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. 15, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2001
Charles H. Beauchamp, Jamestown, RI (US);
William H. Nedderman, Jr., Middletown, RI (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a windmill power generation system which includes at least two variable camber blades fastened to a rotatable hub, which blades are driven by a fluid such as wind. Each of the variable camber blades has embedded shape memory alloy members. The system also includes a source of electrical power connected to the shape memory alloy members for varying the shape of the blades in response to changes in the speed of the fluid driving the blades. The power generating system further includes a power regulator connected to the electrical power source for regulating the electrical power being supplied to the shape memory alloy members and a controller for transmitting a power command signal to the power regulator. The controller preferably comprises a preprogrammed computer having an algorithm for generating the optimum blade shape for a particular wind speed or condition.