초록 ▼

A plurality of wind turbines are supported aloft on the same tethered airfoil which is provided with devices for orienting the wind turbines into the wind. Various ways and devices are described for converting the wind energy into electrical power and for connecting and providing the plural outputs

A plurality of wind turbines are supported aloft on the same tethered airfoil which is provided with devices for orienting the wind turbines into the wind. Various ways and devices are described for converting the wind energy into electrical power and for connecting and providing the plural outputs to the same electrical power grid. The principles are applicable whether there are a small number of relatively large wind turbines, a large number of relatively small wind turbines or some of each.

대표청구항 ▼

A multiple wind turbine tethered airfoil wind energy conversion system, comprising: a positive-lift, lighter-than-air, flexible gas bag-type airfoil provided with a lined vent which extends completely generally axially therethrough; a plurality of wind energy conversion devices each having a power o

A multiple wind turbine tethered airfoil wind energy conversion system, comprising: a positive-lift, lighter-than-air, flexible gas bag-type airfoil provided with a lined vent which extends completely generally axially therethrough; a plurality of wind energy conversion devices each having a power output-providing device; frame means supported by said airfoil and mounting said wind energy conversion devices for rotation relative to said airfoil, each being axial aligned so as to be substantially parallel with said vent; a plurality of motorized, individually operable winches, being at least three in number, and being for disposition at spaced sites generally in an imaginary ring on the ground; each such winch having a tether line having a first end connected therewith and having a respective outer end; means connecting each tether line outer end to said airfoil radially distally of said vent, so that said airfoil is tethered to said winches from a plurality of widely distributed sites; a means for supplying inflating lighter-than-air gas to the airfoil, this means including a gas inlet control valve; a means for releasing inflating lighter-than-air gas from within the airfoil, this means including a gas release control valve; means for sensing wind direction incident upon said airfoil and for providing an output signal in relation thereto; a tether control system incorporating means for determining for each of a plurality of various different wind direction-related output signals received from said sensing means, respective control signals equating to the amounts by which each of the respective tether lines must be reeled in or payed out in order to tilt the airfoil into the wind at an optimum angle of attack to maximize power output of said power output-providing devices of said wind energy conversion devices; means operatively connecting said sensing means to said tether control system for furnishing said output signal to said tether control system; and means operatively connecting said tether control system to each of said motorized, independently operable winches for furnishing said respective control signals to the respective said winches.