Abstract:
A wind turbine comprising a drive shaft; at least one vane connected to the drive shaft; and a torque converter attached to the vane, the torque converter comprising an airfoil, the torque converter being adapted to capture air for use in aiding the vane to rotate. Certain embodiments include the vane comprising a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface, the first surface comprising a plurality of wind disrupters. Certain embodiments include a plurality of vanes rotatably connected to the drive shaft, the plurality of vanes comprising a plurality of strakes adapted to capture air and direct air to the drive shaft. Yet certain embodiments include a first air scoop connected to the vane, the first air scoop comprising a first air scoop portion positioned at an angle relative to the vane.

Description:
CLAIM FOR BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILINF DATE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 13/14,049, filed May 27, 2011. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/456,876 filed on 15 Nov. 2010 and entitled “Wind Sail Turbine.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The background of the invention will he discussed in two parts. 
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates in general to turbines for converting wind into electrical energy and more particularly to a self-starting omni-wind multifaceted wind sail. 
         [0005]    2. Prior Art 
         [0006]    Wind powered electrical turbines are well known in the prior art, however, a search of the art has not disclosed the wind turbine having the characteristics and capabilities of the present invention. Devices of interest are disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,637 issued to Wadsworth on Jul. 28, 1992 which relates to a vertical axis wind turbine having vanes for reducing friction on rotor shaft bearing assemblies; U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,521 issued to Eylman on Oct. 30, 2001 relating to a universal power generator utilizing the flow of wind to generate energy; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,766 issued to Dieter R. Sauer, Sir. on Jul. 21, 2010, relating to a vertical axis wind sail turbine with two identical wind sail vanes mounted 180 degrees apart each having a generally concave surface with an opposite surface that is generally convex. 
         [0007]    In view of the prior art, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved omni-wind self-starting wind sail for wind driven electrical turbines. It is another objective to provide a wind sail that is efficient, economical and configured for multifaceted use in a variety of environments; the wind sail including three identical vanes centrally mounted 120 degrees apart onto a turbine drive shaft. Other objectives of the invention will become apparent with a reading of the specification taken with the drawings wherein there is shown and described the wind sail assembly of the invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The invention discloses a wind turbine comprising a drive shaft; at least one vane connected to the drive shaft, the vane being adapted to capture air and be rotated by air, the vane&#39;s rotation being adapted to move the drive shaft and generate energy; and a torque converter attached to the vane, the torque converter comprising an airfoil, the torque converter being adapted to capture air for use in aiding the vane to rotate. The invention also includes a wind turbine comprising: a drive shaft; and at least one vane connected to the drive shaft, the vane configured to capture impinging wind and rotate, the vane being further configured to experience drag on rotation, the vane comprising a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface, the first surface comprising a plurality of wind disrupters adapted to minimize drag on rotation of the vane. The invention further includes a wind turbine comprising a drive shaft; and a plurality of vanes rotatably connected to the drive shaft, the plurality of vanes comprising a plurality of strakes adapted to capture air and direct air to the drive shaft. Finally, the invention also includes a wind turbine comprising: a drive shaft; at least one vane connected to the drive shaft, the vane adapted to capture impinging wind and rotate around the drive shaft; and a first air scoop connected to the vane, the first air scoop comprising a first air scoop portion positioned at an angle relative to the vane, the first air scoop adapted to capture air flow and direct it into the vane. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates the three vane wind sail in accordance with the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cut-away view showing the rear surface air disruptors of the vanes; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view showing the front surface strakes of the vanes; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates the rear surface of each vane of the wind sail of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the wind sail as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the front surface strakes and associated air exit ports of a vane as indicated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating the scimitar-like curvature of the vanes; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates extension of the torque converters from the vanes; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  indicates the manner in which the torque converter can be pivoted; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  indicates in cross-sectional view impinging air, and the direction of captured air within the strakes to, and through, the exit ports  19  to thereby exit the vanes and be propelled onto the following vane. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The three vane wind sail assembly of the invention is designed to effect maximum capture and utilization of impending air. As disclosed, the vertical axis assembly includes three substantially identical vanes, or blades, centrally mounted 120 degrees apart onto a turbine drive shaft, subsequent drive shaft rotation being transmitted to power an electrical turbine. Each vane extends outwardly from the drive shaft with a curved scimitar-like curvature with the hack surface of the scimitar-like curvature having a concave configuration to capture impinging wind thrust, with the front surface of the scimitar-like shape having a convex configuration designed to provide minimal wind resistance. The resulting disparate wind resistance causes a stronger reaction on the concave side of a vane which in turn provides rotation of the drive shaft. Thus, as designed and mounted to the centrally located turbine drive shaft, the vane surfaces cooperate to maximize capture of impinging wind and to force rotation of the drive shaft 
         [0020]    The configuration of the wind sail assembly provides for self-starting in that regardless of the wind direction an adequate portion of a concave surface is continually presented to impinging wind, thus providing self-starting and continuous rotation of the drive shaft. Additionally, the wind sail assembly has omni-wind characteristics as the configuration of the combination of the concave and convex surfaces constantly provides adequate exposure to impinging wind to initiate rotation of the drive shaft regardless of the wind direction. The self-starting and omni-wind characteristics are augmented by inclusion of vane-through jet-like air exit ports configured for increasing the rotary force applied to the wind sail. Even though a three vane wind sail configuration is disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the number of vanes may be varied, more wind sails may be mounted to the same shaft, and as well, other modifications and embodiments may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. For simplicity the invention is herein disclosed by description of individual parts. Further, it is to be understood that the vane parts as well as the vane itself may be molded, or otherwise combined, in a variety of ways. Materials used for construction of the vanes are selected to result in a lightweight and durable wind sail. 
         [0021]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates in perspective view the wind sail, generally designated  10 , of the invention. Wind sail  10  is seen to include three substantially identical rotor vanes, generally designated  11 ,  12  and  13 , which are centrally mounted  120  degrees apart to turbine drive shaft  14  of turbine generator  15 . Each vane  11 - 13  includes substantially identical top and bottom encasement plates  24 , and as best shown on vane  11 , each vane has a front generally concave surface  16  and as best shown on vane  13  a rear generally convex surface  20 . The front concave surface  16  is configured to capture impinging wind, designated by arrows  17 , to force counterclockwise rotation of the wind sail  10  about the drive shaft  14 , as indicated by arrow R. The rear convex surface  20  includes wind disrupters  21  (vane  12 ) configured to minimize drag on rotation of the wind sail  10  about the drive shaft  14 . 
         [0022]    Each front concave surface  16  of vanes  11 - 13  includes a plurality of rows of open grooves, Or strakes, generally designated  18 , running in generally parallel horizontal lines from the outer edge to the inner edge of vanes  11 - 13 , that is, toward the drive shaft  14 . The open grooves  18  are designed to capture impinging airflow and channel it inwardly toward the center rotor shaft  14  where there is located on each strake a relatively small air exit port  19 . The grooves  18  are ribbed on both sides to better hold the air flow, and gradually increase in depth and decrease in width, in funnel-like manner, as they approach drive shaft  14  to thereby increase the velocity of the air therein. The captured air is then exited from grooves  18  through an associated exit port  19  and propelled against the concave surface  16  of the following vane. Exit ports  19  displaces airflow from the center vortex proximate the drive shaft  14 . Thus, grooves  18 , in combination with air exit ports  19 , cooperate to create a jet-like effect directed to a following vane for increasing the rotary force applied to the wind sail  10 . 
         [0023]    Each vane  11 - 13  includes an upper air scoop, or flap,  22  projecting outwardly and upwardly at an angle from the top encasement plate  24  of the concave surface  20 . Air scoops  22  are designed to meet impinging air at an appropriate angle, such as 45 degrees, and direct it toward the concave surfaces  16 . Each vane includes a bottom air scoop, or flap,  25  projecting outwardly and downwardly at an appropriate angle, such as 45 degrees, from the bottom encasement plate  24 . Air scoops  22  and  25  function to capture the outside boundary air flow and direct it into the junction area of the vanes  11 - 13 . The back sides of the air scoops are designed to deflect air away from the wind sail  10 . Each vane may also include a variable torque converter, generally designated  23 , configured to direct air into the grooves  18  and thus produce more rotational torque to the wind sail  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view partially illustrating the rear convex surface disruptors  21  of the vanes  11 - 13 . Disruptors  21  consist of multitudinous indentations arranged in a pattern designed to break up the air flow across the convex surface  20  and thereby create a boundary layer of air that operates to decrease air friction and thus promote rotation of drive shaft  14 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial view of the concave surface  16  showing, by the arrows, the direction of air flow in grooves  18  across the convex surface  16  and toward the associated air exit ports  19  of grooves  18 . The grooves  18  can be more clearly seen to decrease in width as they approach the air exit ports  19 . It is understood that other configurations of the strakes may be used as may be suitable within the spirit and scope of the invention.  FIG. 3  also illustrates in partial view the torque converter  23 , which as will be described, extends from top and lower plates  24  and provides variable multipurpose operation of wind sail  10 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows in greater detail the rear convex panel  20  of the vanes  11 - 13 . Shown are air disrupters  21 , scoop  22 , top and bottom plates  24 , torque converter  23 , and in a cut-away view indicates an air exit port  19 . Other air exit ports  19   a  are shown with the grooves  18  indicated in dotted lines. Torque converter  23  includes vertically extending blade, or airfoil,  23   a  (see also  FIGS. 7-9 ) pivotally mounted to top and bottom plates  24  by extensions  23   b  and designed to evenly spread rotational torque of the wind sail  10  about the drive shaft  14 . Airfoils  23   a  have a curved outside face and include ribs  23   c  to grasp impinging wind and increase torque generated by the wind sail  10 . Airfoils  23   a  are pivotally mounted to extensions  23   b  at pivot points  23   e.    
         [0027]    Also shown in  FIG. 4  is a simplified example of the manner in which vanes  11 - 13  may be attached to and supported by drive shaft  14 . Each of vanes  11 - 13  includes a longitudinal side member  50  (see also  FIG. 5 ) configured for fitting along drive shaft  14 . Top and bottom plates  24  are as well configured at  24   a  for fitting onto drive shaft  14 . An attachment assembly, generally designated  51 , captures and supports the lower end of side member  50  with attachment assembly  51   a  supporting the upper end of side member  50 . It is understood that this arrangement is by way of example only and that other suitable means for attachment and support of the vanes  11 - 13  to drive shaft  14  are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view showing the vane of  FIG. 4  with the rear convex surface  20  extended from concave surface  16  to illustrate the inward side of front concave surface  16 . The grooves  18  and their respective exit ports  19   a  are more clearly indicated. Although the bottoms of grooves  18  are shown by way of explanation visibly pushed inwardly, it is understood that depending on the method of fabrication of surface  16  the bottoms of grooves  18  could be covered and not visible. Convex surface  20  illustrates air output holes  19   a  for exit ports  19  that extend through convex surface  20 .  FIG. 5  further illustrates the previously discussed simplified manner in which vanes  11 - 13  may be attached to and supported by drive shaft  14 . Shown is the longitudinal side member  50 , with support the tabs  50   a  configured for fitting along the drive shaft  14 , the top and bottom plates  24  configured at  24   a  for fitting onto drive shaft  14 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view showing, as indicated in  FIG. 5 , a groove  18  with air being expelled, as indicated by the arrow, from the associated air exit port  19 . As indicated the exit aperture dimensions of exit ports  19  may be different from, such as larger than, the dimensions of the entrance aperture from the groove  18 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a top view indicating the curved scimitar-like configuration of wind sail vanes  11 - 13  and the manner of attachment of torque converters  23  to plates  24 . As seen, torque converters  23  include an extension arm  23   b  having an airfoil  23   a  pivotally mounted thereto at pivot point  23   e.  Although torque converter  23  is shown to extend the scimitar-like configuration of the vanes  11 - 13 , as further shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  the torque converter  23  is constructed to be variably pivotal. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  further shows the manner in which torque converter  23  is pivotally mounted to plates  24 . Extension arm  23   b  is mounted at one end to plate  24  at pivot point  23   d,  and at the other end to airfoil  23   a  at pivot point  23   e.    
         [0032]      FIG. 9  indicates the manner in which the torque converter  23  may be variably pivoted. As shown and described extension arm  23   b  is pivotal at pivot point  23   d  and airfoil  23   a  is pivotal at pivot point  23   e.  Airfoils  23  may thus be oriented to impinging wind as may be desired for different operating environments and conditions. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  indicates in cross-sectional view, by the arrows, impinging air and direction of air captured by the grooves  18  to, and through, exit ports  19  to thereby exit the vanes  11 - 13  and be propelled onto the concave surface of the following vane. 
         [0034]    While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in a single embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in practice of the invention many modifications may be made in adaptation for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from these principles.