Abstract:
Improvements in A wind generator, that may also be called and relates to, windmill, turbine or aero generator, on a vertical axis. The vertical axis gives the windmill the ability to be turned by air, or liquid if inverted, from any direction parallel to the earth&#39;s surface. Multiple blades rotate through a horizontal axis into the wind to lessen air resistance on one side while turning vertically on the other side to gain energy from the wind. The system is counter-weighted as needed, to reduce energy loss, by different methods including but not limited to gears, levers, pneumatics, cables, hydraulics or added counter-weight. The electrical generating machinery is below the blades or at the bottom of the vertical drive shaft.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional 61/207,789 filed Feb. 18, 2009 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to improvements in a windmill. More particularly, the present windmill uses opposed tilting blades mounted on a vertical axis to generate power. 
     2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     This windmill harnesses the power of the wind and turns it into electricity via a generator. Many such windmills have been produced but the vertical axis wind turbines generally lack the efficiency of a traditional horizontal axis wind turbine. However, there is a need for vertically axis turbines as they do not need to be aimed into the wind, are more efficient in the use of land-space and should also prove to be safer because the bulk of the weight of the entire apparatus is near the ground. This windmill provides a more efficient method for harnessing wind power and although it uses more moving parts than previously designed vertical axis wind turbines, its efficiency and simplicity of design will make it worthwhile. 
     Several products and patents have been issued for vertical windmills where the blade tips to increase or decrease wind drag depending upon rotational position of the blade. Exemplary examples of patents covering these products are disclosed herein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,581,537 issued Apr. 20, 1926 to H. K. Hennigh, U.S. Pat. No. 1,352,952 issued Sep. 14, 1920 to J. G. Gracey and U.S. Pat. No. 584,986 issued on Jun. 22, 1897 to J, A. Chapman all disclose a vertical windmill where a counterweight arm maintains to blade in a vertical orientation when the blade is being pushed by the wind and allows the blade to tip open when the blade is returning. While these patents disclose a vertical windmill with tipping blades the blades form a single unit and are not opposing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,915,689 issued Aug. 27, 1933 to I. T. Moore discloses a windmill with opposing blades mounted to a circular track. The circular track provides support to the ends of the blades and further blocks wind flow into the blades. While this patent discloses tipping blades the blades are supported in an outer ring where a mechanical linkage links the blades together. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 504,301 issued to E. L. Davis &amp; J. N White on Aug. 29, 1893 and U.S. Pat. No. 185,924 issued Jan. 2, 1977 to E. Howland &amp; J. B. Sweetland both disclose windmills where the blades on opposite ends of the windmill are set 90 degrees opposed. In operation, linking the opposing blades will result in the both blades operating in a partially opened and closed condition where efficiency of the blades is significantly reduced. 
     What is needed is a vertical shaft windmill where each vane of the windmill is independent and can articulate to provide optimal efficiency. The proposed application provides this solution. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the opposed tilting blade turbine for the vertical axis, wind driven turbine uses blades that rotate on the horizontal axis. The vertical axis eliminates the need for the array of blades to be turned to face an oncoming wind. This significantly reduces the mechanical complexity when the direction of the wind is not constant. 
     It is an object of the opposed tilting blade turbine for the vertical axis, wind driven turbine for each pair of blades to be attached to a shaft, where they rotate on bearings on the housing/drive shaft and are aligned in such a way that as one of the blades collects the power of the wind the other feathers downwind thereby reducing air resistance. This provides and optimal attack angle for the blades to reduce mechanical inefficiencies. 
     It is still another object of the opposed tilting blade turbine for the vertical axis, wind driven turbine for each blade to assist the other in gaining the correct position and uses the same wind power to do this. Each of the systems shown also has a balanced weight system to reduce loss of power. 
     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  a perspective of the opposed rotating blade, vertical axis wind turbine power generator. 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away view of the same blades assemblies displaying one method of driving the shafts pairs. 
         FIG. 3  show an alternative way to achieve counter rotation in the pair of blade shafts. 
         FIG. 4  shows a method for achieving the intention of the windmill using half the number of blades. 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternative way to counter-balance and rotate the blades ninety degrees (90°) to affect their operation. 
         FIG. 6  shows a multiple blade configuration using eight (8) pairs of blades. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective of opposed rotating blade, vertical axis wind turbine power generator. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective with non-essential details removed. 
         FIG. 9  shows a top view how angled blades in the lower diagram may be arranged compared to a straight blade configuration. 
         FIG. 10  shows the top and side view of an orthographic view of the hub of an angled blade mechanism. 
         FIG. 11  shows the top and side of an orthographic view of the second preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement. 
         FIG. 12  shows a cut away view of the same second preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement from  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a third preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement. 
         FIG. 14  shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement. 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the opposed tilting blade, vertical axis wind turbine power generator with the angle blade configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Drawings 
     Reference Numerals 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d-26p 
                 gears 
               
               
                   
                 27b, 27c, &amp; 27d 
                 levers 
               
               
                   
                 28a, 28b 
                 Rotational stabilizer 
               
               
                   
                 29a, 29b, 29c, &amp; 29d 
                 counterweights 
               
               
                   
                 30a, 30b, 30c &amp; 30d 
                 override motion stops 
               
               
                   
                 31a, 31b, 31c &amp; 31d 
                 stop levers 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 drive shaft 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 housing 
               
               
                   
                 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e &amp; 34f-34i 
                 blade shafts 
               
               
                   
                 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35e, 35f, 35g &amp; 35h 
                 blades 
               
               
                   
                 36a, 36c, 36e, 36g &amp; 36h 
                 bearings 
               
               
                   
                 37a, 37b 
                 “S” belts 
               
               
                   
                 38a, 38b 
                 bearing housings 
               
               
                   
                 46a, 46b, 46c, 46e, 46f, 46g, &amp; 46i 
                 roller or pulley 
               
               
                   
                 47a, 47b, to 47o. 
                 belt, chain, cable or link 
               
               
                   
                 48a to 48k. 
                 transfer bar 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 plate 
               
               
                   
                 52a-52d 
                 crank arm or lever arm 
               
               
                   
                 53a 
                 rod 
               
               
                   
                 54a-54h 
                 Bezel, crown or 45° gear 
               
               
                   
                 55a-55b. 
                 Drive shaft 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective of the opposed rotating blade, vertical axis wind turbine power generator, in accordance with the windmill and its blades assemblies including the blade shafts  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d , and the blades  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d ,  35   e ,  35   f ,  35   g , mounted to the housing  33 . Each of the blades  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d ,  35   e ,  35   f , and  35   g  is wind foil shaped to minimize wind drag when the blades move against the wind. The housing  33  is secured to a vertical drive shaft  32  that is attached at the lower section to a generator through gears or transmission. The gears, transmission and generator are not shown. Each of the shafts  34   a ,  34   b  are oriented one above the other but can also be mounted side-by-side, and a transmission causes the shafts to counter rotate the blades  35   a ,  35   b , and blades  35   g ,  35   h , ninety degrees (90°). Shafts  34   c ,  34   d  are shown mounted one above the other but can also be mounted side-by-side, and counter rotate ninety degrees (90°) by means of a transmission. The pair of shafts  34   a ,  34   b  is horizontally mounted above and below each other and are oriented ninety degrees (90°) to the other previously mentioned shafts  34   c ,  34   d . Each pair of shafts  34   a ,  34   b  and pair  34   c ,  34   d  operates independently of each other. Each shaft has two blades where each blade is mounted on each end of each shaft. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cut-away view of the same blades assemblies displaying one method of driving the shafts pairs  34   a ,  34   b , and shaft pairs  34   c ,  34   d , by a set of two interlocking gears  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   b  and  26   d  fixed to the housing and drive shaft assembly by bearings  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   e ,  36   c ,  36   d ,  36   f ,  36   g    36   h , are not visible) so they turn ninety degrees (90°) on the horizontal axis. Each blade shaft has two blades configured ninety degrees (90°) to each other on each side of the housing and drive shaft assembly. 
       FIG. 3  show a second preferred embodiment that shows a way to achieve counter rotation in the pair of blade shafts  34   a ,  34   b  and blade shafts  34   c ,  34   d  the counter rotation is by means of levers. Lever  27   b  has a two-hinge assembly or a universal joint at both the blade end and the rotation stabilizer end  28   a . The rotational stabilizer  8   a  maintains horizontal movement for one end of the levers  27   b  and  27   c . This arrangement is repeated on each set of blades to maintain equal weight and mechanical stability. 
       FIG. 4  shows a third preferred embodiment that achieves the intention of the windmill using half the number of blades. Counter weights  29   a ,  29   d ,  29   b ,  29   c  are added to the opposite side of the blades to eliminate any undesirable weight factor. Motion stops  30   a    30   d , ( 30   b  and  30   c  are not visible) secured to the housing/drive-shaft to prevent over-travel of the blade beyond ninety degrees (90°). The stop levers  31   a ,  31   d  ( 31   b  and  31   c  are not visible) but are fixed to the blade shafts  34   a ,  34   c  in two places. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative way to counter-balance and rotate the blades ninety degrees (90°) to affect their operation. Only the center portion of the blade shafts  34   a ,  34   b  are shown with the housing removed. Two bearing housings,  38   a  and  38   b , house two bearings each  36   b  and  36   f , in bearing housing  38   a , bearings,  36   a  and  36   g , in housing  38   b  they allow the two shafts ( 34   a  and  34   b ) to remain aligned and in position and turn through ninety degrees (90°). “S” belt  37   b  is attached at the end edge to blade shaft  34   b  at the ninety degree (90°) position; passes between shafts  34   a ,  34   b  and is fixed at the end edge to blade shaft  34   a  at the one hundred and eighty degree (180°) point. “S” belt  37   a  is attached at the end edge to blade shaft  34   b  at the zero (360°) position, passes between shafts  34   a ,  34   b  and is fixed at the end edge to blade shaft  34   a  at the ninety degree (90°) point. The tension in “S” belts  37   a  and  37   b  provide traction to drive the blade shafts  34   a ,  34   b  in opposite directions. Two belts are shown to simplify depiction, but three of more would be preferred to balance the system and allow the system to be inverted. This configuration could also be applied using link chains (bicycle type) or link belts. 
       FIG. 6  shows a multiple blade configuration using eight (8) pairs of blades. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective of opposed rotating blade, vertical axis wind turbine power generator in accordance with the windmill and its blade assemblies, in an aligned configuration, including the shafts  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d , and the blades  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d ,  35   e ,  35   f ,  35   g    35   h , mounted to the housing  33 . Each of the blades  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d ,  35   e ,  35   f ,  35   g  and  35   h  is wind foil shaped to minimize wind drag when the blades move against the wind. Differing from the previous design, the blades shafts  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   f  are brought into alignment with on the same plane as  34   c ,  34   d  and  34   e , producing a more attractive and compact design. 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective with non-essential details removed to show how the alignment of the blades mounted on plate  49  is accomplished. Shaft  34   b  is fixed to gears  26   d  and  26   g  to pass on transmitted power balancing the blades on shafts  34   a  and  34   f . Shaft  34   a  is fixed to gear  26   c  and, shaft  34   f  is fixed to gear  36   h . Shaft  34   c  is fixed to gears  26   a  and  26   f  and is allowed to pass between shafts  34   a  and  34   f  to bring shafts  34   a  and  34   f  into alignment with shaft  34   c . Likewise, Shaft  34   c  is fixed to gears  26   a  and  26   f  to pass on transmitted power balancing the blades on shafts  34   d  and  34   e . Shaft  34   d  is fixed to gear  26   b  and,  34   e  is fixed to gear  26   e . Shaft  34   b  is fixed to gears  26   d  and  26   g  and is allowed to pass between shafts  34   d  and  34   e  to bring shafts  34   d  and  34   e  into alignment with shaft  34   b . All shafts  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d ,  34   e  and  34   f  are held in place in bearing housings  38   a  and  38   b  by bearings  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c  and  36   d  (Note: bearings  36   e ,  36   f ,  36   g ,  36   h ,  36   i ,  36   j ,  36   k ,  36   l ,  36   m ,  36   n ,  36   o  and  36   p  are not shown) on either side of gears  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d ,  36   e ,  36   f ,  36   g ,  36   h , and allowed to turn freely. 
       FIG. 9  shows how angled blades in the lower diagram may be arranged compared to a straight blade configuration illustrated in the top diagram. 
       FIG. 10  shows the top and side view of an orthographic view of the hub of an angled blade mechanism. The essential function of the turbine is the same where two blades (not shown) are arranged to counter balance each other on blade shafts  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c ,  34   d ,  34   e  (not visible),  34   f ,  34   g ,  34   h  (not visible), and  34   i . Each of the blade shafts pass through bearings  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d ,  36   e ,  36   f ,  36   g , and  36   h , and are free to rotate ninety degrees (90°). The bearing are mounted in bearing holders  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d ,  36   e ,  36   f ,  36   g , and  36   h , to a plate  49 , that is attached to the drive shaft  32  to turn a generator (not shown). The semi-rigid belt, chain, cable or link system  47   b  is fixed at one end to roller or pulley  46   b  that is fixed so as to turn shaft  34   a . The semi-rigid belt, chain, cable or link system  47   i  is fixed at one end to roller or pulley  46   h  is fixed so as to turn shaft  34   i . Thereby, shafts  34   a  and  34   i  are also linked to turn ninety degrees (90°).in opposite directions to counter balance the blades (not shown). A transfer bar  48   a  transmits the action to belts, chain, cable or link system  47   a  and  47   h , each fixed at one end to rollers or pulleys  46   g  and  46   i  respectively, turns shafts  34   c  and  34   f  respectively. Rollers or pulleys  46   c ,  46   a  (not visible) semi-rigid-belts, chains, cable or link system  47   a  and  47   e  (not visible) transfer bar  48   b , belts  47   f  and  47   g  (not visible) rollers or pulleys  46   e  and  46   f  (not visible), are a duplicate set that also transfers the action from shafts  34   a  and  34   i  to shafts  34   f  and  34   c , and are provided to balance the action and even the load on the bearings. The adjacent set of shafts  34   d ,  34   g ,  34   b ,  34   h  with rollers or pulleys  46   d ,  46   a ,  46   e ,  46   h , semi-rigid belts, chains, cable or link system  47   d    47   e ,  47   f ,  47   g  attached to transfer bars  48   c  and  48   d  are arranged the same way as the previously described set. The transfer bars  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c  and  48   d  are bent in such a way as to be offset either up or down to accommodate each adjacent pair to pass either under or over without contact. This arrangement is thus allowing each pair of blade shafts and blades to remain on the same plane. 
       FIG. 11  shows the top and side of an orthographic view of the second preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement where the belts, chains, cable or link system  47   b ,  47   i ,  47   g ,  47   j  are attached to three transfer bars,  48   a ,  48   i  (not visible), and  48   f  (visible in  FIG. 10 ), and for the same shafts  34   a ,  34   e ,  34   c , and  34   f , belts  47   c ,  47   l  (not visible),  47   f  and  47   p  (visible in  FIG. 12 ) are attached to transfer bars  48   j ,  48   h  (visible in  FIG. 12 ),  48   b  (visible in  FIG. 10 ) to balance the mechanism and reduce wear on the bearings. Likewise, the adjacent set of belts, chains, cable or link system  47   a ,  47   k , (visible in  FIG. 12) and 47   d  are attached to transfer bars  48   c ,  48   d  (not visible) and  48   g (not visible) and for the same shafts  34   b ,  34   h ,  34   d  and  34   g , belts, chains, cable or link system  47   n ,  47   e  (visible in  FIG. 10  and  FIGS. 12 ),  47   h  and  47   o  (not visible) are attached to transfer bars  48   e  (visible in  FIG. 12 ) ,  48   k  (not visible) to maintain mechanical stability and reduce wear on the bearings. 
       FIG. 12  shows a cut away view of the same second preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement where the belts, chains, cable or link system  47   b ,  47   i ,  47   g ,  47   j  are attached to three transfer bars,  48   a ,  48   i  (visible in  FIG. 12 ), and  48   f  (visible in  FIG. 11 ), and for the same shafts  34   a ,  34   e ,  34   c , and  34   f , belts, chains, cable or link system  47   c ,  47   l  (not visible),  47   f  and  47   p  are attached to transfer bars  48   j ,  48   h ,  48   b  to balance the mechanism and reduce wear on the bearings. Likewise, the adjacent set of belts, chains, cable or link system  47   a ,  47   k ,(visible in  FIG. 12) and 47   d  are attached to transfer bars  48   c ,  48   d  (not visible) and  48   g  (not visible) and for the same shafts  34   b ,  34   h ,  34   d  and  34   g , belts  47   n ,  47   e  (visible in  FIG. 10  and  FIGS. 12 ),  47   h  and  47   o  (visible in  FIG. 12 ) are attached to transfer bars  48   e ,  48   k  (not visible) to maintain mechanical stability and reduce wear on the bearings. 
       FIG. 13  shows a third preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement, with the mounting hardware removed for clarity, where the ninety degrees (90°) movements and balance of the blades is produced by gears  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c ,  26   d ,  26   e ,  26   f ,  26   g , and  26   h , as previously described. Crank arm or lever  52   a  is fixed to blade shaft  34   d , is hinged on rod  53   a , which is hinged to another crank arm or lever  52   b  which in turn is fixed to blade shaft  34   e , and thus transfers the blade action to the opposite paired set of blades. Likewise, crank arm or lever  52 c is fixed to blade shaft  34   a , is hinged on connector rod  53   b  which is hinged to another crank arm or lever  52   d , which in turn is fixed on blade shaft  34   f , and thus transfers the blade action to the opposite paired set of blades. 
       FIG. 14  shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the angled blade arrangement, with the mounting hardware removed for clarity, where the ninety degrees (90°) movements and balance of the blades is produced by gears  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c ,  26   d ,  26   e ,  26   f ,  26   g , and  26   h , as previously described. Bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   a  is fixed to blade shaft  34   d  and is in contact so as to drive bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   e  attached to drive shaft  55   b  with bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   g  at the other end to drive bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   g  on blade shaft  34   e , and thus transfers the blade action to the opposite paired set of blades. Likewise, Bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   d  is fixed to blade shaft  34   a  and is in contact so as to drive bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   h  attached to drive shaft  55   a  with bezel, crown or 45° gear  54   f  at the other end to drive bezel, crown or 45°  54   c  on blade shaft  34   f , and thus transfers the blade action to the opposite paired set of blades. 
       FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the opposed tilting blade, vertical axis wind turbine power generator with the angle blade configuration. 
     Operation 
     In operation a greater amount of energy can be obtained from the movement of air or liquid than previously designed wind mills, turbines, or other systems that obtaining energy from wind. The quarter circle rotation of the blades allows one blade set to gather wind energy in its vertical plane while on another end of the shaft the blade is horizontally aligned into the wind on its recovery to its wind opposing position, giving a small cross-section and thus less air resistance. The system is counterbalanced or counter-weighted to reduce loss of energy using a transmission like gears, levers, belts, chain, hydraulics, pneumatics, cable systems or weights. Six effects increase the energy effectiveness of this wind generator: 
     (1) the vertical access component of this windmill allows operation from wind coming from any direction in the horizontal plane parallel to the ground. 
     (2) less air resistance on the recovering blades 
     (3) self actuating system, less energy loss 
     (4) more than two sets of blades may be used and stacked giving a greater amount of torque energy to the generator as required 
     (5) allows for any sudden variations in wind direction. 
     (6) a generator located at the bottom of the shaft gives less wind. 
     Thus, specific embodiments of a vertical-axis wind generator have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.