Abstract:
Wind turbine apparatus includes a plurality of sail elements secured to a circular frame rotatable in response to wind reacting with the sail elements and a control system for the sail elements includes a weight having cables extending from the weight to the sail elements. Movement of the weight in response to wind velocity results in a change in the sail elements exposed to the wind.
Abstract:
A fluid operated motor utilizes one or more flexible rectangular sails and associated supporting frames, sail guides and drive apparatus enabling each of the sails to cyclically fold and unfold, drive the sail supporting frames and provide a source of power when placed in a moving stream of fluid such as in a wind stream, river or gas stack.
Abstract:
A vertical axis windmill involving a rotatable central vertical shaft having horizontal arms pivotally supporting three sails that are free to function in the wind like the main sail on a sail boat, and means for disabling the sails to allow the windmill to be stopped in a blowing wind.
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:
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. The structure is made of hollow aluminum tubes, cords and fabric sails so as to be lightweight and efficient.
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:
An improved windmill mechanism for adjusting the position of a wind responsive assembly in relation to wind is disclosed. The preferred embodiment comprises a fabric sail mounted on the end of an arm which extends from a power output shaft. A torque sensor is disposed on the arm to sense the torque contribution through that arm to the power output shaft in response to wind acting upon the fabric sail on that arm. The position of the fabric sail is adjusted on the arm by means of a control processor which controls a trim-motor and a magnetic brake. The control processor receives the torque signal provided from the sensor and provides adjustment of the fabric sail in accordance with the torque signal. The control operates to position the sail in a running mode over the semi-circular path segment of rotation of the arm which has a leeward component of motion. It is also effective to position the sail to tacking modes at the beginning and ending of the semi-circular path segment and the flutter mode in the middle of that segment which has a windward component of motion. The control is also effective to automatically adjust for changes in the prevailing wind direction. The sails are supported on flexible mast elements which provide automatic feathering of the sails in response to wind gusts and high wind velocities.
Abstract:
A wind-driven rotor for generating power has a central normally vertical column mounted in a base structure for rotation about the column axis. In the preferred form of the invention, a plate is secured to the top of the column perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and functions both as a aerodynamic end plate and as a bracket supporting a group of articulating airfoils. These are rotatable about a pivot connection to the end plate with freedom of movement within a limited sector of articulation providing driving and feathering airfoil positions. The airfoils are preferably triangular, with an apex downward, and pivotally connected to a member fixed with respect to the column at a position relatively close to the column axis, so that one side of the triangular configuration approaches parallelism with the column.