Wind collecting method and apparatus

An improved wind collecting apparatus utilized for transforming wind energy to rotary motion. The rotary motion is then used to drive an electric generator or the like. The apparatus generally comprises four semi-cylindrically shaped wind collecting blades connected to a shaft which is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and wind deflectors are positioned near the blades for directing portions of the wind. In one embodiment, the shaft is disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the earth's surface and, in one other aspect, the blades are mounted for rotation generally above a cavity formed in the earth's surface. The present invention also contemplates an improved blade structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to the field of transforming energy 
to rotary motion, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to 
the field of wind collecting apparatus for transforming wind energy to 
rotary motion provided at an output shaft. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In recent years it has become apparent that passive energy sources such as 
the wind may someday have to replace the energy now being supplied by the 
fossil fuels. Thus, it is desirable to have wind harnessing apparatus 
which can be linked together in a relatively large power grid. Such power 
grids utilizing wind-produced energy could concievably service a large 
portion of the population, replacing the ever-diminishing supply of fossil 
fuels. 
There have been many attempts in the past to construct apparatus which can 
harness the potential energy contained in surface winds. These apparatus 
have been utilized for such purposes as pumping water and generating 
electricity. However, their use has generally been limited to localized 
areas such as farms or the like because of insufficient size, and 
inefficient utilization of the wind. 
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 43,049, issued to A. Trim, disclosed a wind 
wheel having three semi-circularly shaped blades mounted for rotation on a 
vertical axis. Another example was shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 259,563, 
issued to L.D. Lowther. The Lowther patent disclosed a windmill having a 
plurality of bucket-like blades mounted for rotation about a vertical 
axis, similar to the apparatus disclosed in the Trim patent. 
Several other apparatus utilized to harness the power of the wind were 
disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 1,361,696, issued to D. 
Domenico; 1,646,673, issued to M. E. Wilson; 1,808,874, issued to E. F. 
Wilson; and 2,240,290, issued to S. R. DuBrie. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,200,308, issued to J. C. Bunnel, disclosed a water motor 
utilized to harness the energy contained in flowing water. 
In order to substantially increase the output of such apparatus, the area 
of the blades must be increased a considerable amount. It may also be 
necessary to position such an apparatus relatively high above the earth's 
surface to make optimum use of the velocity of the wind. Obviously, via 
increasing the size of the blades or by positioning the blades at a high 
elevation, the apparatus becomes more and more susceptible to being 
damaged or destroyed by high gusts of wind. Extensive bracing and 
structural support could conceivably be utilized to firmly anchor such a 
relatively large apparatus. However, the benefits achieved by doing so 
would all but be cancelled by the costs of material and construction. 
Therefore, it would seem that wind harnessing apparatus having blades 
mounted in such a manner are undesirable and impractical for large scale 
production of electricity via the wind. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved wind 
collecting apparatus which optimally utilizes the energy contained in 
surface winds to provide rotary motion for driving an electric generator 
or the like. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wind 
collecting apparatus which can be formed and constructed via using 
relatively inexpensive and readily available materials. 
One other object of the present invention is to provide a passive energy 
source which is substantially pollution-free. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide improved wind 
collecting apparatus which can be constructed on a relatively large scale 
in open areas of land to optimally make use of local prevailing winds. The 
apparatus could, thus, be incorporated into an extensive power network to 
supply the energy needs of large portions of the population. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wind 
collecting apparatus that, when stationarily positioned in relation to the 
direction of local prevailing winds, will still provide adequate power 
output even if the direction of the wind changes substantially in relation 
to the direction of the local prevailing winds. Another object of the 
invention is to provide a wind collecting apparatus which is economical in 
construction and operation. 
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become 
apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the 
drawings and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawing in general, and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, 
shown therein and designated via the general reference numeral 10 is an 
improved wind collecting apparatus constructed in accordance with the 
present invention. The apparatus 10 is generally utilized to transform 
energy contained in wind to rotational motion, and thus the apparatus 10 
is sometimes referred to herein as "wind energy transformation apparatus". 
This rotational motion so produced can then be coupled to an apparatus 
such as an electric generator (not shown) to produce electrical energy, 
for example. It should be noted that it is contemplated within the scope 
of the present invention that the wind collecting apparatus 10 could be 
constructed in a greatly enlarged and more sophisticated form and be 
incorporated into an extensive power network. 
In one embodiment, the wind collecting apparatus 10 is supported on the 
earth's surface 12 and, in this embodiment, a cavity 14 is formed in the 
earth's surface 12 extending a distance in the earth's surface 12 
terminating with a lowermost cavity surface 16. The cavity 14 intersects 
the earth's surface 12 and has opposite first and second ends 18 and 20, 
respectively, a first side 22 and a second side 24. The cavity 14 forms 
cavity walls in the earth and provides a space 26 of lower pressure 
relative to the pressure of the wind generally at the earth's surface 12, 
in a manner and for reasons which will be made more apparent below. 
It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the wind collecting apparatus 
10 is supported on a retainer (other than the earth's surface 12) with an 
upper surface and a cavity is formed in the upper surface of the retainer. 
The cavity in the retainer and the upper surface of the retainer are 
utilized in conjunction with the present invention in a manner and for 
reasons exactly like that described herein with respect to the earth's 
surface 12 and the cavity 14 and thus the retainer is not specifically 
shown in the drawings. 
A first support post 28 is positioned within a medial portion of the cavity 
14, near the first end 18 of the cavity 14. One end of the first support 
post 28 is inserted a distance into the earth and, in this position, the 
first support post 28 is securely anchored in the earth via a concrete 
anchor 30. The first support post 28 extends a distance in a generally 
vertical direction to a position generally above the earth's surface 12. 
A second support post 32 is positioned within a medial portion of the 
cavity 14, near the second end 20 of the cavity 14. One end of the second 
support post 32 is inserted a distance into the earth and, in this 
position, the second support post 32 is securedly anchored in the earth 
via a concrete anchor (not shown) similar to the concrete anchor 30 
described before. The second support post 32 extends a distance in a 
generally vertical direction to a position generally above the earth's 
surface 12, and the second support post 32 is spaced a distance from the 
first support post 28. 
A shaft 34 is disposed between the first and second support posts 28 and 
32. The shaft 34 extends generally between the first and the second ends 
18 and 20 of the parallel with respect to the earth's surface 12. The 
shaft 34 is a distance 36 from the lowermost cavity surface 16 and the 
shaft 34 is a distance 38 from the earth's surface 12. One end of the 
shaft 34 is journally connected to the first support post 28 and the 
opposite end of the shaft 34 is journally connected to the second support 
post 32. Thus, the first and the second support posts 28 and 30 cooperate 
to support the shaft 34 for rotation about an axis of rotation 39 (shown 
in FIG. 2) generally defined via a centerline axially extending through 
the shaft 34, the shaft 34 being supported for rotation in a first 
direction of rotation 40 and in a second direction of rotation 42. In one 
embodiment of the invention, the shaft 34 extends in a direction generally 
transverse with respect to the direction of the prevailing winds at the 
wind collecting apparatus 10, for reasons to be made more apparent. 
The wind collecting apparatus 10 also includes a rotating assembly 44 which 
is journally supported via the first and second support posts 28 and 32 
and the shaft 34 for rotation about the axis of rotation 39 in the first 
direction of rotation 40 and the second direction of rotation 42. The 
rotating assembly 44 generally includes: a first blade support assembly 
46, a second blade support assembly 48, a plurality of inner support 
members 50 (shown in FIG. 3), a plurality of outer support members 52 
(shown in FIG. 3), a plurality of blades 54, and a bracing assembly 56. 
The inner and outer support members 50 and 52 each extend between and are 
connected to the first and second blade support assemblies 46 and 48, with 
the blades 54 being supported on the inner and outer support members 50 
and 52. The portions of the bracing assembly 56 are utilized to enhance 
the structural integrity of the rotating assembly 44. 
Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the first blade support assembly 46 
generally comprises a first bar 58, a second bar 60, and a first wheel 62. 
In an assembled position of the bars 58 and 60, the medial portions of the 
bars 58 and 60 are connected with the first bar 58 extending generally 
perpendicularly with respect to the second bar 60. The shaft 34 extends 
through the connected medial portions of the bars 58 and 60 such that the 
bars 58 and 60 each extend radially from the shaft 34, the bars 58 and 60 
being connected to the shaft 34 generally at the connected medial portions 
of the bars 58 and 60. The bars 58 and 60 are positioned generally near 
the end of the shaft 34 supported via the first support post 28. 
In a preferred embodiment, the bars 58 and 60 are constructed of a rigid 
material, such as square cross sectional aluminum tubing, for example. 
Since such a material is relatively thick in cross-section, notches (not 
shown) may be formed at the medial portions of the bars 58 and 60, and the 
bars 58 and 60 then can be interlocked when connected via such notches. 
This interlocking of the bars 58 and 60 further enhances the structural 
integrity of the first blade support assembly 46. 
The first wheel 62 is connected to corresponding medial portions of the 
first and second bars 58 and 60 and is in axial alignment with the axis of 
rotation 39. More particularly, in an assembled position of the first 
blade support assembly 46 and the shaft 34, the first wheel 62 is disposed 
between the first support post 28 and the first and second bars 58 and 60 
(as shown in FIG. 2), the first wheel 62 being secured to the shaft 34 in 
this position. 
A groove 64 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the first wheel 
62, the groove 64 extending circumferentially about the first wheel 62. 
The first wheel 62 also includes a plurality of spokes 66 and a central 
hub (not shown). Portions of the first wheel 62 generally near the outer 
peripheral surface are connected to adjacent portions of the bars 58 and 
60, and the spokes 66 are connected between the outer peripheral surface 
and the hub (not shown). 
The first wheel 62 cooperates to enhance the structural integrity of the 
first blade support assembly 46, and also provides means for coupling the 
rotary power output of the wind collecting apparatus 10 to an electric 
generator or some other device for utilizing the rotary power output 
provided via the rotational movement of the shaft 34. 
The second blade support assembly 48 is constructed similar to the first 
blade support assembly 46. The second blade support assembly 48 is 
generally supported on the shaft 34, generally near the second support 
post 32, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. More particularly, the second 
blade support assembly 48 generally comprises a first bar 70 and a second 
bar 72, constructed similar to the first and second bars 58 and 60 of the 
first blade support assembly 46, and a second wheel 74 which is 
constructed similar to the first wheel 62, as shown in FIG. 2. 
The bars 70 and 72 are connected at their medial portions in a manner 
similar to that described before with respect to the bars 58 and 60. In an 
assembled position of the bars 70 and 72, the bars 70 and 72 are 
positioned on the shaft 34, generally near the second support post 32, and 
in this position, the bars 70 and 72 are secured to the shaft 34. 
The second wheel 74 is constructed similar to the first wheel 62 and has a 
groove 76 formed in the outer peripheral surface thereof and extending 
circumferentially about the second wheel 74. The second wheel 74 also 
includes a central hub (not shown) and a plurality of spokes (not shown). 
The second wheel 74 is connected to portions of the bars 70 and 72 and to 
the shaft 34 in a manner similar to that described before with respect to 
the first wheel 62 and the bars 58 and 60. In an assembled position of the 
second blade support assembly 48 on the shaft 34, the second wheel 74 is 
disposed generally between the bars 70 and 72 and the second support post 
32, as shown in FIG. 2. 
In an assembled position of the first and second blade support assemblies 
46 and 48 and the shaft 34, the bars 58 and 70 and the bars 60 and 72, 
respectively, are radially aligned about the axis of rotation 39 in a 
parallel, spaced-apart relationship. The first and second blade support 
assemblies 46 and 48 are generally maintained in this spaced-apart 
relationship via the inner and outer support members 50 and 52. 
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, four (4) of the inner 
support members 50, and four (4) of the outer support members 52 are 
utilized in the construction of the wind collecting apparatus 10, since 
there are four (4) blades 54 in this embodiment (the inner and the outer 
support members 50 and 52 being designated only in FIG. 3). There is one 
inner support member 50 and one outer support member 52 associated with 
each of the blades 54. The inner and the outer support members 50 and 52 
cooperate to connect the blades 54 to the first and the second blade 
support assemblies 46 and 48, each blade 54 being connected to the shaft 
34 via the inner and the outer support members 50 and 52 and the 
cooperating connections with the first and the second blade support 
assemblies 46 and 48. 
Referring to FIG. 3, the inner and outer support members 50 and 52 are 
shown constructed of a rigid material, such as square cross sectional 
aluminum tubing, for example. It has also been found suitable to construct 
the inner and outer support members 50 and 52 from a material, such as 
steel cable, for example, which has been put under tension in an assembled 
position of the wind collecting apparatus 10. Even though material such as 
square cross sectional aluminum tubing or the like is suitable in the 
construction of relatively small wind collecting apparatus 10, a material 
such as steel cable under tension or the like is preferred in relatively 
large embodiments of the present invention. 
In one preferred embodiment, four (4) of the blades 54 are utilized. It has 
been determined via experimentation that optimum rotation of the rotating 
assembly 44 will result when four (4) of the blades 54 are positioned and 
constructed in a manner to be described in greater detail below. 
Each of the blades 54 is constructed in a similar manner and thus only one 
typical blade 54 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. Each blade 54 has a first 
end 80, a second end 82, a first side 84, a second side 86, a first 
surface 88 extending generally between the first and the second ends 80 
and 82 and generally between the first and the second sides 84 and 86, and 
a second surface 90 extending generally between the first and the second 
ends 80 and 82 and generally between the first and the second sides 84 and 
86. The first end 80 of each blade 54 is connected to the shaft 34 via 
portions of the first and the second blade support assemblies 46 and 48 
and via portions of the inner and the outer support members 50 and 52, and 
each blade 54 extends a distance generally radially from the shaft 34, 
each blade 54 extending a distance axially along the length of the shaft 
34 generally between the opposite ends of the shaft 34. 
The first and the second surfaces 88 and 90 of each blade 54 each extend a 
distance radially from the shaft 34 and a distance axially along the 
length of the shaft 34, generally between the opposite ends of the shaft 
34. The blades 54 are oriented on the shaft 34 such that wind moving 
generally in one direction (represented via the general directional arrow 
in FIG. 1 and designated therein via the reference numeral 92) impacts 
against the first surface 88 tending to move the blades 54 in one general 
direction for causing the shaft 34 to be rotated in the first direction of 
rotation 40. Further, wind moving generally in an opposite direction 
(represented via the general directional arrow in FIG. 1 and designated 
therein via the reference numeral 94) impacts against second surface 90 of 
the blades 54 tending to move the blades 54 in an opposite direction for 
causing the shaft 34 to be rotated in the second direction of rotation 42. 
Each blade 54 is formed on a radius generally between the first and the 
second ends 80 and 82, the first end 80 of each blade 54 being connected 
to the shaft 34 and each blade 54 extending on a generally curvilinear 
path a distance generally radially from the shaft 34 terminating with the 
second end 82. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each blade 
54 is constructed such that the first end 80 is disposed in a plane 
extending generally from the shaft 34 and the second end 82 is disposed in 
a plane substantially coplanar with respect to the planar disposition of 
the first end 80. 
As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, the blades 54 are oriented about the shaft 
34 such that each blade 54 extends in one direction generally radially 
from the shaft 34 and one other blade 54 extends a distance from the shaft 
34 in a radial direction, generally opposite with respect to one of the 
other blades 54. The first and the second ends 80 and 82 of each blade 54 
are disposed in a plane extending a distance generally from the shaft 34 
substantially coplanar with respect to the planar disposition of one of 
the other blades 54. 
It has been determined via experimentation that desirable results are 
achieved when the straight-line distance 96 (shown in FIG. 3), or the 
depths of each of the blades 54 is about one-third (1/3) the curved 
distance 98 between the first and the second ends 80 and 82. 
More particularly and referring to FIG. 3, each blade 54 comprises a base 
100, a first mesh screen 102 and a second mesh screen 104. 
The base 100 has a first end 106 which cooperates to form the first end 80 
of the blade 54, a second end 108 which cooperates to form the second end 
82 of the blade 54, a first side 110 which cooperates to form the first 
side 84 of the blade 54, a second side 112 which cooperates to form the 
second side 86 of the blade 54, a first surface 114 which cooperates to 
form the first surface 88 of the blade 54, and a second surface 116 which 
cooperates to form the second surface 90 of the blade 54. The first 
surface 114 extends generally between the first and the second ends 106 
and 108 and generally between the first and the second sides 110 and 112. 
The second surface 116 extends generally between the first and the second 
ends 106 and 108 and generally between the first and the second sides 110 
and 112. 
The first mesh screen 102 is disposed on the first surface 114 of the base 
100 and the first mesh screen 102 extends over a substantial portion of 
the first surface 114 of the base 100. The second mesh screen 104 is 
constructed similar to the first mesh screen 102 and is disposed on the 
second surface 116 of the base 100, the second mesh screen 104 extending 
over a substantial portion of the second surface 116. The first and the 
second mesh screens 102 and 104 each comprise a plurality of spaced apart 
wires 118 (only one of the wires 118 being designated in the drawings via 
a reference numeral for clarity) extending in one direction generally 
between the first and the second sides 110 and 112 of the base 100 and a 
plurality of wires 120 (only one of the wires 120 being designated in the 
drawings via a reference numeral for clarity) extending in a transverse 
direction generally between the first and the second ends of the base 100. 
The wires 118 are connected to adjacent portions of the wires 120 to form 
a meshlike screen. 
In one embodiment, the first and second mesh screens 102 and 104 can each 
be constructed of material generally referred to as "fence wire" having 
rectangular spaces of approximately three by four inches (3".times.4") 
square, wire mesh screens of this type sometimes being referred to as "hog 
wire". In one preferred embodiment, the wires 118 and 120 are plastic 
coated. 
In an assembled position of the blades 54 and the rotating assembly 44, the 
portions of the first mesh screen 102, the second mesh screen 104 and the 
base 100, generally near the first side 84 of each blade 54 are connected 
to one of the outer support members 52, and the portions of the first and 
the second mesh screens 102 and 104 and the base 100, generally near the 
second side 86 of each blade 54 are connected to one of the inner support 
members 50. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, portions of the first 
and the second mesh screens 102 and 104 and the base 100, generally near 
the first and second sides 84 and 86 of the blades 54 are wrapped or 
formed around corresponding inner and outer support members 50 and 52. The 
blades 54 are connected to the inner and outer support members 50 and 52 
via conventional fasteners such as sheet metal screws 122 (shown in FIG. 
3), for example. 
The first and second mesh screens 102 and 104 cooperate to enhance the 
structural integrity of the blades 54. Since the material forming the base 
100 is non-permeable to air, any wind blowing into or impacting against 
the first surface 88 of one of the blades 54 will result in a force 
applied against the non-permeable material forming the base 100 and cause 
rotation of the rotating assembly 44 in the first direction of rotation 
40. In a similar manner, any wind blowing or impacting against the second 
surface 90 will result in a force applied against the non-permeable 
material forming the base 100 and cause the rotation of the rotating 
assembly 44 in the second direction of rotation 42. When the rotating 
assembly 44 is rotating in the first or the second directions of rotation 
40 and 42 caused via wind blowing against the blades 54, the rotating 
assembly 44 substantially encompasses or sweeps a generally cylindrically 
shaped space of rotation. The cavity 14 substantially defines a lower 
portion of this space of rotation. 
The particular construction of the blades 54 consisting of the first and 
the second mesh screens 102 and 104 and the base 100 has been found 
particularly desirable in the wind collecting apparatus 10. The first and 
the second mesh screens 102 and 104 provide augmenting structural strength 
to the blades 54 and, with the particular grid construction of the mesh 
screens 102 and 104, the mesh screens 102 and 104 would continue to 
function to provide such augmenting structural strength even if one 
portion of the wire elements was broken or otherwise destroyed during the 
operation of the wind collecting apparatus 10. In contrast, if the mesh 
screens 102 and 104 were constructed of a solid sheet, then a tear, crack 
or break in one portion of such a solid sheet construction might expand to 
an extent which would render the blade 54 inoperable. In addition, the 
double layer of wire grid provided via the first and second mesh screens 
102 and 104 cooperates to protect the base 100 from tearing when the wind 
direction is reversed and cooperates to further enhance the structural 
integrity of the blades 54. 
The bracing assembly 56 generally comprises: a plurality of diagonal brace 
lines 126, a plurality of end brace lines 128, and a plurality of ground 
brace lines 130. The diagonal brace lines 126 are connected diagonally 
between end portions of the bars 58, 60, 70 and 72 via fasteners such as 
sheetmetal screws, for example. 
The end brace lines 128 are also connected to end portions of the bars 58, 
60, 70 and 72 but in a different manner than that of the diagonal brace 
lines 126. In one embodiment, four (4) of the end brace lines 128 are 
positioned in the space formed between the first blade support assembly 46 
and the first support post 28; and four (4) end brace lines 128 are 
positioned in the space formed between the second blade support assembly 
48 and the second support post 32. The end brace lines 128 are connected 
to the bars 58, 60, 70 and 72 via conventional fasteners such as sheet 
metal screws. 
The ground brace lines 130 are generally utilized to further anchor the 
support posts 28 and 32 to the earth. More particularly, one end of one 
ground brace lines 130 is connected to one of the support posts 28 and 32, 
and the opposite end of the respective ground brace line 130 is connected 
to a ground stake 132, for example (shown in FIG. 1). 
In one embodiment, the brace lines 126, 128 and 130 are in the form of 
conventional wire cable or the like. 
A first wind deflector 150 is positioned generally on the earth's surface 
12 on one side of the shaft 34 and disposed near the first side 22 of the 
cavity 14. The first wind deflector 150 includes a wind deflecting surface 
152 having a first side and a second side (the sides of the first wind 
deflector 150 wind deflecting surface 152 are not shown in the drawings) 
and a first end 154 and a second end 156. The wind deflecting surface 152 
of the first wind deflector 150 extends along the first side 22 of the 
cavity 14 in a direction generally parallel with respect to the shaft 34 
at least a distance approximately the same as the length of the blades 54 
generally between the first and the second sides 84 and 86 of the blades 
54. 
The first end 154 of the first wind deflector 150 is disposed near the 
earth's surface 12 and spaced a distance 158 from the first side 22 of the 
cavity 14, the first end 154 being spaced a distance 160 from the shaft 
34. The wind deflecting surface 152 extends at an angle 162 in a generally 
upwardly direction and in a direction generally toward the first side 22 
of the cavity 14 and generally toward the shaft 34 terminating with the 
second end 156 of the wind deflecting surface 152. It has been found 
desirable to construct the first wind deflector 150 such that the angle 
162 is less than about forty-five degrees. 
The second end 156 of the wind deflecting surface 152 is spaced a distance 
164 from the shaft 34 which is sufficient such that the second end 156 is 
spaced a distance from the blades 54 to permit rotation of the blades 54 
in the first and the second directions of rotation 40 and 42 during the 
operation of the wind collecting apparatus 10. In one preferred 
embodiment, the second end 156 is disposed in a horizontal plane 
substantially coplanar with the horizontal planar disposition of the shaft 
34 and substantially coplanar with the first and the second ends 80 and 82 
of each of the blades 54 in one position of each of the blades 54. 
During the operation of the wind collecting apparatus 10, the wind 
deflecting surface 152 is shaped and positioned with respect to the blades 
54 to direct a portion of the wind blowing in the general direction 92 
upwardly in a direction generally away from the cavity 14 and against the 
blades 54 for causing the blades 54 to be rotated in the first direction 
of rotation 40, the shaft 34 being thereby rotated in the first direction 
of rotation 40. The wind deflecting surface 152 is further shaped and 
positioned to substantially block a portion of wind blowing in the general 
direction 92 from impacting against some of the blades 54 in a direction 
tending to cause the blades 54 and the shaft 34 connected thereto to be 
rotated in the second direction of rotation 40. In other words, the first 
wind deflector 150 is shaped and positioned to utilize a maximum amount of 
the wind energy from the wind blowing in the general direction 92 for 
causing the blades 54 to be rotated in the first direction of rotation 40 
and to minimize the amount of wind energy from the wind blowing in the 
general direction 92 from impacting against the blades 54 in a manner and 
direction tending to cause the rotation of the blades 54 and the shaft 34 
connected thereto in the second direction of rotation 42. 
A second wind deflector 170 is positioned generally on the earth's surface 
12 on one side of the shaft 34 and disposed near the second side 24 of the 
cavity 14. The second wind deflector 170 includes a wind deflecting 
surface 172 having a first side and a second side (the sides of the second 
wind deflector 170 wind deflecting surface 172 are not shown in the 
drawings) and a first end 174 and a second end 176. The wind deflecting 
surface 172 of the second wind deflector 170 extends along the second side 
24 of the cavity 14 in a direction generally parallel with respect to the 
shaft 34 at least a distance approximately the same as the length of the 
blades 54 generally between the first and the second sides 84 and 86 of 
the blades 54. 
The first end 174 of the second wind deflector 170 is disposed near the 
earth's surface 12 and spaced a distance 178 from the second side 24 of 
the cavity 14, the first end 174 being spaced a distance 180 from the 
shaft 34. The wind deflecting surface 172 extends at an angle 182 in a 
generally upwardly direction and in a direction generally toward the 
second side 24 of the cavity 14 and generally toward the shaft 34 
terminating with the second end 176 of the wind deflecting surface 172. It 
has been found desirable to construct the second wind deflector 170 such 
that the angle 172 is less than about forty-five degrees. 
The second end 176 of the wind deflecting surface 172 is spaced a distance 
184 from the shaft 34 which is sufficient such that the second end 176 is 
spaced a distance from the blades 54 to permit rotation of the blades 54 
in the first and the second directions of rotation 40 and 42 during the 
operation of the wind collecting apparatus 10. In one preferred 
embodiment, the second end 176 is disposed in a horizontal plane 
substantially coplanar with the horizontal disposition of the shaft 34 and 
substantially coplanar with the first and the second ends 80 and 82 of 
each of the blades 54 in one position of each of the blades 54, the second 
end 176 also being disposed in a horizontal plane substantially coplanar 
with the horizontal planar disposition of the second end 156 of the first 
wind deflector 150 in this position. 
During the operation of the wind collecting apparatus 10, the wind 
deflecting surface 172 is shaped and positioned with respect to the blades 
54 to direct a portion of the wind blowing in the general direction 94 
upwardly in a direction generally away from the cavity 14 and against the 
blades 54 for causing the blades 54 to be rotated in the second direction 
of rotation 42, the shaft 34 being thereby rotated in the second direction 
of rotation 42. The wind deflecting surface 172 is further shaped and 
positioned to substantially block a portion of wind blowing in the general 
direction 94 from impacting against some of the blades 54 in a direction 
tending to cause the blades 54 and the shaft 34 connected thereto to be 
rotated in the first direction of rotation 40. In other words, the second 
wind deflector 170 is shaped and positioned to utilize a maximum amount of 
the wind energy from the wind blowing in the general direction 94 for 
causing the blades 54 to be rotated in the second direction of rotation 42 
and to minimize the amount of wind energy from the wind blowing in the 
general direction 94 impacting against the blade 54 in a manner and 
direction tending to cause the rotation of the blades 54 and the shaft 34 
connected thereto in the first direction of rotation 40. 
The wind collecting apparatus 10 also includes a first end deflector 190 
(shown in FIG. 2) having a wind deflecting surface 192 with a first end 
194 and a second end 196. The first end 194 is spaced a distance 198 from 
the first end 18 of the cavity 14 and the wind deflecting surface 192 
extends a distance upwardly in a direction generally toward the cavity 14 
at an angle 200 terminating with the second end 196. The second end 196 is 
disposed in a horizontal plane substantially coplanar with respect to the 
horizontal planar disposition of the shaft 34 and of the second ends 156 
and 176 of the first and the second wind deflectors 150 and 170. 
The wind collecting apparatus 10 also includes a second end deflector 202 
(shown in FIG. 2) having a wind deflecting surface 204 with a first end 
206 and a second end 208. The first end 206 is spaced a distance 210 from 
the second end 20 of the cavity 14 and the wind deflecting surface 204 
extends a distance upwardly in a direction generally toward the cavity 14 
at an angle 212 terminating with the second end 208. The second end 208 is 
disposed in a horizontal plane substantially coplanar with respect to the 
horizontal planar disposition of the shaft 34 and of the second ends 156 
and 176 of the first and second wind deflectors 150 and 170. 
In one version of the present invention, the first and second wind 
deflectors 150 and 170 are each formed from some of the soil excavated 
from the earth during the formation of the cavity 14. Thus, the deflectors 
150 and 170 can be formed in a relatively fast and efficient manner and at 
substantially no cost. In a similar manner and for the same reasons, the 
first and the second end deflectors 190 and 202 may be constructed 
utilizing some of the earth excavated during the forming of the cavity 14. 
The first and the second wind deflectors 150 and 170 are oriented and 
constructed with respect to the blades 54 and the cavity 14 to 
substantially prevent wind from acting on some of the blades 54 in a 
manner tending to cause a counter-rotational force. Thus, the wind 
deflectors 150 and 170 cooperate to maximize the utilization of wind 
energy and to increase the efficiency of the wind collecting apparatus 10. 
The first wind deflector 150 is positioned with respect to the blades 54 
such that the distance or clearance between the second end 156 of the 
first wind deflector 150 and the outermost second side 86 of the blades 54 
is maintained at a minimum while still allowing sufficient clearance 
between the blades 54 and the first wind deflector 150 to permit the 
rotation of the rotating assembly 44. Further, the second wind deflector 
170 is positioned with respect to the blades 54 such that the distance or 
clearance between the second end 176 of the second wind deflector 170 and 
the outermost second side 86 of the blades 54 during the rotation of the 
rotating assembly 44 is maintained at a minimum while still allowing 
sufficient clearance between the blades 54 and the second wind deflector 
170 to permit the rotation of the rotating assembly 44. It has been found 
that this particular positioning of the wind deflectors 150 and 170 with 
respect to the blades 54 operates to increase the efficiency of the wind 
collecting apparatus 10. 
In an assembled operating position of the wind collecting apparatus 10, the 
axis of rotation 39 defined via the shaft 34 is positioned to extend in a 
generally transverse direction with respect to the direction of the 
prevailing wind in a particular location. 
As the prevailing wind blows in the general direction 92, some of the wind 
will impact against the first surface 88 of at least one of the blades 54, 
some of the wind moving over the wind deflecting surface 152 of the first 
wind deflector 150 and being directed against the first surface 88 of at 
least one of the blades 54. The wind moving in the general direction 92 
including the wind directed via the wind deflecting surface 152 of the 
first wind deflector 150 impacts against the first surface 88 of some of 
the blades 54 resulting in a force being applied to blades 54 in a 
direction tending to cause the blades 54 to be moved in a general 
direction for causing the rotating assembly 44 to be rotated in the first 
direction of rotation 40, a portion of the blades 54 passing through the 
space 26 formed via the cavity 14 during the rotation of the rotating 
assembly 44 in the first direction of rotation 40. Utilizing four (4) 
blades 54 oriented about the shaft 34 in a manner shown in FIG. 1 assures 
that at least one of the blades 54 will be positioned or disposed 
generally above the horizontal planar disposition of the second end 156 of 
the first wind deflector 150, thereby assuring at least one blade 54 will 
always be in a position permitting wind blowing in the general direction 
92 to impact against the first surface 88 of such blade 54. The rotating 
assembly 44 will be rotated in the first direction of rotation 40 when the 
velocity of the wind blowing in the general direction 92 is sufficient to 
result in a sufficient force applied to blades 54. The wind velocity (wind 
energy) necessary to cause the rotation of the rotating assembly 44 is 
determined via the relative size of the wind collecting apparatus 10 
including the relative weight of the materials utilized in constructing 
the wind collecting apparatus 10. 
As the rotating assembly 44 rotates in the first direction of rotation 40, 
as a result of wind blowing in the general direction 92, there will always 
be at least one blade 54 oriented or disposed generally below the 
horizontal planar disposition of the second ends 156 and 176 of the first 
and the second wind deflectors 150 and 170 assuming a wind collecting 
apparatus 10 constructed to have the blades 54 orientation as shown in 
FIG. 1. In this position of the blades 54, wind blowing in the general 
direction 92 normally would impact against the second surface 90 and 
result in a force applied at the blade 54 in a direction tending to cause 
the rotation of the rotating assembly 44 in a counter-rotational direction 
or, in other words, in the second direction of rotaiton 42. The walls 
formed in the earth via the cavity 14 cooperate with the first wind 
deflector 150 to substantially block or reduce the amount of wind blowing 
in the general direction 92 from impacting against the second surface 90, 
thereby maximizing the utilization of the energy of the wind blowing in 
the general direction 92 for causing the rotation of the rotating assembly 
4 in the first direction of rotation 40. Further, the walls formed in the 
earth via the cavity 14 cooperate with the first wind deflector 150 in a 
manner such that air which is present in the space defined via the walls 
in the earth formed via the cavity 14 and the first wind deflector 150 
particularly the air near the lowermost cavity surface 16 tends to flow 
upwardly toward the earth's surface 12 as a result of a pressure 
differential, the air pressure near the lowermost cavity surface 16 being 
lower than the air pressure generally at and above the earth's surface 12. 
Thus, an area of lower air pressure is created generally near the 
lowermost cavity surface 16 and it has been found that this area of lower 
air pressure within the cavity 14 results in an increase in the operating 
efficiency of the wind collecting apparatus 10 (an increase in the 
rotational rate of speed of the shaft 34) because of the reduced air 
resistance encountered by the blades 54 passing through the cavity 14. 
As the prevailing wind blows in the general direction 94, some of the wind 
will impact against the second surface 90 of at least one of the blades 
54, some of the wind moving over the wind deflecting surface 172 of the 
second wind deflector 170 and being directed against the second surface 90 
of at least one of the blades 54. The wind moving in the general direction 
94 including the wind directed via the wind deflecting surface 172 of the 
second wind deflector 170 impacts against the second surface 90 of some of 
the blades 54 resulting in a force being applied to blades 54 in a 
direction tending to cause the blades 54 to be moved in a general 
direction for causing the rotating assembly 44 to be rotated in the second 
direction of rotation 42, a portion of the blades 54 passing through the 
space 26 formed via the cavity 14 during the rotation of the rotating 
assembly 44 in the second direction of rotation 42. Utilizing four (4) 
blades 54 oriented about the shaft 34 in a manner shown in FIG. 1 assures 
that at least one of the blades 54 will be positioned or disposed 
generally above the horizontal planar disposition of the second end 176 of 
the second wind deflector 170, thereby assuring at least one blade 54 will 
always be in a position permitting wind blowing in the general direction 
94 to impact against the second surface 90 of such blade 54. The rotating 
assembly 44 will be rotated in the second direction of rotation 42 when 
the velocity of the wind blowing in the general direction 94 is sufficient 
to result in a sufficient force applied to the blades 54. The wind 
velocity (wind energy) necessary to cause the rotation of the rotating 
assembly 44 is determined via the relative size of the wind collecting 
apparatus 10 including the relative weight of the materials utilized in 
constructing the wind collecting apparatus 10. 
As the rotating assembly 44 rotates in the second direction of rotation 42 
as a result of the wind blowing in the general direction 94, there will 
always be at least one blade 54 oriented or disposed generally below the 
horizontal planar disposition of the second ends 156 and 176 of the first 
and the second wind deflectors 150 and 170 assuming a wind collecting 
apparatus 10 constructed to have blades 54 oriented as shown in FIG. 1. In 
this position of the blades 54, wind blowing in the general direction 94 
normally would impact against the first surface 88 resulting in a force 
applied at the blades 54 in a direction tending to cause the rotation of 
the rotating assembly 44 in a counter-rotational direction or, in other 
words, in the first direction of rotation 40. The walls formed in the 
earth via the cavity 14 cooperate with the second wind deflector 170 to 
substantially reduce the amount of wind blowing in the general direction 
94 from impacting against the first surface 88, thereby maximizing the 
utilization of the energy of the wind blowing in the general direction 94, 
for causing the rotation of the rotating assembly 44 in the second 
direction of rotation 42. 
It should be noted that in the particular embodiment of the invention shown 
in the drawings, the blades 54 are curved or formed on a radius and the 
curved blades 54 are positioned on the shaft 34 to maximize the effective 
utilization of wind blowing in the general direction 92 for causing 
rotation of the rotating assembly 44 in the first direction of rotation 
40. This particular construction and orientation of the blades 54 results 
in a less efficient utilization of the wind energy resulting from wind 
blowing in the general direction 94 for causing the rotation of the 
rotating assembly 44 in the second direction of rotation 42 as compared 
with the utilization of wind energy resulting from wind blowing in the 
general direction 92 for causing the rotation of the rotating assembly 44 
in the first direction of rotation 40. In a particular area, it sometimes 
can be determined that the prevailing winds generally blow in one 
particular direction and, in this embodiment of the invention, the wind 
collecting apparatus 10 should be oriented and disposed to effectively 
utilize the wind energy resulting from wind blowing in that particular 
direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the wind collecting apparatus 10 is 
oriented in a manner assuming that the prevailing winds generally blow in 
the direction 92, for example. 
It has been found that wind blowing over the wind deflecting surface 152 of 
the first wind deflector 150 in the general direction 92 results in a 
velocity increase of the wind blowing through the rotating assembly 44 in 
the area immediately above the wind collecting apparatus 10, thereby 
resulting in an increase in the operating efficiency of the wind 
collecting apparatus 10 (an increase in the rotational rate of speed of 
the rotating assembly 44). By the same token, wind blowing over the wind 
deflecting surface 172 of the second wind deflector 170 in the general 
direction 94 also results in a velocity increase of the wind blowing 
through the rotating assembly 44 in the area immediately above the wind 
collecting apparatus 10, thereby resulting in an increase in the operating 
efficiency of the wind collecting apparatus 10 (an increase in the 
rotational rate of speed of the rotating assembly 44). 
The rotational motion of the shaft 34 resulting from the operation of the 
wind collecting apparatus 10 can be utilized in various applications. For 
example, the first and the second wheels 62 and 74 or one of the first and 
the second wheels 62 and 74 can be connected or coupled to an apparatus 
such as an electric generator (not shown) or the like. For example, an 
electric generator could be positioned near the wind collecting apparatus 
10 and a pulley belt or the like could be connected to the electric 
generator and the first wheel 62 via the groove 64 portion of the first 
wheel 62. As another example the first and the second wheels 62 and 74 
could be directly connectable to a generator apparatus or the like via 
direct-drive wheels (not shown) which are connected to the generator 
apparatus. 
As mentioned before, the first and the second wind deflectors can be 
constructed of some material other than excavated earth. In one 
embodiment, the rotating assembly 44 can be mounted or supported on the 
earth's surface 12 or on the upper surface of the retainer (mentioned 
before). In this embodiment, the shaft 34 would be supported a distance 
equal to the distance 36 above the earth's surface or above the upper 
surface of the retainer, as the case may be. The first wind deflector 
would be oriented on one side of the shaft 34 and the second wind 
deflector would be oriented on the opposite side of the shaft 34 in a 
manner similar to the orientation of the wind deflectors 150 and 170 and 
the shaft 34 described before. In this embodiment, the wind deflectors are 
constructed similar to the wind deflectors 150 and 170 described before, 
except the wind deflecting surface of the first wind deflector extends a 
distance angularly upwardly generally toward the shaft 34 terminating with 
the second end thereof and the second end is disposed in a horizontal 
plane substantially coplanar with the respect to the horizontal planar 
disposition of the shaft 34, the second end of the wind deflecting surface 
of the first wind deflector being disposed a distance above the earth's 
surface or the upper surface of the retainer substantially equal to the 
distance 36 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The wind deflecting surface of the 
second wind deflector extends a distance angularly upwardly generally 
toward the shaft 34 terminating with the second end thereof and the second 
end of the second wind deflector is disposed in a horizontal plane 
substantially coplanar with respect to the horizontal planar disposition 
of the shaft 34 and the horizontal planar disposition of the second end of 
the wind deflecting surface of the first wind deflector, the second end of 
the wind deflecting surface of the second wind deflector being disposed a 
distance above the earth's surface or the upper surface of the retainer 
substantially equal to the distance 36 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In this 
embodiment of the invention, end deflectors can be utilized and such end 
deflectors would be constructed and oriented similar to the first and the 
second end deflectors 190 and 202, except the end deflectors may be 
constructed of some material other than excavated earth and the second end 
of the first end deflector would be disposed a distance substantially 
equal to the distance 36 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) above the earth's 
surface or the upper surface of the retainer, the second end of the second 
end deflector being disposed a distance substantially equal to the 
distance 36 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) above the earth's surface or the 
upper surface of the retainer. In summary, the above described embodiment 
of the invention is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 
except the cavity is not formed in the earth's surface or in the retainer 
and the first and second wind deflectors and the first and second end 
deflectors are each constructed to compensate for the fact that the 
rotating assembly 44 is mounted on the earth's surface or the upper 
surface of the retainer in lieu of supporting the rotating assembly 44 at 
least partially within the cavity formed in the earth's surface or the 
upper surface of the retainer in a manner as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
Changes may be made in the construction and operation of the various parts, 
elements and assemblies and in the steps of the methods described herein 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described 
in the following claims.