Feathering Blades Patents (Class 416/8)
  • Patent number: 11959452
    Abstract: A wave energy capture, storage, and conversion assembly, comprising at least one pump assembly, and a point absorber operatively arranged to displace the at least one pump assembly in a first circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: Loubert S. Suddaby
  • Patent number: 11913424
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for converting river, tidal or ocean current energy into another form of energy, such as electrical, mechanical, or chemical energy. The apparatus can include a first underwater sail(s) coupled to a first cable and second underwater sail(s) coupled to a second cable. The sails are configured to catch water flows and move their respective cables along pulleys. The first cable and the second cable can form a main cable loop that is coupled to a bull wheel. A second cable loop configures the sails to best catch the water flow. The pulleys can guide the main cable loop along a rotational direction. The rotational movement of the bullwheel can be transferred to a generator to convert the water flow into another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: James Curtis Little
  • Patent number: 11867144
    Abstract: A wave energy capture, storage, and conversion assembly, including a first screw pump assembly, including a screw including a first end and a second end, and a tube at least partially encircling the screw, the tube including a third end and a fourth end, and a first point absorber operatively arranged to displace the screw in a first circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Loubert S. Suddaby
  • Patent number: 11815063
    Abstract: A hydro power plant for the use of a water flow includes an endless moving belt on which a plurality of blades is foldably attached. The moving belt is guided around at least two deflection points in such a way that there are two rows of blades moving in opposite directions during operation. At least one of the two rows of blades is oriented inclined to the direction of the water flow. At the deflection points, the blades are folded over from a first blade position into a second blade position and from the second blade position back into the first blade position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Stefanos Sklivanos
  • Patent number: 11148790
    Abstract: A vibration attenuation system for attenuating vibrations in a mast of an aircraft includes a weight attached to the mast but free to orbit about the mast. The weight can be comprised of one or more weight assemblies. Embodiments can include a single weight, or plural weight assemblies wherein each weight assembly can include a mechanical interconnecting mechanism so that each weight assembly receives feedback regarding the position and movement of one or more other weight assemblies. Each weight can be associated with a spring that urges the weight towards a neutral position. Rotation of the mast can cause the weight to orbit about the mast and self-excite such that the weight acts against the urging of the spring towards an attenuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Jouyoung Jason Choi, David Heverly, Michael Seifert, Michael Smith, Frank Stamps, Thomas Parham, Jr., Amarjit Olenchery Kizhakkepat
  • Patent number: 11053909
    Abstract: A hydraulic turbine suspending device is provided which facilitates the positioning of a hydroelectric generator in a waterway, and which is easy to work on. The hydraulic turbine suspending device is a support that suspends a hydraulic turbine (10) in a waterway by laterally bridging the same, and comprises a combination of a suspending beam (2) positioned in parallel with the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway; a plurality of stanchions (5) that support the edges of the suspending beam (2) in a horizontal position on the outside of the waterway; and a floor plate (6) provided in a tensioned state to the suspending beam (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10641126
    Abstract: A turbine arrangement for a gas turbine engine comprising a turbine shaft. An axial array of turbine rotors, having a first axial end and a second axial end. A drive arm coupled between the turbine shaft and the first axial end. A measurement system arranged to measure a parameter of the turbine arrangement, the measurement system positioned at the second axial end. The parameter may be rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: John R Mason, David E Brown
  • Patent number: 9752551
    Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for a surface area adjustment of a reciprocating wing system in a wave energy recovery system where the wave energy recovery system comprises at least a body, a set of wings fastened to a support means that is hinged at its lower ends onto the body to make a reciprocating motion in response to kinetic energy of waves or tidal currents, and a power-take-off means. The arrangement comprises at least adjustment means capable to adjust the total effective surface area of the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AW-ENERGY OY
    Inventors: Arvo Järvinen, Rauno Koivusaari
  • Patent number: 9394883
    Abstract: A wind power electricity generating system and its generation method, comprising a circuit frame, towers that support the circuit frame, a plurality of rails attached to the circuit frame, a plurality of interconnected trolleys, each trolley is connected with a blade whose blade rotation angle is adjustable, a plurality of generators, a plurality of positioning devices capable of sending and receiving signals deployed on the circuit frame, and devices for sending and receiving signals for adjusting a rotation angle of the blades being deployed at each trolley. Current collectors are deployed at the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Qiang Yan
  • Patent number: 9366226
    Abstract: A wind power electricity generating system and its generation method, comprising a circuit frame, towers that support the circuit frame, a plurality of rails attached to the circuit frame, a plurality of interconnected trolleys, each trolley is connected with a blade whose blade rotation angle is adjustable, a plurality of generators, a plurality of positioning devices capable of sending and receiving signals deployed on the circuit frame, and a wireless servo signal transmission device capable of sending and receiving signals is deployed at each trolley. Current collectors are deployed at the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Qiang Yan
  • Patent number: 9115691
    Abstract: A jet stream wind energy capture device including two pair of parallel sail line tracks. Each track pair includes chain support beams; a plurality of rotatable chain gears connected to the support beams of each track; and sail-line chains that ride upon the chain gears. Generator(s) are attached to the gears. At least one sail is attached to the chains whereby the sails move along the tracks in a cyclical downwind and upwind path thereby moving the chains to rotate their chain gears, which in turn provides energy to the generator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Yehuda Roseman
  • Patent number: 9051916
    Abstract: A system for converting wind power to electrical energy has a peripheral frame, sails interconnected to the peripheral frame, radial struts extending from the hub to the peripheral frame, wheels mounted on the peripheral frame, electric generators interconnected with respective wheels, and a hub about which the peripheral frame is rotatable. The hub is in electrical communication with the electric generators. Sails may be interconnected with the peripheral frame on respective masts, each mast having a base and the mast being pivotable about the base. The electric generators may be mounted on a variety of locations, such as the peripheral frame. Each electric generator may be interconnected with a respective wheel via a belt, a chain or other mechanism. The system may include arrangements to generate electricity from sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: IQ Energy
    Inventors: William L. King, Ghanshyam Popat
  • Patent number: 8974181
    Abstract: A rope-conveyor structure for supporting plates of a wind or water power generator, in which plates are coupled to a rope at positions spaced apart from each other so that the force of flowing water or wind applied to the plates rotates the rope. The rope-conveyor structure includes couplings which are coupled to the rope between the plates, and connection wires each of which has a predetermined length. Each connection wire is connected at a first end thereof to the corresponding coupling and at a second end thereof to the corresponding plate. The positions of the connection wires can be selectively changed so that each connection wire can support the corresponding plate in either directions. Therefore, the plates can be prevented from being displaced from the correct positions or from twisting, regardless of the direction of flow of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Inje Univ. Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Yeong-Saeng Kim, Dae-Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20140212286
    Abstract: A device is of a self-adjusting foil suspension in which a foil is placed in a fluid flow, typically a tidal flow. The foil is rotatable around a rotational axis, and the foil is connected by means of an arm to a track. The arm is rotatable around the rotational axis and rotatably connected to the track around a suspension axis at a radial distance from the rotational axis, the suspension axis being parallel to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Tidal Sails AS
    Inventor: Are Borgesen
  • Publication number: 20140161611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating apparatus using flowing water, which converts the energy from the flow speed of the water for generating power to the rotational power of a rotating shaft, wherein a plurality of blades (120) are mounted at a certain distance apart from each other on a chain of a chain circulating device (110). A first straight section (S1) and a second straight section (S2) in which the chain (111) moves in a straight line are formed on the chain circulating device (110). When the blades (120) mounted on the chain circulating device (110) are immersed in water, water passes through the blades (120a) in the first straight section (S1) and then passes through the blades (120b) in the second straight section (S2), and the blades (120) are caught on a stopper (130) provided on the chain (111) such that the blades (120a) in the first straight section (S1) and the blades (120b) in the second straight section (S2) are maintained in an oblique line with respect to the chain (111).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: YoungTae Han
  • Publication number: 20120051910
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rope-conveyor structure for supporting plates of a wind or water power generator. The plates are coupled to a rope at positions spaced apart from each other so that the force of flowing water or wind applied to the plates rotates the rope. The rope-conveyor structure includes couplings which are coupled to the rope between the plates, and connection wires each of which has a predetermined length. Each connection wire is connected at a first end thereof to the corresponding coupling and connected at a second end thereof to the corresponding plate. The positions of the connection wires can be selectively changed so that each connection wire can support the corresponding plate in either of both directions. Therefore, the plates can be prevented from being displaced from the correct positions or from twisting, regardless of the direction of flow of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Yeong-Saeng KIM, Dae-Hee LEE
  • Patent number: 7862290
    Abstract: Apparatus for harnessing energy from wind comprises upper and lower continuous-loop trackways defining a continuous loop path and a series of connected, movable wind foils. Each wind foil has a leading edge mast engaging and guided by the upper and lower trackways. Each wind foil is movable between first and second orientations when moving along first and second portions of the path. A second example comprises a support structure having upper and lower closed loop trackways having inner and outer trackway rails and defining a closed loop path which guides a series of connected trolleys. Each trolley has a roller mounted to a roller support. The roller is guided by the rails of the upper and lower trackways. Sail assemblies each have a mast and a sail extending from the mast, with the upper and lower ends of the mast mounted to and supported by upper and lower trolleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Jürgen Diederich
  • Publication number: 20100283250
    Abstract: A power generating system operates in a flowing body of fluid, such as water or air. The system includes a continuous loop member engaging and rotating around two rotatable members, which, in turn, are operatively connected to a generator. The continuous loop member can include a plurality of attachment arms that extend outwardly therefrom. A collapsible fluid catchment device can be attached to each attachment arm. The fluid catchment devices can open in the direction of movement of the water thereby driving the continuous loop member and, consequently, the rotatable members. When moving against the fluid flow, the catchment devices can collapse to a closed position to thereby reduce drag. The attachment arms are long enough so that the catchment devices are spaced a sufficient distance from the continuous loop member to prevent contact with the rotatable members and the continuous loop member when the catchment devices are fully open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Florida Renewable Energy Corporation
    Inventors: RICHARD CAPONE, Michael Murgio, Eddy Delrio
  • Patent number: 7785065
    Abstract: A low-profile apparatus for converting water current into electricity. Fabric scoops are spaced along a continuous belt and, when submerged in a current of moving water, are pushed by the current thereby causing the continuous belt to move. The current pushes the fabric scoops downstream and then fold closed as the fabric scoops are rotated out of the water and travel back upstream. The moving continuous belt is used to turn an electric generator, which causes the apparatus to produce electrical energy. The apparatus includes one or more floats to support the continuous belt, electric generator, and other components of the apparatus. The apparatus can be moored or anchored in a variety of locations where there is moving water or currents. The apparatus maintains a low profile by using fabric scoops that collapse and fold flat when not submerged thereby reducing wind resistance and visible surface area above the waterline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Hayes Clemens
  • Patent number: 7553385
    Abstract: A process for forming an article, such as a combustion chamber liner, comprises the steps of providing a mandrel formed from a material, such as an aluminum containing material, having a net shape of the article to be made, depositing a powdered metal material onto the mandrel without melting the powdered metal material, and removing the material forming the mandrel to leave a free standing monolithic article. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the powdered metal material comprises powdered GRCop-84. Alternatively, the powdered metal material may be GRCop-42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Haynes
  • Patent number: 6809430
    Abstract: A conveyor-type apparatus harnesses energy from a fluid flow, for example a river or a tidal flow region, and comprises a support structure, a continuous-loop, flexible driven element, for example a pair of chains, mounted to the support structure and extending along a closed-loop path, the path defining an interior region and an exterior region, and a series of reversible fluid foils. The driven element has first and second reaches, the first and second reaches being upflow and downflow reaches when fluid flows from the first reach to the second reach. Each fluid foil is connected to the flexible driven element for movement between a first orientation, situated in the interior region when moving along the upflow reach, and a second orientation, situated in the exterior region when moving along the downflow reach. The first sides are generally concave when moving along the upflow reach and generally convex when moving along the downflow reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Jürgen Diederich
  • Patent number: 6435827
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a fluid flow is disclosed that circulates a plurality of spaced blades or airfoils attached to one or more drive belts about two or more spaced rotatable members. Each blade is commonly journalled with another blade. The inclination angles of each blade and each commonly journalled blade are independently controlled by a control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: James Steiner
  • Patent number: 5758911
    Abstract: A linear motion wind driven power plant utilizes a closed-loop track having a plurality of carriages configured to move thereabout. At least one sail is formed to each of the carriages so as to be rotatable 360 degrees of azimuth. At least one electrical power generator generates electrical power from the movement of the carriages around the track. A sail assembly is defined by the sail, a sensor system for sensing lift generated by the action of the wind upon the sail, and a controller which causes the sail to turn to a position wherein the sensed lift of the sail is approximately maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Heinz A. Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 5744871
    Abstract: The system is provided with a number of blades (3) having a biconvex profile and transversely connected to the outside of a flexible transmission line (2) comprised by two or more elements, preferably steel cable, defining what could be deemed to be a closed belt of any geometric shape, according to the characteristics of the prevailing winds, size or power of the system and lie of the land. These flexible elements of the transmission line are guided in pulleys (6) that are mounted on the shaft (7) of respective alternators (8), to which the energy is transferred. The alternators (8) are mounted on vertical towers or columns (1) through articulated supports (9), and the alternators (8) and their respective pulleys (6) can therefore be arranged inclined in relation to the towers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Robles Akesolo
  • Patent number: 5134305
    Abstract: Wind powered apparatus for attachment to a generator is provided to produce electricity. A series of foldable sails are attached to an endless chain having upper and lower reaches. Guide means control the folding and unfolding of the sails as they travel along the chain. The surface of the unfolded sails always face the wind to obtain maximum benefit therefrom while the folded sails, which travel against the wind to return to an unfolded position, act as wind vanes to keep the sails in proper position with respect to wind direction. As one sail drops to the lower chain reach, another sail rises to the upper chain reach for maximum efficiency. A plurality of such chain assemblies are placed laterally adjacent one another to create a "wind platform". Sprockets attached to the chain turn a shaft which powers a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: David Senehi
  • Patent number: 5056447
    Abstract: What has been created is a new form of an equipment/kite that carry weight in mid-air regardless of fuel and/or wind, which converts the wind energy into mechanical energy by acting as a sail in a multi-level formation, which is in the form of a large flat air balloon 1/2 acre to more than 5 acres wide that floats in the air concave downward against the wind, which functions as a large kite in the presence of wind--soaring upward instead of being blown down which may be constructed into a multi-level balloon kite from ground to the highest altitude of wind to carry several rotary blade windmills on each kite or top pull transportation on land or on water or on aerial cable railway; to carry electric wire conductors up into the clouds to collect electricity from the clouds; to carry lamps, advertisements, and observatory instruments to high altitudes; to serve as sail for large type of windmills in a configuration similar to the United Sail Windmill under U.S. Pat. No.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Gaudencio A. Labrador
  • Patent number: 4930985
    Abstract: In a wind power plant having wind surfaces which are moved by air currents and coupled to a generator and are guided in longitudinal frames so as to be staggered one behind the other and are pivotally connected to lateral pulling devices and supported by endless lateral circulation rails, wherein the plant is mounted on a rotatable support plate, an arrangement and construction are provided in which, simultaneously, the wind surfaces are approximately perpendicular in the upper run of the pulling device and horizontal in the lower run and a number of wind surfaces at both ends of the longitudinal frame are in the reverse position. An additional horizontal guide strut may be disposed in the top region of each wind surface, the outwardly projecting ends of which guide strut engage an outer guide bar which, having a larger diameter, is secured to the longitudinal frame at a specific distance from the inner guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Ferdinand Klute
  • Patent number: 4859146
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a large scale but low cost windmill by maximizing wind-contact out of the least cost of materials with least cost of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Gaudencio A. Labrador
  • Patent number: 4756666
    Abstract: This windmill provides low cost energy out of the wind in the form of compressed air, etc, by maximizing wind-contact at the least cost of construction and maintenance, at the least cost of project site--making the "Output/Cost Ratio" very high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Gaudencio A. Labrador
  • Patent number: 4619582
    Abstract: Apparatus for recovering energy from a moving fluid, comprising a frame that rolls on a circular track about a vertical upright that is secured to the ground. Vanes on the frame respond to fluid pressure to orient the frame in an upstream-downstream or upwind-downwind direction. The frame carries spaced pairs of sprocket wheels about which endless sprocket chains are trained, with flaps pivotally connected between the sprocket chains. Along the lower run of the chains, the flaps hang down and the fluid presses against them to circulate the chains. The kinetic energy of rotation of the sprocket wheels is converted to another form of energy, for example electrical energy by a generator carried by the frame. The flaps comprise pivotally interconnected frames so that they ride about the sprockets and lie flat on the upper run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventor: David M. Slonim
  • Patent number: 4303834
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wind power generating apparatus for producing megawatt levels of power. The apparatus comprises at least one endless flexible cable supported on the peripheries of two spaced apart wheels. Airfoils are attached to the cable and disposed for generating aerodynamic forces which cause the cable and supporting wheels to turn allowing for the generation of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Yao T. Li
  • Patent number: 4302684
    Abstract: Apparatus to convert wind energy into mechanical and electrical energy including a variable pitch air-foil supported by tension guy wires on a wheeled structure constrained to move upon a continuous track. The structure includes electrical generators powered by the rotation of the structure's wheels to convert movement of the structure into electrical energy. The air-foil is supported upright on the wheeled structure, which is designed to resist upward, downward and sideways forces, to capture wind energy at a higher elevation above the ground where winds blow stronger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Inventor: Laird B. Gogins
  • Patent number: 4292535
    Abstract: A modular apparatus which converts the work of water flowing in a waterway into usable power. The apparatus comprises a plurality of modules, and each module comprises water contacting blades which are impacted by the water a plurality of times as the water flows through the module. The blades are connected to means for driving power generating equipment to convert the water flow work into usable power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Inventor: Richard E. Diggs
  • Patent number: 4175910
    Abstract: This invention relates to a windmotor as a windbreak fence. The windmotor serves as a shelter from the wind by converting part of the windenergy into useful energy and part of it into whirling movements. The windmotor looks similar to a conveyor as used for a skier's chairlift. The chairlift has one closed cable, with chairs attached, running from the one end to the other end of the lift. The conveyor type windmotor has additionally another cable running at a lower level parallel to the upper cable. Both cables run at the same velocity in same direction over a pair of wheels at each end of the windmotor. Upper and lower cables, on windside and leeside, are interconnected by a number of vanes in such a manner that the wind blowing on these vanes will force the windside cables with the vanes to move in one direction and the leeside cables with the vanes in the opposite direction, whereby generating a rotational movement of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Reinhold H. Nilberg
  • Patent number: 4163905
    Abstract: A submerged water power machine in which a plurality of vertical blades are connected to two endless chains, one located at the top ends and the other located at the bottom ends of the blades. The blades drive the chains about two endless horizontal tracks, and the chains are drivingly coupled to electric generators. Each blade is mounted on an individual truck supported on the top track and is guided at its bottom by a roller within the bottom track. The endless tracks are arranged as two spaced-apart parallel runs connected by semi-circular end sections. Each blade is adjustable about vertical pivot means on its truck and is controllable so that the blades can be positioned to drive the machine while moving along both runs of the tracks. The blades are adjusted either by electric servo motor drive means controlled by a position programmer or by followers carried by the blades and engaging cam tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1979
    Inventor: Fred E. Davison
  • Patent number: 4124182
    Abstract: Method and apparatus using parakites, or modified parachutes, for capturing wind energy and for converting the consequent wind-induced linear motion to shaft rotation. The parakite apparatus includes a plurality of trains of parakites, with each train comprising a power line having a plurality of serially coupled parakites secured thereto. The power lines are of sufficient length to allow the parakites to reach an altitude above the earth at which prevailing winds are stronger and more uniform than at the earth's surface. Each train is secured at its earthbound end to a drum or windlass selectively rotatable in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to either reel in the power lines attached thereto, or to enable the power lines to be pulled upwardly and outwardly by the action of the winds on the parakites. Provision is made, including canopy lines, to selectively collapse the parakites on selected power lines to facilitate the reeling-in procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Inventor: Arnold Loeb
  • Patent number: 4093398
    Abstract: A base member is disposed longitudinally in the direction of wind movement and has a pair of parallel endless carriers on opposite sides thereof. These carriers are arranged to move over an upper arcuate run and along a lower straight return run. The upper ends of a number of sail-type vanes are connected between the two endless carriers, and the lower ends of the vanes are connected to rotatable idlers. In the operation of the mechanism, the upper ends of the vanes are lifted at the arcuate portion of the carriers to form sails and are collapsed in the return run, the upper ends of the vanes moving around the lower ends thereof with the latter ends rotating with the idlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Inventor: Denver W. Miller
  • Patent number: 4053253
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus, the construction and size of which may vary from a relatively small domestic version for individual homes to a larger commercial version for power stations, comprises a device to be anchored in and driven by a substantially horizontally flowing water stream and includes a body having an endless chain horizontally mounted on sprocket wheels fixed on spaced, vertical, rotatable shafts, the chain being continuously driven by water flow driving a plurality of paddles attached thereto and arranged to be pivotable between a vertical position to be propelled downstream by water flow through a chute and a substantially horizontal position for low-drag movement upstream back to the chute inlet, track and roller support means for the paddle assemblies and a drag bar for raising and lowering the paddles from vertical to horizontal and back then to vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Inventor: Carl E. Coffer
  • Patent number: 4021140
    Abstract: An omnidirectional turbine providing a rotational output of one sense in response to fluid flow approaching the turbine from any direction parallel to its plane of rotation. The invention is contemplated for use in conjunction with electric generators or power generating systems in general capable of utilizing power output from said turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Inventor: Alfred L. Weisbrich
  • Patent number: 3992125
    Abstract: Underwater power apparatus for harnessing a flowing river or large stream, includes blades or sails moving within a housing and in a circuit on a power leg and return leg. The housing directs the stream flow onto the power leg to drive the apparatus and diverts the flow from the return leg to provide a quiescent area for the return leg. Preferably, the blades or sails are opened when on the power leg and are folded or closed when on the return leg to reduce resistance. The underwater power apparatus may have either arcuate or linear power and return legs. In the latter case, the legs can be of sufficient length to develop a high power output. Since the apparatus is disposed completely underwater it disrupts neither the scenic beauty nor the navigation of the river.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1976
    Inventor: Rolf E. Schilling
  • Patent number: 3965846
    Abstract: A special high-speed boat fixed with a propeller unit under a hull, is provided. The propeller unit includes a plurality of wheels which are arranged in a space provided in the propeller unit. An endless belt having a certain number of fixed thereto blades moves from one of the plurality of wheels to another, such that some of the blades extend outside of the propeller unit into water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Mihara