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US 12,480,468 B2Granted
Wind turbine with rotational axis perpendicular to the wind flow
OwnerIan Gordoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention described herein pertains to a housing for a vertical-axis wind turbine, a vertical-axis wind turbine, and an apparatus comprising a housing and a vertical-axis wind turbine. For example, the disclosure below provides more efficient electricity generation from a vertical-axis wind turbine assembly. Increases in efficiency may be achieved by the housing through novel angled louvres and integrally housed electrical stators. Increases in efficiency may also be achieved through a magnetic spindle bearing and Savonius blade geometry. The turbine may be sized and configured for attachment to existing structures.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a vertical-axis wind turbine comprising:
- a spindle having a first electrical rotor attached to the spindle, near a first end of the spindle and a second electrical rotor attached to the spindle, near a second end of the spindle;
- a first turbine stator;
- a second turbine stator;
- and
- a plurality of blades, attached to the spindle, wherein the first turbine stator and the first end of the spindle are magnetically opposed to one another such that the first turbine stator supports the spindle and such that the spindle and the plurality of blades are rotatable relative to the first turbine stator about the vertical axis, wherein the second turbine stator and a second end of the spindle are magnetically opposed to one another to further support the spindle, and wherein at least one of:
- the first turbine stator has a first central recess formed therein, the first central recess being configured to receive the first end of the spindle;
- and
- the second turbine stator has a second central recess formed therein, the second central recess being configured to receive the second end of the spindle;
- a housing for use with the vertical-axis wind turbine, the housing defining a vertical axis and being configured to surround the vertical-axis wind turbine, the housing comprising:
- a top portion, housing a first electrical stator configured to generate electricity when the first electrical rotor is rotated relative to the first electrical stator;
- a base portion, housing a second electrical stator configured to generate electricity when the second electrical rotor is rotated relative to the second electrical stator;
- and
- a plurality of louvres arranged circumferentially around the vertical axis and disposed between the top portion and the base portion;
- wherein the first electrical stator comprises a first magnetic element disposed adjacent to the first end of the spindle, wherein the first magnetic element is magnetically opposed to the first end of the spindle, and
- wherein the second electrical rotor being attached to the second end of the spindle to rotate relative to the second electrical stator, such that a current is induced in the first electrical stator and the second electrical stator.
13 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a vertical-axis wind turbine comprising:
- a spindle having a first electrical rotor attached to the spindle, near a first end of the spindle and a second electrical rotor attached to the spindle, near a second end of the spindle;
- a first turbine stator;
- a second turbine stator;
- and
- a plurality of blades, attached to the spindle, wherein the first turbine stator and the first end of the spindle are magnetically opposed to one another such that the first turbine stator supports the spindle and such that the spindle and the plurality of blades are rotatable relative to the first turbine stator about the vertical axis, wherein the second turbine stator and a second end of the spindle are magnetically opposed to one another to further support the spindle, and wherein at least one of:
- the first turbine stator has a first central recess formed therein, the first central recess being configured to receive the first end of the spindle;
- and
- the second turbine stator has a second central recess formed therein, the second central recess being configured to receive the second end of the spindle;
- a housing for use with the vertical-axis wind turbine, the housing defining a vertical axis and being configured to surround the vertical-axis wind turbine, the housing comprising:
- a top portion, housing a first electrical stator configured to generate electricity when the first electrical rotor is rotated relative to the first electrical stator;
- a base portion, housing a second electrical stator configured to generate electricity when the second electrical rotor is rotated relative to the second electrical stator;
- a plurality of louvres arranged circumferentially around the vertical axis and disposed between the top portion and the base portion;
- wherein the vertical-axis wind turbine further comprises a plurality of radial arms, wherein each of the plurality of blades is attached to the spindle by a respective radial arm among the plurality of radial arms,
- wherein the first electrical stator comprises a first magnetic element disposed adjacent to the first end of the spindle, wherein the first magnetic element is magnetically opposed to the first end of the spindle, and
- wherein the second electrical rotor being attached to the second end of the spindle to rotate relative to the second electrical stator, such that a current is induced in the first electrical stator and the second electrical stator.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.