초록 ▼

Apparatus for converting fluid energy into mechanical energy may include a sail and a mast carried by a pivotally mounted support. The sail is mounted both directly to the mast and indirectly to the mast through a boom, which is pivotally mounted at its center or along its length about the mast, and

Apparatus for converting fluid energy into mechanical energy may include a sail and a mast carried by a pivotally mounted support. The sail is mounted both directly to the mast and indirectly to the mast through a boom, which is pivotally mounted at its center or along its length about the mast, and which is also mounted for tilting movement about a fastening extending perpendicularly to the mast. Positioning means periodically causes the boom to yaw about the mast and to tilt. Opposite edges of the sail thus alternately become taut leading edges with respect to incident wind or water and the sail adopts an oscillating motion which powers mechanical drive means such as pumps. The positioning means may be an over-center spring return or, in an alternative embodiment, be a hydraulic control mechanism. Advantages are that, because the sail remains full, it does not flap during repositioning even when formed of a light flexible material, which reduces inertial problems. Useful mechanical energy can be derived with a low level of technology from a large volume of incident fluid moving at a relatively low speed. The pressure from the pumps can be maintained at a constant value even if the speed of the incident fluid should alter.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for converting fluid energy into mechanical energy, said apparatus comprising: fluid driven means including at least a concave front face, a convex rear face, a leading edge and a trailing edge, mechanical drive means, said fluid driven means being operatively connected to said mechanical

Apparatus for converting fluid energy into mechanical energy, said apparatus comprising: fluid driven means including at least a concave front face, a convex rear face, a leading edge and a trailing edge, mechanical drive means, said fluid driven means being operatively connected to said mechanical drive means, means for pivoting said fluid driven means about a pivot axis located in front of the concave front face, and positioning means for controlling said fluid driven means which periodically acts to reposition the fluid driven means with respect to a flowing medium by pivoting the fluid driven means about said pivot axis such that the leading edge of the fluid driven means becomes a trailing edge with respect to the flowing medium and vice versa, thereby causing the fluid drive means to adopt an oscillating motion and powering the mechanical drive means.