Abstract: A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also a provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid.

Abstract: Wind turbine apparatus is described for converting wind energy into electrical energy. The apparatus includes a rotatable central shaft, a plurality of rotor blades attached to the central shaft, and a plurality of convex airfoils spaced around the periphery of the rotor blades. The ratio of the number of rotor blades to the number of airfoils is at least 1.25 to 1. The size of the apparatus may vary, and the apparatus is useful in a variety of applications and environments. It is very efficient in converting wind energy to electrical energy. It may be operated even in very high wind conditions.

Abstract: A wind energy turbine having air driven blades peripherally distributed about a horizontal rotational axis forming an interior region in which air pressures built up by wind introduced thereto are released through the spaces between the blades. The rotor is rotatably supported by rollers on a pair of parallel front and back stationary tubular rings which act as tracks for the rotor. An aerodynamically contoured entry ring at the front side of the rotor promotes smooth flow of air to the rotor interior and covers the front side ring and rollers mated therewith.

Abstract: A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid.

Abstract: A wind energy turbine having air driven blades peripherally distributed about a horizontal rotational axis forming an interior region in which air pressures built up by wind introduced thereto are released through the spaces between the blades. A stationary back wall for the rotor includes biased air outlet gates for auxiliary release of high internal air pressures thereby limiting and governing rotational speed of the turbine such as in high storm winds. The rotor is rotatably supported by rollers on a pair of parallel stationary rings which act as tracks for the rotor. The entire rotor support assembly is mounted on a platform pivotable about a vertical axis by an associated wind vane arrangement for directing the turbine entry into oncoming winds.

Abstract: Improved wind-engine, comprising a frame (1) and several wind devices (2) mounted on different stages, one above the other on transversal parts (4) of this frame (1) with at least one separation wall (5, 6) mounted on the frame (1), between the wind devices (2) situated one above the other.

Abstract: A wind turbine for mounting on an existing industrial chimney (1), tower or the like, includes two vertically aligned blades (3) mounted on rotor arms (2) for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the chimney, tower or the like. The rotor arms are supported from an annular structure (8) secured to the outer circumference of the chimney, tower or the like and include at their radially innermost ends a rotor arm ring (11) which cooperates with the annular support structure to enable the rotor arms and blades to rotate about the chimney, tower or the like under the influence of wind pressure. Drive ring (16) carried by one or each rotor arm (2) are connectable to gearing of one or more power generators (9) positioned within or extended to the chimney, tower or the like.

Abstract: A wind power plant for harnessing wind power includes a tower; a plurality of upright rotor blades spaced apart circumferentially and spaced radially from a rotational axis; and a supporting structure for the rotor blades leading from the tower to the rotor blades.

Abstract: A Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed which includes a vertically extending hollow rotor shaft mounted on a support structure with two, three, or four rotor blades of troposkein configuration on the rotor shaft for rotating the shaft in response to wind energy and thereby drive a generator to produce electrical power. The turbine includes an erection hinge and gin pole which permits the turbine to be cable hoisted using a simple winch mounted at or near ground level. The erection hinge and pole also permits the turbine to be completely assembled near ground level. The turbine includes two sets of guy cables. The upper set holds the upper bearing assembly and the upper rotor shaft portion in a fixed vertical position. The lower cable set holds the lower rotor shaft portion and the support structure also in a fixed vertical position. A flexible coupling is used to connect the low speed shaft of the generator speed reducer to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: According to the invention, a wind turbine 10 incorporates a wind vane 105 which mechanically controls a valve 100 that directs the output of a turbine driven hydraulic pump 75 to yaw the turbine out of the wind upon a loss of system power or load. The turbine yaws out of the wind at an angular rate that is roughly proportional to rotor speed so that excessive teeter amplitudes are not encountered. The mechanically driven pump advantageously provides power to yaw the rotor out of the wind even if all electrical power is lost.

Abstract: A wind driven electrical generating system consisting of a post with guyed cable supports, a spinner cage mounted on a square wheel on a circular race, sail elements on the spinner cage, a swash plate mounted upon under side of spinner cage and providing an inclined work surface, a rocker arm mounted for vertical displacement and having upper and lower ends, a caster follower member mounted on an upper end of the rocker arm for engaging the swash plate as it rotates, a double acting hydraulic cylinder driven by the lower end, and hydraulic motor responsive to the double acting hydraulic cylinder, and an electric generator driven by the hydraulic motor to produce electric current.

Abstract: A wind-engine of the type consisting of several wind devices rotatably mounted at several independent stages, which comprises the combination of vertical props (1) disposed within a circle (4); at each stage (2), crossbeams (5) connected, on one hand, to the vertical props (1) and meeting, on the other hand, at the center of the said circle (4); a vertical axis (7) situated at the center of the said circle (4) and, at each stage, a wind device rotatably mounted about the said vertical axis.

Abstract: An ocean wave energy extracting beach sand erosion reversal and electric power generation system. Moored seaward of the breaker zone it serves the function of beach sand accretion by extracting energy from the waves prior to their breaking thereby lessening turbulence responsible for tossing sand into suspension to then be swept away by currents.Two pontoons support a series of pyramidal frameworks from which is suspended a strong, flexible, weighted pendulum which is the drive shaft of a large electric generator. The pendulum is caused to swing by the undulations of the ocean waves. The pendulum is caused to rotate as it swings by means of loops of cable and ratcheted pulleys thereby becomming a drive shaft to turn a large generator.By applying the force of the rotating pendulum to turn an electric generator, electricity is produced as a by-product of erosion reversal.

Abstract: A sail-driven wind motor (SDWM) is described, in which a reciprocating load amenable to intermittent, bidirectional drive (such as a water pump or air compressor) is driven by one or two arms, with each arm driven by at least one conventional fore-and-aft rigged sail. Masts for the sails are mounted on beams which are pivotally mounted on the arms. At least one mast and sail per beam, and at least one beam per arm are required to drive the load. Mechanisms are described for controlling the sails to drive the load, and to stop operation of the SDWM during excessive wind velocity. SDWMs for three types of sites are described: land, shallow water, and deep water. Each arm is supported by at least one cross-arm, which rides on wheels for a land site, or on at least one double-ended float for water sites. For all three types of sites, the sail drag must be transferred to the ground, while the sail lift must be transferred to the load via the arm.

Abstract: The wind machine has at least two rotors fixed to a tower. The tower is rotatably supported by a foot bearing at its base and a second bearing positioned below a horizontal stud which supports a pair of rotor units. The second bearing is supported by guy wires and the rotor units can pivot about the stud axis. The wind machine is used to drive a pump and a plurality of wind machines can drive pumps in series or in parallel.

Abstract: The invention shows a rotary positionable installation, such as a wind power, having a tower (11), and an apparatus carrier supported on the tower so as to be rotatable about its axis and rotary positionable by means of an azimuth drive unit, particularly a housing (2), including a frequency adjusting unit (18, 19 27; 40, 42, 46; 66, 74) for the natural yawing frequency of the swinging system of the following components: apparatus carrier (2), azimuth drive unit and tower (1) by adjusting the torsion (rotation) spring constant by means of one of the components and/or the connection between at least two of the components of the swinging system. In this manner, the adjustment of the natural yawing frequency is made possible in a simple manner in respect to construction as well as operation.

Abstract: Instead of the usual heavy structural elements or large collection of guy wires, a lightweight, portable frame for a wind turbine includes three inverted L-shaped inner frame sections supported by generally disc-shaped, heavy feet, and connected together at their top ends by a Y-shaped coupler, and three smaller inverted L-shaped outer frame sections also supported by feet and connected at their top ends to the inner frame sections, the inner and outer frame sections defining a Y-shaped structure when viewed from above. Additional strength is achieved be extending cables between the frame sections, i.e. by running a cable around the top and bottom of the Y-shaped structure.

Abstract: An upper head assembly for the top of a wind turbine comprising a guy wire coupling vertically displaceable by fluid below the coupling.

Abstract: A cabin for a windmill comprises inherently rigid, self-supporting, relatively disengageable parts. Cabin parts which occasionally have to be submitted for repair and/or maintenance work are removable from the windmill. During the repair and/or maintenance work a part similar to the removed part of the cabin can be easily installed.

Abstract: Yaw (fishtail) oscillations in large wind turbines (10) are minimized by damping provided by a drive motor (65) connecting the turbine to the supporting tower (50) therefor at, for example, a yaw bearing (45). The drive motor drives the wind turbine in yaw and maintains desired yaw settings of the turbine. The motor is also capable of being driven by yaw oscillations of the wind turbine and in being so driven, dissipates the energy of such oscillations.

Abstract: Apparatus for furling, unfurling, and controlling a flexible airfoil for use in connection with a wind turbine wheel, comprising a rotatably mounted spindle journaled at one of its ends (the head end) to the hub of a wind turbine wheel, and at its other end (the foot end) in a foot plate bracket adjacent the rim of the wheel. The bracket is attached to a diametral bracing cable, and a soft airfoil is furled on the spindle. The foot plate is rotatably mounted so that the spindle foot can swing through a small arc about a centerline defined by the outer end of the cable. A "V"-shaped boom is rotatably secured to the foot plate and the bracing cable at its free ends such that the boom is pivotable with the spindle about a common axis spaced from the rotational axis of the spindle. A pulley is affixed to the outer, apex end of the boom.

Abstract: A vertical-axis windmill comprising a central pole having a longitudinal axis about which a plurality of sales may revolve as would the main sails of three sailing boats restricted to follow a horizontal circular course and including means for lowering the windmill for protection or service without the sails engaging the ground.

Abstract: A wind power generator comprising a vertically disposed support post having a support assembly rotatably mounted thereon which extends horizontally laterally therefrom. A plurality of vertically spaced rotor assemblies are rotatably mounted on the support assembly and are connected to an electrical generator so that electrical energy is generated as the rotors are rotated by wind. A wind deflector is mounted on each of the rotor assemblies for directing the wind towards to the rotor blades at a more efficient angle. The deflector also shields a portion of the rotor blades so that the wind is prevented from inhibiting the rotation of the rotor assembly. The rotor assemblies are maintained in a direction facing the wind by means of an adjustable stabilizer assembly.