Abstract: A single motor drives both oil and refrigerant pumps in a refrigeration chiller, the motor and oil pump being disposed in the chiller's oil supply tank and the refrigerant pump being disposed exterior thereof. The refrigerant pump pumps liquid refrigerant to the chiller's compressor section so as to cool the motor by which the compressor is driven while the oil pump pumps oil to chiller locations that require lubrication when the chiller is in operation.

Abstract: A retraction/extension mechanism (70) for a Variable Diameter Rotor system (10), the Variable Diameter Rotor system (10) having a plurality of rotor blade assemblies (16) mounted to and rotating with a rotor hub assembly (18) about an axis of rotation (20), each rotor blade assembly (16) having inboard and outboard blade sections (24, 22) wherein the outboard blade section (22) telescopically mounts to the inboard blade section (24). The retraction/extension mechanism (70) includes a reeling assembly (80) disposed in combination with the outboard blade section (22) of each rotor blade assembly (16) and an epicyclic gear train (100) disposed in combination 7ith the rotor hub assembly (18) and the reeling assembly (80). The epicylic gea2 train is, furthermore, operative for driving the reeling assembly (80) so as to effect telescopic transition of the outboard blade sections (22) with respect to the inboard blade sections (24).

Abstract: A tip brake unit for installation in tip portions of rotor blades of rotary wing aircraft having a plurality of load-carrying rotors has a frame of a size and shape for installation in a tip portion of a rotor blade. An elongate tip brake member of channel cross sectional shape with a closed outer end is supported and guided by rollers on the frame for movement longitudinally between an inner position in which a closed outer end of the tip brake member is flush with the tip of the rotor blade and an outer position in which the tip brake member projects beyond the tip of the blade. The open side of the channel shaped tip brake member faces forwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the tip portion of the rotor blade in which the tip brake unit is installed.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator blade includes a movable front portion, extending from the faster-moving blade tip in a span-wise direction along the blade, and mounted on a pivot axis permitting the front portion to be displaced to a "high drag" position in which it has a high negative angle of incidence which will in turn give rise to a high negative angle of attack to the relative airflow and hence an increased drag tending to slow down an overspeeding blade, but will also give rise to an increased lift which assists in slowing down the overspeeding blade. It has been found that a truncated aerofoil section such as that used for the front blade portion has a relatively high stalling angle, allowing its use in conditions such that the angle of attack may approach 30.degree. without stalling of the front blade portion, but in the presence of a considerably increased total drag on the blade.

Abstract: A wind drive mechanism (10), comprising a housing (16) with a wind entry opening (25) and a wind outlet opening (26). In the housing (16) a rotor (30) is arranged with a vertically extending rotor shaft (31). The rotor shaft (31) is offset from the middle and is provided with rotor rotating arms (37). The rotor rotating arms (37) are slidable relative to the rotor shaft (31). Sails (32) are fixed to the rotor shaft (31) and to the take-up shafts (35), the sails being rolled in and out during each rotation of the rotor (30) with the help of electric motors (29).

Abstract: Opposing windmill airfoil blades extend from a central hub and are connected thereto by a pair of cables secured to the inner ends of the blades and which each freely engages through the opposite ends of a cross member secured to the hub. These cables then extend to a reel on the hub thus forming a triangular configuration to support each airfoil blade. The reel is driven by a small reversible electric motor which extends and retracts the cables and hence the blades depending upon the tension in the cables which is sensed by a sensor which in turn actuates the electric motor. As the wind speed increases in velocity, the cables lengthen and vice-versa. Guide vanes or control tail wings extend from adjacent the inner ends of each of the airfoil blades and are fixed in manufacture thus automatically presenting the desired angle of attack of the airfoil blades to the wind.

Abstract: A wind turbine for converting wind forces into usable energy has a main shaft rotatably mounted in the axis of rotation for the wind turbine, and a pair of coacting complementary longitudinally extending vane members are connected to each other by a plurality of support and transmission assemblies in the form of articulated members and to the main or driven shaft for driving engagement thereof. The coacting vane members may either have straight side edges or preferably have spiralled or helically shaped side edges which in the closed position are aligned and in abutment with each other to define and form a right circular cylinder in side elevation. The vanes are movable between a normally open starting position and a closed position to vary the total vane surface available for contact by the wind forces acting at any given time when the wind turbine is in operation.

Abstract: A brake device for retarding linear and rotative movement of a load carrying unit after ejection from an in-flight projectile, wherein a container encloses the unit and includes a plurality of slits which divide the container into sections. Each section includes a concave end portion which pivots into a position for retarding movement of the unit responsive to movement of the container through the atmosphere.

Abstract: A plurality of variable diameter rotors with mechanism for varying the diameter of the rotors synchronously, and including mechanism to limit the diameter of the rotors.

Abstract: A rotor blade extended radially from a hub, characterized by an elongated spar and a plurality of axially aligned shells pivotally mounted on the spar, each having an aerodynamic center located in trailing relation with the spar and supported thereby for simultaneous axial and angular displacement as centrifugal forces are applied thereto, and a pitch controller including a plurality of pivotal pitch limiting arms transversely related to the spar, each being characterized by a cam surface defined along one edge thereof, engaging in supporting relation a cam follower of a truck pivotally connected to a shell and supported thereby for pivotal motion about an axis coincident with a radius of said spar, and a push-pull link interconnecting the arms for imparting simultaneous pivotal motion thereto, whereby the angular relationship of the arms to the spar is varied for varying the motion of the trucks along the arms for thus limiting the pitch of the segments about the spar.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor having retractable blades each having a three dimensional truss including flexible cables which connect a blade member with a pitch member directly secured to a rotor hub, the cables providing for retraction of the blade member to a storage position and permitting the blade member to be adjustably extended to operative positions. With the rotor rotating normally, the resultant centrifugal force acting on the blade and more particularly the blade member, retains the cables under sufficient tension to form an operationally rigid truss which transmits the rotational force of the rotor to the blade member and also adjusts the pitch of the blade member responsive to operation of the pitch member. Two pairs of cables are provided, inner ends of each pair being spaced apart and retained by the pitch member, opposite ends of each pair being secured, one to each of opposite ends of a rigid rod transverse to the blade member and extending outwardly in opposite directions from the blade member.