Retractable rotor blades for power generating wind and ocean current turbines and means for operating below set rotor torque limits
US6726439B2 · kind B2 · utility
58Cited by
24References
24Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S415/905
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wind or water flow energy converter comprising a wind or water flow actuated rotor assembly. The rotor comprises a plurality of blades, wherein the blades of are variable in length to provide a variable diameter rotor. The rotor diameter is controlled to fully extend the rotor at low flow velocity and to retract the rotor as flow velocity increases such that the loads delivered by or exerted upon the rotor do not exceed set limits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.