Patent ID: 8984817
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: F16C,F24S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A power generation structure for generating power from a renewable energy source comprising: a base; an energy conversion structure connected to the base; and an articulating joint between the base and the energy conversion structure, the articulating joint comprising a bearing member having a body, the body having a cylindrical shape around an axis with an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is closer to the axis, the body further including a composite material having a laminated construction comprising wherein the rigid material comprises a material selected from aluminum or stainless steel, wherein the intermediate material comprises at least one functionalized thermoplastic polymer, wherein the at least one functionalized thermoplastic polymer includes an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), perfluoroalkoxy ethylene (PFA), or tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) copolymer (MFA), the functionalized thermoplastic polymer further having functional groups of the formula —COOH, or —COOR, where the radicals R are cyclic or linear organic radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.