Floating vertical axis wind turbine
AssigneeFlorida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJack W. Wilson, Jr., John E. Ryznic, Joseph D. Brostmeyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A large floating vertical axis wind turbine with a floating inner cylinder having rotor blades that rotate together as an assembly, and a floating outer cylinder with a central opening in which the floating inner cylinder rotates for support against tipping. Outriggers with floating devices on the ends extend out from the floating outer cylinder for additional stability. The floating inner cylinder is partially supported by a top bearing on the outer cylinder to carry some of the load from the rotor blades.
Claims15
A floating vertical axis wind turbine comprising:
- a floating inner cylinder having a height much greater than a diameter;
- a top plate secured to a top end of the floating inner cylinder;
- a vertical axis rotor blade secured to the top plate such that the floating inner cylinder rotates along with the rotor blade;
- a floating outer cylinder, having a central opening, stabilized and held stationary in part by an outrigger extending outward with a floating device secured to an end;
- the floating inner cylinder being rotatably supported within the central opening of the floating outer cylinder;
- a side bearing positioned between the central opening and the floating inner cylinder to rotatably support the floating inner cylinder;
- and
- an electric generator secured between the floating inner cylinder and the stationary floating outer cylinder such that electrical energy is produced when the floating inner cylinder portion of the wind turbine rotates.
A process for assembling a floating vertical axis wind turbine comprising the steps of:
- building a floating outer cylinder, having a central opening, capable of floating in a body of water;
- towing the floating outer cylinder to a location in a body of water;
- inserting a bottom section of the floating inner cylinder within the central opening such that the bottom section of the floating inner cylinder floats in the body of water within the central opening;
- securing additional floating inner cylinder sections to successive sections, starting from the bottom section thus forming the floating inner cylinder;
- and
- adding ballast to the floating inner cylinder sections during assembly to lower the floating inner cylinder sections within the central opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.