Abstract

A fluid energy conversion apparatus for extracting energy from a flowing fluid, comprising: a plurality of pivotably mounted vanes arranged for movement around an endless pathway having a primary transfer portion, a secondary transfer portion and transition portions therebetween, the apparatus configured so that in use vanes disposed on the primary transfer portion are generally upstream in the fluid flow of vanes disposed on the secondary transfer portion and the fluid flows sequentially past vanes on the primary transfer portion and secondary transfer portions respectively; a releasable brake operable in respect of each vane, each releasable brake being configured to fix the orientation of a respective vane when engaged; and vane adjustment means configured to release the brake and vary the orientation of a vane when the vane is in one of the transition portions to control the exposure of each vane to fluid incident upon that vane.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 9/00 - Endless-chain type machines or engines
• F03D 5/02 - Other wind motors the wind-engaging parts being attached to endless chains or the like
• F03D 3/00 - Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
• F03D 11/00 - Details, component parts, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A force conversion mechanism comprising a transfer member disposed about an anchor point, the transfer member including first and second spaced apart annular bearing surfaces having different diameters, a smaller diameter one of said bearing surfaces being configured to extend loosely around the anchor point so that an input force urging the larger bearing surface toward the anchor point causes the transfer member to rotate, thereby advancing the smaller bearing surface along the anchor point to provide an output force in a direction generally perpendicular to the input force.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 21/10 - Gearings comprising primarily only links or levers, with or without slides all movement being in, or parallel to, a single plane
• F16H 35/14 - Mechanisms with only two stable positions, e.g. acting at definite angular positions

Abstract

A connector for fixing a shaft to at least one endless cable that passes around a wheel, the connector comprising: a coupling element which is configured to surround at least a portion of the or each cable, the coupling element having extensions which extend along the cable on a side remote to said wheel when the cable passes around the wheel; and a lug coupled to the coupling element, the lug being configured to accept the shaft, wherein the coupling element is arcuate between the extensions to prevent contact between the coupling element and the wheel.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16G 11/00 - Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objectsCaps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
• B65G 15/00 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration