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A vertical axis wind turbine including a generator, a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generator and positioned along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine, a plurality of blades, and a power management subsystem operable to induce a forward current in the generator when

A vertical axis wind turbine including a generator, a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generator and positioned along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine, a plurality of blades, and a power management subsystem operable to induce a forward current in the generator when the measured wind speed is above a minimum speed required for the blades to rotate but below the wind speed required to overcome a static friction exerted on the central shaft and the blades.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vertical-axis wind turbine comprising: a generator;a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generator and disposed along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine;a plurality of blades; anda power management subsystem operable to induce a forward current in the generator when

1. A vertical-axis wind turbine comprising: a generator;a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generator and disposed along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine;a plurality of blades; anda power management subsystem operable to induce a forward current in the generator when the measured wind speed is above a minimum speed required for the blades to rotate, but below the wind speed required to overcome a static friction exerted on the central shaft and the blades, wherein the power management subsystem is programmed to maintain a plurality of different tip speed ratios of blade to wind speed rotation, and wherein the power management subsystem is able to step from a first mode with a more efficient standard operating ratio to a second mode with a less efficient standard operating ratio in a wind condition that would require shutdown in the first mode, thereby allowing continued operation at a higher wind speed and expanding the total wind speed range of the vertical axis wind turbine for power production. 2. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the generator is attached to the central shaft. 3. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the power management subsystem is further operable to induce a backward current in the generator if a tip speed ratio is above a predefined value. 4. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the power management subsystem is further operable to induce a backward current in the generator if the speed of the blades is above a nominal speed. 5. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the power management subsystem is further operable to induce a backward current in the generator to maintain a pre-determined optimal torque curve. 6. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the power management subsystem further includes a control circuit for making the generator act as a brake to slow or stop the shaft, the struts, and the blades. 7. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the power management subsystem further includes a regenerative drive circuit for converting DC voltage into AC voltage and for recapturing electrical power when the control circuit is acting as a brake.