US 6,945,747 B1 · Dual rotor wind turbine

Abstract

A dual rotor wind turbine according to the present invention includes a rotatable drive shaft, a first rotor assembly connected to the drive shaft, a second independently-rotating rotor assembly coupled to the drive shaft rearward of the first rotor assembly, a first stage generator coupled to the drive shaft, a second stage generator operatively connected to the second rotor assembly, a housing wherein the generators are situated, a rotary base, and a tail. In use, the rotary base allows the tail to optimally position the rotors for collecting wind. Wind rotates the first rotor assembly, causing the drive shaft to rotate and operate the first stage generator. Wind passing through and directed off the first rotor assembly rotates the second rotor assembly, independent of the first rotor assembly, operating the second stage generator. The two stage generators are any combination of AC or DC electrical generators, pumps, and compressors.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A high efficiency dual rotor wind turbine, comprising:

a rotatable drive shaft;
a first rotor assembly having a plurality of first rotor blades radially extending from a first hub that is connected to said drive shaft;
a second rotor assembly having a plurality of second rotor blades radially extending from a second hub;
means for coupling said second hub to said drive shaft rearward of said first rotor assembly for rotation of said second rotor assembly thereabout independent of rotation of said first rotor assembly;
a first stage generator rotatably coupled to said drive shaft;
a second stage generator operatively connected to said second rotor assembly;
a housing defining an interior space;
wherein said first and second stage generators are situated in said housing;
and
wherein said second rotor assembly is positioned intermediate said first rotor assembly and said housing.

7 more elements

A high efficiency dual rotor wind turbine, comprising:

a rotatable drive shaft;
a first rotor assembly having a plurality of first rotor blades radially extending from a first hub that is connected to said drive shaft such that said drive shaft is rotated upon passage of an air stream across said plurality of first rotor blades;
a second rotor assembly having a plurality of second rotor blades radially extending from a second hub;
means for coupling said second hub to said drive shaft rearward of said first rotor assembly for rotation of said second rotor assembly thereabout independent of rotation of said first rotor assembly, whereby said drive shaft is further rotated upon passage of said air stream across said second plurality of second rotor blades;
means for rotatably orienting said first and second rotor assemblies into the wind;
a tail rearward of said second rotor assembly for maintaining the orientation of said first and second rotor assemblies into the wind;
a first stage generator rotatably coupled to said drive shaft for actuation thereby;
a second stage generator operatively connected to said second rotor assembly;
wherein said first rotor assembly includes a first diameter and said second rotor assembly includes a second diameter larger than said first diameter.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual rotor wind turbine

Life of this patent

Dual rotor wind turbine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16