Abstract:
An oscillating windmill having the ability to generate clean electrical power by mechanically capturing the power of the wind. The oscillating windmill utilizes a rigid mast having a plurality of rotatable vanes. The lower section of the mast is fixed about an axis allowing the mast to oscillate in response to wind resistance upon the vanes. An actuating mechanism is in communication with the mast and the vanes to rotate the vanes about an axis in response to the oscillations of the mast. These oscillations of the mast may be converted into usable energy using a power generating mechanism engagable with the mast.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/104,136, filed Apr. 16, 2008. which claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/041,778, filed Mar. 4, 2008, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to an oscillating windmill, and more particularly to an oscillating windmill which oscillates in response to wind resistance for capturing and extracting useable energy. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]    Wind is a source of clean renewable energy. Utilization of wind energy reserves the earth&#39;s fossil fuels (e.g., coal, natural gas and oil) and alleviates the additional environmental impacts associated with burning fossil fuels. Wind, as a clean, efficient and abundant, never-ending resource, generates clean energy using the most up-to-date technologies available. Today, wind energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy resource in the world. Wind currently only produces a small percentage of our nation&#39;s electricity; however during the past twenty (20) years, the cost of wind energy has dropped dramatically, making it competitive with other energy sources. 
         [0004]    Wind is air in motion caused by the uneven heating of the earth&#39;s surface by the sun. The earth&#39;s surface is comprised of land and water, which absorb the sun&#39;s heat at different rates. During the day, the air above land heats up more readily than the air over water. The warn air over land heats, expands and rises, causing the heavier, cooler air to rush in and take its place, creating winds. At night, the winds are reversed because the air cools more rapidly over land than over water. 
         [0005]    Since ancient times, people have harnessed the winds energy. Throughout history, societies have used wind to sail ships and have built windmills to grind wheat, corn and other grains, to pump water and to cut wood at sawmills. As late as the 1920&#39;s, Americans began using small windmills to generate electricity in rural areas without electric service. When power lines began to transport electricity to rural areas in the 1930&#39;s, local windmills were less frequently used. 
         [0006]    The oil shortages of the 1970&#39;s changed the energy picture for the nation and the world by creating an interest in alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal and other alternative energy sources. In the 1990&#39;s, a renewed interest in alternative energy sources came from a concern for the environment in response to scientific studies indicating potential changes to the global climate if the use of fossil fuels continued to increase. Wind is a clean, renewable fuel and wind farms produce no air or water pollution compared to refineries, because no fuel is burned. Growing concern about emissions from fossil fuels, increased government support, and higher costs for fossil fuels have helped wind power capacity in the United States grow substantially over the last ten (10) years. 
         [0007]    Wind turbines typically capture the wind&#39;s energy using blades, which are mounted on a rotor, to generate electricity. When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade; this low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, resulting in lift and causing the rotor to turn. Since the force of the lift is much stronger than the force of the drag, the combination of lift and drag causes the rotor to spin like a propeller. The spinning rotor is connected to a generator to make electricity. 
         [0008]    There are two main types of wind turbines used today based on the direction of the rotating shaft or axis: horizontal-axis wind turbines and vertical-axis wind turbines. The size of wind turbines varied from small turbines having a capacity of less than 100 kilowatts to large commercial sized turbines having a capacity of around five (5) megawatts. Larger turbines are often grouped together into wind farms that provide power to the electrical grid. 
         [0009]    Most wind turbines being used today are the horizontal-axis wind turbines, typically having two or three airfoil blades. Horizontal-axis wind turbines generally harness winds at 100 feet (30 meters) or more above ground. Vertical-axis wind machines have blades that go from top to bottom, with the most common type being the Darrieus wind turbine. Vertical-axis wind turbines typically stand 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. The Wind Amplified Rotor Platform (“WARP”) is a different type of wind system that does not use large blades. Each module of the WARP has a pair of small, high capacity turbines mounted to concave wind amplifier module channel surfaces. The concave surfaces channel wind toward the turbines, amplifying wind speeds. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein to provide a novel electricity generation system that can be powered by the oscillations in response to harnessed wind resistance. 
         [0011]    It is also an object of the oscillating windmill to provide a novel electricity generation system that can be used to generate clean electrical power at a moderate cost. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the oscillating windmill to provide a novel electricity generation system that utilizes rotatable vanes to harness wind energy and transmit this wind energy along an oscillating mast for conversion to a usable energy. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the oscillating windmill to provide a novel electricity generation system that is economical to manufacture, market and maintain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In general, the invention relates to an oscillating windmill that comprises a substantially erect mast having an upper section and a lower section. The oscillating windmill also includes a plurality of outwardly projecting vanes rotatably coupled about an axis to the upper section of the mast, and the lower section of the mast is fixed about an axis allowing the mast to oscillate in response to resistance harnessed by the vanes. Further, the oscillating windmill includes an actuating mechanism in communication with the mast and the vanes to rotate the vanes about the axis in response to the oscillations of the mast. 
         [0015]    The vanes of the oscillating windmill may be substantially horizontal and rotatably coupled to opposing sides of the mast, and the vanes may further be collapsible to lay substantially parallel with the mast. The actuating mechanism of the oscillating windmill may have an actuator that couples the mast to an actuating cable. The actuating cable extends through an interior portion of the mast and is coupled to the vanes, such that the oscillation of the mast triggers the actuator to actuate the actuating cable resulting in rotation of the vanes about the axis. 
         [0016]    The oscillating windmill may also include a power generating mechanism engaged with the mast for converting the oscillations of the mast into usable energy. For example, the power generating mechanism may include at least one gear wheel, a cogwheel engaged with the gear wheel and coupled to a drive axle, a transmission coupled to the drive axle, a flywheel coupled to the transmission, a gear box coupled to the flywheel, and a generator coupled to the gear box. In this example, the power generating mechanism coverts the oscillations of the mast into rotational energy, which is then converted into usable energy using the generator. The cogwheel may be two one-directional ratcheting drive hubs, where one of the hubs turns clockwise and the other hub turns counter-clockwise. The drive hubs may be placed side by side in parallel and engagable with the gear wheel. The oscillating windmill can also be equipped with a maintenance assembly having a maintenance motor powering a maintenance cogwheel, where the maintenance cogwheel is selectively engagable with the lower section of tile mast to raise and lower the mast. 
         [0017]    The power generating mechanism may also be at least one drive piston in fluid communication with a reservoir to capture stored fluid pressure and a generator in fluid communication with the reservoir, where the drive piston is engaged with a mast base secured to the lower section of the mast. In this example, the power generating mechanism coverts the oscillations of the mast into pressurized fluid energy, which is converted into usable energy using the generator. The drive piston may be a plurality of power stroke pistons engaged with a first terminal end of the mast base and a plurality of reciprocating pistons engaged with a second terminal end of the mast base. Each of the power stroke pistons may include a check valve, while each of the reciprocating pistons may include a variable bleed off valve. Further, each of the power stroke pistons can be in fluid communication with the reservoir. The oscillating windmill can also be equipped with an adjustable ram secured to the mast base and engaged with at least one of the reciprocating pistons. The rain is slidably adjustable between an operating position and a service position in order to raise and lower the mast. Additionally, the oscillating windmill may include a computer system in communication with the power generating mechanism for monitoring and controlling the amount of fluid pressure within the drive piston. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the oscillating windmill may have a ballast assembly with at least one ballast element secured to a ballast cable, the ballast cable secured to a ballast drum, the ballast drum rotatably connected to a ballast gear, which is in communication with the lower section of the mast. The oscillation of the mast causes the ballast gear to rotate the ballast drum causing ballast cable to wrap about the ballast drum resulting in restrictive movement of the ballast element, aiding in counter-oscillation of the mast. The ballast assembly may also include a plurality of ballast springs to further restrict the movement of the ballast element in response to the oscillations of the mast. The ballast assembly may also have a ballast sheave for holding and directing the ballast cable. 
         [0019]    The oscillating windmill can further comprise a platform with a mast support assembly having a pair of mast support brackets. Each of the mast support brackets may have a mast axle in communication with the lower section of the mast. A rotatable base having a plurality of vertical support arms can be attached to the platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of an oscillating windmill in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side partial cutaway view of an example of lower assembly of an oscillating windmill in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side schematic view illustrating the vanes harnessing wind resistance causing the mast to oscillate; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side schematic view illustrating the vanes releasing harnessed wind resistance allowing the mast to counter-oscillate; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of area  5  of the vanes rotatably coupled to the mast to harness wind resistance causing the mast to oscillate as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of area  6  of the vanes rotatably coupled to the mast to release harnessed wind resistance allowing the mast to counter-oscillate, as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view along line  7 - 7  of the oscillating windmill shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7   a  is an exploded perspective view of area  7   a  of the oscillating windmill shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view along line  8 - 8  of the oscillating windmill shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8   a  is an exploded perspective view of area  8   a  of the oscillating windmill shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is an exploded, partial cutaway, perspective view of an example of the power generating mechanism and lower section of the mast of the oscillating windmill in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a side schematic view illustrating the movement of the ballast assembly of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is another side schematic view illustrating the movement of the ballast assembly of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is another side schematic view illustrating the movement of the ballast assembly of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is another side schematic view illustrating the movement of the ballast assembly of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is another side schematic view illustrating the movement of the ballast assembly of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an example of the oscillating windmill in the lowered position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an example of the vanes of the oscillating windmill in an extended position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an example of the vanes of the oscillating windmill in a collapsed position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another example of a power generating mechanism in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is an exploded, partial cutaway, perspective view of an example of a power generating mechanism and lower section of the mast of the oscillating windmill in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an example of a power generating mechanism in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is a side schematic view illustrating the movement of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is another side schematic view illustrating the movement of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is another side schematic view illustrating the movement of the oscillating windmill in response to oscillations of the mast in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an example of the oscillating windmill being moved to the lowered position in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an example of the oscillating windmill in the lowered position in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the oscillating windmill disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
       [0047]    Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following description and from the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    The devices and methods discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use this invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting in scope. 
         [0049]    While the devices and methods have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the devices and components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the devices and methods are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
         [0050]    Referring to the figures of the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout the several views, and initially to  FIG. 1 , an oscillating windmill  10  having a plurality of vanes  12  rotatably coupled to an upper section  14  of a rigid, substantially upright mast  16 . A lower section  18  of the mast  16  is fixed about an axis allowing the mast  16  to oscillate in response to wind resistance harnessed by the vanes  12 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . An actuating mechanism  20  is in communication with the mast  16  and the vanes  12  to rotate the vanes  12  about an axis in response to the oscillations of the mast  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A power generating mechanism  22  is engagable with the mast  16  for converting the oscillations of the mast  16  into usable energy. 
         [0051]    The vanes  12  may be substantially horizontal and rotatably coupled to opposing sides of the mast  16 . The vanes  12  can also be collapsible to lay substantially parallel with the mast  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The actuating mechanism  20  may include an actuator or piston  24  that couples the mast  16  to an actuating cable  26 . The actuating cable  26  extends through an interior portion of the mast  16  and may be coupled to the vanes  12 . In this configuration, the oscillation of the mast  1   6  triggers the actuator  24  to actuate the actuating cable  26  resulting in rotation of the vanes  12  about an axis, as shown in  FIGS. 3 through 6 . The triggering of the actuator  24  may be controlled using a sensor, solenoid or other known device that causes the actuator  24  to actuating of the actuating cable  26  at a predetermined angle of oscillation. As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the vanes  12  harness wind resistance causing the mast  16  to oscillate, and upon a predetermined angle of oscillation, the actuating mechanism  20  rotates the vanes  12 , releasing the harnessed wind energy and allowing the mast  16  to counter-oscillate. 
         [0052]    The lower section  14  of the mast  16  can further include a mast base  28  and at least one gear wheel  30  engagable with the power generating mechanism  22 . The power generating mechanism  22  may include a cogwheel  32  engagable with the gear wheel  30  and coupled to a drive axle  34 . The cogwheel  32  may be a one-directional, ratcheting drive hub and sprockets The cogwheel  32  may be two one-directional ratcheting drive hubs wherein one hub may turn clockwise and the other hub may turn counter-clockwise. The two cogwheel drive hubs  32  may be placed side by side in parallel and operated by the gear wheel  30  simultaneously. Utilizing two cogwheel drive hubs  32  may result in a more constant flow of power to the flywheel  38 . As the mast  16  oscillates, the gear wheel  30  rotates back and forth; this motion of the gear wheel  30  is transmitted to the cogwheel  32 . The cogwheel  32  is coupled to a drive axle  34 , which is in turn coupled to a transmission  36 . The oscillating energy of the mast  16  is converted to rotational energy using the gear wheel  30  and the cogwheel  32 . The rotation of the cogwheel  32  causes the drive axle  34  to rotate and drive the transmission  36 . The transmission  36  may be an automatic high torque transmission. The transmission  36  is coupled to a flywheel  38 , and the rotational energy imparted upon the transmission  36  is transmitted to the flywheel  38 , causing the flywheel  38  to rotate. The inertia of the flywheel  38  is then transmitted through a gear box  40  to a generator  42 , thus converting the oscillations of the mast  16  into rotational energy, which is converted into usable energy using the generator  42 . 
         [0053]    Once the flywheel&#39;s  38  inertia reaches an optimum rotation range, the transmission  36  can shift automatically to help increase the flywheel&#39;s  38  revolutions per minute. When the flywheel  38  reaches an optimum RPM range, which is primarily dependent upon the wind speed, a clutch in the gear box  40  will engage to further increase the drive axle  34  rotational speed to the generator  42 . Thus, a power curve will develop that can be measured and manipulated. 
         [0054]    The oscillating windmill  10  may further comprise a rotatable platform assembly  44  having a mast support assembly  46 . The rotatable platform assembly  44  of the oscillating windmill  10  may include a platform  48  having a plurality of vertical support arms  50  attached to a rotatable base  52 . The mast support assembly  46  may have a pair of mast support brackets  54 , with each of the mast support brackets  54  having a mast axle  56  in communication with the lower section  18  or gear wheel  30  of the mast  16 . The platform  48  may also include a flywheel recess  58 . The rotatable base  52  of the rotatable platform assembly  44  may include a plurality of bearings (not shown) to aid in rotating the oscillating windmill  10  in response to the direction of the prevailing winds. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rotatable base  52  and support arms  50  may be placed below ground to decrease environmental wear and any noise associated with the operation of the oscillating windmill  10 . It is further understood, the lower section  14  of the oscillating windmill  10  may be housed within a protective covering (not shown) to further reduce environmental wear and noise. 
         [0055]    The oscillating windmill  10  may also include a ballast assembly  60  having at least one ballast element  62  secured to a ballast cable  64 . The ballast cable  64  may be secured to a ballast drum  65 . The ballast drum  65  may be rotatably connected between the mast support brackets  54  and rotatably connected to a ballast gear  66 . The ballast gear  66  is in communication with the lower section  14  or gear wheel  30  of the mast  16 . The oscillation of the mast  16  causes the ballast gear  66  to rotate the ballast drum  65 , causing the ballast cable  64  to wrap about the ballast drum  65  resulting in restrictive movement of the ballast element  62 . The restrictive movement of the ballast element  62  of the ballast assembly  60  aids in counter-oscillation of the mast  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 through 14 . The ballast assembly  60  may also include a plurality of ballast springs  68  to further restrict the movement of the ballast element  62  in response to the oscillations of the mast  16 . In addition, the ballast assembly may include a ballast sheave  70  rotatably attached to the platform  48  to hold and direct the ballast cable  64 . 
         [0056]    The oscillating windmill  10  may also have a maintenance assembly  72  with a maintenance motor  74  powering a maintenance cogwheel  76 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the maintenance cogwheel  76  may be selectively engagable with the lower section  14  or cog wheel  30  of the mast  16  to raise and lower the mast  16 . The maintenance assembly  72  allows for the periodic maintenance the mast  16  and vanes  12 . 
         [0057]    The mast  16  may oscillate approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) degrees either side of vertical, giving the mast  16  an overall arc of approximately thirty (30) to forty (40) degrees. At the masts  16  forward most position, gravity and leverage is at its greatest on the mast  16  and vanes  12 . When the vanes  12  close and the wind drives the mast  16  backward, the forward weight of the vanes  12  diminish as their weight translates downward into the mast  16  on its way toward vertical alignment. Approximately five (5) degrees before the vanes  12  reach vertical, the ballast cable  64  should engage the ballast element  62  within the rotatable platform assembly  44 . When the vanes  12  reach approximately five (5) degrees past vertical, the ballast springs  68  on the ballast element  62  should begin to compress. As the vanes  12  pass vertical, their weight once again starts pushing the mast  16  backward. This extra load is absorbed by the ballast springs  68 . At approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) degrees past vertical, the vanes  12  rotate open and the energy stored in the ballast assembly  60  drive the mast  16  forward. The ballast elements  68  slide up and down on guides  78 , which should be long enough to accept this motion. Wind speed will determine the balance between the amount of energy available to turn the flywheel  38  and the amount of energy loaded into the ballast assembly  60 . The ballast element  62  may be a set weight determined by how much force it takes to return the mast  16  to its forward position under relatively calm conditions. Higher wind speeds and their greater force will be absorbed by manipulating the downward pressure of the ballast springs  68 . 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the oscillating windmill  10  may further include a pneumatic power generating mechanism  80  having at least one drive piston  82  engaged with the mast base  28  and the platform  48 . The oscillating windmill  10  may include a computer system (not shown) in communication with the pneumatic power generating mechanism  80  for monitoring and controlling the amount of fluid pressure within the drive piston  82 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the drive piston  82  can comprise a plurality of power stroke pistons  86  engaged with a first terminal end  88  of the mast base  28  and the platform  48  and a plurality of reciprocating pistons  90  engaged with a second terminal end  92  of the mast base  28  and the platform  48 . Each of the power stroke pistons  86  may include a check valve  94 , while each of the reciprocating pistons may include a variable bleed off valve  96 . Each of the power stroke pistons  86  is in fluid communication with a reservoir  84  to capture stored fluid pressure. The reservoir  84  may also be in fluid communication with a generator  85 , located either onsite or offsite, for converting the stored fluid pressure into usable energy. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , multiple oscillating windmills  10  may be in fluid communication with a single reservoir  84 , which in turn is in communication with a suitable turbine or generator  85 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 21 through 23 , the power stroke pistons  88  pressurize the reservoir  86  when the vanes  12  are positioned to harness the wind energy, and the reciprocating pistons  90  retract the oscillating windmill  10  when the vanes  12  are actuated releasing the harnessed wind energy urging the mast  16  to counter-oscillate. The reciprocating pistons  90  pull the mast  16  back into position using back-pressure created during the power stroke of the power stroke pistons  86 . When the amount of back-pressure within the reciprocating pistons  90  is at its maximum, the oscillating windmill  10  oscillates in a power stroke and again causes the pressure built up within the power stroke pistons  88  to be exerted and channeled to the reservoir  86 . When the amount of pressure to cause the counter-oscillation of the oscillating windmill  10  is decreased, the force of the power stroke may be greatly increased, such as by adding a fuel into the power stroke pistons  86  similarly to a car&#39;s internal combustion system. A suitable fluid, such as natural gas, propane or hydrogen could be piped to the rotatable platform assembly  44  and injected during the pressure stroke and ignited with a spark to substantially increase the power of the power stroke pistons  86  while substantially decreasing the amount of compression needed to cause the counter-oscillation. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the oscillating windmill  10  can also have an adjustable ram  98  secured to the mast base  28  and engaged with at least one of the reciprocating pistons  90 . The ram  98  would be slidably adjustable between an operating position, shown in  FIGS. 21 through 23 , and a service position, shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , in order to raise and lower the mast  16  for maintenance. For example, the ram  98  may be slidably disposed within an elongate housing  100  having a channel  102  running a length of the housing  100 . The channel  102  of the housing  100  would allow the reciprocating piston  90  to also being slidably engaged within the housing  100 . During maintenance, the mast base  28  would pivot from the operating orientation to a substantially vertical maintenance orientation, as shown in  FIG. 25 , utilizing the power stroke pistons  88  and/or the reciprocating pistons  90 . In the maintenance orientation, the mast  16  of the oscillating windmill  10  can be readily serviced. Further, the oscillating windmill  10  may be lowered to the maintenance orientation for inclement weather in order to avoid potential damage to the oscillating windmill  10 . 
         [0061]    It will be appreciated that any type of power generating mechanisms may be utilized, such as the mechanical or pneumatic power generating mechanisms discussed herein, other currently known mechanisms of harnessing and converting the oscillating movements of the oscillating windmill  10  into usable energy or other future developed power generating mechanisms without departing from the spirit and scope of the oscillating windmill  10  disclosed herein. 
         [0062]    Whereas, the devices and methods have been described in relation to the drawings and claims, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.