Page 1 of 21 PATENT AGENT EXAMINATION PAPER A 2009 Dear Candidate, Paper A is a patent drafting exercise in which the candidate is requested to prepare a full patent specification, with significant weight (60%) given to the claims. A hypothetical inventor has provided a description of the technology as the inventor understands it. A search has been provided to assist the candidate in evaluating the actual scope of the inventor s invention. You will assume the search is the most relevant of the prior art and you are cautioned not to impart your own knowledge into your analysis and preparation of the patent application. While clever, the inventor is unlikely to have provided language, structure and organization appropriate for a patent application. Accordingly, full marks for the description will not be awarded if the Candidate merely copies the inventor s text and, historically, lower marks have been awarded for exclusively cutting and pasting portions from the examination itself. The inventor has provided the attached materials describing and illustrating a wind turbine. A search has revealed two pertinent references, namely: US Patent X,XXX,337 to Queen et al. and FR Patent X,XXX,710 to Wiener et al. On the basis of the client's letter, drawings, and the known prior art patents, prepare a patent application. The Candidate is required to submit a first
Page 2 of 21 independent claim of the apparatus type having 5 or 6 dependent apparatus claims and a second independent claim of the method type having 3 or 4 dependent method claims. The Candidate has been provided with duplicate unmarked copies of the drawings for their use. As is evident from the mark breakdown below, preparation of formal portions of the application such as a petition is not required. Abstract 3 (1) Independent Apparatus Claim 22 Title 1 Dependent Apparatus Claims 10 Field of the Invention 1 (2) Independent Method Claim 22 Background of the Invention 8 Dependent Method Claims 6 Summary of the Invention 2 Description of the Drawings 3 Description of the Embodiments 22 Subtotal 40 Subtotal 60 TOTAL 100 Client s Materials: I am very interested in patenting my new wind turbine because it works in low wind conditions and it can be manufactured for considerably less money than wind generators that you usually see in steady or high wind environments. A number of turbines can be set up in a suitable configuration for a wind farm or one turbine would be perfectly useful for low level electrical generation or even water pumping. This design should be very popular because of the low capital outlay required to make one.
Page 3 of 21 I adapted a sailboat sail for use in my turbine blades which uses devices and designs that are commonly used for managing sails on sailboats. I also use a boom and mast to secure the sail, but my mast sticks out of the turbine hub like a propeller blade. My sail also uses conventional furling devices that allow the sail to be furled and unfurled either on the exterior or interior of the boom. A sail is an inexpensive and lightweight approach to forming a large airfoil yet, as circumstance dictates, the size of the sail can be easily reduced when not required. My use of the sail and boom arrangement is simple in design and provides fully adjustable sails. You can see from my drawings that my turbine blades are mounted for rotation near the top of the support where the wind is usually best. The blades extend from a hub which is mounted to the support and rotates as the wind pushes the blades around. Inherent in a blade is that it is oriented to impart a rotation to the hub. In my first drawing, I have shown three turbine blades that are spaced about the center of the hub. Like other conventional wind turbines, my wind turbine may also include a generator attached to the hub, via a drive shaft, to convert and maximize the rotational energy of the sails and hub into electricity. The machine will still run with one blade but I prefer to use three or even four. Each of my blades has a mast or rotor that extends radially outward from the hub like a fan or pinwheel. The rotor holds the sail when it is fully extended. In light winds, the sails are moved or fully extended along the rotor to capture as much of the wind as possible. If the wind is too high, I retract the sails so that the wind turbine doesn t spin too fast or break off. Other turbines that have big blades can be damaged in high winds or must use costly structure to hold them together.
Page 4 of 21 I can retract my sails close to the hub using a boom. The boom is located near the hub. Like a sailboat, it is best if the boom extends at ninety degrees from the mast or rotor. I have not shown a drawing of this, but it is also possible for the boom to extend directly from the hub or for the rotor to be mounted to the boom but this latter version will likely not be very practical. The sail is preferably a basic triangular shape which forms a plane or surface between the rotor and boom. Depending on the wind speed, I control the sail configuration. By retracting the sail towards the hub in high winds, I can keep the sail structure close to the hub, reduce the load on my wind turbine, and keep the support structure and component size to a minimum without fear of tearing off the sails and hence the blades. I didn t show this but, if I support the boom from the base of the rotor near the hub, I may also make it possible to rotate the rotor about the rotor s axis to adjust the angle of the sail and blade relative to the prevailing wind. The sails can be guided in a slot extending along the rotor or along its exterior. The sail is hoisted along the rotor by a hoisting mechanism (not shown) positioned along or within the rotor. Drawing 3 shows the sail in the fully extended position, drawing 5 shows the sail in a fully retracted position and drawing 4 shows the sail in a partially extended position between the positions shown in drawings 3 and 5. The sails have a width which can be as wide as the boom and a height which is as long as the rotor so that the sail can preferably be extended along its height all the way to the end of the rotor. Like a sailboat, during low winds, the sails of the wind turbine can be raised or extended away from the boom and during high winds the sails can be lowered or retracted to be furled at the boom.
Page 5 of 21 Each sail can be furled and unfurled using a furling device, of the type used on regular sailboats. I have not included any details of the furling device because many types can be found on sailboats. I have simply shown one type of furling device which rolls the sail around the outside of the boom. Another kind of furling device allows the sail to roll up inside a hollow boom. Each furling device is operated by a drive mechanism which can be controlled. A wind speed sensor can be used to control the furling and unfurling and therefore adjust the size of the sail. The blades can be made of suitable material that is typically used to manufacture boat sails, including laminated fiber material. Advantageously, the rotors or the booms or both can themselves be in the shape of an airfoil so that, even when the sails are fully furled, the rotors may act somewhat as wind turbine rotors. In operation, the wind speed sensor communicates with a controller, such as a central computer. The central computer can control the drive mechanisms to change the sail configuration between light and high wind configurations. My method of controlling the wind turbine can also continuously monitor this information and react to ensure the sail configuration adjusts to suit the wind speed. For simplicity, the controller can be indexed to configurations where the sails are completely furled; about 40% extended; about 60% extended; or completely extended. I can operate a farm of wind turbines distributed in various locations by obtaining the wind speed from sensors around the farm or at each wind turbine location and then controlling the wind turbines by operating their sails to configure the wind turbines to best suit the wind conditions at their respective locations.
Page 6 of 21 The wind turbine described above is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. It is far more efficient for low winds than current wind turbines and its simplified structure avoids constant repairs.
Page 7 of 21 Rotor Blad Hub Sail Boom Sail Sail Wind Senso Control DWG 1
Page 8 of 21 Rotor Blad Hub Sai DWG 2 Sail Boom Blad Boom Sail DWG 3 Rotor
Page 9 of 21 Roto Hub Sail Boom DWG 4 Roto Sail Hub Boom DWG 5
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Page 13 of 21 United States Patent X,XXX,337 Nov 11, 1999 Queen et al. WIND ENERGY GENERATING APPARATUS WITH DIHEDRAL SAILS Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the wind energy generator apparatus 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The wind energy generator apparatus 10 has a first mast 12 with a dihedral sail 14 affixed thereto. The wind energy generator apparatus 10 also includes a second mast 16 having a dihedral sail 18 affixed to and extending outwardly therefrom. Additionally, the wind energy generator apparatus 10 has a third mast 20 with a dihedral sail 22 affixed thereto. Each of the masts 12, 16 and 20 extends radially outwardly of a shaft 24. The shaft 24 is pivotally connected at 26 to the top of a pole 28. A generator 30 is cooperative with the shaft 24. The generator 30 is located adjacent to the bottom of the pole 28. A controller is cooperative with each of the sails 14, 18 and 22 so as to control an orientation of the respective dihedral sails 14, 18 and 22 relative to a position of the masts 12, 16 and 20. The controller includes a first lanyard 30 that is connected to the dihedral sail 14. The controller also include a second lanyard 32 that is connected to the dihedral sail 18. Additionally, and furthermore, the controller includes a third lanyard 34 that is connected to the dihedral sail 22. Each of the lanyards 30, 32 and 34 will extend from a mechanism associated with shaft 24. The controller serves to extend and retract the lanyards 30, 32 and 34 relative to a position of the respective masts 12, 16 and 20. The mast 12 is generally cone-shape with a wide diameter at the shaft 24 and a narrow diameter at an opposite end thereof. The dihedral sail 14 has one edge 36 affixed to and extending longitudinally along the mast 12. The dihedral
Page 14 of 21 sail 14 has a second edge 38 which forms a juncture with the first edge 36 adjacent to the narrow diameter end 40 of the mast 12. The second edge 38 extends to a corner 42 formed at an end of the second edge 38 opposite the end 40 of mast 12. The lanyard 30 is connected to the corner 42 of the dihedral sail 14. The second mast 16 is similarly cone-shaped with a wide diameter affixed to the shaft 24 and a narrow diameter at opposite end 44. The dihedral sail 18 has one edge 46 which extends longitudinally along the mast 16. A second edge 48 extends from the end 44 of the mast 16 outwardly from the mast at an acute angle. The lanyard 32 is connected to a corner 50 of edge 48 opposite the end 44 of mast 16. The third mast 20 is also cone-shaped with a wide diameter at the shaft 24 and a narrow diameter at an opposite end 52. The first edge 54 of the dihedral sail 22 extends longitudinally along the mast 20. A second edge 56 extends at an acute angle from the first edge 54 and from the end 52 of mast 20. The second edge 56 extends to a corner 58 opposite to the end 52 of mast 20. The lanyard 34 is connected to the corner 58 of the dihedral sail 22. It can be seen that each of the sails 14, 18 and 22 has a plurality of ribs 60 extending thereacross in generally transverse relationship to the respective masts 12, 16 and 20. These ribs extend from the respective masts 12, 16 and 22 to the second edge 38, 48 and 56 of the respective dihedral sails 14, 18 and 22. These ribs 60 are formed of carbon filaments that are particularly configured so as to maintain each of the dihedral sails 14, 18 and 22 in a cupped configuration when the respective lanyards 30, 32 and 34 are retracted. As such, the ribs 60 provide structural integrity to the respective dihedral sails 14, 18 and 22. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the shaft 24 is pivotally mounted at 26 to the top of the pole 28. The generator 30 is connected adjacent to the bottom of the pole 28. A torque tube will extend through the interior of the pole 28 so as to transfer rotational energy of the shaft 24 as rotational energy to the generator 30.
Page 15 of 21 Since the generator 30 is located adjacent to the bottom of the pole 28 and generally at the surface of the earth, generator 30 can be easily connected to supply power, can be easily repaired and can be easily replaced. As such, the wind energy generator apparatus 10 of the present invention avoids the need for hoists, cranes, lifts and other devices that would be otherwise required to maintain and/or replace equipment located at the top of the pole 28. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the sail 14 is formed into a cupped configuration by retracting the lanyard 30 radially toward the shaft 24. This draws the corner 42 toward the shaft 24 and creates the cupped configuration of the dihedral sail 14. The lanyard 32 associated with the dihedral sail 18 is extended so that the dihedral sail 18 has a generally open configuration. The lanyard 34 is intermediately retracted so as to draw the dihedral sail 22 into a semi-cupped configuration. The ribs serve to set the curvature when the lanyard is drawn in. As such, the sail 14 will cup to a predetermined curvature. The ribs 60 serve to maintain it in this cupped shaped. As the turbine tacks into the wind, the ribs 60 serve to assure that the dihedral sail avoid collapse. As such, the use of the ribs 60 enhances the torque-producing capability of the wind energy generator apparatus 10. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the dihedral sail 14 is fully cupped so as to receive the full force of the wind. As such, the mast 12 receives the full power associated with the wind energy and transfers such power to the shaft 24. The dihedral sail 18 is in a feathered condition. The lanyard 32 is relaxed so that only a small amount of rotational torque is created. The dihedral sail 22 is not fully cupped. As such, it provides reduced torque. The shape of the particular blades associated with the wind energy generator apparatus 10 of the present invention serve to reduce the drag coefficient of the blade because of the way the wind fills the curvature of the dihedral sails. One dihedral sail is emptying as another is filling.
Page 16 of 21 FIG. 1
French Patent X,XXX,710 Page 17 of 21 Sep 22, 1977 Wiener et al. WIND POWER MACHINE WITH A WINDWHEEL The invention relates to a wind turbine having a wind-driven wheel comprising a hub and bars radially extending therefrom to which sails are fixed, an extremity of each sail being directed to the next bar. Such wind turbines have been in use for many centuries, namely in Mediterranean countries, for applications such as wind mills for irrigation. The invention is explained in more detail hereafter using the following figures in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a wind turbine according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a partial cut-out view along line II-II of Fig. 1; Figs. 7 and 8 are partial front views of various devices for furling the sail. Figs. 1 and 2 represent a wind-driven wheel 11 having a hub 12, inside which is mounted the rotation axis of the wind turbine. The hub may comprise, for example, an electric generator 17, and eventually also the corresponding transmission gears 18 or other driven devices such as pumps or similar devices. The hub 12 has an elongated cylindrical shape and has a fairly large diameter. It has an aerodynamically shaped rear portion and is mounted to, preferably, without spacing, tower head 14 which is disposed immediately thereafter in the direction of the wind 13 and which can turn about a vertical axis 16 upon landing 15. The tower head 14 extend in the wind direction by a directional blade (not shown) which serves to turn the wind-driven wheel into the wind. Other means known to those skilled in the art may be used to achieve the same purpose. The tower head 14 is mounted on a tower or a pylon which is high enough for the wind-driven wheel 11 to turn freely and also to submit the wind-driven wheel to high velocity winds.
Page 18 of 21 In the exterior area of the median region, the hub 16 comprises a total of eight base plates 19 equally spaced around the hub s exterior and on which radially extending bars 20 are fixed. Bars 20 comprise hollow aluminum profiles such as those used for sailing yacht masts. Bars 20 are propped up using stays 24 which are tightened between hook means 25 and hook device 26 using tightening means 27. The top end of bars 20 are joined to each other by stays 28. To each bar 20 is fixed a sail 30. The sails and their accessories are shown for only two of the bars 20 on Fig. 1. The sails 30 are fixed to bars 20 by a forward railing. To achieve this, the forward side of sail 30 is inserted into groove 21 of bar 20. To this effect, the bars are wing-shaped and oriented such that the angle of attack reduces the aerodynamic effect of the bars 20 on the sails 30. Sails 30 have a triangular shape, one of its sides constituting its leading edge. The smaller side constitutes the exterior railing 33 of sail 30 and is fixed, as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1, to a yardarm 34 also through a groove (not shown) on yardarm 34. Yardarm 34 is articulated on bar 20. Fitting 35 of yardarm 34 can include a T-shaped portion inserted in groove 21 of bar 20 and a corresponding articulation. From the free end 36, which is not fixed to bar 20, of the yardarm 34, a wire 37 is tied to the end of the next bar. The wire 37 rides on pulley 38 along the next bar, or preferably, within the next bar, to hub 22 where it is fixed. One can see that, having the sail 30 fixed to yardarm 34, the optimal position of the sail can be chosen independently of the amount of wind it catches. The tension in the sail 30 is produced by the centrifugal force acting on yardarm 34. Fig. 7 shows a possibility for furling the sails of a wind-driven wheel of the type shown on Fig. 1. The furling means is activated by rotation of the yardarm 34 by an auxiliary drive means, or similar device, which rolls up the sail about
Page 19 of 21 yardarm 34. In these conditions, the surface of the sail is reduced, but the surface of the wind-driven wheel submitted to the wind is not reduced that much. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, a furling means is also shown in which a device rolls up the sail about yardarm 34 while, at the same time, displacing yardarm 34 on a rail in groove 21 toward the hub 22. In these conditions, the effective diameter of the wind-driven wheel is reduced and the resistance to the wind decreases more than with the embodiment of Fig. 7.
French Patent X,XXX,710 Page 20 of 21 Sep 22, 1977 Wiener et al.
Page 21 of 21 French Patent X,XXX,710 Sep 22, 1977 Wiener et al. Fig. 2