Directional, sealable wind-powered turbine

A system of wind turbines placed in proximity to train or subway tracks, comprising:

• a series of wind turbines, each including an elongate outer housing including an intake opening facing towards an anticipated direction of an oncoming train and being openable and sealable;
• a plunger arranged along a longitudinal plunger axis and movable into said intake opening thereby to seal said intake opening, said plunger being movable into an interior of said wind turbine, away from said intake opening, thereby to open said intake opening;
• and an internal rotary element that turns and generates electricity when air passes through said intake opening and around the sides of said movable plunger, the air exiting through said exit vents after passing said internal rotary element, said internal rotary element turning about a longitudinal axis of rotation which coincides with said longitudinal plunger axis;
• and
• at least one wind sensor proximate to each wind turbine in said series of wind turbines,
• wherein upon detection, by one of said at least one wind sensor, of wind from a passing train above a pre-designated threshold, at least one wind turbine in said series proximate to a location where said train is expected to pass opens said intake opening, and
• wherein said elongated outer housings of different wind turbines in said series of wind turbines are physically separated from one another.

A method for harvesting wind power, comprising:

• placing a plurality of wind turbines in series in proximity to train or subway tracks, each of said plurality of wind turbines comprising an elongate outer housing including an intake opening facing towards an anticipated direction of an oncoming train, said intake opening having a plunger movable into and out of said opening in a direction transverse to said opening, creating a seal on said intake opening when closed, and a blade situated between said plunger and said elongate outer housing, wherein said blade is adapted to be spun by wind passing there-past about a blade axis, and said blade axis coincides with the direction transverse to said opening said elongate housings of different ones of said plurality of wind turbines being physically separate from one another;
• providing at least one wind sensor proximate to each wind turbine in said plurality of wind turbines;
• and
• upon detection by one of said at least one wind sensor, of wind from a passing train, the wind being above a pre-designated threshold, opening said intake opening of at least one wind turbine in said series proximate to a location where said train is expected to pass.