Abstract:
There is described a wind powered device including a vertical support, a horizontal support rotatably attached to the vertical support, and planar elements respectively attached to opposite ends of the horizontal support by articulating hinge elements. The articulating hinge elements are connected to ones of the planar elements at respective positions that are horizontally offset from the center of each planar element, and each hinge element can rotate through a predetermined maximum throw angle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/387,157 filed Dec. 23, 2015 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments of the present application include a device configured to apply changes in torque (force through a distance) on a rotational axis through the forces from a flow of fluid, such as by wind. The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure and is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are generally related to a device powered by a flow of a fluid such as wind; the device includes a central vertical support, a horizontal support rotatably attached to the vertical support, and planar elements respectively attached to opposite ends of the horizontal support by articulating hinge elements, wherein the articulating hinge elements are connected to the planar elements at a position that is horizontally offset from the center of each planar element and each hinge element can articulate a predetermined maximum throw angle. 
         [0004]    According to embodiments, a total throw angle is between 5 and 80 degrees, and wind causes at least one of the planar elements to rotate to the maximum throw angle in a rotation direction such that the at least one planar element is prevented from further rotation in the rotation direction whereupon the wind applies a torque to the at least one planar element. 
         [0005]    According to embodiments, there is provided a second horizontal support rotatably attached to the vertical support, and there are planar elements respectively attached to opposite ends of the second horizontal support by articulating hinge elements, and the first horizontal support rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotations of the second horizontal support. 
         [0006]    Exemplary embodiments of the present application are predicated on changes in torque (force through a distance) on a rotational axis through the forces from a flow of fluid, such as by wind. As noted above, each hinge is connected to the respective planar element at a position horizontally offset from the center of the planar element. The offset location is anywhere from the leading edge of the planar element to about 30% to the planar element&#39;s horizontal center. The “correct” “throw” of the hinge is preferably anywhere below plus and minus about 80 degrees with plus and minus 30 degrees being the setting for the preferred embodiment, with 0 degrees corresponding to a position at which the planar element is perpendicular to the support. As the angles of the flat surfaces change with the constant direction of the wind, the net forces around the rotational plan result in rotational motion due to the torque applied by the wind. 
         [0007]    It is possible to change “pitch” of the rotating planar elements for either clockwise or counterclockwise motion as seen it the embodiments. Also, the device can include multiple horizontal supports, with opposing planar elements, which can rotate in opposite directions by shifting the offset of the planar elements on one support in a direction opposite to the offset in the other support. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of the device at a first time according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a configuration of the device at a second time according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration of the device at a third time according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration of the device at a fourth time according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a configuration of the device at a fifth time according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a configuration of another embodiment of the device at the second time according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIGS. 1-5  show a sequential operation of exemplary embodiments, and  FIG. 6  illustrates alternative embodiments. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of a device  100  according to exemplary embodiments of the present application.  FIG. 1  illustrates a vertical shaft  10  (such as a central support shaft), horizontal supports  20  (which may be singular or plural support(s)), and hinges  41 ,  42  (such as articulating/rotating hinges). 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates positions “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” to describe rotation of exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 1  also illustrates a direction “W” in which a fluid may be flowing, such as a direction in which wind is blowing. 
         [0017]    Although the description of exemplary embodiments throughout  FIGS. 1-5  may describe a rotation of elements of the device  100  in a counter-clockwise direction, sequentially from positions “A” to “B” to “C” to “D” to “A” and so on, please note that embodiments may be modified to include reversed rotation or changed “pitch,” in a similar manner as with an aircraft propeller, to spin in a clockwise direction. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates that a planar element  31 , at about the position “A”. The planar element  31  may be a flat plane and is illustrated as a calico cat for example. As the wind pushes against a surface (such as a flat surface) of the planar element  31 , a force is applied to a back side towards a tail edge  31   b  of the planer element  31  in relation to the hinge  41 . Increased force caused by torque (force through a distance) from the leading edge  31   a  of the planar element  31  in relation to the tail edge  31   b  causes the planar element  31  to move the horizontal support  20  counter-clockwise, from position “A” towards position “B”, around the vertical shaft  10 . In this manner, the planar element  31  has rotated to its maximum “throw” angle, against the hinge  41 , such that any force applied on the planar element  31  by the wind is transferred to the horizontal support  20  and causes the rotation. 
         [0019]    Further, at the position “C” illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the wind pushes a surface of the planar element  32 , which may be a flat plane and is illustrated as a tiger cat, away from the wind such that a back side of the planar element  32  is angled in a manner that the wind also pushes the surface to turn the device  100  counter-clockwise. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates exemplary embodiments in which elements of the device  100  have rotated from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the planar element  31  has moved counter-clockwise to a position in between positions “A” and “B,” and the planar element  32  has moved counter-clockwise to a position in between positions “C” and “D”. In  FIG. 2 , the planar element  31  is still receiving force from the wind in the direction W and is pushed further counter-clockwise around the vertical shaft  10 . The force of the wind in direction W has caused the planar element  32  to swivel on its hinge  42  to face and “vane” into the direction W of the wind. The vaning forces on the planar element  32  are much less than the forces on the planar element  31  in the exemplary embodiments of  FIG. 2 . The unequal torque forces on the horizontal support  20  between the planar element  31  and the planar element  32  causes the planar element  31  to turn counter-clockwise, without further rotating about the hinge  41 , while the planar element  32  vanes with less opposing force into the wind and continue to move forward into the wind about the hinge  42 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary embodiments in which elements of the device  100  have rotated from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 , the planar element  32  has moved counter-clockwise to a position in between positions “D” and “A”, and the planar element  31  has moved counter-clockwise to a position in between positions “B” and “C”. Because the wind has forced the back of the planar element  31  though the swiveling hinge  41  away from the wind, the planar element  31  continues to develop torque and is moved counter-clockwise. The planar element  32  has swiveled on its hinge  42  by the wind&#39;s force to offer less opposing force than the forces on the planar element  31  such that the motion of the elements of the device  100  continues counter-clockwise. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates exemplary embodiments in which elements of the device  100  have rotated from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As the elements of the device  100  continue to travel counter-clockwise from the illustrations in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates that the planar element  32  is in a position between the positions “A” and “B,” and the planar element  31  is in a position between the positions “C” and “D”. In a similar fashion as in  FIG. 1 , the planar element  32  receives more force through the wind than the now “vaning” planar element  31  as the elements of the device continue to turn counter-clockwise. The hinge  42  on the planar element  32  has swiveled to its maximum “throw” position and results in a large rear surface area towards the tail edge  32   b  in which the torque from the wind pushes the horizontal support  20  while the hinge  41  on the planar element  31  swivels so the flat planar element  31  naturally vanes into the wind and receives less opposing force, thereby allowing the elements of the device  100  to continue to turn counter-clockwise. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary embodiments in which elements of the device  100  have rotated from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As the elements of the device  100  continue to turn counter-clockwise from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  illustrates that the planar element  32  has rotated to a position between positions “B” and “C” and the planar element  31  has rotated to a position between the positions “D” and “A.” As the planar element  32  continues to turn around the vertical shaft  10  from the position in  FIG. 4  to that in  FIG. 5 , the wind forces the planar element  32  to swivel on its  42  from one side of the hinge stop to the other. This change in angle of the planar element  32  in relation to the opposing arm applies more force to the side of the planar element  32  opposed to the wind, and the planar element  32  continues to be pushed on by the wind and moves the device  100  in a counter-clockwise rotation about the vertical shaft  10 . As rotation continues from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the elements of the device  100  cyclically return to the positions illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and according to exemplary embodiments, the elements of the device  100  will continue to rotate as the wind forces continue. 
         [0024]    According to exemplary embodiments, the hinge  41  is connected to the planar element  31  at a position unevenly offset from a center along a longitudinal direction of the planar element  31  in a direction from the tail edge  31   b  towards the leading edge  31   a.  Similarly, the hinge  42  is connected to the planar element  32  at a position unevenly offset from a center along a longitudinal direction of the planar element  32  in a direction from the tail edge  32   b  towards the leading edge  32   a.  The offset of the hinges  41  and  42  is anywhere from respective leading edges  31   a  and  32   a  of the planar elements  31  and  32  to about 30% to the planar elements&#39;  31  and  32  horizontal centers. The “correct” “throw” of the hinge is preferably anywhere below plus and minus about 80 degrees with plus and minus 30 degrees being the setting for the preferred embodiment, with 0 degrees corresponding to a position at which ones of the planar elements  31  and  32  are perpendicular to the horizontal support  20 . As the angles of the flat surfaces of the planar elements  31  and  32  change with the constant direction W of the wind, the net forces around the rotational plan result in rotational motion of elements of the device  100  due to the torque applied by the wind. 
         [0025]    According to exemplary embodiments, the device  100  can include multiple horizontal supports, with opposing planar elements, which can rotate in opposite directions by shifting the offset of the planar elements on one support in a direction opposite to the offset in the other support. Exemplary embodiments are discussed below with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates exemplary embodiments in which elements  31  and  32  of a device  200  have rotated from the positions illustrated in  FIG. 1  to those in  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 6  also illustrates embodiments in which, in addition to the horizontal support  20  and its planar elements  31  and  32 , another horizontal support  20   b,  having planar elements  51  and  52  attached thereto by articulating hinges  61  and  62 , is included in the device  200 . 
         [0027]    The arrangement of hinges  61 ,  62 , planar elements  51 ,  52  and the horizontal support  20   b  mirrors the arrangement of hinges  41 ,  42 , planar elements  31 ,  32  and the horizontal support  20 , such that the wind W also exerts forces on the planar elements  51  and  52  to rotate the horizontal support  20   b  clockwise, from A to D to C to B to A in this example, and opposite to the counter-clockwise rotation of horizontal support  20 , as similarly discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         [0028]    The horizontal supports  20  and  20   b  may be attached at respectively different heights along the vertical shaft  10  such that interference is not caused by opposite rotations of the horizontal supports  20  and  20   b  and their planar elements  31 ,  32 ,  51  and  52 . 
         [0029]    Further, while this specification contains many features, the features should not all be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or the appended claims. Certain features described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. 
         [0030]    Although the drawings describe operations in a specific order and/or show specific arrangements of components, one should not interpret that such specific order and/or arrangements are limited, or that all the operations performed and the components disclosed are needed to obtain a desired result. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.