초록 ▼

A wind powered generator rotatable about a vertical axis. A plurality of vertically disposed airfoils are provided, the airfoils being rotatable about a vertical axis parallel to the axis of the generator. The airfoils are selectively latched to be disposed perpendicularly of the wind direction duri

A wind powered generator rotatable about a vertical axis. A plurality of vertically disposed airfoils are provided, the airfoils being rotatable about a vertical axis parallel to the axis of the generator. The airfoils are selectively latched to be disposed perpendicularly of the wind direction during one phase of their revolution about the generator axis and are selectively unlatched to be permitted to rotate into a position generally parallel to the wind direction during other phases of their revolution. The latching and unlatching of the airfoils is determined by the wind direction and is effected by electronic means which determine the point of latching and unlatching as a function of the wind direction measured by a wind vane. The airfoils may comprise sails composed of a flexible material stretched into a predetermined shape on a frame.

대표청구항 ▼

A wind powered generator comprising: support means; a framework rotatable with respect to said support means about a central axis; a plurality of airfoil shafts, each airfoil shaft being adapted to revolve in a circle with a fixed radius about said central axis through a leeward sector wherein said

A wind powered generator comprising: support means; a framework rotatable with respect to said support means about a central axis; a plurality of airfoil shafts, each airfoil shaft being adapted to revolve in a circle with a fixed radius about said central axis through a leeward sector wherein said airfoil shafts move in generally the same direction as a windflow direction and through a windward sector wherein said airfoil shafts move in a direction generally opposite of said windflow direction; an airfoil associated with each airfoil shaft and having a surface symmetrically disposed about its associated airfoil shaft, each of said airfoils being rotatable about its associated airfoil shaft and being adapted to revolve with its associated airfoil shaft about said central axis, each of said airfoil surfaces being configured to rotate into a position generally parallel to said windflow direction when permitted to rotate freely about its associated airfoil shaft; and means for selectively latching each of said airfoils in said entire leeward sector in a single, fixed torque producing position generally parallel to said radius of said circle of revolution to generate wind-produced torque about said central axis, and for selectively unlatching each of said airfoils in at least a portion of said windward sector to permit each unlatched airfoil to rotate freely into a position generally parallel to said windflow direction.