Abstract:
A power generation system that provides means for a wind or water powered wheel having pairs of radially positioned arms each having a shaft with a pair of fins pivotally attached thereto and where the independently rotating fins or paddles allow for increased power generation and reduced drag.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to power generators and more specifically it relates to a wind or water turbine with fins that rotate independently to maximize power generation. 
     The present invention is a wind or water powered turbine comprising stationary plates having an off-center power shaft with pairs of radially extending arms fastened thereto with bearing supported transverse shafts having fixed fins with roller bearings positioned on each corner of the fin side engaging a stationary plate. Each of the stationary plates has a track with one of the fins roller bearings contained thereby. Also positioned on the interior side of each of the stationary plates is a pivotal switch for re-orienting the fin during its elliptical path along the periphery of the stationary path with the object of having one fin in a vertical position receiving the full force of the wind or water on its vertical face while the fin on the opposite side being in a horizontal position receives a force only on its edge. 
     The stationary plate channel provides means for encapsulating a lead bearing fixedly attached to each fin allowing the fin to transverse around a centralized pivot point. Upon rotation about the channel the encapsulated lead bearing reaches a transfer pivot switch that forces the lead bearing out of the channel while leading a trailing bearing or (free bearing) fixedly attached to the opposing end of the fin into the channel. 
     With the transferring of the lead bearing out of the channel and the free bearing into the channel optimal fin position is obtained to provide maximum power to the main shaft and thus improved generation of power. Thus upon each time the lead bearing of the fin reaches the transfer switch, the lead bearing is converted into the free bearing and the free bearing is converted into the lead bearing. Utilizing this system of the present invention in a four fin configuration, 90 degrees apart, upon rotation of each revolution three of the four fins are in constant generation of power while the forth fin is positioned to minimize drag. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other wind and water turbines. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,517 issued to Hand on May 16, 1846. 
     Another patent application was issued to Pallausch on Jul. 29, 1884 as U.S. Pat. No. 302,769. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 391,539 was issued to Lard on Oct. 23, 1888 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 26, 1945 to Topalov as U.S. Pat. No. 2,379,324. Another patent was issued to Soules on Jan. 25, 1977 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,861. 
     Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,417 was issued to Fork on Apr. 19, 1983. Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,591 was issued to Hesting on Oct. 25, 1983 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 11, 1988 to Blowers as U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,762. Another patent was issued to Rademacher on Sep. 24, 1991 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,059 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 28, 1999 to Geary as U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,518. 
     Another patent application was issued to Downing on Dec. 31, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,939. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,553 was issued to Seiford on Aug. 15, 2006. 
     Internationally, a Russian patent was issued to Bojarshinov as Russian Patent No. RU2016220 on Jul. 15, 1994. An International Patent Application was published to Castaneda Mungi on Oct. 7, 2004 as World Publication No. WO2004/085841. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,517 
     Inventor: Christopher Hand 
     Issued: May 16, 1846 
     This is a new and useful improvement in water-wheels, and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the principle or character thereof, which distinguishes it from all other things before known, and of the manner of making, constructing, and using the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 302,769 
     Inventor: Franz Pallausch 
     Issued: Jul. 29, 1884 
     This invention has reference to an improved paddle-wheel which may be used either as a water-wheel, or as a wind-motor, or as a ventilator, and which may be mounted either horizontally or vertically and worked at any level of the water and in a state of total submersion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 391,539 
     Inventor: Shelden B. Lard 
     Issued: Oct. 23, 1888 
     The invention consists of a water wheel provided with a series of overlapping leaves or buckets pivoted a little at one side of their center, and with a series of loosely pivoted and sliding catches for engaging the leaves or buckets when folded, to lock them closed. The invention also consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,379,324 
     Inventor: Michael S. Topalov 
     Issued: Jun. 26, 1945 
     This invention relates either to water or to wind power motors which are composed of two or more rotors turning about vertical axes in opposite directions, and is a modification of the stream motors disclosed in my previous application Ser. No. 316,149 filed in the U.S. Patent Office Jan. 29, 1940, Division 9, room 4624. It is an object of my invention to provide a simple and efficient rudderless motor to utilize either the wind or the natural flow of water without the aid of dams or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,861 
     Inventor: Charl Soules 
     Issued: Jan. 25, 1977 
     A wind driven prime mover which is driven by a plurality of arcuately shaped wind vanes pivotally mounted on a rotatable turntable. The wind vanes are pivotally mounted on the turntable with their pivot axle disposed in a vertical plane. The pivots are positioned adjacent the periphery of the turntable, with the pivots being spaced equidistant from each other and equidistant from the axis of rotation of the turntable. The bottoms of the vanes are arcuately shaped, with the length of the arc being slightly longer than the space between the pivots so that there is an overlap between adjacent vanes. The convex surface of the vanes face outwardly to provide a concave inner surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,417 
     Inventor: Werner Fork 
     Issued: Apr. 19, 1983 
     An installation for extracting useful work, such as driving an electric generator from a fluid stream, includes a platform rotatable about a central axis and supporting a plurality of blades or vanes, each of which is rotatable about its individual blade axis to vary the angle of attack between the blades and the fluid stream during each revolution of the platform. The blades are coupled together so that each blade executes a similar motion during each platform revolution and so that the angle of attack of the fluid stream relative to a given blade is substantially zero when the fluid stream direction is perpendicular to the plane including the central platform axis and the axis of the given blade, the amount of variation in blade angle of attack during each revolution is variable to compensate for variations in the fluid flow. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,591 
     Inventor: Daniel O. Hesting 
     Issued: Oct. 25, 1983 
     A power turbine employs a plurality of turbine blades each having a normal lip mounted at the free ends thereof. The plurality of turbine blades are mounted in a paddle wheel type configuration about the turbine power shaft. The paddle wheel blade configuration is interposed between the pressurized fluid inlet and outlet ports for efficient response to the pressurized fluid moving therebetween. Directional fans mounted about the rotating shaft maintain the fluid flow through the turbine so as to assure an optimum power as offered by the rotating turbine shaft. A home power generation system utilizing the turbine is also disclosed herein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,762 
     Inventor: Leo W. Blowers 
     Issued: Oct. 11, 1988 
     A power conversion turbine for actuation by fluid in motion such as, for example, the wind, with a body supported to rotate about a central axis and carrying a plurality of vanes spaced from said axis and being movable about respective vane axes parallel to said central axis and which vanes are circumferentially spaced from each other and dimensioned such that, when said vanes are in a first closed position they collectively form a substantially unbroken cylindrical surface and are selectively movable from said first position to a fully open second position and said vanes including interconnecting means causing selected ones of said vanes to close as one or more opposing vanes are caused to move from the first to the second position by reason of passage of fluid and means integrally connected with said interconnecting means for infinitely varying the degree of opening of the vanes between fully closed and fully open positions. An auxiliary strip may be provided along the full length of the inner surface of each vane near the leading edge to facilitate and accelerate the initial opening movement of the vanes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,059 
     Inventor: T. Peter Rademacher 
     Issued: Sep. 24, 1991 
     A hinged vane rotor generating power from rivers, streams, tides or wind. A cylindrical drum is supported sideways in a current by axles at the ends connected to pulleys which are in turn, connected to a generator(s), mill wheel, pump or other working device. The rotor is turned by a series of hinged vanes, each one opening to catch the current on one side of the drum and closing to avoid the current on the other side of the drum. A fluid directing component is incorporated to increase current against one side of the drum and reduce it against the other side. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,518 
     Inventor: Jeffrey B. Geary 
     Issued: Dec. 28, 1999 
     An ocean current energy converter is disclosed which, by positioning upon an ocean floor, harnesses and converts energy stemming from wave, tide, and current propagation into useful electrical power. The ocean current energy converter comprises a pair of support legs which are secured to a rotating canister which comprises a plurality of fins disposed about an outer periphery of said rotating canister. Wave motion acting upon the fins of the rotating canister causes said canister to rotate, thus driving a power generating source contained therein, and producing electrical energy. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,939 
     Inventor: Eric E. Downing 
     Issued: Dec. 31, 2002 
     The present invention  10  discloses a wheel-like member  30  consisting of a central circular body member  18  having a plurality of spokes  22  radiating from its outside perimeter that attach to the inside perimeter of an outer circular body member  24 . On the outside perimeter of the outer circular body member a plurality of hinges  26  with paddles  16  are attached thereto that can only open to a pre-determined angle “A” from the wheel  30  that ensures water current  14  is caught by the paddles on only one side of the wheel which causes the wheel to rotate in only one direction. The kinetic energy stored in the wheel  30  while rotating is harnessed through a drive shaft  34  connected to the central circular body member  18  that connects to a generator  36  placed perpendicular to the central circular body member  18 . To keep the generator  36  and drive shaft  34  in place a plurality of support members  40 , with cross-member support couplers  48  are disposed into the bed  42  of the river or ocean that the device  10  is being used in. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,553 
     Inventor: Donald S. Seiford, Sr. 
     Issued: Aug. 15, 2006 
     A paddle wheel propulsion system includes a paddle wheel mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis for propelling a vessel, and for unlimited rotation about a vertical axis perpendicular to its horizontal axis for steering the vessel. The paddle wheel is also supported for limited vertical movement relative to the vessel. Reversible power drive is provided for independently controlling movement of the paddle wheel about its vertical and horizontal axes and for elevating and lowering the paddle wheel. Improved paddles are concave on both sides to provide maximum efficiency in both direction of rotation about the horizontal axis. 
     Russian Patent Number: RU201620 
     Inventor: Viktor Bojarshinov 
     Issued: Jul. 15, 1994 
     A working wheel with blades and their rotary mechanism is mounted on a shaft. The mechanism is made in the form of a system of movable and stationary relative to their axes gears with gear ratio 2/1. Gears movable relative to their axes are mounted on the axes of the blades, the stationary gears on the wheel axle. The movable gears are interconnected around the periphery and connected to the stationary ones along the radius by chain gears. 
     International Publication Application Number: WO 2004/085841 
     Inventor: Carlos Aristides Castaneda Mungi 
     Issued: Oct. 7, 2004 
     The hydraulic generator consists of a rotor and multiple paddles with synchronized rotation between rotor and paddles, has been conceived with the purpose of being able to obtain the larger percentage of the water energy, taking advantage of the water energy, taking advantage of the horizontal drive of this, which is transmitted by the paddles to the rotor, by a leverage effect through the pinions or sprockets of the rotor. The special design of this invention shows the synchronized rotation between rotor and paddles, which is achieved by means of pinions with chain belts or synchronous pulley with synchronous band in a relation of 1 to 2 in the diameter of the pinions or pulley of the rotor and paddles respectively. This invention is classified within the energy generator of motion to be applied in electrical generators, water pumps, moll and all equipment that with require of an external source of this type. 
     While these water and wind driven systems may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a wind or water powered wheel having pairs of radially positioned arms with each having a shaft with a pair of fins pivotally attached thereto. Another object is to provide a wind or water powered wheel whereby the fins are independently movable. 
     An additional object is to provide a wind or water powered wheel whereby one fin is driven in a vertical plane while the bottom fin is driven in a horizontal plane within a channel. 
     Yet an additional object is to provide a wind or water powered wheel whereby said channel provides means for encapsulating a lead bearing fixedly attached to each fin allowing the fin to transverse around a centralized pivot point. 
     Still yet an additional object is to provide a wind or water powered wheel whereby upon rotation about the channel the encapsulated lead bearing reaches a transfer switch that forces the lead bearing out of the channel while leading a trailing bearing or (free bearing) fixedly attached to the opposing end of the fin into the channel. 
     An additional object is to provide a wind or water powered wheel whereby optimal fin position is obtained to provide maximum power to the main shaft and thus improved generation of power. 
     A further object is to provide a wind or water powered wheel that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object is to provide wind or water powered wheel that is economical in cost to manufacture and operate. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing A turbine powered by a moving fluid such as air or water has a pair of oppositely disposed wheels; a main shaft connecting the wheels as an axle, such that each of the wheels has an inboard side and an outboard side; a circular channel in each of the inboard sides of the pair of wheels; a pair of oppositely disposed arms connected at one end, at right angles, to the main shaft; a pivot bearing connected to a distal end of each of the arms; a fin shaft rotatably connected through each pivot bearing with a pair of distal ends disposed on opposite sides of each pivot bearing, the fin shaft generally parallel to the main shaft; a fin rotatably affixed at the middle of one side to each fin shaft distal end, the fin having a distal free side and each fin being independently rotatable; a pair of roller bearings extending from opposing ends of the distal free side of the fins, the roller bearings sized to fit within the circular channels and oriented such that the fins traverse around the pivot bearing and the pair of roller bearings alternately enter and revolve through the circular channels in the wheels, with the roller bearing in the channel being a lead bearing and the roller bearing outside the channel being a free bearing; and a transfer switch in each of the channels which forces the lead bearing out of the channel while urging the free bearing into the channel. 
     The foregoing and other objectives and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention&#39;s use. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the present invention in use with a fluid. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the present invention in use with wind. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the present invention operating in water. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the present invention operating in the wind. 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed progression view of the present invention&#39;s transfer switch. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an additional element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an additional element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the present invention having additional arms. 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed view of an additional element of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Water and Wind Turbine of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Water and Wind Turbine of the present invention     12  watercraft     14  stationary plate     16  fin     18  main central shaft     20  arm     22  power transfer     24  pivot bearing     26  channel     28  roller bearing     29  fluid movement     30  wind     32  water     34  lead roller bearing     36  free trailer bearing     38  fin shaft     40  generator     42  inboard side of  14       44  outboard side of  14       46  pivot transfer switch     48  rotation of  16       50  excessive force     52  restrainer     54  pivot point of  16         

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments; practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the present invention  10  being a pair of spaced apart stationary plates  14  having a plurality of fins  16  disposed therebetween angularly disposed into optimum positioning for maximum driving and power production therefrom. Additionally, the present invention  10  may be utilized as an air driven turbine or as a water  31  driven wheel as depicted. In a reversed and powered scenario the present invention  10  may also be utilized as a propulsion means for watercraft  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the present invention  10  in use with a fluid. The present invention  10  is a turbine powered by a moving fluid  29 , such as wind or water, turning a central shaft  18  having pairs of radially positioned arms  20  with each having a fin shaft  38  with a pair of fins  16  pivotally attached thereto. The fins  16  are independently movable one from the other whereby one is driven in a vertical plane while the opposed fin  16  is driven in a horizontal plane. Power transfer  22  is accomplished between the central shaft  18  and a generator  40  Additionally the present invention  10  may be coupled to a motor or source of torque to be manually rotated and driven in a manner that can be utilized in powering small watercraft. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the present invention  10  in use with wind  30 . The present invention is a moving fluid powered turbine  10  having an pivot bearing  24  in rotative communication with the shafts  38  of a set of fins  16  attached to arms  20  radiating from a central, main shaft,  18  serving as an axle and disposed between two stationary plates  14 , each fin  16  has a roller bearing  28  attached to the two outer corners. While one said bearing  28  runs along a circular channel  26  of a smaller diameter than that of the arm  20 , the angle that each fin  16  rotates is controlled in order to transfer maximum energy to the power transfer  22  of the main shaft  18 . Shown are the fins  16  being driven by the wind  30 . The stationary plates  14  includes an inboard side  42  with the central shaft projecting perpendicularly therefrom and an outboard side  44 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  has a main shaft  18  with a plurality of support arms projecting perpendicularly therefrom with the distal end of each having a pivot bearing  24  rotatively connected to a pair of rectangular fins  16 , having one on each side of the arm, which rotates. Each fin  16  has a roller bearing  28  attached its two outer corners. While one said bearing  28  runs along a channel in a circular track of a smaller diameter than that of the arm, the angle that each fin  16  rotates is controlled, in order to transfer maximum energy to the main shaft  18 . 
       FIG. 5  is a detail view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a detail view of the fin  16 , arm  20  and roller bearings  28  of the present invention  10 . This wind or water powered wheel provides pairs of radially positioned arms  20  with each having a shaft with a pair of fins  16  pivotally attached thereto via a pivot bearing  24  in a pivot bearing housing  25 . The fins  16  are independently movable from the other whereby one is driven in a vertical plane while the opposed fin  16  is driven in a horizontal plane. Additionally shown is the present invention having a pressure release gate  32  whereby under the incident of extreme weather, release is caused, to permit flow that otherwise would destroy the fin if opposed. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the present invention operating in water  31 . The present invention  10  has a central shaft  18  with perpendicularly extending arm  20  having a pivot bearing  24  that supports the rectangular fins  16  having one fin  16  on each side of the arm  20 , which rotates. Each fin  16  has a roller bearing  28  attached to the two outer corners. While one runs along a circular channel  26 , which is of a smaller diameter than that of the arm  20 , dictates the angle of each fin  16  as it rotates  16  to transfer maximum energy to the main shaft  18 . A pivot switch  46  alternates the positions of the roller bearings  28  so the lead bearing  34  traveling within the channel  26  becomes the free trailing bearing  36 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the present invention  10  operating in the wind  30 . The main central shaft  18  is slightly offset from the center of the stationary plates  14  and a pivot transfer switch  46  forces the lead roller bearing  34  from the channel  26  and transfers the free trailing bearing  36  into the lead roller bearing  34 . A pressure release gate  32  integral with each fin  16  responds to excessive force  50  by opening to relieve the pressure and prevent damage to the apparatus. Also shown is the restrainer  52 . 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed progression view of the present invention&#39;s  10  pivot transfer switch  46 . Depicted below is the transfer switch  46  with a pivot point  54  that forces the lead roller bearing  34  out of channel  26  and thus becoming a free trailer bearing  36 . Upon continued rotation the pivot transfer switch  46  pivots upon an anchor point that provides means for the trailing or free bearing  36  to enter the channel  26  and thus becoming the lead bearing  34 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of an additional element of the present invention  10 . The wind/water turbine of the present invention  10  provides a pair of spaced apart stationary plates  14  with guide channels  26  having at least one pair of radially positioned fins  16  situated approximately 90 degrees one from the other. Each pair of fins  16  has roller bearings  28  positioned on its top and bottom distal ends and are pivotally fixed to an arm  20  connecting to a central shaft  18  in communication with a power conversion generator  40  that converts the mechanical energy from wind or water that pushes the fins  16  into electrical current. The fins  16  rotate within pivot bearings  24  to optimize harvesting of potential energy while reducing drag. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of an additional element of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  may be expanded and ganged with a plurality of fins  16  and arms  20  operating on a common main shaft  18  and generator  40  as the roller bearings  28  travel through the channels  26  of the stationary plates  14 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the present invention  10  having additional arms  20 . Shown is the present invention  10  being utilized as a water driven turbine whereby the disposition of the fins  16  are switched from top to bottom in the channel  26 . The changed angular juxtaposition allows the fins  16  of stationary plates  14  to be placed in maximum positioning for harnessing said water&#39;s flow and transferring the potential energy from the main shaft  18  to the generator. Additionally the present invention  10  may be operated in flows directed in either direction allowing it to function in reciprocating currents. 
       FIG. 12  is a detailed view of an additional element of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  having an additional element being a retaining rail  52  that is utilized in guiding the bearings  28  as they pass through the pivot transfer switch  46  during reverse rotation. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.