Wind propulsion devices
OwnerGunnar C. F. Askerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wind-assisted power elements comprising paired rotors of which each rotor is independently rotated at a peripheral speed of about 2 to 4 times that of the wind, and the rotors are mounted in tandem pairs in a frame positioned by rotation of the frame on a pivot to the apparent direction of the wind and adjustable for a variable angle of attack, so that the wind will flow in a series over both rotating, generally cylindrical rotor surfaces. The effect is to derive a maximum of forward thrust in the direction of the movement of the ship for propulsion, or when the rotors are driven independently in different directions, a steering or other effect is achieved.
Claims16
Windpower converting propulsion apparatus for a vessel having a fore-aft centerline comprising
- a pair of rotatably mounted elongate vertical cylindrical rotors having their longitudinal axes disposed parallel to each other and their peripheral surfaces in closely spaced relation,
- means for codirectionally rotating said rotors about their respective longitudinal axes at a controlled peripheral speed of at least two times the apparent wind velocity, and
- means for conjointly rotatably displacing said pair of rotors relative to the fore-aft centerline of the vessel to permit the selective positioning thereof at a preselected angle of attack relative to the apparent wind direction to permit the wind to pass over the exposed surfaces of said pair of rotors in series and substantially co-directionally with the boundary layer air flow induced by said rotor rotation on one side thereof to decrease the effective pressure thereat.
In windpower energy converting means, a mast-like central support for an upper horizontal and lower horizontal cross beam, each cross beam centrally fixed to said central support, said central support and cross beams forming a frame supporting a pair of rotors, pivotal mounting means for said central support allowing conjoint rotation of said central support and cross beams about the longitudinal axis of said central support an independently rotatable cylindrical rotor disposed on opposite sides of said central support and supported intermediate said upper and lower cross beams, and controllable motor means for driving each of said rotors at a selected speed and rotational direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.