Wind Energy Generating and Storing System
First Claim
1. A wind energy system comprising:
- a vertical-axis turbine comprising;
a supporting structure;
a turbine rotor supported on the supporting structure for rotation about a vertical axis relative to the supporting structure;
a plurality of turbine blades supported on the turbine rotor at circumferentially spaced locations about the vertical axis so as to be rotatable with the rotor about the vertical axis; and
a plurality of support arms spanning radially outward from the turbine rotor to support the turbine blades thereon spaced outwardly from the rotor;
the turbine blades of the vertical-axis turbine having an airfoil shape in cross section and being oriented such that the blades generate a torque in an operating direction of rotation of the turbine about the vertical axis responsive to a generally horizontal wind across the blades as the blades are rotated in the operating direction of rotation;
the support arms of the vertical-axis turbine having an airfoil shape in cross section and being oriented such that the support arms generate a load on the turbine rotor in an axial direction of the vertical axis responsive to rotation of the rotor in the operating direction of rotation;
a turbomachine comprising a casing and a turbomachine rotor which are rotatable relative to one another, one of the casing and the turbomachine rotor being coupled to the turbine rotor so as to rotate responsive to rotation of the turbine rotor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wind energy system includes a vertical-axis turbine and a compressor driven by the turbine. The turbine includes blades supported on a central rotor by respective support arms having an airfoil shape so as to generate a load on the rotor in an axial direction so as to affect the performance of the compressor. The compressor rotor and the turbine rotor can be integrally coupled with one another for rotation together about a common vertical axis to minimize drive transmission losses. A primary and a secondary compressed air driven generators generate respective primary and secondary electricity from a common source of compressed air. The primary generator is controlled by an electrical controller which is powered by the secondary electricity.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A wind energy system comprising:
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a vertical-axis turbine comprising; a supporting structure; a turbine rotor supported on the supporting structure for rotation about a vertical axis relative to the supporting structure; a plurality of turbine blades supported on the turbine rotor at circumferentially spaced locations about the vertical axis so as to be rotatable with the rotor about the vertical axis; and a plurality of support arms spanning radially outward from the turbine rotor to support the turbine blades thereon spaced outwardly from the rotor; the turbine blades of the vertical-axis turbine having an airfoil shape in cross section and being oriented such that the blades generate a torque in an operating direction of rotation of the turbine about the vertical axis responsive to a generally horizontal wind across the blades as the blades are rotated in the operating direction of rotation; the support arms of the vertical-axis turbine having an airfoil shape in cross section and being oriented such that the support arms generate a load on the turbine rotor in an axial direction of the vertical axis responsive to rotation of the rotor in the operating direction of rotation; a turbomachine comprising a casing and a turbomachine rotor which are rotatable relative to one another, one of the casing and the turbomachine rotor being coupled to the turbine rotor so as to rotate responsive to rotation of the turbine rotor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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8. (canceled)
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9. (canceled)
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22-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. A wind energy system comprising:
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a vertical-axis turbine comprising; a supporting structure; a turbine rotor supported on the supporting structure for rotation about a vertical axis relative to the supporting structure; and a plurality of turbine blades supported on the rotor at circumferentially spaced locations about the vertical axis so as to be rotatable with the rotor about the vertical axis; the blades of the vertical-axis turbine having an airfoil shape in cross section and being oriented such that the blades generate a torque in an operating direction of rotation of the turbine about the vertical axis responsive to a generally horizontal wind across the blades as the blades are rotated in the operating direction of rotation; a turbomachine comprising a casing and a turbomachine rotor which are rotatable relative to one another; wherein one of the casing and the turbomachine rotor are integrally coupled with the turbine rotor so as to be rotatable together about the vertical axis.
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40-50. -50. (canceled)
Specification