Boat-Mounted Wind Power Assembly

A boat-mounted wind power assembly for powering devices of a boat includes a first shaft that is rotatably coupled to and extends vertically from a boat. A plurality of blades is coupled to and extends from the first shaft. A generator is operationally coupled to the first shaft. A rectifier is operationally coupled the generator. A battery, which is rechargeable, is operationally coupled to the rectifier. The battery is selectively couplable to devices of the boat. The blades are configured to convert kinetic energy of wind into rotation of the first shaft. The generator is positioned to convert rotation of the first shaft into unstable alternating current. The rectifier is positioned to convert the unstable alternating current from the generator to direct current so that the battery is charged by the generator. The battery is configured to supply direct current to power the devices of the boat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure and prior art relates to wind power assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new wind power assembly for powering devices of a boat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a first shaft that is rotatably coupled to and extends vertically from a boat. A plurality of blades is coupled to and extends from the first shaft. A generator is operationally coupled to the first shaft. A rectifier is operationally coupled the generator. A battery, which is rechargeable, is operationally coupled to the rectifier. The battery is selectively couplable to devices of the boat. The blades are configured to convert kinetic energy of wind into rotation of the first shaft. The generator is positioned to convert rotation of the first shaft into unstable alternating current. The rectifier is positioned to convert the unstable alternating current from the generator to direct current so that the battery is charged by the generator. The battery is configured to supply direct current to power the devices of the boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 6, the boat-mounted wind power assembly10generally comprises a first shaft12that is rotatably coupled to and extends vertically from a boat. A plurality of blades14is coupled to and extends from the first shaft12. The blades14are configured to convert kinetic energy of wind into rotation of the first shaft12. Each blade14is substantially triangularly shaped, defining a base16and an apex18of the blade14. The base16is coupled to the first shaft12.

Each blade14comprises a first section20and a second section22. The first section20extends transversely from the first shaft12. The second section22extends angulary from the first section20, as shown inFIG. 3. The plurality of blades14is positioned in a plurality of sets24, as shown inFIG. 2. The plurality of sets24extends between a top end26and a bottom end28of the first shaft12. The plurality of sets24comprises four sets24. Each of the plurality of sets24comprises eight blades14.

A generator30is operationally coupled to the first shaft12. The generator30is positioned to convert rotation of the first shaft12into unstable alternating current. A rectifier32is operationally coupled the generator30. The rectifier32is positioned to convert the unstable alternating current from the generator30to direct current.

A battery34, which is rechargeable, is selectively couplable to devices of the boat. The battery34is operationally coupled to the rectifier32so that the battery34is charged by the generator30. The battery34is configured to supply direct current to power the devices of the boat, such a motor and lights that operate on direct current.

A gearbox36is operationally coupled to and is positioned between the generator30the bottom end28of the first shaft12. A second shaft38is operationally coupled to and extends from the gearbox36. The second shaft38is operationally coupled to the generator30. The gearbox36is positioned to selectively provide speed conversion and torque conversion between the first shaft12and the second shaft38.

A power inverter40is operationally coupled to the battery34, as shown inFIG. 4. The power inverter40is positioned to convert direct current from the battery34to alternating current to power the devices of the boat, such a motor and lights that operate on alternating current.

In use, the blades14are configured to convert kinetic energy of wind into rotation of the first shaft12. The gearbox36is positioned to selectively provide speed conversion and torque conversion between the first shaft12and the second shaft38. The generator30is positioned to convert rotation of the second shaft38into unstable alternating current. The rectifier32is positioned to convert the unstable alternating current from the generator30to direct current so that the battery34is charged by the generator30. The battery34is configured to supply direct current to power the devices of the boat, such the motor and the lights that operate on direct current. The power inverter40is positioned to convert direct current from the battery34to alternating current to power the devices of the boat, such the motor and the lights that operate on alternating current