US3846042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pedestal mounted wind generator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-09-07
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A wind generator having a transmission assembly and a fan mounted on a rotatable platform on top of a pedestal is disclosed. The motive means for driving the fan through the transmission assembly is removably mounted within the pedestal to afford quick repair or replacement. The pedestal positions the fan above ground and serves as a protective housing for the motive means and may include a hydraulic fluid reservoir if the motive means is a hydraulic motor.
Inventors
- 👤 C Keene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:15
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D25/00; F04D25/02; A; A01; A01G; A01G13/00; A01G13/08; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/12; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/905; Y10S415/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
374 words
A wind generator for generating a flow of air in and about crops, said wind generator comprising in combination: a. a hollow vertically aligned pedestal mounted upon the ground, said pedestal including a sealed lower compartment and a sealed upper compartment; b. a support assembly rotatably mounted on top of said pedestal; c. a platform mounted on said support assembly, said platform being non-perpendicularly oriented with the vertical axis of said pedestal; d. a shaft carrying a fan, said shaft being journaled on said platform parallel to said platform, whereby the flow of air induced by said fan will be essentially aligned with said platform; e. motive means disposed within said upper compartment for producing power to rotate said fan, said motive means including: 1. a mounting plate for securing said motive means within said upper compartment; 2. a vertically oriented output shaft parallel to the axis of said pedestal; and 3. control means for regulating the operation of said motive means in response to the output of a ground based control unit; f. a power train disposed intermediate said motive Means and said fan, said power train including: 1. a gear box mounted on said platform and having an input shaft extending downwardly perpendicular to said platform and at least one output shaft, each said output shaft being parallel to said platform; 2. a drive shaft intermediate said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box, said drive shaft including universal joints to accommodate the misalignment between said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box; 3. a flexible coupling interconnecting said shaft of said fan and one of said output shafts of said gear box to accommodate inadvertent misalignment therebetween; g. a housing secured to said platform for protecting said gear box and said shaft of said fan; and h. control means for rotating said support assembly as a function of the rate of rotation of said drive shaft; whereby, energization of said motive means actuates said fan to produce a flow of air in alignment with said platform and toward the ground to destratify the air around said pedestal while said platform rotates about the axis of said pedestal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
374 words
A wind generator for generating a flow of air in and about crops, said wind generator comprising in combination: a. a hollow vertically aligned pedestal mounted upon the ground, said pedestal including a sealed lower compartment and a sealed upper compartment; b. a support assembly rotatably mounted on top of said pedestal; c. a platform mounted on said support assembly, said platform being non-perpendicularly oriented with the vertical axis of said pedestal; d. a shaft carrying a fan, said shaft being journaled on said platform parallel to said platform, whereby the flow of air induced by said fan will be essentially aligned with said platform; e. motive means disposed within said upper compartment for producing power to rotate said fan, said motive means including: 1. a mounting plate for securing said motive means within said upper compartment; 2. a vertically oriented output shaft parallel to the axis of said pedestal; and 3. control means for regulating the operation of said motive means in response to the output of a ground based control unit; f. a power train disposed intermediate said motive Means and said fan, said power train including: 1. a gear box mounted on said platform and having an input shaft extending downwardly perpendicular to said platform and at least one output shaft, each said output shaft being parallel to said platform; 2. a drive shaft intermediate said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box, said drive shaft including universal joints to accommodate the misalignment between said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box; 3. a flexible coupling interconnecting said shaft of said fan and one of said output shafts of said gear box to accommodate inadvertent misalignment therebetween; g. a housing secured to said platform for protecting said gear box and said shaft of said fan; and h. control means for rotating said support assembly as a function of the rate of rotation of said drive shaft; whereby, energization of said motive means actuates said fan to produce a flow of air in alignment with said platform and toward the ground to destratify the air around said pedestal while said platform rotates about the axis of said pedestal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
a vertically oriented output shaft parallel to the axis of said pedestal; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
a vertically oriented output shaft parallel to the axis of said pedestal; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
a drive shaft intermediate said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box, said drive shaft including universal joints to accommodate the misalignment between said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
a drive shaft intermediate said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box, said drive shaft including universal joints to accommodate the misalignment between said output shaft of said motive means and said input shaft of said gear box;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motive means comprises a hydraulic motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination as set forth in Claim 2 including: a. a ground based source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for operating said hydraulic motor; b. a first hydraulic line extending from said source to said upper compartment for conveying hydraulic fluid under pressure; c. a second hydraulic line extending from said upper compartment into said lower compartment or conveying hydraulic fluid; d. hydraulic fluid disposed within said lower compartment; e. a third hydraulic line extending from said lower compartment to said source for conveying hydraulic fluid; and f. means for connecting said first and second hydraulic lines to said hydraulic motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
a flexible coupling interconnecting said shaft of said fan and one of said output shafts of said gear box to accommodate inadvertent misalignment therebetween; g. a housing secured to said platform for protecting said gear box and said shaft of said fan; and h. control means for rotating said support assembly as a function of the rate of rotation of said drive shaft; whereby, energization of said motive means actuates said fan to produce a flow of air in alignment with said platform and toward the ground to destratify the air around said pedestal while said platform rotates about the axis of said pedestal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
a flexible coupling interconnecting said shaft of said fan and one of said output shafts of said gear box to accommodate inadvertent misalignment therebetween; g. a housing secured to said platform for protecting said gear box and said shaft of said fan; and h. control means for rotating said support assembly as a function of the rate of rotation of said drive shaft; whereby, energization of said motive means actuates said fan to produce a flow of air in alignment with said platform and toward the ground to destratify the air around said pedestal while said platform rotates about the axis of said pedestal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
control means for regulating the operation of said motive means in response to the output of a ground based control unit; f. a power train disposed intermediate said motive Means and said fan, said power train including:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
control means for regulating the operation of said motive means in response to the output of a ground based control unit; f. a power train disposed intermediate said motive Means and said fan, said power train including:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 further including an opening in the wall of said pedestal coincident with said upper compartment to provide access to said hydraulic motor and a hatch for sealing said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said control means comprises: a. a further output shaft extending from said gear box; b. a further gear box secured to said support assembly including an input shaft and an output shaft; c. first means for interconnecting said further output shaft and said further gear box input shaft; d. a ring gear secured to said pedestal; and e. second means for interconnecting said further gear box output shaft and said ring gear; whereby, said support assembly rotates with respect to said pedestal as a function of the rate of rotation of said further output shaft.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |