US 12,264,648 B2
Mastless wind turbine for power generation
Steven C. Hench, Benbrook, TX (US)
Assigned to J. Hench Consulting, Inc., Benbrook, TX (US)
Filed by J. Hench Consulting, Inc., Benbrook, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 4, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/404,741.
Application 18/404,741 is a continuation of application No. 18/308,475, filed on Apr. 27, 2023, granted, now 11,898,536.
Application 18/308,475 is a continuation of application No. 17/321,271, filed on May 14, 2021, granted, now 11,668,278, issued on Jun. 6, 2023.
Application 17/321,271 is a continuation of application No. 15/901,701, filed on Feb. 21, 2018, granted, now 11,009,004, issued on May 18, 2021.
Application 15/901,701 is a continuation of application No. 15/368,303, filed on Dec. 2, 2016, granted, now 9,995,275, issued on Jun. 12, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/237,076, filed on Oct. 5, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0133359 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03D 3/00 (2006.01); F03D 3/06 (2006.01); F03D 9/11 (2016.01); F03D 9/25 (2016.01)
CPC F03D 3/005 (2013.01) [F03D 3/062 (2013.01); F03D 3/064 (2013.01); F03D 9/11 (2016.05); F03D 9/25 (2016.05); F05B 2210/16 (2013.01); F05B 2240/211 (2013.01); F05B 2240/311 (2013.01); Y02B 10/30 (2013.01); Y02E 10/74 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mastless vertical axis wind turbine, the mastless vertical axis wind turbine comprising:
a plurality of sails configured to rotate about a vertical axis of the mastless vertical axis wind turbine under influence of wind;
a platform configured to be connected to and placed in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about a first end of the plurality of the sails;
an external frame configured to be connected to and placed in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about a second end of the plurality of the sails that is opposite from the first end; and
a connector configured to couple the plurality of sails to the external frame and to allow the plurality of sails to rotate about the vertical axis under the influence of the wind, where the external frame comprises a plurality of legs configured to remain stationary during rotation of the plurality of sails and converge at a first point along the vertical axis and that extend beyond a path swept by the plurality of sails.