A journaled rotor is provided for rotation about an axis to be disposed transverse to a fluid flow path and the rotor includes a plurality of mounting portions spaced radially outwardly from and circumferentially about the axis having a plurality of vane assemblies rotatably mounted therefrom for angular displacement about axis generally paralleling the axis of rotation of the rotor. Vane assembly displacement control structure is operatively connected to the vane assemblies for angularly displacing the vane assemblies relative to the corresponding mounting portions 180 degrees each 360 degrees of angular displacement of the rotor and in directions opposite the direction of angular displacement of the rotor upon rotation of the latter. The vane assemblies are variously optimumly angularly positioned relative to the corresponding mounting portions and each other to effect substantially maximum thrust therefrom on the rotor as a result of fluid flow thereagainst from one side of the axis of rotation of the rotor. The vane assembly displacement control structure includes an adjustment feature operative to effect simultaneous adjusted angular displacement of the vane assemblies relative to the corresponding mounting portions independent of rotation of the rotor and the adjustment feature includes fluid flow direction sensing structure operative to sense changes in the direction of fluid flow toward the axis of rotation of the rotor and to accordingly variously angularly position the vane assemblies about their axes of rotation relative to the mounting portions in order to maintain the optimumly angularly displaced positions thereof relative to the changed fluid flow direction. One disclosed form of the invention includes a control for the adjustment feature whereby the vane assemblies may be manually variously angularly positioned relative to the corresponding mounting portions of the rotor toward positions displaced relative to the direction of fluid flow against the rotor whereby the vane assemblies will be inoperative to drive the rotor. Further, a second form of the invention includes structure whereby the vane assemblies each comprise a plurality of vanes which may be remotely feathered toward positions parallel to the fluid flow acting upon the rotor.
This invention relates to a device converting the kinetic energy belonging to the moving stream of the fluid such as the wind, river and gulf streams to the power capable of doing a useful work in the form of a rotational motion with torque. Said device comprises two or more blades revolving about the central axis, which blades are made to rotate about its own axis parallel to the central axis at an angular velocity equal to one half of that of the revolving motion of the blades about the central axis. A pair of flaps are pivotably disposed at both edges of each of the blades, the deflection of which flaps is linked to the rotational motion of the blades that is in turn linked to the revolving motion of the blades in such a way that the blade and flaps line up to the direction of the fluid motion at the minimum drag position in the revolving motion while said combination takes up a position of the maximum drag position, which is a line up perpendicular to the direction of the fluid motion, at another position in the revolving motion of the blade diametrically opposite to the minimum drag position. The flaps are deflected to generate a lift force resulting in the additional torque when the blades are positioned intermediate the minimum and the maximum drag positions. Said device may be called SAIL-MILL when applied as a wind mill wherein an automatic means for positioning said two extreme drag positions appropriately with respect to the wind direction is included.
A windmill of the vertical axis type having a plurality of circumferentially and radially outwardly spaced rotatably mounted vanes vertically parallel to the axis shaft wherein means are provided for controlling multistage feathering of the vanes in conjunction with said vanes feathering to rotate on their individual axes in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the windmill assembly in increments of 45 degrees twice for each blade before finally feathering a final half rotation completing the rotation of 360 degrees on its individual axis while the windmill makes one revolution, thus repeatedly repositioning the blades to the most optimum resistance angle to the wind as the windmill rotates increasing the power angle to near seventy-five percent of the circle of the windmill rotation, a construction option prevailing to routinely cause all the blades to feather when near a zero angular position to the wind, and having associated therewith a conglomerate of mechanical phenomena to perform said functions and to release all blades in the event of a wind velocity exceeding a safe speed for the structure, bringing the windmill to a stop until the wind velocity recedes to a safe precalculated speed causing the windmill to automatically resume operation, characteristic of the total and complete automatism of this windmill.
A device converting the kinetic energy belonging to the moving stream of fluid such as the wind, river stream and gulf stream is disclosed. Said device is comprised of two or more blades revolving about the central axis, which blades are mechanically linked to said central axis wherein each of said blades completes a half rotation about its own axis when it completes a complete revolution about said central axis. Each of blades further includes a pair of flaps rotatably disposed on each edge of said blade, which flaps are mechanically linked to the rotating and revolving motion of the blade wherein said flaps are automatically deflected to provide a suitable camber to the blades to generate a lift force on the blade. In said arrangement, the blade and flaps line up automatically with the fluid stream direction when it occupies the minimum drag position in revolving about said central axis, while the blade takes up automatically a position perpendicular to the wind direction when it occupies the maximum drag position which is the diametrically opposite position to said minimum drag position wherein a hyprothetical line connecting said two positions are generally perpendicular to the fluid stream direction.
System for harnessing wind energy with self-protection that includes a vertical shaft assembled with bearings on the rotating core. The core is equipped with a gear converting movement into energy. The core carries radial pieces in which there is an upper base that supports an ascending vertical shaft terminating in a discoid piece. The radial pieces carry internal shafts with bevel gears connected to the bevel gears assembled on vertical shafts mounted on blocks at the ends of the arms. The shafts carry ball joints, from which the extensions of the ascending shaft extend, provided with a crossbar with the pulleys provided with ties. The ties include elastic springs that fasten the double blades with the ties to the ascending shaft making it possible for the blades to become wound around it. This occurs when the assembly rotates in the opposite direction.
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.
