Abstract:
A wind-actuated electric power alternator is disclosed. The wind-actuated electric power alternator includes an impeller enclosure having a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration. An impeller is rotatably mounted in the impeller enclosure. An alternator is coupled to the impeller for generating electricity responsive to wind-blown rotation of the impeller in the impeller enclosure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to apparatus for generating energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wind-actuated electric power alternator which is environmentally-friendly and efficient. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various types of wind-actuated power alternators are known in the art for converting wind power into electrical power. However, many conventional wind-actuated power alternators have a complex design which renders the alternators inefficient. Furthermore, many conventional wind-actuated power alternators have unenclosed rotating blades which can be harmful to wildlife. Therefore, a wind-actuated electrical power alternator is needed which is efficient, environmentally-friendly and does not pose a danger to wildlife. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally directed to a wind-actuated electric power alternator which is efficient, environmentally-friendly and does not pose a danger to wildlife. The wind-actuated electric power alternator includes an impeller enclosure having a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration. An impeller is rotatably mounted in the impeller enclosure. A alternator is coupled to the impeller for generating electricity responsive to wind-blown rotation of the impeller in the impeller enclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the wind-actuated electric power alternator according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the wind-actuated electric power alternator, illustrating an impeller and electric alternator provided in an enclosure of the alternator; and 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the impeller, illustrating a typical belt arrangement for connecting the impeller to the electrical alternator. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the wind-actuated electric power alternator according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The wind-actuated electric power alternator  1  typically includes a base  2  which may have a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration. The base  2  includes multiple, generally planar base sides  3  which are connected at acute angles with respect to each other at multiple base corners  3   a . Preferably, the base  2  has the configuration of an equilateral triangle, with the base sides  3  having substantially the same length. The base sides  3  together define a base interior  5 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A base flange  4  may be provided along the bottom edge of the base  2  to facilitate mounting the base  2  to a flat support surface (not shown). 
   An impeller enclosure  8  is provided on the base  2 . The impeller enclosure  8  has a cross-sectional configuration which generally matches that of the base  2  and includes multiple enclosure panels  9  which are connected to each other at acute angles with respect to each other at multiple enclosure corners  9   a . An enclosure top  12  is provided on the upper ends of the enclosure panels  9 . The enclosure panels  9  and enclosure top  12  together define an enclosure interior  13 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The enclosure interior  13  of the impeller enclosure  8  communicates with the base interior  5  of the base  2 . 
   A panel opening  10  extends through each enclosure panel  9  and communicates with the enclosure interior  13 . Preferably, each panel opening  10  has a generally elongated, rectangular configuration. Multiple louvers  11  typically span each panel opening  10  in a generally vertical configuration. Preferably, the louvers  11  are adjustably mounted in each panel opening  10  in such a manner that the louvers  11  can be selectively angled between an open configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and a closed position (not shown). The louvers  11  are adjustable independently with respect to each other. 
   An impeller mount frame  30  is provided in the base interior  5  of the base  2 . A bearing seat  32  is provided in the upper surface of the impeller mount frame  30 , and a roller bearing  24  is seated in the bearing seat  32 . A shaft opening  31  extends through the roller bearing  24  and the impeller mount frame  30 . An impeller shaft  22  extends through the shaft opening  31 . Accordingly, the impeller shaft  22  freely rotates in the roller bearing  24  and extends both above and beneath the impeller mount frame  30 . An impeller  16  is provided on the impeller shaft  22 , above the impeller mount frame  30 , and is oriented in a generally vertical configuration in the enclosure interior  13 . 
   The impeller  16  typically includes a generally elongated, cylindrical impeller body  17 . Multiple impeller blades  18  extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the impeller body  17 , in spaced-apart relationship to each other around the circumference of the impeller body  17 . The impeller blades  18  may be elongated and traverse substantially the entire vertical extent or length of the impeller body  17 , or alternatively, may traverse a portion of the vertical extent or length of the impeller body  17 . Preferably, the impeller blades  18  have a generally curved cross-sectional configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and extend outwardly in a generally arcuate path from the impeller body  17 , into the enclosure interior  13 . 
   The impeller  16  may be mounted on the impeller shaft  22  using any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. For example, the impeller body  17  may be attached to a bearing  23  which is mounted on the impeller shaft  22 . Preferably, a flywheel  26  is mounted on the shaft  22  beneath the impeller  16 , and the shaft  22  normally rotates freely with the flywheel  26 . A spacer  25  may be provided between the flywheel  26  and the lower end of the impeller body  17  and also between the flywheel  26  and the roller bearing  24 . A brake  27 , which may be hydraulic, for example, is provided on the impeller mount frame  30  and engages the flywheel  26 . The brake  27  is actuated by a typically manual brake control mechanism (not shown). Accordingly, through actuation of the brake control mechanism (not shown), the brake  27  grabs the flywheel  26  against disk brakes  41  which are bolted or otherwise attached to a base plate  40  provided on the impeller body  17 . Thus, the brake  27  transfers energy from the flywheel  26  to the base plate  40  to selectively prevent rotation of the impeller  16  and the impeller shaft  22 . The flywheel  26  and brake  27  can be selectively disengaged from the disk brakes  41  and base plate  40 , through release of the brake control mechanism, to again facilitate rotation of the impeller  16  and the impeller shaft  22 . 
   A pulley wheel  34  is mounted on the impeller shaft  22 , beneath the impeller mount frame  30 . The pulley wheel  34  may be secured on the impeller shaft  22  using a washer  38  and securing nut  39 , for example. An electric alternator  36 , having a alternator drive wheel  37 , is mounted in the base interior  5 , beneath the impeller mount frame  30 . A alternator drive belt  35  connects the pulley wheel  34  to the alternator drive wheel  37  of the alternator  36 . Accordingly, the alternator drive belt  35  is operable to transmit rotation from the impeller shaft  22  to the alternator drive wheel  37  of the alternator  36 , thereby driving the alternator  36 . A second pulley wheel  34   a  may be likewise provided on the impeller shaft  22 , above or below the pulley wheel  34 , and connected to a second alternator (not shown) in like manner. An instrument panel (not shown) may be provided on the exterior surface of the base  2  or impeller enclosure  8 , for example, and may include, for example, an RPM gauge which indicates the rotational speed of the impeller shaft  22  as well as at least one voltmeter which indicates the voltage of each alternator  36 . 
   In typical operation of the wind-actuated electric power alternator  1 , the louvers  11  on the enclosure panels  9  of the impeller enclosure  8  are positioned in an open configuration to facilitate the flow of wind through one set of louvers  11 , through the enclosure interior  13  and out another set of louvers  11 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The wind blows against the typically curved impeller blades  18 , thus causing the impeller  16  to rotate in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 2 . The impeller  16  transmits rotation to the impeller shaft  22  through the bearing  23 . The impeller shaft  22 , in turn, transmits rotation to the pulley wheel  34 , which rotates the alternator drive wheel  37  of the alternator  36  through the alternator drive belt  35 . The alternator  36  generates electrical power, which may be stored in a suitable electrical storage device (not shown) for later use or may be used to power electronic components of any machine or device (not shown) simultaneously. The pulley wheel  34  may be adapted to rotate the alternator drive wheel  37  through the alternator drive belt  35  only when the impeller shaft  22  reaches a threshold rotational speed, such as, for example, 5 rpm, or when the wind speed reaches a predetermined magnitude, such as, for example, 10 mph. 
   When operation of the wind-actuated electric power alternator  1  is not desired, rotation of the impeller  16  and impeller shaft  22  in the enclosure interior  13  can be stopped by actuation of the brake  27  and flywheel  26 , as was noted hereinabove. Additionally or alternatively, the louvers  11  on the enclosure panels  9  can be closed to prevent the flow of wind into the enclosure interior  13 . Additionally or alternatively, the pulley wheel  34  may be adapted to rotatably disengage the alternator drive wheel  37  when the rotational speed of the impeller shaft  22  drops below the threshold rotational speed or when the wind speed drops below the predetermined magnitude. 
   In an illustrative method of assembly of the wind-actuated electric alternator  1 , the base plate assembly is constructed. The impeller mount frame  30  is installed typically on a concrete surface (not shown). The roller bearing  24  is seated in the bearing seat  32 , the impeller shaft  22  is inserted through the roller bearing  24  and the alternator or alternators  36  is/are connected to the impeller shaft  22 . The impeller shaft  22  may be adapted to rotatably engage the alternator  36  when the rotational speed of the impeller shaft  22  reaches a predetermined magnitude, such as, for example, 5 RPM, or when the wind speed reaches a predetermined value, such as, for example, 10 mph. Next, straps (not shown) are attached to the impeller mount frame  30  and extended upwardly. The brake  27  is also installed on the impeller mount frame  30 . Next, the flywheel  26 , impeller  16  and disk brakes  41  are installed on the impeller shaft  22 . The straps (not shown) are attached to the impeller mount frame typically using hex bolts. The base  2  and impeller enclosure  8  are then installed around the impeller mount frame  30  and impeller  16 , and the louvers  11  are provided in the impeller enclosure  8 . 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.