US 4,124,182 A · Wind driven energy system

Abstract

Method and apparatus using parakites, or modified parachutes, for capturing wind energy and for converting the consequent wind-induced linear motion to shaft rotation. The parakite apparatus includes a plurality of trains of parakites, with each train comprising a power line having a plurality of serially coupled parakites secured thereto. The power lines are of sufficient length to allow the parakites to reach an altitude above the earth at which prevailing winds are stronger and more uniform than at the earth's surface. Each train is secured at its earthbound end to a drum or windlass selectively rotatable in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to either reel in the power lines attached thereto, or to enable the power lines to be pulled upwardly and outwardly by the action of the winds on the parakites. Provision is made, including canopy lines, to selectively collapse the parakites on selected power lines to facilitate the reeling-in procedure. Gearing is provided to translate the rotational movement of each drum to a power takeoff shaft as the drum is rotated by the outward motion of the power line. Unique pulley assemblies are provided to guide the lines during winding and unwinding. The resulting shaft output is utilized to provide energy as, for example, by the operation of standard electrical generators, or air compressors.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for using the wind to drive energy conversion means,

said method using wind flown devices, such as parakites, attached through power lines to drums coupled to energy conversion means,
said wind flown devices being arranged in pairs of trains of such devices where one train is being driven outward and the other train is being reeled inward,
said method comprising the steps of:
arming a first of said trains to enable the train to be forced outwardly by the wind and disarming the other train of said pair of trains to reduce the force required to reel the other train in,
disarming the train that is forced outwardly a desired amount and simultaneously arming the train that has been reeled in a desired amount, whereby the train that was reeled in is now forced outwardly and the train that was forced outwardly can now be reeled in with less force, and
retaining the outward most parakite of each of said trains armed even when the train is disarmed.

3 more elements

A system for using the wind to drive energy conversion means,

said system comprising parakite means,
energy conversion shaft means coupled to drive the energy conversion means,
means for coupling said parakite means to operate the energy conversion shaft means responsive to wind forces,
said parakite means comprising at least one pair of trains of said parakites,
each of said trains comprising a plurality of parakites,
means for serially connecting each of the parakites of said plurality of parakites,
means for arming one of said at least one pair of trains of parakites and disarming the other of said at least one pair of trains of parakites, and
wherein the parakite furthest removed from said energy conversion shaft of each of said serially connected pair of said trains of parakites always remains armed.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wind driven energy system

Life of this patent

Wind driven energy system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27