US4031405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Windmill with shroud adjusting means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-04
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1995-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A windmill having a shroud rotatably mounted with respect to a horizontally rotatable vane assembly of the windmill and a directional vane mounted to the shroud to automatically position the shroud to expose half of the windmill vane assembly to the wind. The directional vane is adjustably mounted to the shroud so that the directional vane can be positioned with respect to the shroud to provide a range of positions of the shroud from a position in which the effect of the wind is at a maximum to a position at which it has no effect at all.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Asperger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:13
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D3/00; F03D3/04; F03D3/0436; F03D3/0472; F03D9/00; F03D9/20; F03D9/25; F03D15/00; F03D15/10; F03D9/28; F03D9/30; F03D9/32; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A windmill comprising: a vane assembly and means rotatably mounting said vane assembly about a vertical axis; a shroud disposed over a portion of said vane assembly and means mounting said shroud to be rotatable with respect to said vane assembly whereby said shroud can be rotated to cover different portions of said vane assembly; a directional vane movable by the wind to face the direction of the wind and means rotatably mounting said directional vane independently of said assembly; means selectively attaching said directional vane to said shroud at different positions on said shroud whereby said shroud is moved by said directional vane to a position with respect to said vane assembly depending upon the position at which said directional vane is attached to said shroud; said vane assembly mounting means comprising a first shaft and said directional vane mounting means comprising a second shaft, said first shaft and said second shaft being independent of each other, said first shaft being mounted in a fixed position and said second shaft being fixed to said vane to be rotatable therewith; said shroud mounting means including means rotatably mounting said shroud to said first shaft; said attaching means comprising a plurality of stop members disposed on said shroud and spaced within an arc of substantially 90° with respect to the axis of rotation of said shroud and means carried by said directional vane for selective attachment to said stop means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A windmill comprising: a vane assembly and means rotatably mounting said vane assembly about a vertical axis; a shroud disposed over a portion of said vane assembly and means mounting said shroud to be rotatable with respect to said vane assembly whereby said shroud can be rotated to cover different portions of said vane assembly; a directional vane movable by the wind to face the direction of the wind and means rotatably mounting said directional vane independently of said assembly; means selectively attaching said directional vane to said shroud at different positions on said shroud whereby said shroud is moved by said directional vane to a position with respect to said vane assembly depending upon the position at which said directional vane is attached to said shroud; said vane assembly mounting means comprising a first shaft and said directional vane mounting means comprising a second shaft, said first shaft and said second shaft being independent of each other, said first shaft being mounted in a fixed position and said second shaft being fixed to said vane to be rotatable therewith; said shroud mounting means including means rotatably mounting said shroud to said first shaft; said attaching means comprising a plurality of stop members disposed on said shroud and spaced within an arc of substantially 90° with respect to the axis of rotation of said shroud and means carried by said directional vane for selective attachment to said stop means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The windmill as defined in claim 1 and including a circular track disposed above said vane assembly intermediate said vane assembly and said shroud, a wheel member mounted to said directional vane and rotatably engaging said circular track whereby said directional vane is supported by said circular track whereby said directional vane is supported by said circular track through 360° of rotational movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The windmill as defined in claim 1 and including at least one electrical generator connected with said first shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The windmill as defined in claim 1 and including a tower and platform means carried at the top of said tower, said vane assembly rotatably mounted to said platform means and roller means carried by said shroud and engaging said platform means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The windmill as defined in claim 1 and including a tower and platform means carried at the top of said tower, a track supported by said platform means and disposed intermediate said vane assembly and said shroud, and roller means carried by said directional vane and engaging said track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The windmill as defined in claim 1 and in which said selective attachment means comprises a clamp member pivotally mounted to said directional vane and means for selectively pivoting said clamp member into and out of engagement with said stop members.
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) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |