US3924827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for extracting energy from winds at significant height above the surface
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-04-25
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1995-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A bouyant wing is tethered to a line an appreciable distance above the surface where the winds are at higher speed than at ground level, the other end of the line(s) is attached, for example, to an electrical generator, and provision is made for adjusting the position of the wing so that when a series of wings are utilized together with an electrical generator, one wing may be retracted while at least one other wing which is positioned to catch the wind is drawn away from the generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Lambros Lois
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:07
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D13/00; F03D13/20; F03D9/00; F03D9/20; F03D9/25; F03D15/00; F03D15/10; F05; F05B; F05B2240/00; F05B2240/90; F05B2240/92; F05B2240/921; F05B2240/922; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72; Y02E10/728
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for harnessing energy from atmospheric winds, comprising a plurality of floating wings, each wing being connected to a flexible line, the other end of each flexible line being wound upon a respective pulley, means including shaft means connecting said pulleys to energy utilization means for utilizing energy extracted from the wind by playing out of said lines and said wings under the influence of the wind, and means to reverse the direction of rotation of the pulleys in sequence to sequentially retract a wing and its respective line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus for harnessing energy from atmospheric winds, comprising a plurality of floating wings, each wing being connected to a flexible line, the other end of each flexible line being wound upon a respective pulley, means including shaft means connecting said pulleys to energy utilization means for utilizing energy extracted from the wind by playing out of said lines and said wings under the influence of the wind, and means to reverse the direction of rotation of the pulleys in sequence to sequentially retract a wing and its respective line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said energy utilization means comprises an electrical generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means to sense the wind velocity, and control means to vary the rate of rotation of said pulleys as their respective lines are being played out so that the velocity of said wings is approximately one-third of the wind velocity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means to adjust the orientation of said wings to present a smaller area to the wind during retraction of said wings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said last mentioned means include electromagnetic actuated latch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means to reverse the direction of rotation of said pulleys comprise indicator members attached adjacent opposite ends of said lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an abutment member positioned adjacent said pulleys, and a hook member attached to each wing and having a portion to engage said abutment member upon retraction and effective to pivot said wing to a position to commence another cycle of operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wings comprise hollow buoyant members filled with a lighter than air gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising buoyancy maintaining means disposed within said wings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said last mentioned means comprise a pressurized source of said gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wings comprise an upper adjustable wing section and a lower sail section presenting a concave surface to the direction of the wind.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a control line connected to said wing section to vary its angle of attack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising spring means incorporated in said lines, said spring means elongating in response to wind gusts striking said wings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising protective means attached to said wings and projecting outwardly from the surface of said wings to protect said wings upon falling to earth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means attached to said wings and limiting the height of operation of said wings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising mEans attached to said wings and affecting the path of operation of said wings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3730643A
Cited
US3887817A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |