Wind powered generator

An electrical power generating system that uses wind power to drive hydraulic pumps or motors that in turn drive electrical generators. The system uses a plurality of squirrel-cage type fans or turbines arranged with their axes in different intersecting planes to more efficiently utilize the wind. The wind turbines are mounted on a partially enclosed supporting structure that directs the wind for the most efficient use of the turbines, and the entire unit is rotatable about a pivot support so that the unit can swing through a full circle to orient itself to the wind direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Because of environmental concerns and concerns regarding long term 
availability of other energy sources, the use of wind as a source of 
energy for electrical generation has become a more probable source, 
especially if wind powered generators can be made more efficient. Wind 
power has been utilized for many, many years to drive water pumps and 
electrical generators in rural areas where electrical power was not 
available. More recently, experimental commercial wind generating plants 
have been developed, and in some instances are being tested in pilot 
projects. A number of systems and types of generators have been designed, 
some of which systems and generators employ hydraulic motors that in turn 
drive electrical generators or alternators to produce electrical power. 
However, the known systems are expensive, must be installed on hilltops 
and do not utilize the wind power to the greatest degree of efficiency. In 
most instances, the wind generators known to date must be mounted on 
relatively tall towers which not only increases the expense but also 
results in a rather unsightly installation. Therefore, there is a need for 
improved wind powered generation systems that more efficiently utilize the 
available wind power. There is a further need for the development of such 
systems that can be produced and installed at a relatively low cost and 
which minimize any detraction from the beauty of the surrounding 
countryside. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The wind powered generator of this invention utilizes a plurality of 
squirrel-cage type fans or turbines all mounted on a wedge-shaped, 
partially enclosed structure with one or more of the turbines rotating 
about a substantially horizontal axis while others of the turbines are 
rotatable about substantially vertically oriented axes. Each of the 
turbines is connected to a hydraulic pump that is in turn connected in a 
system in which a hydraulic motor drives an electrical generator or 
alternator. The entire unit containing the turbines is mounted about a 
vertical pivot so that it can orient itself to the wind direction. 
Enclosure of the supporting structure provides for the most efficient 
utilization of the available wind currents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a unit having three squirrel-cage 
type fans or turbines each indicated generally by the reference numeral 
10. One turbine 12 is mounted for rotation about a substantially 
horizontal axis while a pair of turbines 14 are mounted for rotation about 
a substantially vertical axis. It should be understood that while a module 
of three turbines 10 has been shown for purposes of simplicity, that the 
principles of the invention can be utilized for units containing a 
plurality of horizontal turbines 12 and a plurality of vertical turbines 
14, all arranged in a generally wedge-shaped configuration when viewed 
from the side and in a generally wedge or triangular-shaped configuration 
when viewed from the top. In other words, a unit constructed according to 
the principles of the invention may contain vertical turbines 14 grouped 
in sets that are spaced apart from front to rear and which increase in 
height as the distance from the pivot point 20 increases thus forming a 
wedge-shaped configuration when viewed from the side. In this arrangement, 
one or more horizontal turbines 12 are positioned above and between the 
vertical turbines 14 with the number of turbines 12 increasing as the 
distance increases from the pivot point 20, thus forming a wedge-shaped 
configuration when viewed from the top. In any configuration, the turbines 
12 and 14 are mounted on a supporting structure 16 with the vertical 
turbines 14 positioned along the sides 15 and 17 of the structure 16 and 
the horizontal turbines 12 positioned along the top 19 of the structure 
16. 
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the unit as fully open; in other words, the sides 15 
and 17, the top 19 and the bottom are not covered. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 
illustrate that it is preferred to have a side panel 21 covering the side 
15 and extending partially over the vertical turbine 14 as shown at 23, 
and a top panel 25 covering the top 19 and having a shield 27 that extends 
partially over the horizontal turbine 12. The bottom of the structure 16 
is also preferably covered with a panel (not shown). This construction of 
partially enclosing the structure 16 directs the wind into the turbines 10 
in a more efficient manner than the fully open construction and creates an 
open area within the center of the structure 16 between the turbines 12 
and 14, which open area creates less resistance to rotation by relieving 
the drag portion of the revolutions created as the turbines rotate. 
The entire supporting structure 16 is mounted on wheels 18 and a vertical 
pivot support 20 so that the entire unit can revolve around the pivot 
support 20 to orient itself to the wind direction for maximum efficiency. 
For this purpose, wheels 18 preferably rest upon a hard surface such as a 
paved circular path with the vertical pivot 20 securely fixed to the 
ground so as to maintain the wheels 18 on the path. 
The drawings show the vertical turbines 14 each to be mounted on an axis 
that is tilted slightly from the vertical. This lessens the pressure on 
the bottom thrust bearings (not shown), but it should be understood that 
the axis of rotation of the vertical turbines 14 can be vertical or 
slightly off vertical depending upon the particular design lay out and to 
avoid interference of the various additional components that comprise the 
wind powered generator of the invention. However, the vertical turbines 14 
are mounted so as to be rotatable about substantially vertical axes. 
Each of the turbines 10 has two hubs 22 (see FIG. 4), one at each end. Each 
of the horizontal turbines 12 is rotatable about a shaft 24 while vertical 
turbines 14 rotate on shafts 26. Each of the shafts 24 and 26 is supported 
on and turnable in suitable bearings (not shown), and each shaft 24 and 26 
is operatively connected to a hydraulic pump (see FIG. 13). For 
simplicity, hydraulic pumps 28 are not shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, but it 
should be understood that they would be mounted on the supporting 
structure 16 at the outer ends of shafts 24 or 26 as the case may be. 
Each of the turbines 10 has a plurality of blades with an inner set of 
blades 30 and an outer set of blades 32. The inner blades 30 may extend on 
radial lines or may be offset from radial lines at an acute angle 
preferably less than 20.degree.. The outer blades are each connected in a 
suitable manner to the outer ends of a respective one of the inner blades 
30, and extend at an angle to the inner blades as shown. Outer blades 32 
may be welded or otherwise suitably connected to the inner blades 30. 
Although not shown in the drawings, it should be understood that each of 
the turbines 10 could also have cone-shaped ends at each of the outer 
ends. In either event, sets of inner blades 30 and outer blades 32 present 
a turbine that is rotatable under even a wind of a low velocity from any 
direction. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the shafts 24 
and 26 are mounted for rotation in low friction bearings or other suitable 
means to provide for free rotation of the turbines 10. 
Because the turbines 10 are arranged with the vertical turbines 14 and 
horizontal turbines 12 mounted on axes that are in intersecting planes, 
and because of the wedge shape of the structure, winds of even a slight 
velocity from any direction will cause the turbines to rotate. Also, the 
entire unit itself will revolve around the vertical pivot support 20 as 
the wind direction changes so as to most efficiently utilize the available 
wind power. 
Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the invention is shown in 
which a pair of turbines 88 are mounted on a triangular shaped frame 
indicated generally by the reference numeral 90. The frame 90 has 
longitudinally extending members 92 that are joined at the apex 94 at the 
rear of the frame 90. Turbines 88 are mounted on shafts 96 at the forward 
end 98 of the frame 90 which is the base of the triangle. The frame 90 
also includes a plurality of cross braces 100 as shown. In addition, the 
frame is mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical pivot support 102 
secured to a base plate 104 that will rest on the ground. The forward end 
98 of the frame 90 is supported on wheels 106. The turbines 88 are 
preferably of the squirrel-cage type similar to those shown in FIG. 4 with 
their shafts 96 secured to a support frame 108. 
Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, there is shown yet another embodiment 
of the invention. In this embodiment, the frame structure 110 is conical 
shaped, the frame structure 110 including longitudinal members 112 to 
which are connected circular frame members 114. The longitudinal members 
112 terminate at the apex 116 of the conical shaped frame structure 110 
which forms the rear of the structure. At the forward end 118 there is 
mounted for rotation a turbine 120 which is supported on cross supports 
122 that are in turn affixed to shaft 124 that extends longitudinally of 
the frame structure 110. The blades 126 of the turbine 120 are curved and 
mounted so as to form an annular ring. Similar to the other embodiments, 
the frame structure 110 has a vertical pivot support 128 resting on a base 
plate 130 that is supported on the ground. Wheels 132 extend from the 
frame structure 110 near the forward end 118. 
Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated a schematic of the hydraulic 
system for driving electrical generators or alternators to produce 
electrical power. FIG. 13 shows only a single turbine 10 and hydraulic 
pump 28, but it should be understood that a hydraulic pump 28 for each of 
the turbines 10 will be connected into the hydraulic system. Hydraulic 
pump 28 is connected in a supply line 34 from a source of hydraulic fluid 
such as tank 36. As turbine 10 rotates, it will drive hydraulic pump 28 
and create pressure in the high pressure hydraulic line 38. Pressure will 
also be created in line 40 containing a first pressure valve 42 which will 
open upon a predetermined pressure being created in line 38. When valve 42 
opens, hydraulic pressure will be created in line 40 downstream from valve 
42 to drive a first hydraulic motor 44 which in turn drives the first 
generator 46. The flow of hydraulic pressure in line 40 downstream from 
the valve 42 is also controlled by a flow control valve 48 which is 
operated by an RPM governor 50 connected to the hydraulic motor 44. As the 
wind velocity increases and drives the turbines 10 at a higher speed, 
hydraulic pumps 28 will produce a higher pressure in high pressure line 
38, and when a predetermined pressure is attained, which pressure is 
higher than the predetermined pressure at which pressure valve 42 will 
open, a second pressure valve 52 in line 54 will open to drive a second 
hydraulic motor 56 and generator 58. Flow control valve 60 controlled by 
RPM governor 62 is also preferably employed similar to RPM governor 50 and 
flow control valve 48. 
If desired, a third pressure valve 64 can be employed in lines 66, which 
third pressure valve 64 is set to open at a higher pressure than the 
predetermined set pressure of valve 52. The higher pressure will be 
created in the high pressure line 38 whenever the wind velocity increases 
and drives the turbines 10 at an even higher speed of rotation, thus 
driving the hydraulic pumps 28 at higher speeds. There is also included in 
line 66 hydraulic motor 68 which drives a generator 70 and a flow control 
valve 72 controlled by RPM governor 74. With the foregoing arrangement, as 
the wind velocity increases or decreases, generators 46, 58 and 70 will be 
powered or not powered depending upon the pressure created in the high 
pressure line 38 and the preset pressures of the pressure valves 42, 52 
and 64. The high pressure line 38 also contains high pressure valve 76 
which is set to open a predetermined pressure higher than the preset 
pressure of valve 64 to allow the excess pressure to return to the tank 36 
through the return line 78. Similarly, each of the hydraulic motors 44, 56 
and 68 are connected by return lines 80, 82 and 84, respectively, to the 
tank 36 through another return line 86 to form the closed hydraulic 
system. 
The foregoing system has been described to drive generators which can be 
direct current generators, or alternators producing alternating current. 
Depending upon the specific use for the system of the invention, the 
current produced can be introduced directly into an existing power system 
through the use of synchronizers. Obviously, the unit can also be used to 
directly drive or power specific pieces of equipment. Small units, for 
example, might be utilized to drive specific items of equipment in rural 
areas which are not easily powered from a central power system. 
For purposes of simplicity, the principles of the invention have been 
described in connection with a small module utilizing two vertical 
turbines 14 and a single horizontal turbine 12. Depending upon the amount 
of power to be produced and the location of the unit where it can capture 
an increased amount of wind, additional modules and arrangements of 
turbines can be employed utilizing the principles of the invention. As 
previously indicated, the arrangement should be such that the turbines are 
arranged in a wedge shape with increasing number of turbines as the 
distance from the pivot support 20 increases. For example, there might be 
stacks of three vertical turbines along each side of stacks of three pairs 
of horizontal turbines, the number of turbines increasing as the distance 
from the pivot support 20 increases. It is important however that 
regardless of the number of modules or the specific arrangement of the 
turbines, that they be arranged in a wedge shape, and spaced apart and 
open to receive the wind in the most efficient manner to produce maximum 
rotation of the turbines. It is also important that the entire unit be 
mounted about a pivot point so that the unit can orient itself to the wind 
direction as the direction changes. In all configurations, each turbine 
would independently drive a hydraulic pump which would be connected in the 
basic hydraulic system to drive one or more generators or alternators as 
previously described. Depending upon the particular selection of the size 
of the generators or alternators, there may be more generators than 
turbines or vice versa. 
In any event, my invention produces a wind powered generating system that 
will most efficiently utilize the available winds. Since it utilizes wind 
only, it will not deplete the available sources of fuels nor in any way 
pollute the environment. Especially in certain areas of the world, winds, 
although variable in velocity, are almost constant, and if the unit of the 
invention is properly located, it can be an efficient and economical 
source of producing electrical power. 
Having thus described the invention in connection with a preferred 
embodiment thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that 
various revisions and modifications can be made to the preferred 
embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope 
of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and 
modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art will be 
included within the scope of the following claims.