Power generation from high altitude winds

Patent · Tue Apr 21 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6558865

Shepard, D H

Apparatus is described for extracting energy from wind at high altitude, comprising: means for supporting a load at the high altitude; means for flexibly tethering the load supporting means to the surface of the earth; elongated parallel airfoil elements supported by the load supporting means, the airfoil elements lying on the surface of an imaginary horizontal circular cylinder and rotatable about the horizontal axis of the cylinder in a closed cylindrical path; means for positioning the airfoil elements relative to the cylindrical surface whereby relative wind substantially normal to the axis exerts a force on the airfoil elements, causing the elements to rotate about the horizontal axis; and means responsive to the movement of the airfoil elements about the horizontal axis for transmitting power to the surface of the earth.

• Assignee: Cognitronics Corporation, Stamford, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4659940
• OSTI ID: 6558865
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170602* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
AIRFOILS
ALTITUDE
CYLINDERS
DESIGN
DYNAMIC LOADS
FASTENERS
HORIZONTAL AXIS TURBINES
MACHINERY
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOTION
OPERATION
POSITIONING
POWER GENERATION
ROTATION
SUPPORTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WIND
WIND LOADS
WIND TURBINES