Augmented wind power generation system using continuously variable transmission and method of operation

A method of generating electrical power from wind, for use with a plurality of vertically stacked wind acceleration modules, the method comprising:

• transmitting mechanical energy from a rotor assembly mounted in one of the plurality of modules to an electrical generator through a transmission having an input mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly and an output;
• varying the ratio of the rotational speed of the transmission input to the rotational speed of the transmission output over a continuous range of values;
• and
• generating electrical energy with an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the transmission output,
• wherein the plurality of vertically stacked wind acceleration modules are shaped to accelerate wind passing through the modules, and
• wherein the electrical generator operates within a range of rotational velocities, the range of rotational velocities being based upon a signal received from a sensor mechanically coupled to one of the rotor assembly and the electrical generator.

A wind power generating apparatus, comprising:

• a rotor assembly;
• a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly;
• and
• an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the CVT,
• wherein the electrical generator is configured to convert mechanical energy transferred by the CVT from the rotor assembly into electrical energy,
• wherein the wind power generating apparatus is coupled to an acceleration module shaped to accelerate wind passing through the module, and
• wherein the electrical generator operates within a range of rotational velocities, the range of rotational velocities being based upon a signal received from a sensor mechanically coupled to one of the rotor assembly and the electrical generator.