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.:

US 8899937 B1

PDF
Full Text
Expired
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 2014

Filed:

Jul. 11, 2011
Applicants:

John F. Graham, Austin, TX (US);

Jonathan A. Paden, Austin, TX (US);

Inventors:

John F. Graham, Austin, TX (US);

Jonathan A. Paden, Austin, TX (US);

Assignee:

Building Turbines, Inc., Austin, TX (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F03D 3/00 (2006.01); F03D 7/02 (2006.01); F03D 3/06 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F03D 7/0268 (2013.01); F03D 7/0236 (2013.01); Y02E 10/74 (2013.01); F03D 3/061 (2013.01); F05B 2240/313 (2013.01); F05B 2240/213 (2013.01); F03D 7/0232 (2013.01);
Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing wind pressure on wind turbine blades by selectively opening excessive wind portals in the turbine blades. One embodiment comprises a wind turbine system in which each of the turbine's blades has a portal therethrough that is opened or closed by a movable panel. Each panel is connected on one edge to the corresponding blade at the edge of the portal. Hook-and-loop material (Velcro) is attached to the edges of each portal and panel, allowing the panels to alternately open and then close the portals over a series of high wind events. Excessive wind pressure forces the panels to be released, opening the portals. Gravity or reversed wind direction with respect to the blade can be used to reseal the panels.


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