Wind energy conversion device with angled governing mechanism

In a wind powered generator having a vertical support column, frame means coupled to the support column, and a propeller, generator and rudder assembly mounted on the frame means, and with said generator powered by the propeller, and with the rudder assembly being adapted to normally control an angular position of the propeller relative to the wind direction;

• a speed-governing means for the propeller for protection of the energy generator plant from damage due to high winds, comprising:
• (a) a first pivotal mounting means for coupling the frame means to the support column, for rotation of the frame means relative to the support column about a yaw axis;
• and
• (b) a speed-governing means comprising a second pivotal mounting means for coupling the propeller and generator to the frame means, the second pivotal mounting means including a shaft defining a speed-governing axis disposed laterally of the frame means and angularly disposed from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees from the yaw axis, and accommodating upwardly directed pivotal rotation of the propeller and generator about the laterally disposed speed-governing axis, thereby altering the orientation of the propeller relative to the wind direction to govern the rotational velocity of the propeller when exposed to winds of at least a predetermined threshold velocity.

A wind energy conversion apparatus, including:

• a support frame mounted to pivot on a substantially vertical yaw axis;
• a tail assembly mounted to the support frame and extending away from the support frame along a tail axis, for causing the support frame to pivot about the yaw axis toward a selected angular alignment relative to a wind direction, thereby tending to maintain the support frame in the angular alignment;
• a rotor shaft, and a bushing structure supporting the drive shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal drive axis, and a propeller structure mounted to the rotor shaft for transferring a wind-induced torque to the drive shaft to rotate the rotor shaft about the drive axis;
• a speed-governing coupling for mounting the bushing structure to pivot relative to the support frame about a governing axis, in first and second opposite arcuate directions respectively toward and away from a normal operating position in which the drive axis is parallel to a vertical plane that contains the tail axis, wherein the governing axis is laterally offset from the drive axis, inclined at least about 20 degrees from the horizontal, and inclined from the vertical to bias the bushing structure in the first arcuate direction toward the normal operating position due to gravity;
• and
• a first stop means integral with the support frame for preventing travel of the bushing structure in the first arcuate direction beyond the normal operating position.