US4365929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertical wind turbine power generating tower
Assignee: RETZ LOUISE N
•
Filing: 1981-01-16
•
Granted: 1982-12-28
•
Expires: 2001-01-16
Abstract
Abstract The tower comprises a base supported on a framework which mounts a wind powered turbine having a vertical axis of rotation. Air is channeled to the turbine rotor to cause counterclockwise rotation thereof by upper and lower wind deflectors. The wind deflectors include channels which cause the oncoming air to swirl in a counterclockwise motion into the rotor transmitting energy thereto. The vertical struts of the framework are also configured so as to deflect the oncoming air into the rotor in a counterclockwise direction. The rotor itself comprises columns of vertically spaced, radially extending scoops and radially extending curved blades to ensure highly efficient energy conversion. The rotor is formed with no center shaft to allow free flow of air therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Retz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:04
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D3/00; F03D3/04; F03D13/00; F03D13/20; F03D3/02; F03D9/00; F03D9/10; F03D9/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/728; Y02E10/74; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/16; Y02E70/00; Y02E70/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/905; Y10S415/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A wind-power generating apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a rotor mounted within said frame for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation, said rotor comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced wind-gathering elements, including: (i) a plurality of radially extending scoops arranged in columns; and (ii) a plurality of radially extending curved blades; said blades and columns of scoops being alternately disposed about said rotor, and said rotor having an open axial center for allowing free air flow diametrically through said rotor; and (c) air-flow channeling means for directing air flow toward said rotor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A wind-power generating apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a rotor mounted within said frame for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation, said rotor comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced wind-gathering elements, including: (i) a plurality of radially extending scoops arranged in columns; and (ii) a plurality of radially extending curved blades; said blades and columns of scoops being alternately disposed about said rotor, and said rotor having an open axial center for allowing free air flow diametrically through said rotor; and (c) air-flow channeling means for directing air flow toward said rotor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said air-flow channeling means includes an upper air-deflector means mounted on said frame above said rotor for forcing air downward toward said rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper air-deflector means includes a plurality of raised wind channels formed on the surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said raised wind channels are disposed in downwardly converging spirals to impart a downward swirling motion to impinging air currents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper air-deflector means has a substantially horizontal upper surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper air-deflector means has a substantially conical lower surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper air-deflector means comprises the outer surface of an air- or water-storage tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said air-channeling means further includes a lower air-deflector means mounted on said frame below said rotor for forcing air upward toward said rotor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein said lower air-deflector means includes a plurality of raised wind channels formed on the surface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein said lower air-deflector means comprises the outer surface of a control room.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein, in each column of scoops, vertically adjacent scoops are slightly offset with respect to each other in a manner presenting an inclined column outer edge for slicing through an air stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotor further includes an upper mounting disk and a lower mounting disk, said blades extending between and being attached to each of said mounting disks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as defined in claim 12, wherein said rotor further includes upper and lower mounting shafts supported from said frame, and in which said upper mounting disk is attached to said upper mounting shaft and said lower mounting disk is attached to said lower mounting shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as defined in claim 12, wherein said rotor further includes an upper scoop array mounted above said upper mounting disk and comprising a plurality of radially extending scoops spaced circumferentially of said rotor and configured to fill the gap between said upper mounting disk and said upper air-deflector means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as defined in claim 14, wherein said rotor further includes a lower scoop array mounted below said lower mounting disk and comprising a plurality of radially extending scoops spaced circumferentially of said rotor and configured to fill the gap between said lower mounting disk and said lower air-deflector means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 15, wherein slots are formed in said upper mounting disk and said lower mounting disk to provide communication between said scoop arrays and said scoop columns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said scoops is formed of Kevlar®.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said scoops includes a rippled inner surface for delaying the exit of an impinging air stream from said scoop.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a plurality of vertical structural members spaced about said rotor and further wherein each of said structural members includes a first side extending radially outwardly of said rotor and a second side slanted toward the direction of rotor rotation, said second side meeting said first side to form an outward-facing edge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a plurality of vertical strut members positioned at the apices of a pentagon which compares favorably with winds of the Northern hemisphere.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
171 words
A wind-power generating apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a rotor mounted within said frame for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation; and (c) air-flow channeling means for directing air flow toward said rotor; wherein said air-flow channeling means includes an upper air-deflector means mounted on said frame above said rotor for forcing air downward toward said rotor; and wherein said rotor comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced wind-gathering elements and an open axial center for allowing free air flow diametrically through said rotor, said rotor further comprising: (i) a plurality of radially extending scoops arranged in columns; (ii) a plurality of radially extending curved blades; (iii) an upper mounting disk and a lower mounting disk, said blades extending between and being attached to each of said mounting disks; and (iv) an upper scoop array mounted above said upper mounting disk and comprising a plurality of radially extended scoops spaced circumferentially of said rotor and configured to fill the gap between said upper mounting disk and said upper air-deflector means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
171 words
A wind-power generating apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a rotor mounted within said frame for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation; and (c) air-flow channeling means for directing air flow toward said rotor; wherein said air-flow channeling means includes an upper air-deflector means mounted on said frame above said rotor for forcing air downward toward said rotor; and wherein said rotor comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced wind-gathering elements and an open axial center for allowing free air flow diametrically through said rotor, said rotor further comprising: (i) a plurality of radially extending scoops arranged in columns; (ii) a plurality of radially extending curved blades; (iii) an upper mounting disk and a lower mounting disk, said blades extending between and being attached to each of said mounting disks; and (iv) an upper scoop array mounted above said upper mounting disk and comprising a plurality of radially extended scoops spaced circumferentially of said rotor and configured to fill the gap between said upper mounting disk and said upper air-deflector means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein said upper air-deflector means includes a plurality of raised wind channels formed on the surface thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 22, wherein said raised wind channels are disposed in downwardly converging spirals to impart a downward swirling motion to impinging air currents.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 23, wherein said upper air-deflector means includes a substantially horizontal upper surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 23, wherein said upper air-deflector means includes a substantially conical lower surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 23, wherein said upper air-deflector means comprises the outer surface of an air- or water-storage tank.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein said air-channeling means further includes a lower air-deflector means mounted on said frame below said rotor for forcing air upward toward said rotor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 27, wherein said lower air-deflector means includes a plurality of raised wind channels formed on the surface thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 27, wherein said lower air-deflector means comprises the outer surface of a control room.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein said rotor further includes a lower scoop array mounted below said lower mounting disk and comprising a plurality of radially extending scoops spaced circumferentially of said rotor and configured to fill the gap between said lower mounting disk and said lower air-deflector means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 30, wherein slots are formed in said upper mounting disk and said lower mounting disk to provide communication between said scoop arrays and said scoop columns.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein said rotor further includes upper and lower mounting shafts supported from said frame, and in which said upper mounting disk is attached to said upper mounting shaft, and said lower mounting disk is attached to said lower mounting shaft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein in each column of scoops, vertically adjacent scoops are slightly offset with respect to each other in a manner presenting an inclined column outer edge for slicing through an air stream.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein each of said scoops is formed of Kevlar®.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein each of said scoops includes a rippled inner surface for delaying the exit of an impinging air stream from said scoop.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein said frame includes a plurality of vertical structural members spaced about said rotor and further wherein each of said structural members includes a first side extending radially outwardly of said rotor and a second side slanted towrd the direction of rotor rotation, said second side meeting said first side to form an outward-facing edge.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 21, wherein said frame includes a plurality of vertical strut members positioned at the apices of a pentagon which compares favorably with winds of the Northern hemisphere.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | 1986-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-27 | 1990-06-28 | 1990-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-27 | 1994-06-28 | 1994-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |