초록 ▼

A wind energy conversion device includes a support frame that pivots on a vertical yaw axis, and a rotor/bushing assembly coupled to the support frame through a governing coupling that permits the rotor/bushing assembly to pivot on a governing axis relative to the support frame. The governing axis i

A wind energy conversion device includes a support frame that pivots on a vertical yaw axis, and a rotor/bushing assembly coupled to the support frame through a governing coupling that permits the rotor/bushing assembly to pivot on a governing axis relative to the support frame. The governing axis is inclined from the vertical preferably by about 30.degree. to provide a substantial gravitational bias of the rotor/bushing assembly toward a normal operating position when wind velocities are below a predetermined threshold. The governing axis also is laterally offset from a drive axis about which the wind rotates a propeller of the rotor/bushing assembly. This facilitates alignment of the rotor/bushing assembly so that the drive axis intersects the yaw axis. As a result, wind induced thrust does not generate a torque about the yaw axis. Wind velocities above the threshold pivot the rotor/bushing assembly counter to the gravitational force, thus to move a propeller structure of the rotor/bushing assembly out of its normal orientation perpendicular to the wind direction, thus reducing wind-induced thrust and rotational speed. A tail assembly, mounted to the support frame, maintains the support frame in a predetermined angular position relative to the wind direction as the rotor/bushing assembly pivots. In an alternative construction, the tail assembly is mounted to the rotor/bushing assembly, so that governing action pivots and tilts the tail assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wind energy conversion apparatus including:(a) a rotor shaft;(b) a propeller structure mounted to the rotor shaft for transferring a wind-induced torque to the rotor shaft to rotate the rotor shaft about a drive axis and provide a wind-induced thrust acting along the dr

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wind energy conversion apparatus including:(a) a rotor shaft;(b) a propeller structure mounted to the rotor shaft for transferring a wind-induced torque to the rotor shaft to rotate the rotor shaft about a drive axis and provide a wind-induced thrust acting along the drive axis;(c) a support assembly for supporting the rotor shaft, comprised of:i. a support frame mounted to pivot on a substantially vertical yaw axis;ii. a bushing structure supporting the rotor shaft for rotation on the drive axis;iii. a speed-governing coupling for mounting the bushing structure to pivot relative to the support frame about a governing axis, in first and second opposite arcuate directions respectively toward and away from a normal operating position in which a vertical plane containing the drive axis is substantially parallel to a wind direction, wherein the governing axis is laterally offset from the drive axis, inclined at least about 20 degrees from the horizontal, and is inclined from the vertical to bias the bushing structure in the first arcuate direction toward the normal operating position due to gravity; andiv. a first stop means for preventing travel of the bushing structure in the first arcuate direction beyond the normal operating position; and(d) a tail assembly mounted to the support assembly and extending away from the support assembly along a tail axis, said tail assembly tending to seek a selected angular alignment relative to a direction of the wind, and thereby tending to pivot the support assembly about the yaw axis toward a selected angular alignment relative to said wind direction. [25.] A wind energy conversion apparatus, including:a support frame mounted to pivot on a substantially vertical yaw axis;a tail assembly mounted to the support frame and extending away from the support frame along a tail axis, for causing the support frame to pivot about the yaw axis toward a selected angular alignment relative to a wind direction, thereby tending to maintain the support frame in the angular alignment;a rotor shaft, and a bushing structure supporting the drive shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal drive axis, and a propeller structure mounted to the rotor shaft for transferring a wind-induced torque to the drive shaft to rotate the rotor shaft about the drive axis;a speed-governing coupling for mounting the bushing structure to pivot relative to the support frame about a governing axis, in first and second opposite arcuate directions respectively toward and away from a normal operating position in which the drive axis is parallel to a vertical plane that contains the tail axis, wherein the governing axis is laterally offset from the drive axis, inclined at least about 20 degrees from the horizontal, and inclined from the vertical to bias the bushing structure in the first arcuate direction toward the normal operating position due to gravity; anda first stop means integral with the support frame for preventing travel of the bushing structure in the first arcuate direction beyond the normal operating position.