초록 ▼

A staggered multi-level vertical axis wind turbine includes a cage structure including wind directing elements arranged circumferentially about outer edges thereof. Within the cage structure is a rotor including a centrally located shaft orientated along an axis and extending at least from one end o

A staggered multi-level vertical axis wind turbine includes a cage structure including wind directing elements arranged circumferentially about outer edges thereof. Within the cage structure is a rotor including a centrally located shaft orientated along an axis and extending at least from one end of the cage structured to another end. The rotor includes a first rotor level of torque generating elements of a first type coupled to the shaft. The rotor includes a second rotor level of torque generating elements of a second type coupled to the shaft. The rotor includes a third rotor level including torque generating elements of the first type coupled to the shaft. The wind directing elements receive and re-direct wind onto the torque generating elements of the various levels, thereby producing torque and causing the rotor to spin. The rotor is coupled to an electrical generator, which generates clean and renewable energy.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rotor of a vertical axis wind turbine, comprising: a centrally located shaft orientated along a defined axis;a first rotor level including a first plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the first plurality being of a first type an

1. A rotor of a vertical axis wind turbine, comprising: a centrally located shaft orientated along a defined axis;a first rotor level including a first plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the first plurality being of a first type and extending radially about the defined axis;a second rotor level including a second plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the second plurality being of a second type different from the first type and extending radially about the defined axis;a third rotor level including a third plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the third plurality being of the first type and extending radially about the defined axis;a first hub section associated with the first rotor level and coupled to the centrally located shaft;a second hub section associated with the second rotor level and coupled to the centrally located shaft; anda third hub section associated with the third rotor level and coupled to the centrally located shaft,wherein:the first, second, and third hub sections each include at least three outwardly facing surfaces spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft;each of the torque generating elements of the first plurality of torque generating elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the at least three outwardly facing surfaces of the first hub section;each of the torque generating elements of the second plurality of torque generating elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the at least three outwardly facing surfaces of the second hub section; andeach of the torque generating elements of the third plurality of torque generating elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the at least three outwardly facing surfaces of the third hub section. 2. The rotor of claim 1, further comprising: an electric generator coupled to the centrally located shaft. 3. A vertical axis wind turbine, comprising: a cage structure including wind directing elements arranged circumferentially about outer edges thereof; anda rotor configured to rotate within the cage structure, wherein the rotor includes: a centrally located shaft orientated along a defined axis and extending at least from one end of the cage structure to another end of the cage structure;a first rotor level including a first plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the first plurality being of a first type and extending radially about the defined axis; anda second rotor level including a second plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the second plurality being of a second type different from the first type and extending radially about the defined axis,wherein:the wind directing elements of the cage structure are stationary relative to the rotor;the wind directing elements are planar vanes that are configured at an angle relative to the centrally located shaft; andthe planar vanes are configured to compress and redirect wind onto the torque generating elements. 4. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 3, further comprising: a third rotor level including a third plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the third plurality being of the first type and extending radially about the defined axis. 5. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 4, wherein: the defined axis is vertical;the first plurality of torque generating elements are spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft;the second plurality of torque generating elements are staggered relative to the first plurality of torque generating elements;the second plurality of torque generating elements are spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft;the third plurality of torque generating elements are staggered relative to the first plurality of torque generating elements and relative to the second plurality of torque generating elements; andthe third plurality of torque generating elements are spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft. 6. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 5, wherein: the first plurality of torque generating elements include three vanes spaced at 120 degrees apart one from another;the second plurality of torque generating elements include three vanes spaced at 120 degrees apart one from another;the third plurality of torque generating elements include three vanes spaced at 120 degrees apart one from another;the second plurality of torque generating elements are staggered by 40 degrees relative to the first plurality of torque generating elements; andthe third plurality of torque generating elements are staggered by 40 degrees relative to the second plurality of torque generating elements. 7. The vertical axis wind turbine of claim 3, further comprising: an electric generator coupled to the centrally located shaft. 8. A rotor of a vertical axis wind turbine, comprising: a centrally located shaft orientated along a defined axis;a first rotor level including a first plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the first plurality being of a first type and extending radially about the defined axis; anda second rotor level including a second plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the second plurality being of a second type different from the first type and extending radially about the defined axis,wherein:the first type of torque generating elements includes a scoop vane, andthe scoop vane includes: an arched portion; andtapered sections adjacent to the arched portion and extending outwardly toward outer edges of the vane, wherein the width of the tapered sections at the outer edges of the vane is greater than the width of the tapered sections adjacent to the arched portion. 9. The rotor of claim 8, further comprising: a third rotor level including a third plurality of torque generating elements coupled to the shaft, each of the torque generating elements of the third plurality being of the first type and extending radially about the defined axis. 10. The rotor of claim 9, wherein: the defined axis is vertical;the first plurality of torque generating elements are spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft;the second plurality of torque generating elements are staggered relative to the first plurality of torque generating elements;the second plurality of torque generating elements are spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft;the third plurality of torque generating elements are staggered relative to the first plurality of torque generating elements and relative to the second plurality of torque generating elements; andthe third plurality of torque generating elements are spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft. 11. The rotor of claim 10, wherein: the first plurality of torque generating elements include three vanes spaced at 120 degrees apart one from another;the second plurality of torque generating elements include three vanes spaced at 120 degrees apart one from another; andthe third plurality of torque generating elements include three vanes spaced at 120 degrees apart one from another. 12. The rotor of claim 11, wherein: the second plurality of torque generating elements are staggered by 40 degrees relative to the first plurality of torque generating elements; andthe third plurality of torque generating elements are staggered by 40 degrees relative to the second plurality of torque generating elements. 13. The rotor of claim 9, wherein the scoop vane includes: a mound-shaped cap having edges adjacent to edges of the arched portion and having edges adjacent to edges of the tapered sections of the scoop vane, wherein the mound-shaped cap is configured to restrict movement of wind, thereby increasing the torque of the first plurality of torque generating elements and the third plurality of torque generating elements. 14. The rotor of claim 9, further comprising: a first hub section associated with the first rotor level and coupled to the centrally located shaft;a second hub section associated with the second rotor level and coupled to the centrally located shaft; anda third hub section associated with a third rotor level and coupled to the centrally located shaft. 15. The rotor of claim 14, wherein: the first, second, and third hub sections each include at least three outwardly facing surfaces spaced evenly at intervals around the centrally located shaft;each of the torque generating elements of the first plurality of torque generating elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the at least three outwardly facing surfaces of the first hub section;each of the torque generating elements of the second plurality of torque generating elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the at least three outwardly facing surfaces of the second hub section; andeach of the torque generating elements of the third plurality of torque generating elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the at least three outwardly facing surfaces of the third hub section. 16. The rotor of claim 8, wherein: the second type of torque generating elements includes a semi-cylindrical vane having a first cap disposed at a terminal end thereof and a second cap disposed at a distal end thereof, the first and second caps configured to restrict movement of wind, thereby increasing the torque of the second plurality of torque generating elements. 17. The rotor of claim 16, wherein: the first cap is tapered relative to the second cap. 18. The rotor of claim 8, wherein the scoop vane includes: a semi-conical section having edges adjacent to edges of the arched portion and having edges adjacent to edges of the tapered sections of the scoop vane, wherein the semi-conical section is coupled to the centrally located shaft. 19. The rotor of claim 8, further comprising: an electric generator coupled to the centrally located shaft.