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US 4,396,852 AGranted
Windmill
OwnerArlon J. Huntinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A windmill (10) has a member (12) which is torsionally displaceable and coupled to a transducer (62) to produce usable energy.
Claims22
Apparatus for generating energy from a source of fluid in motion comprising:
- means disposed in the fluid for torsional movement in response to the movement of the fluid therepast, said means including a flexible member;
- means operably coupled to said torsional movement means for converting said torsional movement into usable energy;
- and
- said converting means including:
- a first arm;
- means for securing said flexible member to said first arm at one point on the flexible member;
- a second flexible arm;
- means for securing said flexible member to said second flexible arm at another point on the flexible member spaced from the one point, said second flexible arm being displaceable by the torsional movement of the flexible member;
- a transducer;
- and
- second means for operably coupling said transducer to said second flexible arm.
8 more elements
Apparatus for generating energy from a source of fluid in motion comprising:
- means disposed in the fluid for torsional movement in response to the movement of the fluid therepast, said means including a flexible member;
- means operably coupled to said torsional movement means for converting said torsional movement into usable energy;
- and
- said converting means includes a flexible arm and means for securing said flexible member to said flexible arm such that said flexible member can pivot about an axis which is disposed substantially parallel to said arm but is restricted from twisting movement at the point where the flexible member is secured to the flexible arm.
1 more element
Apparatus for generating energy from a surce of fluid in motion comprising:
- means disposed in the fluid for torsional movement in response to the movement of the fluid therepast, said means including a flexible member;
- means operably coupled to said torsional movement means for converting said torsional movement into usable energy;
- and
- said converting means including:
- a flexible first arm;
- means for securing said flexible member to said flexible first arm so that said flexible first arm is displaced by the movement of said flexible member in response to the movement of the fluid therepast;
- a second flexible arm;
- a transducer;
- second means for operably coupling said transducer to said second flexible arm;
- and
- third means for operably coupling said first and second arms with a mechanical advantage.
8 more elements
Apparatus for generating energy from a source of fluid in motion comprising:
- means disposed in said fluid for moving in response to the movement of the fluid therepast said means including a flexible member;
- and
- means operatively coupled to said moving means for converting said movement into usable energy, said converting means including a piezoelectric transducer;
- and
- said converting means including:
- a flexible first arm;
- means for securing said flexible member to said first arm so that said flexible first arm is displaced by the movement of said flexible member in response to the movement of the fluid therepast;
- a second flexible arm operably coupled to the piozoelectric transducer;
- and
- second means for operably coupling said first and second arms with a mechanical advantage.
7 more elements
Apparatus for generating energy from a source of fluid in motion comprising:
- means disposed in said fluid for moving in response to the movement of the fluid therepast, said means including a flexible member;
- and
- means operatively coupled to said moving means for converting said movement into usable energy, said converting means including a piezoelectric transducer;
- and
- wherein said converting means includes a flexible arm and means for securing said flexible member to said flexible arm such that said flexible member can pivot about an axis which is disposed substantially parallel to said arm but is restricted from twisting movement at the point where the flexible member is secured to the flexible arm.
2 more elements
Apparatus for generating energy from a source of fluid in motion comprising:
- means disposed in the fluid for torsional movement in response to the movement of the fluid therepast, said means including a flexible member;
- means operably coupled to said torsional movement means for converting said torsional movement into usable energy;
- and
- said converting means including:
- a first mount;
- means for securing said flexible member to said first mount at one point on the flexible member;
- a flexible arm;
- means for securing said flexible member to said flexible arm at another point on the flexible member spaced from the one point, said second flexible arm being displaceable by the torsional movement of the flexible member;
- a transducer;
- and
- second means for operably coupling said transducer to said flexible arm.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.