Wind turbine spindle assembly with spindle constraint
US4435125A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1981 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/74
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spindle assembly for a soft airfoil wind turbine wheel having an elongate support cable connected in tension between the rim and hub of the wheel, an elongate, rotatable spindle mounted adjacent the elongate support member and a constraint mechanism for constraining the spindle against excessive bowing in response to wind pressure. The constraint mechanism includes a plurality of clamps mounted to the elongate support member which loosely surround the spindle and any airfoil furled therearound except for a slot for passage of the airfoil. Rollers are located adjacent the slots to guide the airfoil therethrough and are mounted to rotate about members interconnecting the clamps so that the wind pressure exerted by the soft airfoil is distributed along the length of the support members. Bracing cables connected to the elongate support member further distribute the wind pressure forces to the wheel structure and ground. In one embodiment, one end of the spindle and the constraint clamps are mounted for pivotal movement about the elongate support member. In another embodiment, an elongate boom is connected to a portion of a constraint clamp and pivots therewith about the support membe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.