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US 8,475,143 B1Granted
Wind driven machine
AssigneeHershberger Wind Energy, LLC
InventorRoy J. Hershberger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind driven machine with a furling system to move the machine to between an active position and an inactive position in response to a predetermined condition. The wind driven machine includes a propeller section and a tail section, the tail section hinged to the propeller section to direct the propeller section into the wind. The furling system includes a first portion to rotate with one of the respective sections and a second portion that is generally rotationally fixed and moves axially between an active position and an inactive position corresponding to the active and inactive positions of the wind driven machine.
Claims25
An automated furling system for a wind driven compressor, the system comprising:
- a wind driven compressor having a propeller section, a tail section hinged to the propeller section, an air compressor rotationally combined to the propeller section, and a storage tank in fluid communication with the air compressor for storing a compressed air therein;
- a pressure sensor associated with the storage tank for sensing a predetermined pressure inside the storage tank;
- an actuator for actuating in response to a signal from the pressure sensor that the pressure sensor has sensed the predetermined air pressure in the storage tank;
- a linkage system extending between the actuator and one of the propeller section and the tail section to move one of the respective sections between an active position where the compressor is compressing and an inactive position where the compressor is inactive;
- and
- wherein the linkage system rotates with one of the respective sections around an axis of a channel that provides for fluid communication between the air compressor and the storage tank to maintain an alignment of the linkage system and the linkage system moves axially between the active and the inactive position.
3 more elements
An automated furling system for a wind driven machine, the system comprising:
- a wind mill having a propeller section, a tail section hinged to the propeller section, and the wind driven machine rotationally combined to the propeller section;
- a machine sensor associated with the wind driven machine for sensing a predetermined condition for the wind driven machine;
- an actuator for actuating in response to a signal from the machine sensor that the machine sensor has sensed the predetermined condition of the wind driven machine;
- a linkage system extending between the actuator and one of the propeller section and the tail section to move of the respective sections between an active position where the wind driven machine is active and an inactive position where the wind driven machine is inactive;
- wherein the linkage system includes a first portion that rotates with one of the respective sections to maintain an alignment of the linkage system and a second portion that is generally rotationally fixed with respect to the first portion and moves axially between an active and an inactive position corresponding to the active and inactive positions of the wind driven machine;
- a channel that includes a pipe that extends perpendicular with respect to the ground surface, wherein the pipe establishes a fluid communication of a compressed fluid between the wind driven machine and a storage tank;
- and
- a bearing swivel combined to the pipe, the bearing swivel having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion rotates with respect to the outer portion, the inner portion having an interference fit with the pipe so the inner portion and the pipe rotate with respect to the outer portion, and wherein the bearing swivel moves axially with respect to the pipe.
5 more elements
A wind driven machine, comprising:
- a propeller section for converting a wind energy from a wind into rotational motion;
- a tail section attached to the propeller section to direct the propeller section into the wind, the tail section hingedly attached to the propeller section;
- a fluid compressor selectively engageable with the propeller section for using the rotational motion of the propeller section to pressurize fluid, and;
- a furling mechanism to move one of the propeller section and the tail section between an inactive position where the fluid compressor is in an inactive mode of operation in response to a predetermined condition and an active position where the fluid compressor is in an active mode of operation, wherein a first portion of the furling mechanism rotates with one of the respective sections to maintain an alignment of the furling mechanism and a second portion that is generally rotationally fixed and moves axially between an active and an inactive position corresponding to the active and inactive positions of the wind driven machine,
- a channel that includes a pipe that extends perpendicular with respect to a ground surface, wherein the pipe establishes a fluid communication of the compressed fluid between the fluid compressor and a storage tank;
- and
- wherein the linkage system includes a bearing swivel combined to the pipe, the bearing swivel having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion rotates with respect to the outer portion, the inner portion having an interference fit with the pipe so the inner portion and the pipe rotate with respect to the outer portion, and wherein the bearing swivel moves axially with respect to the pipe.
4 more elements
An automated furling system for an air compressor, the system comprising:
- a wind mill having a propeller section, a tail section hinged to the propeller section, and the air compressor rotationally combined to the propeller section;
- a pressure relief valve associated with the air compressor for sensing a predetermined condition for the air compressor;
- an actuator for actuating in response to a signal from the pressure relief valve that the pressure relief valve has sensed the predetermined condition of the air compressor, the pressure relief valve having an output that is in fluid communication with the actuator;
- a linkage system extending between the actuator and one of the propeller section and the tail section to move of the respective sections between an active position where the air compressor is active and an inactive position where the air compressor is inactive;
- wherein the linkage system includes a first portion that rotates with one of the respective sections to maintain an alignment of the linkage system and a second portion that is generally rotationally fixed with respect to the first portion and moves axially between an active and an inactive position corresponding to the active and inactive positions of the air compressor;
- and
- a storage tank, wherein a portion of a compressed air inside the storage tank is released through the output of the pressure relief valve to the actuator.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.