Importance

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Abstract

A base is provided and a rotor is journaled from the base for rotation about a first upstanding axis. The rotor includes a plurality of vanes journaled therefrom for rotation about second axis spaced about and radially outwardly from the first axis and vane displacement control structure is operatively connected between the base and the vanes for proportionally angularly displacing the vanes relative to the rotor 180.degree. in one direction during each 360.degree. of rotation of the rotor in the opposite direction. The vanes are angularly displaced in optimum positions relative to the rotor and each other to develop maximum thrust by the vanes on the rotor responsive to fluid flow against the vanes from a predetermined side of the first axis. Fluid flow direction sensing structure is operatively associated with the windmill and connected to the vane displacement control structure for maintaining the optimum positions of the vanes relative to each other and the rotor during changes in the direction of fluid flow. Selectively operable override control structure is operatively connected to the vane displacement control structure for angularly displacing all but one of the vanes from the optimum positions thereof to feathered positions paralleling the aforementioned one vane. The override control structure includes actuating structure therefor responsive to fluid flow relative to the base in excess of a predetermined velocity.

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First Claim