초록 ▼

A machine for economical recovery of wind power employs a self-adjusting mass-balanced aerodynamic blade weathervaning freely around a lengthwise pitching axis forward of its aerodynamic center, and an aerodynamic roller in its leading edge, spun at high RPM by a motor. The roller controls aerodynam

A machine for economical recovery of wind power employs a self-adjusting mass-balanced aerodynamic blade weathervaning freely around a lengthwise pitching axis forward of its aerodynamic center, and an aerodynamic roller in its leading edge, spun at high RPM by a motor. The roller controls aerodynamic performance to high levels of efficiency at high lift coefficients, employing novel roller/airfoil profiles. For ship propulsion, the self-adjusting blade with roller stopped is like a furled sail, and with the blade held angling to the wind with roller spinning is like a large, efficient, easily controlled sail. On a horizontal axis wind turbine, the self-adjusting blade is continuously held to an efficient angle of attack by centrifugal lift-increasing pitching moments balancing aerodynamic lift-decreasing pitching moments. The blade whirls steadily despite fluctuations of wind speed and direction, reducing stresses, and preventing structural damage or loss of efficiency. Gyroscopic blade teetering moments are neutralized by mass-balance counter-spin, using a single blade with a balancing stub, on a teetering pivot at the mill shaft. A teetering pivot at the top of the mast and horizontal tail surfaces complete an overall dynamic stress relief system. Sensors monitor operating conditions, control roller speed and move centrifugal mass positions for optimum power output.

대표청구항 ▼

A wind power machine comprising an aerodynamic blade, said blade comprising an aerodynamic roller supported by said blade pivotally attached lengthwise in the leading edge of said blade, powered motor means spinning said roller, said aerodynamic blade comprising extensive airfoil surface area rigidl

A wind power machine comprising an aerodynamic blade, said blade comprising an aerodynamic roller supported by said blade pivotally attached lengthwise in the leading edge of said blade, powered motor means spinning said roller, said aerodynamic blade comprising extensive airfoil surface area rigidly supported by stress-carrying structure; said extensive airfoil surface area comprising extensive outwardly-positioned airfoil surface area lying outboard separated from and beyond the outermost active aerodynamic surface of any said roller, said extensive outwardly-positioned airfoil surface area having an aerodynamic span markedly greater than the maximum diameter of said roller, both of the opposite surfaces of said extensive outwardly-positioned airfoil surface area being exposed to the wind, substantially increasing the lift and reducing the induced drag of said blade, said extensive airfoil surface area comprising substantial rearwardly-positioned airfoil surface area lying rearward of said roller; said blade comprising stress-carrying structure attaching said outwardly-positioned and said rearwardly-positioned airfoil surface areas rigidly to each other; a stress-carrying power-generating joint attaching said rearwardly-positioned airfoil surface area structurally to mechanical power transmission means attached to said wind machine, said power-generating joint structurally transmitting the entire wind-generated power output of said blade to said power transmission means, producing power-generating movement of said wind power machine.