Wind energy catchment device

This invention is a wind energy catchment system using a central vertical shaft, the bottom end of which rotates and is secured to a rigid support fixed to the ground. The lower part of the shaft has radial arms secured to it, evenly spaced one from the other. The upper end of the shaft and the outer ends of the radial arms are all connected by cables or cords. The cables between the ends of the radial arms define a regular polygon; between it and the upper end of the shaft and the outside end of each radial arm and around the shaft, there are triangular, dihedral or trihedral sails all formed by triangular surfaces secured at their vertices. In all cases, the furthest external side of these sails is arranged between the top end of the shaft and the furthest external end of the associated arm, while the lower edge runs between the end of each arm and one or more points on the surface on the same plane as the radial arms. The bottom inside vertex of the triangular sails is secured to an intermediate point on the adjacent arm immediately ahead of it in the direction of rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention refers to a device for capturing wind energy, of the type 
that rotates on a horizontal plane around a vertical shaft, using 
wind-driven sail surfaces that are reoriented cyclically as the device 
turns, and refers to wind catchment units that principally generate 
electrical power and are of the large-scale type, using wind power in a 
centralized and commercial form. 
2. State of the Prior Art 
Current energy systems pollute if they use fossil fuels and are extremely 
radioactive if nuclear fuels are used. On the other hand, existing wind 
catchment systems require advanced technology, high costs, location on 
elevated sites and high winds to ensure high performance, and depend on 
wind conditions that are difficult to obtain, such as 25-50 km/h, still 
less on a constant heading. Such sites are not easily found. These 
facilities are difficult to control, complex, costly or impractical, and 
the energy proves more expensive than with conventional systems, while 
killing birds and generating a high environmental impact. They require 
systems for direction into the wind, and high technology. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is a wind energy catchment system using a central vertical 
shaft, the bottom end of which rotates and is secured to a rigid support 
fixed to the ground. The lower part of the shaft has radial arms secured 
to it, evenly spaced one from the other. The upper end of the shaft and 
the outer ends of the radial arms are all connected by cables or cords. 
The cables between the ends of the radial arms define a regular polygon; 
between it and the upper end of the shaft and the outside end of each 
radial arm and around the shaft, there are triangular, dihedral or 
trihedral sails all formed by triangular surfaces secured at their 
vertices. In all cases, the furthest external side of these sails is 
arranged between the top end of the shaft and the furthest external end of 
the associated arm, while the lower edge runs between the end of each arm 
and one or more points on the surface on the same plane as the radial 
arms. The bottom inside vertex of the triangular sails is secured to an 
intermediate point on the adjacent arm immediately ahead of it in the 
direction of rotation. 
Some improvements refer to wind power catchment devices comprising a rigid 
vertical shaft secured to the ground, which carries a rotary collar on 
each end. At the bottom, and arranged concentrically around the shaft, 
there is a large hoop formed by a cable, and connected from a number of 
equidistant points on it, by cables, to the two collars. Between the hoop 
and collars, there are two or more triangular or dihedral sails, evenly 
spaced, with one vertex connected to the upper collar, and the outside 
bottom vertex connected to the hoop by a small cable, while the inside 
bottom vertex, and in the case of the dihedral sails, the bottom point of 
the vertex of the dihedral angle, is connected to a point on the cables 
between the hoop and the bottom collar. The hoop is secured by a set of 
pulleys, fixed radially with the appropriate support to the ground, and is 
stayed. The bottom collar is concentrically connected to a small plate on 
whose lower edge there is a gear wheel for transmission of the movement. 
In one variant, the bottom outside vertex of the sails has a rigid angular 
or curved element making it possible to secure the hoop on its outside, 
carrying the pulleys on the inside of the hoop and also moored to the 
ground. 
Instead of the collars, there can be a rotary outer shaft covering the 
whole length of the shaft concentrically and with the same function as the 
collars. 
The cable or hoop can be covered by rings to protect it from friction and 
maintain its flexibility. 
The sails may be the valve type, wholly or in part, formed by multiple 
rotary rectangular sails on one said, supported on a mesh. 
The set of sails creates a rotation torque, at all times, due to the action 
of the wind. 
Two systems are presented for protection of the devices gathering the 
sails: one is to release the top collar to allow them to drop onto a mesh 
on the same plane as the hoop or radial arms, while the other rolls the 
sails around the shaft. This takes place automatically by the operation of 
release pawls when the wind reaches a high level against the sails, or by 
means of an electromagnet or electric motor driven by the displacement of 
blades when the wind reaches a certain speed. 
In a variant, the rigid hoop or ring is moored to the ground with the 
outside vertex of the sails each securing or carrying a pulley which is 
supported and slips on the outside of the ring. Two rings are close 
together, and a double pulley can also be used. 
In a variant, the shaft or turret is fixed to the ground and carries a 
rotary collar on each end. This allows to reduce the moving parts of the 
structure and its weight. The shaft and radial arms can be formed by two 
or more cylindrical tubes of different size whose ends are cylindrical and 
pass within one another allowing portability and an easier transport. 
On the dihedral sails the inside bottom vertex is secured to an 
intermediate point on the adjacent arm immediately ahead of it in the 
direction of rotation, with the bottom end of the dihedral angle secured 
to an intermediate point on the next side ahead in the direction of 
rotation of the polygon formed by the ends of the radial arms; in a 
variant, the inside vertex is attached to a point close to the bottom end 
of the shaft. The dihedral angle is defined by a cable or cord running 
through it and fixed at its ends. 
The trihedral sails are similar to their dihedral counterparts and are 
secured in the same way, though with the addition of the lower triangular 
surface equal to the projection of the dihedron over the horizontal 
surface on the same plane as the radial arms. 
A laminar surface can be added to the triangular sails on the same plane as 
the polygon between the ends of the radial arms. 
The sails act as radial vanes or blades. 
As a whole, the layout of the catchment device is such that the shaft is 
its axis or symmetry. 
The top end of the shaft can be secured to the ground by cables or stays. 
The sails may be formed by meshes and strips or rotary sails around one of 
the upper sides, at a 30.degree. angle to the horizontal, and ahead of the 
mesh in the direction of rotation. They operate as valves, while the 
strips or fabrics of the side receiving the air on the side of the mesh 
furthest from the wind create blockage and, therefore, maximum resistance, 
which is less on the opposite side, where the wind strikes the strips or 
fabrics on the side where the mesh is further ahead in relation to the 
wind. 
One or both of the lower vertices can be secured by cords or cables of 
reduced cross-section, which will break under excessively strong winds or 
gusts. During rotation, the wind catchment device is divided in relation 
to the incident wind into two halves: on one, the sails offer maximum 
resistance, while this is minimal on the other half, thus causing and 
providing a high rotation torque. This is done cyclically on each sail as 
it rotates, enhancing the device's performance. The catchment device's 
performance can be enhanced by making the cables or cords connecting the 
two lower vertices longer. If the cable or cord holding the top vertex of 
the sail is lengthened, the value of the upward component of the sail is 
reduced. 
The top end of the shaft can be fitted with small arms to provide 
trapeziform sails along with the lower arms. 
The dihedral or trihedral sails are also formed by two or three triangular 
sails. 
The catchment assembly should preferably be green. 
This catch device, which eliminates many of the problems described above, 
provides a potent, cost-effective energy source independently of optimal 
wind conditions, it does not require optimal siting, nor does it have to 
be placed on very high ground. It does not require highly specialized 
personnel or techniques, whether constructed on a large or small scale. It 
is safe. It operates with winds from all directions. It is easy and cheap 
to repair, fit and dismantle. It is easily transported. It does not 
require a large structure. It can be made easily and economically. It 
self-protects against excessive wind. Economical power generators can be 
used. It captures a large amount of energy. It does not require a large 
part of the energy to run its own mechanisms. The sails are very cheap as 
is their replacement. It is generally installed on the ground. Per-KW cost 
is very low. High performance. The sails are not noisy. It does not 
generate an environmental impact, simulating large trees. It provides the 
largest existing catchment surface. Expensive steering mechanisms are not 
required. By using low-intensity winds, it has a longer annual period of 
use and allows for a larger number of usable zones. It is simpler and more 
economical. The generator and mechanisms are at the bottom. The complex 
steering system is not required. It can be used with winds from any 
direction. It does not kill birds or pollute. 
The hoop type device allows greater catchment area and so the greatest 
power of all the devices or catchment systems known and possible, thanks 
to the absence of large moving parts except for cables and sails, which 
can be made to extremely large dimensions. 
It allows an easier transport.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 refers to a wind energy catchment device using six triangular radial 
arms or sails, it consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2 and 2', the 
sails 3 and 3', and the cables 4 and 4', which connect the more outer ends 
to the radial arms, and the cables 5 and 5' which connect the more outer 
ends of the arms to the upper end of the shaft. 
FIG. 2 refers to the wind energy catchment device of the FIG. 1, and 
consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, the cables 4 and 4' which 
connect the ends of the arms, and the lower edges 6 and 6' of the sails. 
FIG. 3, consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, the cables 4 and 4', 
which connect the outer ends arms to the lower edges 7 and 8, and 7' and 
8' of the dihedral sails drawn with thick or wide lines, where the top of 
the shaft coincides with the upper vertex of all lines, where the top of 
the shaft coincides with the upper vertex of all said dihedral sails. This 
generates a torque as the device in FIG. 1 or 2. 
FIG. 4, consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, the cables 4 and 4' 
connecting the outer ends arms to the lower edges 7 and 9, and 7' and 9', 
of the dihedral sails, which are variants of the dihedral sails used in 
FIG. 3. It refers to a wind energy catchment device using six radial arms 
or dihedral sails. 
Everything relative to FIG. 1 can be applied to FIGS. 5 and 8, but taking 
into account that they refer to wind energy catchment devices of 4 or 3 
radial arms or sails respectively. 
Everything relative to FIG. 3 can be applied to FIGS. 6 and 9, but taking 
into account that they refer to wind energy catchment devices of 4 or 3 
radial arms or sails respectively. 
Everything relative to FIG. 4 can be applied to FIGS. 7 and 10, but taking 
into account that they refer to wind energy catchment devices of 4 or 3 
radial arms or sails respectively. 
The trihedral wind energy catchment devices are similar to the ones shown 
previously but are added clothes or plates equal and on the place of the 
triangles formed among the lower edges of the dihedron or thick or wide 
line. 
FIG. 11, consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, and the wind direction 
10. And it shows practically the behavior of the sails 3. 
FIG. 12, consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, the gears 11, the 
revolutions per minute multiplyer 12 and the electro generator 13. 
FIG. 13, consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, the cable 5, the mesh 
14 and the rotating sails 15 around the upper tilted edge 16. 
The high wind protection can be performed automatically by the gradual 
loosening of the cables that connect the ends of the radial arms rolling 
the sails around the shaft when the wind increases excessively. 
FIG. 14 consists of the shaft 1, the radial arms 2, the flange lings 17, 
the cables 5, the upper collar 19, the bottom collar 6, the gear 11 and 
the electro-generator 13. 
FIG. 15, consists of the tubes of the shaft 1, the tubes of the radial arms 
2, the cable 3, the upper collar 19, the bottom collar 18 and the support 
part 20. 
FIG. 1' consists of the vertical shaft 1, the triangle sails 3 and 3', the 
securing devices 21 and 21', the upper collar 19, the lower collar 18, the 
cables 22 and 22' and the surrounded hoop 23. 
FIG. 2', consists of theshaft 1, the lower edge of the sails 3 and 3', the 
cables 22 and 22' and the hoop 23. 
FIG. 3', consists of the shaft 1, the lower edges of the dihedral sails 3 
and 3', the cables 22 and 22' and the hoop 23. 
FIG. 4' consists of the sail 3, the hoop 23, the roller or pulleys 24 and 
24', the cable of connecting the hoop to the sail 25 and the moored 
support to the ground 26. 
FIG. 5', consists of the sail 3, the hoop 23, the pulley 24, the cable of 
connecting the hoop and the sail 25 and the moored support to the ground 
26. 
FIG. 6' consists of the sail 3, the hoop 23, the pulley 24, the cable of 
connecting the hoop and the sail 25, and the moored support to the ground 
26. 
FIG. 7' consists of the sail 3, the hoop 23, the pulley 24, the support 
part 26 and the angular rigid element of sliding and securing the sail to 
the hoop 27. 
FIG. 8' consists of the sail 3, the hoop, 23, the pulley 24, the rigid 
angular and sliding element to secure the sail to the hoop 27, and the 
rings 28. 
FIG. 9', consists of the shaft 1, the retracted sails 3 and 3', the upper 
collar 19, the bottom plate 18 and the mesh inner and in the same plane 
with the hoop 29. 
FIG. 10', consists of the shaft 1, the arms 2 and 2', the partly rolled up 
and retracted 3 and 3' and the rotating collar 18.