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Power generation from high altitude winds

  • US 4,659,940 A
  • Filed: 10/11/1985
  • Issued: 04/21/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1982
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for extracting energy from wind at high altitude, comprising:

  • means for supporting a load at said high altitude;

    means for flexibly tethering said load supporting means to the surface of the earth;

    a plurality of elongated parallel airfoil elements supported by said load supporting means, said airfoil elements lying on the surface of an imaginary horizontal circular cylinder and rotatable about the horizontal axis of said cylinder in a closed cylindrical path;

    means for positioning said airfoil elements relative to said cylindrical surface whereby relative wind substantially normal to said axis exerts a force on said airfoil elements, causing said elements to rotate about said horizontal axis; and

    means responsive to the movement of said airfoil elements about said horizontal axis for transmitting power to the surface of the earth.

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