Variable speed wind turbine with radially oriented gear drive

A variable speed wind turbine having a radially-oriented gear drive comprising:

• an inner hollow cylindrical member and an outer hollow cylindrical member, said inner member nested generally concentrically within said outer member and having two ends;
• an annular flange attached to one end of the inner member and adapted to support said inner member in a stationary position;
• a pair of spaced-apart, annular bearing assemblies circumscribing said inner member and supporting said outer member for rotation about said inner member;
• an alternating current electric power generator coupled to said one end of said inner member and having a rotor shaft portion extending from one side of said generator into a position proximal said one end of said inner member;
• a sun pinion gear coupled to said rotor shaft portion at an end thereof proximal said one end of said inner member;
• a plurality of planet gears positioned in engagement with said sun pinion gear, each of said planet gears being mounted on a corresponding gear shaft with each gear shaft being supported for rotation on corresponding bearing means;
• a pinion gear attached to each said gear shaft for rotation therewith;
• a ring gear formed on an inner surface of said outer member and adapted to engage said pinion gear whereby rotation of said outer member is effective to rotatably drive said pinion gear to concurrently drive each associated planet gear to drive said sun pinion gear in a manner that effects rotation of said rotor shaft portion;
• and
• a plurality of propeller blades coupled to and extending radially outward of said outer member for effecting rotation of said outer member in response to wind impinging on said blades.