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:
Jun. 02, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 07, 1996
Applicant:
Inventor:
Heinz A Gerhardt, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Assignee:
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H02P / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
290 55 ; 290 54 ; 416-8 ; 104 24 ;
Abstract
A linear motion wind driven power plant utilizes a closed-loop track having a plurality of carriages configured to move thereabout. At least one sail is formed to each of the carriages so as to be rotatable 360 degrees of azimuth. At least one electrical power generator generates electrical power from the movement of the carriages around the track. A sail assembly is defined by the sail, a sensor system for sensing lift generated by the action of the wind upon the sail, and a controller which causes the sail to turn to a position wherein the sensed lift of the sail is approximately maximized.