Patent EA-003105-B1 (EA)
Title: Multiaxis turbine
IPC: F03D3/00
Filed: 2000-01-15
Abstract: 1. A multiaxis turbine, comprising: a tower structure supported on the ground and comprising a plurality of vertical elongated structural members connected by a plurality of horizontal elongated structural members; a plurality of shafts, each shaft carrying a plurality of blades adapted to be rotated by the wind, so that the shafts are rotated by the wind; at least one electric generator located proximate the ground; and means for connecting each shaft to the generator, to generate electricity from the wind energy; wherein each shaft is supported by a plurality of the horizontal structural members coupled to the shaft at spaced locations along the shaft, with one support location proximate the top of each shaft, one support location proximate the bottom of each shaft, and at least one support location intermediate the top and bottom support locations; and wherein each support location comprises a shaft bearing and a vibration absorbing means between the bearing and the horizontal structural member, to decrease transmission of vibration between the shafts to the support structure. 2. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, wherein each shaft comprises a plurality of shaft sections. 3. The multiaxis turbine of claim 2, wherein each shaft section supports at least one blade. 4. The multiaxis turbine of claim 2, wherein each shaft section is supported at both ends by the tower structure. 5. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, wherein the swept area of each shaft has a height to diameter ratio greater than four. 6. The multiaxis turbine of claim 5, wherein the swept area of each shaft has a height to diameter ratio of at least ten. 7. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, wherein the blades have no twist or taper. 8. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbing means comprises a bushing. 9. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, further including control means to optimize the number of activated generators depending upon the wind velocity. 10. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, further including means for coupling a plurality of shafts to a generator. 11. The multiaxis turbine of claim 10, wherein die means for coupling comprises a timing belt. 12. The multiaxis turbine of claim 8, wherein the vibration absorbing means further comprises an inner sleeve between the bearing and the bushing. 13. The multiaxis turbine of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is not bonded to either the bearing or the bushing. 14. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, further including means for increasing air flow velocity proximate the blades. 15. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, further including a roof member covering the tower, to protect the shafts and blades from the elements. 16. The multiaxis turbine of claim 1, further including springs between the tower and the ground. 17. A multiaxis turbine, comprising: a tower structure supported on the ground and comprising a plurality of vertical elongated structural members connected by a plurality of horizontal elongated structural members; a plurality of shafts, at least one electric generator located proximate the ground; and means for connecting each shaft to the generator, to generate electricity from the wind energy; each shaft comprising a plurality of shaft sections, and carrying a plurality of blades adapted to be rotated by the wind, so that the shafts are rotated by the wind, wherein the swept area of each shaft has a height to diameter ratio of at least ten; wherein each shaft is supported by a plurality of the horizontal structural members coupled to the shaft at spaced locations along the shaft, with one support location proximate the top of each shaft, one support location proximate the bottom of each shaft, and at least one support location intermediate the top and bottom support locations; and wherein each support location comprises a shaft bearing and a vibration absorbing means between the bearing and the horizontal structural member, to decrease transmission of vibration between the shafts to the support structure.