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US 8,915,697 B2Granted
Mobile wind turbine
AssigneeNatural Power Concepts, Inc.
InventorsJohn Pitre, Stuart Huang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulated erection structure is disclosed for use in mobilizing a wind energy extraction device. The wind turbine has blades capable of being disposed in side-by-side, parallel alignment for transportation. The erection structure has a mast that can be configured in a horizontal orientation for transportation with the turbine generator lowered, and reconfigured for power-generating operations in a vertical orientation with the turbine raised. The turbine generator may be mounted with an erection structure to a variety of transportation platforms, such as on a self-propelled vehicle, towed trailer, or transportation pallet. A hybrid system may integrate photovoltaic cells in addition to a wind energy extraction device.
Claims22
A method of moving a wind power extraction device comprising:
- providing a wind turbine having at least two rotating blades rotatable about an axis of rotation, each of the blades being configurable between a first open position substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second closed position substantially parallel to the axis of rotation,
- providing an articulated mast at a first end connecting to a support structure and a second end connected to the wind turbine,
- the wind power extraction device having:
- (a) a first storage configuration that positions the wind turbine at an elevation proximate to a platform, with the mast being substantially horizontal and the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to and laterally offset from a long axis of the mast;
- and
- (b) a second deployed configuration that positions the wind turbine at an elevation remote from the platform, with the mast being substantially vertical and the axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to the mast;
- first moving the wind power extraction device from the first storage configuration to the second deployed configuration;
- and
- second moving the wind power extraction device, after the first moving, from the second deployed configuration to the first storage configuration;
- maintaining, during the first moving and/or the second moving, the axis of rotation of the wind turbine in an orientation that is generally horizontal as the wind power extraction device moves between the second deployed configuration and the first storage configuration.
7 more elements
A method of moving a wind power extraction device comprising:
- (A) providing a wind power extraction device including a wind turbine having at least two rotating blades rotatable about an axis of rotation, each of the blades being configurable between a first position substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second position substantially parallel to the axis of rotation,
- (B) providing an articulated erection structure having a first configuration that positions the wind power extraction device at an elevation proximate to a transportation platform, and a second configuration that positions the wind power extraction device at an elevation remote from the transportation platform;
- (C) using the articulated erection structure, positioning the wind power extraction device at an elevation proximate to the elevation of the transportation platform;
- and
- (D) transporting the wind turbine coupled to the transportation platform;
- maintaining the axis of rotation generally horizontal as the erection structure transitions from the second configuration to the first configuration,
- wherein, in the second configuration that positions the wind turbine proximate to the platform, the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to and laterally offset from a long axis of the articulated erection structure.
4 more elements
A mobile wind power extraction device comprising:
- (A) a base characterized by a long axis;
- (B) a wind turbine having at least two rotating blades rotatable about an axis of rotation, each of the said blades being configurable between a first position substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second position substantially parallel to the axis of rotation;
- and
- (C) an articulated erection structure having a long axis and coupling the wind turbine to the base, said erection structure being reconfigurable between
- (1) a first configuration in which the wind turbine is elevated, and the blades are in the first position, and
- (2) a second configuration in which the wind turbine is lowered, the blades are in the second position, and the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to and laterally offset from the long axis of the articulated erection structure;
- an actuator
- wherein the actuator maintains the axis of rotation generally horizontal when the erection structure transitions over the entire path from the second configuration to the first configuration.
5 more elements
An articulated erection structure for use in mobilizing a wind energy extraction device, comprising:
- a wind turbine with at least two rotating blades, rotatable about an axis of rotation, said blades being configurable between a first position substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second position substantially parallel to the axis of rotation;
- said articulated erection structure comprising a mast having a first end and a second end remote from the first end along a long axis;
- (1) the first end of the mast is adapted to couple to the wind turbine, and the second end of the mast is adapted to couple to a base;
- and
- (2) the mast is reconfigurable from a first configuration in which the wind turbine is elevated relative to the base, and a second configuration that positions the wind turbine proximate to the base;
- an actuator;
- wherein, in the second configuration that positions the wind turbine proximate to the base, the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to and laterally offset from the long axis of the mast, and the rotating blades are in the second position;
- wherein the actuator maintains the axis of rotation generally horizontal when the erection structure transitions over an entire path from the second configuration to the first configuration.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.