US4151424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for utilization of energy from fluids
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-02-18
•
Granted: 1979-04-24
•
Expires: 1997-02-18
Abstract
Abstract Improved apparatus for withdrawing useful energy from a fluent medium, the apparatus comprising supports with tension members spanning the distance between them, foils distributed along the tension member spans, and circular members capable of rotating freely with the tension members, power being taken off the apparatus through fewer than all of the circular members.
Inventors
- 👤 David Z. Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:35
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D3/00; F03D3/002; F05; F05B; F05B2210/00; F05B2210/16; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for withdrawing useful energy from a fluent medium, the apparatus comprising at least two spaced-apart supports; a plurality of tension members spanning the distance between the supports; foil members attached to the tension members over at least a portion of the span of the tension member, the foils being adapted to generate lift in response to the flow of the medium relative to the foils and thereby to cause tension members to rotate about a common center of rotation substantially parallel to the tension members; circular members attached to the tension members, which circular members are capable of rotating about the rotation center and maintaining the spacing of the tension members from the center of rotation, at least one of the circular members rotating freely; and power takeoff means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for withdrawing useful energy from a fluent medium, the apparatus comprising at least two spaced-apart supports; a plurality of tension members spanning the distance between the supports; foil members attached to the tension members over at least a portion of the span of the tension member, the foils being adapted to generate lift in response to the flow of the medium relative to the foils and thereby to cause tension members to rotate about a common center of rotation substantially parallel to the tension members; circular members attached to the tension members, which circular members are capable of rotating about the rotation center and maintaining the spacing of the tension members from the center of rotation, at least one of the circular members rotating freely; and power takeoff means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the freely rotating circular members are toroids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the freely rotating circular members are supported by buoyant forces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the circular members are adapted to be immersed in a liquid and having a buoyant force sufficient to maintain the foils immersed in the liquid throughout rotation of the tension members about the center of rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the circular members are adapted to float on a liquid and having a buoyant force sufficient to maintain the foils above the liquid throughout the rotation of the tension members about the center of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the circular members are circular tores.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a phasing member extends across the space between each circular member and its adjacent circular member, the point of attachment of the phasing member between the two circular members being less than 180° with respect to the center of rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the phasing members are cables.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the phasing members are attached to the circular members so that the phase angle is up to about 30°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tension members are cables.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tension members are chains.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tension members comprise rods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the foil members encompass the tension members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are at least three tension members attaching each circular member to its next adjacent circular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are four tension members attaching each circular member to its next adjacent circular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is a single power takeoff circular member immediately adjacent to a support.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a power takeoff is provided at at least one support.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the foils are moved by adjusting means to maintain an optimum lift/drag ratio.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the foils are moved by adjusting means to maintain cable loads within a selected tensile stress range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the foils comprise thin sheets maintained in the desired foil shape by foil sections spread apart on the tension members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 having at least two circular members between which is a support member adapted to reduce the curvature of the line defining the centers of rotation of the tension members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of spans oriented for fluent medium flow from at least two different azimuths.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein there are three spans in a delta configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein there are three spans in a wye configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB301091A
Cited
US3231220A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-23 | 1982-10-23 | 1983-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-23 | 1986-10-23 | 1987-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-23 | 1990-10-23 | 1991-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |