US4066911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind-driven prime mover
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-10-04
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A sail-type wind-driven prime mover is provided in which the area of the sails facing into the wind is adjustable. The prime mover comprises a drive shaft from which depend radially extending front and rear masts which support flexible sails. The area of the sails facing into the wind can be varied by moving the rear masts along and about the drive shaft while keeping the front masts fixed relative to the drive shaft. In a preferred embodiment in which the prime mover drives an electric generator, means are provided to automatically adjust the sails as a function of the output voltage of the generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas P. Sarchet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:31
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D7/00; F03D7/02; F03D7/0244; F03D7/0252; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72; Y10; Y10S; Y10S416/00; Y10S416/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An adjustable wind-driven prime mover comprising a rotatably mounted drive shaft, a plurality of radially extending front masts connected to said drive shaft, a corresponding plurality of rear masts movably mounted on the drive shaft and extending radially outward therefrom, a corresponding plurality of boom members, each boom member being pivotally connected to a front mast and movably connected to a rear mast with the rear mast free to move longitudinally along and to rotate about its associated boom, each associated set of a front mast, rear mast and boom member forming a sail member supporting assembly, a corresponding plurality of sail members each being mounted on one of said sail member support assemblies, means for moving said rear masts relative to said front masts to adjust the area of the sail members facing into the wind, and means for controlling the operation of said moving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An adjustable wind-driven prime mover comprising a rotatably mounted drive shaft, a plurality of radially extending front masts connected to said drive shaft, a corresponding plurality of rear masts movably mounted on the drive shaft and extending radially outward therefrom, a corresponding plurality of boom members, each boom member being pivotally connected to a front mast and movably connected to a rear mast with the rear mast free to move longitudinally along and to rotate about its associated boom, each associated set of a front mast, rear mast and boom member forming a sail member supporting assembly, a corresponding plurality of sail members each being mounted on one of said sail member support assemblies, means for moving said rear masts relative to said front masts to adjust the area of the sail members facing into the wind, and means for controlling the operation of said moving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said rear masts comprises a hub slidably mounted on said drive shaft, said rear masts being mounted on said hub, and means for moving said hub along said drive shaft while rotating said hub about the drive shaft through a predetermined angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said drive shaft has at least one guide slot formed therein which extends longitudinally along and partially circumferentially about the drive shaft through an arc corresponding to said predetermined angle, said apparatus further comprising at least one guide pin connected to said hub and extending into said guide slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said controlling means comprises means for measuring the output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 in which said controlling means comprises means for measuring the output of said prime mover and means for controlling the operation of said moving means as a function of said output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 in which said drive shaft comprises a tube with said slot formed through the tube wall, and in which said moving means further comprises a plug movably mounted inside said drive shaft, said guide pin extending through said guide slot and being connected to said plug, and means for moving said plug longitudinally in said drive shaft, whereby as said plug moves longitudinally along said drive shaft said guide pin follows said guide slot and moves said hub along and rotates the same relative to said drive shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 in which said movable plug has a threaded bore formed longitudinally therethrough concentric with said drive shaft and in which said moving means comprises a rotatably mounted worm shaft and a reversible electric motor for rotating said worm shaft, said worm shaft extending within and threadedly engaging said plug whereby said plug is moved longitudinally by the rotation of said motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising a substantially vertically mounted stanchion, a support frame mounted for rotation about the circumference of said stanchion, wherein said drive shaft is rotatably and substantially horizontally mounted on said support frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said stanchion comprises a tubular member, said apparatus further comprising a connecting shaft extending coaxially through said stanchion, said connecting shaft having an upper end and a lower end, and gear means connecting the drive shaft to the upper end of said connecting shaft, wherein the lower end of the connecting shaft is connected to a load to be driven by the prime mover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said support frame is pivotably mounted on said stanchion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising a substantially horizontal fixed support platform, wherein said stanchion extends perpendicularly through said platform and said support frame is movably mounted on said platform for pivotable movement about said stanchion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 11 further comprising a circular track mounted on top of said support concentric with said stanchion, said support frame being movably mounted on said track.
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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |