as the chuck of a hand held drill type motor, food blender drive or the like for example, and the second end area including attached flexible line members extending generally perpendicular to the length of the elongate rod. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible line members are made of resilient plastics material such as lawn and weed trimmer type line. Additionally preferred is the line members being retained such that they extend on one side of the rod at a slight angle downward to extend below the terminal end of the second end of the rod for allowing stirring against a container bottom surface, and extend on an opposite side of the rod at a slight angle upward for allowing stirring against a container top surface or lid.

Abstract: A decorative wind device that rotates about a central point. The axis of rotation can vary depending upon several factors including the direction of the wind and the speed or intensity of the wind. The device includes multiple strips of flexible, lightweight material that are connected at a common point at one end (the top of the device); the bottom ends of the strips are not connected at a common point but are, instead, linked to multiple concentric connecting rings made of, for example, sections of connecting material such as wire. The strips are positioned at an angle that places them in an optimum position to be blown by the wind. The resulting device, when hung outdoors or in any other area that has a source of wind, requires very little wind current to cause it to rotate. Further, because of the lightweight, flexible material used for the strips, the strips bend when the wind blows upon them, deforming the device into a pleasing, rounded shape approaching the shape of a sphere.

Abstract: A portable fan for use on a child 's stroller. The fan has a housing, an electric motor in the housing powered by a source such as a battery so that the motor does not require any physical connection to a fixed location, a mechanism for moving air including a shaft connected to the motor, a hub on the shaft and a plurality of blades, made of a resiliently flexible material, projecting radially outwardly from the hub, a shroud having an animal face depicted thereon connected to the housing and substantially enclosing said air moving mechanism, a clamp for releasably clamping the fan onto the stroller being shaped in the form of an animal foot and a bendable support interconnecting the housing and the fan.

Abstract: A fan for a vacuum cleaner has a fan housing, motor and impeller. The fan housing has an inlet and outlet. The impeller has a overmolded hub and multiple flexible blades. This flexible blade fan provides better air performance, less noise, better durability, and easier impeller installation than conventional vacuum cleaner fans.

Abstract: A fan for a vacuum cleaner has a fan housing, motor and impeller. The fan housing has an inlet and outlet. The impeller has a one piece hub and multiple flexible blades. This flexible blade fan provides better air performance, less noise, better durability, and easier impeller installation than conventional vacuum cleaner fans.

Abstract: A fan for a vacuum cleaner has a fan housing, motor and impeller. The fan housing has an inlet and outlet. The impeller has a hub and multiple flexible blades. This flexible blade fan provides better air performance, less noise, better durability, and easier impeller installation than conventional vacuum cleaner fans.

Abstract: A limp propeller for underwater use with a high mechanical damping ability o absorb so-called broadband vibration noise is comprised of a fabric-like material, preferably made of braided high tensile strength material such as fiberglass or graphite fibers. The fabric is devoid of any stiffening plastic or epoxy matrix material. Rather a flexible matrix material having relatively large hysteretic losses when deformed o cyclically in place of the stiffening plastic or epoxy matrix, or no matrix material at all is used in the present invention. The flexible matrix material or the complete absence of any matrix material renders the propeller blade relatively limp to flexure, thereby reducing its acoustic radiation damping or radiation efficiency.

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 polyurethane impeller for mixing liquids lasts considerably longer than equivalent metal impellers of the prior art. The impeller comprises a disk having inner and outer portions of polyurethane resin having different flexibilities, the outer portion being bonded to the inner portion and having greater flexibility than the inner portion. The polyurethane portions are chemically reacted with each other to form a strong chemical bond.A method is provided for centrifugally casting a polyurethane impeller having inner and outer sections of different flexibility and hardness.

Abstract: A vertical axis turbine is provided which comprises a plurality of flexible sail blades attached to a vertically extending, rotatable shaft by upper and lower blade attachment devices, and a power absorbing load device coupled to the rotatable shaft. The flexible sail blades are deployed and stabilized in operation by the centrifugal forces produced in response to rotation of the blades about the vertical axis of the shaft, whereby, in operation, aerodynamic forces acting on the sail blades can be transmitted to shaft without generating bending movements. The sail blades comprise plural elongate flexible sail panels, with flyweights being disposed between and secured to the ends of pairs of the sail panels. In different embodiments, passive flyweights, active flyweights (secondary turbines) and combinations of both types are used.

Abstract: A flexible airfoil section for a wing or a blade comprising a streamlined shape and an elastic structure whose stiffness distribution along its chord and span is tailored to provide a desirable cambered shape with proportional increases in camber with increases in lift, mounted to a supporting structure such that the airfoil sections are free to pivot about axes near their leading and trailing edges. In operation, the foil derives much of its lift from elastic bending deformation of its flexible shape, thereby achieving a higher lift than a symmetric foil at the same angle of attack while postponing the onset of flow separation and stall and, for operation in water, of ventilation and cavitation.

Abstract: A vertical axis turbine is provided which comprises a plurality of flexible sail blades attached to a vertically extending, rotatable shaft by upper and lower blade attachment devices, and a power absorbing load device coupled to the rotatable shaft. The flexible sail blades are deployed and stabilized in operation by the centrifugal forces produced in response to rotation of the blades about the vertical axis of the shaft, whereby, in operation, aerodynamic forces acting on the sail blades can be transmitted to shaft without generating bending movements. The sail blades comprise plural elongate flexible sail panels, with flyweights being disposed between and secured to the ends of pairs of the sail panels. In different embodiments, passive flyweights, active flyweights (secondary turbines) and combinations of both types are used.

Abstract: A portable electric fan assembly for indoor use includes a base member, an upright electric motor mounted in the base member, an upstanding neck extending from the base member, a substantially vertical drive shaft couple to the motor extending within the upstanding neck, a fan head assembly carried by the neck and having at least a part thereof mounted for limited angular movement so as to be settable at a desired orientation, a fan blade shaft carrying a ban blade protruding forwardly from the movable part of the fan head assembly, and a coupling arrangement for drivably coupling the fan blade shaft to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A flexible wing which is connected to a submunition provides a substantia vertical descent and provides torque which power submunition electronics. The flexible wing is deployed in a low drag configuration to avoid collision with other submunitions. The flexible wing is canted to allow rotation of the wing.

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 gas-moving device comprises (a) a rotor which comprises a plurality of fibres, filaments, tapes, ribbons, strips or sheets which are mounted such that on rotation of the rotor they move in one or more planes which are substantially transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor and draw gas into the device and cause it to flow away from the said axis towards the radial periphery of the rotor; (b) one or more gas inlet zones; (c) one or more gas outlet zones; and (d) means of rotating the rotor. The device may be provided with delivery means through which a fluid may be charged to the rotor, which fluid reacts with and removes impurities from the gas.

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: A propeller for a prop-jet engine having a propellor blade formed as a hollow shell member whose outer surface has an aerodynamic blade profile, the propellor blade being secured to a rotor via an adjustment pin. The hollow shell member is internally braced partly along its radial length by a flexible spar secured to the pin and made of thermoplastic material. The flexible spar is hollow and receives a metal spar hich is fixed to the pin and is given flexibility in bending by the provision of a slot therein.

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: An impeller is provided that is adapted to be rotationally driven, and which is constructed of a resiliently stretchable elastomeric material, such that, with increased centrifugal force that is applied to the impeller vanes with increased rotation of the impeller, the impeller increases in diameter and provides increased output performance beyond the output performance of a non-stretchable impeller of the same general size as the impeller at rest.

Abstract: The disclosed wind turbine has a circular turbine wheel with a plurality of soft, furlable and unfurlable airfoils depending between a rim and hub. Each airfoil has associated with it a stepping motor for selectively furling and unfurling the airfoils. The turbine wheel is supported on a carriage which is in turn supported in a cantilevered manner from a central anchor which allows for revolving of the carriage, and therefore the turbine wheel, about the anchor. Control is provided for rotating the turbine wheel into a position upwind and normal to the wind direction. An upstanding pylon mounted on the anchor maintains the turbine wheel in an upright position. The pylon allows for revolving and rotating of the turbine wheel. It also provides for pivoting of the turbine wheel about a generally horizontal axis parallel to and spaced from the plane of the turbine wheel. A plurality of generators are driven by power take-off wheels mounted on the carriage which directly support the turbine wheel rim.

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 propeller blade made of an advanced composite of uniaxial fibers laminated in crossplies to take advantage of their high axial strength. The thinness and strength of the plies are exploited in assembling the plies at various orientations to produce propeller blades which respond to changing aerodynamic loads in the complex ways necessary to maintain an optimum shape.

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: A rotor having airfoil section shaped blades is set into a fluid stream. Over a connection or transmission means a propeller is connected to the rotor. The fluid stream whereinto the rotor is set gives airflow energy to the rotor and revolves the rotor. The propeller is driven by the rotor over the connection or transmission means. Since the propeller is revolved by the rotor in the fluid stream, the propeller provides a thrust. The thrust may be used to lift a weight or to drive a member. A suitable application of the arrangement is for example, to transform a multibladed helicopter into a gliding craft which descends under a gliding angle towards the surface of the earth, when the helicopter has a complete engine failure. Auto-rotation accidents can thereby become prevented. The device is also applicable to drive a vehicle or to lift a weight. Variable means can be applied to obtain variable thrusts in flying craft to improve their efficiencies or change from one flight system to another flight system.

Abstract: A fan mechanism with a fan impeller having flexible blades is shown. The fan impeller is used on a rotatable shaft which includes at least one piece of flexible belting and a plurality of elongate members carried about the shaft parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft for clamping the flexible belting in the approximate mid-region thereof whereby each piece of belting forms two fan blades. A retaining element located at either end of the plurality of elongate members positions the members equiangularly about the circumference of the shaft. Since one piece of belting is clamped in the mid-region to form two blades, the full strength of the belting is utilized to withstand the centrifugal forces generated during operation of the fan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the stabilizing of the direction of travel of watercraft. The invention relates specifically to a sword or fin for sailboards. In order to allow the wind-profile like shape of the apparatus to adjust itself in accordance with a prevailing velocity of flow or a prevailing flow thereagainst, the apparatus comprises two deformable side walls which are mounted to a rigid and stiff center wall exclusively at an area located at the leading edge thereof in relation to the direction of flow. These side walls enclose together with the two oppositely arranged surfaces of the center wall two void spaces. Depending on the prevailing pressure situations between the luff side and the leeward side, an optimal hydrodynamic flow profile is automatically generated. According to preferred embodiments, the trailing edge of the apparatus comprises vacuum pumps which communicate with the void spaces, which vacuum pumps are present in form of water jet pumps.

Abstract: A rollable airfoil, and aircraft for utilizing the airfoil. The airfoil is made of an upper skin having a cambered configuration and formed of a material having sufficient elasticity that the camber can be broken and the skin rolled into a coil. The lower skin is straight to provide the desired flat under surface of an airfoil, and to pull the edges of the upper skin towards each other to assist in maintaining the camber. The lower skin is stretchable to allow the upper skin to be flattened for rolling. A filler material, such as an expanded plastic, can fill the space between the upper skin and lower skin to dampen vibration.

Abstract: A flexible helicopter rotor includes a vertical rotor axle, a mechanism for rotating the vertical rotor axle in a first rotational direction, and a plurality of segmented flexible airfoils secured to and extending radially from the vertical rotor axle, each segment of each airfoil forming a billowing, canopy-shaped surface as the vertical rotor axle is rotated. Each airfoil includes a cross spar extending radially from the vertical rotor axle and in turn supporting first and second leading edge spars and first and second keel spars. The forward ends of the leading edge spars and keel spars are joined to form an apex of the airfoil at a point ahead of the cross spar. A flexible membrane is secured to the first and second leading edge spars and to the first and second keel spars and is divided thereby to form the segmented flexible airfoil.

Abstract: A multi-armed, wind-operated wheel is disclosed which can be mounted to a spindle post and has a vane swivel-mounted to each of the radial arms of the assembly. The vanes are arranged to apply wind force against high-void supported grids during a downwind portion of rotation of the arm around the axis, and swing away from the grids to alignment with wind direction during the upwind sector of rotation of the arm and movement of the vane. A wire nut mounting of the wheel to a hanger wire, in lieu of post mounting, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes a rotating frame carrying a plurality of flexible, resilient blades rigidly secured at their leading edges to the rotating frame. The trailing edges of the blades, which are free to flex, react to the wind for producing a force in the direction of rotation of the frame. As the blades rotate through one hundred eighty degrees they change orientation and continue to receive the air current in proper relation for driving the frame forwardly.

Abstract: This sail power device consists of a sail having a minimally stretchable material along the peripheral sides thereof, a rigid means disposed along the horizontal axis of said sail and connected to the minimally stretchable material, means disposed at the opposed horizontal end portions of said sail to bend sail end portions in opposite direction, means for supporting the upper end of said sail, and a spring-biased means connected to the lower end of said sail.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generation of electricity comprising a large, lightweight wheel attached to a fixed vertical central pylon and oriented to rotate in a vertical plane around a boom having an axis that is substantially horizontal, and pivoted at one end to the pylon. The wind wheel is supported at its rim by a carriage assembly that is constrained to move in a circular horizontal path about the central pylon. The wheel has a cylindrical outer rim and may include one or more perimeter frame structures. The outer surface of the rim is essentially flat in cross section and presents a traction surface for the takeoff of energy from the rim of the wheel. The wheel has a plurality of uniformly spaced radial spindles on which are rolled sails (soft airfoils), which when unfurled catch the wind to provide the rotational motion to the wheel.

Abstract: A cooling fan for a powered vehicle, adapted for automotive use, and having a hub and a plurality of radial fan blades made integral therewith of synthetic resin material, the fan blade being characterized by provision of a transverse cross section through a limited area of the blade. The transverse cross section is contoured under a condition in which rate of continuous thickness change between a middle point and the leading edge in the transverse cross section is regulated relative to a thickness of the middle point so that the ratio of the thickness of the leading edge divided by the thickness of the middle point falls in a range of from 1.0 to 1.5 while another rate of continuous thickness change between the middle point and the trailing edge in the transverse cross section is similarly regulated so that another similar ratio falls in a range of from 0.7 to 1.2. The middle point is locationally determined by a distance from the leading edge to the middle point.

Abstract: A flexible fan device includes a power driven boss and a plurality of fan blades, each secured on the boss at an attached angle. The fan blade has a root portion secured to the boss and a tip portion offset with respect to the root portion in the downstream direction so that the blade angle is decreased under the influence of centrifugal force in response to an increase in the rotating speed. The fan blade is formed to have an angle inclined in the direction of rotation of the boss.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an improved windmill design that combines the blade and rotor support system with the electrical generating system in such a way as to simplify the windmill construction. Specifically, it eliminates the need for shafts, gears, and other coupling devices between the turbine blade system and the electrical generating system. In addition, the windmill design also includes a means for varying the pitch of the turbine blades automatically so as to provide near-optimum blade angles under varying wind conditions, and a tendency toward self-governing at high wind speeds. Furthermore, the blades are attached rigidly to the hub without the need for bearings or other mechanical couplings. Blade pitch changes are produced by twisting the blades elastically by forces produced by fixed weights. The effect of these features individually and in combination is to reduce the complexity of the wind turbine, the generating system, and their associated parts.

Abstract: A wind turbine on an essentially vertical mast converting wind power to electric power for the propulsion motors of a screw propelled ship. The turbine is omnidirectional and capable of being reefed for speed control.

Abstract: A fan blade has a protective beading on at least some of the edges thereof, the protective beading protecting against injuries while the fan is operating.

Abstract: A lightweight simplified economical and efficient sail or rotor blade for a vertical axis wind machine and simplified self-acting restraining means for the blade during rotor operation are disclosed. The rotor structure is characterized by ease of assembly and the absence of need for adjustment and frequent maintenance. Individual rotor blades are attached to vertical axis whips extending above and below horizontal rotor arms. The rotor is self-starting and turns in one direction only in response to wind coming from any direction on the compass.

Abstract: A flow deflector blade primarily for mounting within the efflux of an aircraft propulsion fan so that a change of flow direction can be effected, includes a leading edge member, a trailing edge member, a leaf spring member of arcuate form connecting the two, and filler portions of rubber bonded to each side of the leaf spring member shaped to provide a desired blade contour.

Abstract: An improved wind collecting apparatus utilized for transforming wind energy to rotary motion. The rotary motion is then used to drive an electric generator or the like. The apparatus generally comprises four semi-cylindrically shaped wind collecting blades connected to a shaft which is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and wind deflectors are positioned near the blades for directing portions of the wind. In one embodiment, the shaft is disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the earth's surface and, in one other aspect, the blades are mounted for rotation generally above a cavity formed in the earth's surface. The present invention also contemplates an improved blade structure.

Abstract: To reduce drag in a lightweight windmill, a vertical centrally located frame has three vertical windmill-vane arrays extending radially outward therefrom spaced circumferentially 120 degrees from each other about the rotatable framework. Each vane array includes a plurality of flat flexible sails rigged one under the other between leading and trailing horizontal arms in the array with an upper leading edge of each sail being directly fastened to a different one of the leading arms and a lower edge of each sail being fastened by flexible cords to a different one of the trailing arms so that when the wind blows in the direction of the leading arm, the sail billows outwardly to turn the framework but when the wind blows in the opposite direction the sails are lifted flat to provide low drag. In one embodiment, the arms are cables, stretched radially from the central vertical framework by other cables so that the entire structure is easily disassembled for shipment.

Abstract: A flexible fan which automatically reduces its pitch in response to increased rotation speed includes a hub having an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly therefrom. Each blade has a leading surface, a root portion joined to the hub, a tip portion, leading and trailing edges, and a relatively stiff leading portion joined to a relatively flexible trailing portion by a relatively narrow hinge zone which extends diagonally across the blade from generally the trailing edge of the root portion to generally the leading edge of the tip portion. A pair of stiffening ribs are provided on the leading surface of the leading blade portion which define a triangle with its base joining the hub and its apex extending toward the tip portion, one rib being adjacent and generally parallel with the hinge zone, and the other rib being spaced from and generally parallel with the leading edge.

Abstract: An automotive cooling fan having flexible, resilient blades which decamber with increasing rotational speed of the fan, the general curvature of the blades being formed by a multiplicity of spaced, generally radially extending bends in the blades; in preferred embodiments the blades have configuration resulting from said bends in which the general radius of blade curvature of the blades increases and the chord angle of the blades decreases from the blade roots to the blade tips.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for driving water craft, particularly those of the floating lounge type, is disclosed as including a fin made from a flexible material with a first end formed to define a foil into which the lower end of an oscillatory drive member projects downwardly in a fixedly secured relationship and with a second flexible fin end that extends from the foil end to provide a flapping movement through the water upon oscillation of the drive member in order to propel the water craft. Movement of the drive member through the water is facilitated by the foil shape of the first fin end which is also more rigid than the second flexible end so as to increase the moment arm about the drive member where the flexible flapping movement is concentrated. Flexible sheet plastic is preferably used to form the fin with a folding operation at a score line to define the foil shape.

Abstract: A flexible fan blade construction of the type wherein a decamber limiter is carried by each spider arm and bears against one side of its associated fan blade to thereby limit flexing (decamber) thereof. According to this invention, the decamber limiter terminates short of the heel of each fan blade. High stress concentrations due to contact between the heel edge of each fan blade and its associated decamber limiter are avoided by this novel construction.

Abstract: A flexible bladed automotive cooling fan comprising biasing members biasing both the upstream and downstream sides of th blades including a root portion of the upstream biasing member extending beyond the remainder of both biasing members, the blade thereby having a substantially increased natural frequency and a reduced amplitude of vibration at resonance as well as an improved airfoil configuration.

Abstract: A torsionally compliant helicopter blade having its aerodynamic center axis positioned selectively forward of its center of gravity and elastic axes throughout a selected portion of the blade span so that, during operation, the blade will experience airloading which will induce two per rev torsional deflection of the blade to thereby improve rotor performance by reducing the total power required to drive the rotor.