The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 1984
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1982
David A Lawson, Five Ashes, nr. Mayfield, East Sussex, GB;
Other;
Abstract
Apparatus for converting fluid energy into mechanical energy may include a sail and a mast carried by a pivotally mounted support. The sail is mounted both directly to the mast and indirectly to the mast through a boom, which is pivotally mounted at its center or along its length about the mast, and which is also mounted for tilting movement about a fastening extending perpendicularly to the mast. Positioning means periodically causes the boom to yaw about the mast and to tilt. Opposite edges of the sail thus alternately become taut leading edges with respect to incident wind or water and the sail adopts an oscillating motion which powers mechanical drive means such as pumps. The positioning means may be an over-center spring return or, in an alternative embodiment, be a hydraulic control mechanism. Advantages are that, because the sail remains full, it does not flap during repositioning even when formed of a light flexible material, which reduces inertial problems. Useful mechanical energy can be derived with a low level of technology from a large volume of incident fluid moving at a relatively low speed. The pressure from the pumps can be maintained at a constant value even if the speed of the incident fluid should alter.