Theodore F Wiegel

US Patent:

7098553, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/905602

Inventors:

Theodore F Wiegel - Goldenrod FL, US
Kenneth C Stevens - Great Falls VA, US

International Classification:

F03D 9/00
H02P 9/04

US Classification:

290 55, 290 44

Abstract:

A wind-capturing electrical generator device comprising a plurality of generators is driven by wind created by traffic passing in close proximity at high speeds. The device preferably uses horizontally or vertically mounted Savonius-type or helical-turbine-type rotors attached to electrical generators in order to capture the wind and produce electrical energy. A plurality of electrical generator devices may be mounted in a configuration such that they are in close proximity to vehicular passageways (e. g. , highway overpasses, tunnels, or train rails). The wind created by the traffic is used to rotate the vanes and their attached generators in order to produce electrical energy.

US Patent:

57697248, Jun 23, 1998

Filed:

Nov 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/745833

Inventors:

Theodore F. Wiegel - Goldenrod FL

International Classification:

A63G 3108

US Classification:

472 49

Abstract:

An amusement ride for catapulting a human rider, enclosed within a capsule, into the air in much the same fashion as ancient armies would hurl large boulders over the walls of castles. The ride provides many of the sensations and thrills encountered by fighter pilots launching from the decks of aircraft carriers without the requirement for flight training or the associated dangers. The ride essentially consists of a siege type catapult and a releasably connected launch pod. When in the launch position, a release mechanism is triggered by the operator and the rider is catapulted into the air at a physiologically safe rate of acceleration along a predictable free-flight arc. When an acceptable elevation is reached, the rider is separated from the capsule and gently brought back to earth using an automatically deploying parachute or similar device. An alternate embodiment envisions the use of a similar device to project a conveyance vehicle along a horizontal track similar to a stone skipping across the water.