Self-fairing windmill vane
A windmill vane is described for use in a windmill having a shaft disposed for rotation by the wind in a selected direction around the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the vane comprising: (a) a rigid, generally open, generally planar frame standing out from and fixedly carried by the shaft, the frame having a central portion and first and second ends, the frame being oriented in a plane with the central portion of the frame leading the ends around the shaft, such plane being inclined at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45/sup 0/) relative to such instantaneous direction of movement; and (b) a sail comprising a light weight, resilient substantially wind resistant material, the sail extending continuously between (i) a head edge attached along the frame, and (ii) a foot edge extending continuously between the ends of the frame and being otherwise unattached; the orientation of the frame and the length of the foot edge such that the sail is full when moving with the wind and streams behind the frame. It then has minimal drag when moving across and against the wind.
- Assignee:
- NOV; NOV-87-073304; EDB-87-147303
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4681512
- OSTI ID:
- 6239357
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 6 Jun 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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