US625296A - Wind-motor - Google Patents

Description

No. 625,296. Patented May l6, I899.

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WIND MOTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 80, 1898.) {No Ilodol.)

4 Sheets-Shoot I.

Patented May [6, I899. J. ELNIFF.

WIND MOTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 80, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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WIND MOTOR.

(Application filed Apr. 80, 1898.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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Patented May l6, I899. J. ELNIFF.

WIND MOTOR.

(Applicnion filed Apr. 30, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (No Nuclei.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ELNIFF, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

WIND-MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,296, dated May 16, 1899.

Application filed April 30, 1898.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN ELNIFF, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VincLMotors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference boin g had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in wind-motors; and it consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section taken through the same on the line A A, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken through the framework, disclosing the power mechanism, the superstructure being removed and the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. at is a front end view of the apparatus, showing the end from which the wind enters, the doors for controlling the wind being closed. Fig. 5 is a rear end view of the machine, the doors being closed. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line B B, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a top view of the drum or inner track, illustrating the manner of connecting the frame to the journal-box of the shaft upon which the apparatus is adapted to turn. Fig. 8 is a section taken through the journal-box of the powershaft.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in these views, let the numeral 5 designate a suitable frame upon which is trunnioned the wind-wheel 6, consisting of closed end walls 6 and fans 6 attached to radial arms 6. The entrance of the wind for the purpose of operating the apparatus is controlled by doors 7, hinged to opposite sides of the front end of the frame. The length of these doors is about one-half the height of the frame. Below the doors the entrance to the wheel is closed by a casing 8, whose outer wall Serial No. 679,322. (No model.)

is inclined inwardly from the base of the frame, whereby it is adapted to direct the wind upon the wheel above the center of the latter. This casing 8 covers the power-transmitting mechanism, hereinafter described, to which access is gained by means of a door 8. (See Fig. 1.)

To the top of the frame 5 is attached a device 9, hinged to the frame, as shown at 10, at a point to the rear of the upper extremity of a vertical diameter passed through the wheel. The function of the device is to retain or hold the wind in contact with the fans of the wheel, and thus prevent its escape at the rear until its entire force has been expended. The rear end of the frame is provided with rigid side extensions 12, located at the top. Below the parts 12 are doors 13, hinged to the frame and adapted to control the draft of air through the wheel from front to rear. These doors may be fastened open by means of a suitable locking device, hereinafter described, or they may be closed or partly closed at pleasure, according as the operator desires to control the wind. The rigid extensions 12 form a sort of tail to the apparatus, having a tendency to keep it in line with the wind. These extensions, together with the doors 13, are also utilized in turning the apparatus as the direction of the wind changes.

The frame 5 and its supporting mechanism are adapted to turn around a vertical shaft 15 as a center by the power of the wind. This shaft is located in front of the main frame 5 and is journaled in a stationary drum 16, located beneath the casing 8. To the base of the frame 5, at its rear extremity, are attached two bars 17. The rear extremities of these bars are respectively attached to opposite sides of the frame. As these bars extend forwardly they approach each other, their forward extremities being connected and journaled on the journal-box 15 of the shaft 15, thus permitting the frame to be turned freely around the said shaft as a center. To the rear extremity of the frame are attached trackwheels 18, which engage a circular track 19, whose center is the shaft 15. To the forward extremity of the frame are attached other track-wheels 18, which engage a small circular track 20, formed on the drum 16 and having the shaft 15 as its center. This shaft forms the power-shaft of the motor, and from it the power developed by the wheel is transmitted underground to any machine to be operated thereby.

To the top of the shaft 15 is made fast a horizontal pulley 21, around which is passed an endless wire cable 22, which passes around the circumference of the wind-wheel 6, engaging a groove 6 formed therein at one end. Between the pulley 21 and the wind-wheel are located idler-pulleys 23 and 24, which are journaled on the frame in horizontal and vertical positions, respectively,and act as guides, holding the cable to run in the end plane of the wind-wheel. The idler 23 is adjustable for the purpose of regulating the tension of the cable.

Below the pulley 21 and also made fast to the shaft 15 and inclosed by the drum 16 is a pulley 25, around which passes an endless cable 26, which may pass to a pulley (not shown) mounted on a counter-shaft, whereby the power developed may be utilized for operating machines of any kind.

Each door 7 is provided with a rod 7, which is connected with the door at one extremity, its opposite extremity being adapted to hook into sockets 5 attached to the framework 5. A number of sockets 5 are employed, whereby the door may be locked in any desired position of adjustment. The rear doors 13 are locked in the open position by a slide-bolt 13", engaging sockets 12 on the rigid extensions .12. The doors 13 are locked in the closed position by ordinary devices, as a hasp and padlock. (See Fig. 5.)

Having thus described my invention, what Iclailn is 1. In a wind-motor, the combination with a suitable frame, of a wind-wheel trunnioned thereon and consisting of radial fans and closed end walls, and a wind-retaining device mounted on the frame above the wheel and located to the rear of its vertical diameter, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a wind-motor, the combination of a suitable frame, a wind-wheel journaled thereon, doors hinged to the front end of the frame for controlling the entrance of the wind to the wheel, the front entrance to the wheel being closed below the center, doors hinged to the rear end of the frame and extending from its base upwardly, the upper rear portion of the frame being provided with rigid extensions, and suitable means for transmitting the power developed by the wheel.

3. In a wind-motor the combination of a suitable frame of a wind-Wheel journaled thereon and consisting of radial fans and closed end walls, the front entrance to-the wheel being closed for a distance equal to half the vertical diameter of the wheel whereby the wind is allowed to strike the fans only on one side of the axis.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN ELNIFF. Witnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN, EDITH I-IIMsWoRTH.

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