CA2046752A1

CA2046752A1 - Windtrap for power development

Info

Publication number: CA2046752A1
Application number: CA002046752A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Matthew P. Whelan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-10
Filing date: 1991-07-10
Publication date: 1993-01-11

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The several methods used to develop windpower have the disadvantage of losing most of the wind's force in their operation, example, where vanes are used slippage is a big problem and in the vertical mast type of machines such as the "Darrieus" and "Savonius" a lot of power is lost by resistance on the return side of the mast. This invention, the "Windtrap", holds all the wind within the dimensional area of each unit when on the drive or power side and is so designed that it closes and comes edge on to the wind on the return side of the mast giving minimum resistance.

Description

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SPE~lFl~AT!CiN

Th!s invention reiates to ~ methocl ot using the force of ~he wind to ~um a ve~ic~i n-last. Power m~y be transfened from the m~st i~,se by wllventionai means ~o tum ~. ~eneratol, in machines previously used to hamess windpower ~. grea.~ difiiclllly h~.s l~een their i~ilure lo fully utiii~e the wind's force wi~h ~. minimum flt siipp~.ge. ~ na~e ~ound th3.t ~hîs ~lifficuliy e~.n be m~,iniy overcome by designing a windtrap that holds ali the wind within its unit ~.rea when on the r3rive side, gre~ly inerea~in~ torglle~ d cln~es tailiny the wind ~nd offering iiHle resistan~e, on the return side of ~ r evolving mast.

The windt~ap is rnade in sets of i~fO units fixeri di~onaliy opposite. h minimum of five sets or ten units should be used on ~. masi with ~heir orD~s memhers slaggered at ~.ngles of 3~ degrees apa~.

This forms a helix whioh spir31s from boRom to top makiny 3 luD citole arDund the mast in this way equal 3reas are exposed to the wind's thrlJst du7ing the spin, giving a smooth vibr~tioniess operation.

2~67~2 Power sicle Return side In clrqwincJs wllich ilhlstrate emho[limellts o~ the invention.
~hadecl areas show nylon canvas windtraps laced to iron rod ~rames.

Fi~ure (1~ revolvingmast Figure ~2~ wincltrap open on power side of mast Fiqure ~3) windtrap closed alld tailing willd on return side 9yure ~ pipe frame ends extellded ~.nd ioaded with lead as counter weight tD assist gravity and wind in opening windtrap on power side and closing s~me on rehlrn side. Windtrap frame is hinged at its intersecUons ~or Ulis purpose.
itJure ~5) lines ~rom center end grommets to opposite inside bottom corners to prevent canvas ends tlopping outward and causing wind resistance when trap closes on reiurn side.
igllre ~6) cah!e ~rom cross arm to upper side ol trap to hold same at centel level and minimize wind resistance and also enable trap to open by wind force on power sicle. Lower sicde drops open hy c~ravity.
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Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
(1) A machine that utilizes a windtrap to maximize torque by holding the wind when on the drive or power side and is so designed to tail wind and minimize resistance when on the return side of the revolving mast.
(2) A machine as defined in Claim (1) that, by the arrangement of its moving parts is activated by the wind to automatically fall back in place as a windtrap on returning to the power position on the drive side of the mast.
(3) A machine as defined in Claims (1) and (2) where, by the placing of counter weights wind resistance on the return side is lessened increasing torque, and opening the trap quickened on the power side improving efficiency.