IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0838434
(2004-05-03)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Zambrano,Thomas
- MacCready,Tyler
- Walker,Stel N.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter &
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
58 인용 특허 :
18 |
초록
▼
Wind turbine system, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind zone of a structure by aligning a wind turbine generator, and preferably a plurality thereof, along a wall thereof. Each generator includes a structural support, a wind turbine rotor and a generator s
Wind turbine system, and related method, is provided that exploits an aerodynamically enhanced wind zone of a structure by aligning a wind turbine generator, and preferably a plurality thereof, along a wall thereof. Each generator includes a structural support, a wind turbine rotor and a generator set. The system includes a mounting assembly that attaches the generators to the upper edge of a wall of the building and that allows for easy retrofit attachment to existing structures. The system includes a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the generator assembly and the electrical infrastructure of the building. Preferably, the generator assembly is mounted such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. The system may further include a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall. The fairing can be provided with a downwardly curved planar shape to facilitate airflow towards the rotors.
대표청구항
▼
We claim: 1. A wind turbine system for mounting atop a vertical wall of a structure having an electrical infrastructure, comprising: a plurality of generator assemblies, each generator assembly having a structural support, a rotor mounted for rotation to the structural support, and an electric gene
We claim: 1. A wind turbine system for mounting atop a vertical wall of a structure having an electrical infrastructure, comprising: a plurality of generator assemblies, each generator assembly having a structural support, a rotor mounted for rotation to the structural support, and an electric generator driven by the rotor to generate an electrical current; and a mounting assembly disposed between the plurality of generator assemblies and an upper end of the wall for mounting the generator assemblies to the wall, the mounting assembly including an elongated busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the plurality of generator assemblies and the electrical infrastructure of the structure. 2. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 1, wherein each generator assembly includes an interconnect for removable attachment to the busway. 3. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 1, wherein each interconnect of the plurality of generator assemblies is configured for snap-fit attachment to the busway such that the interconnect can be positioned along the busway while maintaining electrical contact with the busway. 4. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly is configured to mount each of the plurality of generators adjacent to one another. 5. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly defines a channel on the upper end thereof, and each generator assembly includes a lower end configured for snap-fit attachment into the channel. 6. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 1, the mounting assembly further including a plurality of wall attachments, each wall attachment disposed between the upper end of the wall and one of the plurality of generator assemblies. 7. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 6, wherein the mounting assembly defines a channel on the upper end thereof, and each generator assembly includes a lower end configured for snap-fit attachment into the channel such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. 8. A wind turbine system for mounting atop a vertical wall of a structure having an electrical infrastructure, comprising: a generator assembly having a structural support, a rotor mounted for rotation in the structural support, and an electric generator driven by the rotor to generate an electrical current; and a mounting assembly for mounting the generator assembly to the wall, including a wall attachment having rear arm configured to be secured to a rear side of an upper end of the wall, a plate disposed between the generator assembly and the wall attachment, a plurality of breakaway tabs attached to both the wall attachment and the plate, the breakaway tabs are configured to release the plate from wall attachment when exposed to a prescribed amount of force, and a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to electrical contact between the generator assembly and the electrical infrastructure of the structure. 9. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 8, further comprising wherein a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall. 10. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 8, wherein the generator assembly is mounted such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. 11. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 10, wherein the fairing has a downwardly curved planar shape. 12. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of generator assemblies, each generator assembly having a structural support, a rotor mounted for rotation in the structural support, and an electric generator driven by the rotor to generate an electrical current; wherein the generators assemblies are mounted to the wall by at least one wall attachment having front and rear arms spaced apart from on another to receive an upper end of the wall and the generator assemblies are each configured to be in electrical contact with the electrical infrastructure of the structure via the busway. 13. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 12, wherein the wall attachment further includes a front arm configured to engage a front side of the upper end of the wall, wherein the front and rear arms spaced are apart from on another to receive the upper end of the wall. 14. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 13, wherein the mounting assembly further includes a compression plate configured to securely engage the rear side of the wall and adjustably attached to the rear arm of the wall attachment. 15. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 12, wherein the rear arm of the wall attachment is configured to be secured directly to the rear side of the wall. 16. A wind turbine system for mounting atop a vertical wall of a structure having an electrical infrastructure, comprising: a plurality of generator assemblies, each generator assembly having a structural support, a rotor mounted for rotation in the structural support, and an electric generator driven by the rotor to generate an electrical current; and a mounting assembly for mounting the pluralities of generator assemblies along the wall, including a plurality of wall attachment, each having front and rear arms spaced apart from on another to receive an upper end of the wall, a plurality of plates, each disposed between a corresponding generator assembly and a corresponding wall attachment, a fairing attached to the mounting assembly and configured to extend outward from a front side of the wall, a plurality of breakaway tab, each tab attached to both the corresponding wall attachment and plate, the breakaway tabs are configured to release the plate from wall attachment when exposed to a prescribed amount of force, and a busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to electrical contact between the plurality of generator assemblies and the electrical infrastructure of the structure. 17. A wind turbine system as defined in claim 16, wherein each wall attachment defines a channel on the upper end thereof, and each generator assembly includes a lower end configured for snap-fit attachment into the channel such that the rotor's axis of rotation is in a generally horizontal orientation. 18. A method of generating electrical power, comprising: positioning a wind turbine system at the top of a vertical wall of a structure, the wall having a length to height ratio of at least 5:1, such that the wind turbine system is exposed to wind traveling over the wall, the wind turbine system including a plurality of generator assemblies, each generator assembly having a structural support, a rotor mounted for rotation to the structural support, and an electric generator driven by the rotor to generate an electrical current upon rotation of the rotor; and a mounting assembly disposed between the plurality of generator assemblies and an upper end of the wall for mounting the of generator assemblies to the wall, the mounting assembly including an elongated busway extending along the mounting assembly and configured to provide electrical contact between the plurality of generator assemblies and the electrical infrastructure of the structure. 19. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the wind turbine system is mounted along a leading edge of a roofline of the structure.
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