US3597108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary semirigid airfoil
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-28
•
Granted: 1971-08-03
•
Expires: 1989-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A semirigid airfoil for use with rotary wing airborne vehicles. The airfoil includes a rigid spar defining a leading edge, a cable defining the trailing edge and having a root end thereof secured to a root truss and an opposite end thereof secured to a tip truss. Flexible material forms top and bottom airfoil surfaces. Means are provided for controlling the tension in the trailing edge cable during rotation of the airfoil.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Mercer
- 👤 Thomas E Sweeney
- 👤 S Weissenburger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:32
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/32; B64C27/46; F; F03; F03D; F03D1/00; F03D1/06; F03D1/0608; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
In combination: an airfoil assembly comprising at least one semirigid airfoil including a rigid leading edge portion, a cable defining a trailing edge portion, flexible material engaging said leading edge portion and the cable for defining portions of the form of the airfoil, said material having two layers which are spaced from one another in the area between the leading and trailing edges of the airfoil; rotatable means; and means for connecting said airfoil assembly to said rotatable means for rotation therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
In combination: an airfoil assembly comprising at least one semirigid airfoil including a rigid leading edge portion, a cable defining a trailing edge portion, flexible material engaging said leading edge portion and the cable for defining portions of the form of the airfoil, said material having two layers which are spaced from one another in the area between the leading and trailing edges of the airfoil; rotatable means; and means for connecting said airfoil assembly to said rotatable means for rotation therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said rotatable means are power driven to rotate the airfoil assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said rotatable means are driven by force acting upon said airfoil assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 further comprising means connectEd to said trailing edge portion of said airfoil assembly for varying the tension in said trailing edge cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said leading edge of said semirigid airfoil includes a rigid spar extending substantially parallel with said leading edge portion, a root truss assembly integral with a root portion of said spar, and a tip truss assembly integral with a tip portion of said spar, said cable being secured to said root truss assembly and extending to said tip truss assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said tension-varying means includes a weight member connected to said cable, the magnitude of the tension being a function of the speed of rotation of said semirigid airfoil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said leading edge of said semirigid airfoil includes a rigid spar extending substantially parallel with said leading edge portion, a root truss assembly integral with a root portion of said spar, and a tip truss assembly integral with a tip portion of said spar, said cable being secured to said root truss assembly and extending to said tip truss assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said varying means includes a weight member connected to said cable, the magnitude of the tension being a function of the speed of rotation of said semirigid airfoil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said airfoil assembly comprises a pair of said semirigid airfoils, said rotatable means comprises a powered shaft, said spars of said airfoils extending from and being connected to said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said tip truss assembly is formed with an opening through which said cable extends from said root truss assembly, said weight member disposed adjacent said opening when said airfoil is stationary.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 4 for use with a rotary wing aircraft further comprising a body having an engine mounted thereon, said rotatable means comprises a rotor shaft connected between said engine and said airfoil assembly for rotating said airfoil assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said rotatable means comprises a shaft, said airfoil assembly being connected to said shaft and being exposed to the wind to be powered by the wind to rotate said shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein said apparatus includes a windmill, or the like, said apparatus further comprising means for maintaining said semirigid airfoil assembly in a predetermined position with respect to the direction of wind.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |