US5254876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined solar and wind powered generator with spiral blades
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-05-28
•
Granted: 1993-10-19
•
Expires: 2012-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A combination solar and wind powered generator including a wind generator, responsive to the flow of air currents, for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The wind generator includes a plurality of air spirally shaped engaging vanes which are rotatably supported by the wind generator, and operative for intercepting the flow of air currents for producing mechanical energy. The wind generator also includes an electric generator apparatus coupled to the plurality of air engaging vanes, for transforming the mechanical energy into a first source of electrical energy. A plurality of light sensitive cells, disposed proximate the spirally formed air engaging vanes, are adapted for transforming light energy into a second source of electrical energy. The spirally shaped air engaging vanes may include a plurality of surface deviations for altering the flow of air currents intercepted by the vanes and for directing light energy onto the light sensitive cells.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Hickey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:21
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D1/00; F03D1/06; F03D1/0608; F03D9/00; F03D9/20; F03D9/25; F05; F05B; F05B2220/00; F05B2220/70; F05B2220/708; F05B2240/00; F05B2240/20; F05B2240/21; F05B2240/221; F05B2240/2213; F05B2240/30; F05B2240/301; F05B2250/00; F05B2250/10; F05B2250/15; F05B2250/20; F05B2250/25; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72; Y10; Y10S; Y10S416/00; Y10S416/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A combination solar and wind power generator with spirally formed air engaging vanes comprising: a wind generator, responsive to the flow of air currents, for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy; said wind generator including a plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes having at least first and second surfaces, said first and second surfaces forming a cavity internal to said spirally formed air engaging vanes, said spirally formed air engaging vanes rotatably supported by said wind generator and operative for intercepting a flow of air currents for producing said wind generator also including an electric generator apparatus coupled to said plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes, for transforming said mechanical energy into a first source of electrical energy; at least one of said first and second surfaces of said spirally formed air engaging vanes including a material which is light energy transparent; at least a first plurality of surface deviations disposed on at least one of said first or second surfaces, said plurality of surface deviations arranged in a plurality of curvilinear deviation sets, said plurality of deviation sets extending radially from a central point and forming a spiral pattern of said surface deviations; and a plurality of light sensitive cells, disposed within said cavity internal to said spirally formed air engaging vanes, responsive to light energy striking said light sensitive cells through at least one light energy transparent surface of said spirally formed air engaging vanes, and adapted for transforming light energy striking said light sensitive cells into a second source of electrical energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A combination solar and wind power generator with spirally formed air engaging vanes comprising: a wind generator, responsive to the flow of air currents, for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy; said wind generator including a plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes having at least first and second surfaces, said first and second surfaces forming a cavity internal to said spirally formed air engaging vanes, said spirally formed air engaging vanes rotatably supported by said wind generator and operative for intercepting a flow of air currents for producing said wind generator also including an electric generator apparatus coupled to said plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes, for transforming said mechanical energy into a first source of electrical energy; at least one of said first and second surfaces of said spirally formed air engaging vanes including a material which is light energy transparent; at least a first plurality of surface deviations disposed on at least one of said first or second surfaces, said plurality of surface deviations arranged in a plurality of curvilinear deviation sets, said plurality of deviation sets extending radially from a central point and forming a spiral pattern of said surface deviations; and a plurality of light sensitive cells, disposed within said cavity internal to said spirally formed air engaging vanes, responsive to light energy striking said light sensitive cells through at least one light energy transparent surface of said spirally formed air engaging vanes, and adapted for transforming light energy striking said light sensitive cells into a second source of electrical energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 1 in which said at least one light energy transparent surface includes a plurality of convex surface deviations, for directing and converging said light energy passing through the at least one surface of said spirally formed air engaging vanes onto said light sensitive cells disposed in the cavity of the vane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 in which said spiral deviation sets radiate from a central common deviation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 3 in which said common central deviation includes a convex deviation, for directing and converging said light energy striking at least one surface of said spirally formed air engaging vanes onto said light sensitive cells disposed in the cavity of said spirally formed air engaging vanes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 in which said at least one transparent surface includes an ultraviolet light filter for preventing ultraviolet light energy from reaching said plurality of light sensitive cells.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
25 words
The system of claim in which said electric generator apparatus produces AC electrical energy, and said plurality of light sensitive cells produce DC electrical energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 6 further including means for converting one of said AC or DC electrical energy into the other type of electrical energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 1 further including a second plurality of light sensitive cells disposed within said cavity internal to said spirally formed air engaging vanes, responsive to light energy striking said light sensitive cells through a second light energy transparent surface of said spirally formed air engaging vanes, for transforming light energy striking said second plurality of light sensitive cells into a second source of electrical energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of deviations are concave.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
12 words
The system of claim wherein said first plurality of deviations are convex.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
16 words
The system of claim wherein said first plurality of deviations include both concave and convex deviations.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
19 words
The system of claim wherein said plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes spiral outwardly from said wind generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes spiral outwardly in a counter-clockwise direction from said wind generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of spirally formed air engaging vanes spiral outwardly in a clockwise direction from said wind generator.
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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) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |