Patent Abstract:
Systems and methods to generate power using wind and controlled air movement and related structures to more cost effectively produce energy and protect system components.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application is a national phase filing, under 35 U.S.C. §371(c), of International Application No. PCT/US2010/047059, filed Aug. 28, 2010 and claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 61/278,815, filed Oct. 13, 2009, which is herein fully incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field Of The Disclosure 
         [0003]    This disclosure relates to systems and methods for harnessing wind energy, and more specifically to wind turbines for producing electricity from wind energy. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Typical horizontal axis wind turbines having multiple rotating blades are made to endure enormous destructive wind forces during operation. The wind forces may be created by wind conditions that vary from a no wind condition to an extreme wind condition. The rotating blades are generally designed such that the entire length of the blade is externally configured as an airfoil in cross-section since the airfoil shape of the rotor blade generally provides for a higher efficiency of performance. 
         [0006]    However, because of the extremes in the variation of the wind conditions, the design considerations of the rotor blades must include a careful balancing of many factors. For example, the rotor blades must be constructed such that they are as lightweight as possible to reduce the strain on the tower. At the same time, however, consideration must be given to the possibility that the blades may be subject to resonance and harmonic vibration at their operating speeds. Moreover, the rotor blades need considerable strength to endure the buffeting of the winds and the stress they experience being constantly exposed to natural forces. 
         [0007]    The horizontal axis wind turbines also suffer from several disadvantages due to their typically large-scale design. These concerns include not only the obscuring of the landscape with banks of rotating turbines, noise, and environmental safety, but that they are impractical for smaller, owner-controlled applications. Vertical axis turbines are generally much less efficient and exhibit frequent failures of the main top bearings due to the radial stress on the bearings. The blades also have to endure great shear forces from bottom to top due to the nature of wind shear. 
         [0008]    As the use of wind turbines continues to present an environmentally friendly solution to help reduce the need for burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, what is needed is a wind turbine system that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In one aspect, a wind energy collection system is provided that includes a wind lever assembly coupled to a base; and a rotatable support member supported by the base and coupled to the wind lever assembly. The wind energy collection system also includes a generator coupled to the rotatable support member. The wind lever assembly is moveable to a first displaced position causing the rotatable support member to rotate in a first direction, and moveable to a return position causing the rotatable support member to rotate in a second direction, where each rotation of the rotatable support member turns the generator. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a wind energy collection system is provided including a wind lever assembly having a wind lever and a counterweight. The wind lever is displaceable to a first displaced position in response to a wind load impinging on a surface area of the wind lever, and to a return position in response to the absence of the wind load impinging on the surface area of the wind lever. A rotatable support member is supported by a base and coupled to the wind lever assembly, where a displacement of the wind lever causes a rotation of the rotatable support member. A generator is also coupled to the rotatable support member. The generator generates a current as the wind lever displaces to the first displaced position, and generates a current as the wind lever displaces to the return position. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect, a method is provided for collecting wind energy using a reciprocating wind energy collection system. The method includes displacing a wind lever to a first displaced position in response to a wind load impinging on a surface area of the wind lever; rotating a rotatable support member in response to the displacing of the wind lever to the first displaced position; displacing the wind lever to a return position in response to the absence of the wind load impinging on the surface area of the wind lever; rotating the rotatable support member in response to the displacing of the wind lever to the return position; and generating a current as the wind lever displaces to the first displaced position, and generating a current as the wind lever displaces to the return position. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, the wind energy collection system of the present disclosure is efficient in capturing the energy from the wind and converting it to power. For example, typical horizontal axis wind turbines are limited to capturing only about 60% maximum of the impinging energy. With the wind energy collection system of the present disclosure, higher energy efficiencies are possible. 
         [0013]    Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth, in part, in the descriptions which follow and the accompanying drawings, wherein the implementations of the present disclosure are described and shown, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings or may be learned by practice of the present disclosure. The advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the disclosure and any appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a simplified view of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a simplified view of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a simplified view of exemplary implementation of a wind power system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a simplified partial side view of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a simplified end view of the wind power system if  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a simplified side view of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a simplified end view of the wind power system of  FIG. 6  in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a simplified view of an implementation of a wind lever energy collection system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a simplified perspective view of an implementation of a wind lever energy collection system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 10(   a ) and  10 ( b ) are simplified illustrations of embodiments of a wind lever; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11(   a ) and  11 ( b ) are side and perspective views, respectively, of a wind lever in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 11(   c ) and  11 ( d ) are side and perspective views respectively, of a wind lever in accordance with an embodiment; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a simplified schematic view of a wind lever and a counterweight in a substantially horizontal orientation in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements. 
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    A wind-energy conversion system includes at least three primary subsystems, an aerodynamic system, a mechanical transmission system and an electrical generating system. Generally, the physical configuration of the wind-energy conversion system produces an asymmetric force in the naturally occurring air currents or “wind” to control the air movement. The controlled air movements cause the physical configuration, including but not limited to, flow directing structures and collectors, to rotate, oscillate or translate, thus providing a mechanical energy from which electrical power may be generated. In some instances, a physical condition may be created, such as a pressure or temperature gradient, to control the air movement and create the motion that provides the mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used directly by machinery, for example, to pump water, cut lumber or grind stones, the machinery is generally referred to as a windmill. If the mechanical energy is instead converted to electricity, the machinery is generally referred to as a wind generator or wind turbine. 
         [0029]    A Wind Metric refers to a mapping or measure of the ambient wind flow at a location or in a region. The metric is a measurement of a variable used to document and forecast the potential or actual wind energy associated with a location per that metric measure. Such information may be used to in determining placement of high-density wind turbines and determining support configuration and strength requirements to match the wind mapping of the area. Metrics may include but are not limited to measuring the variables over a determined or known time/date period of total amount of wind at a particular height, total amount of wind per direction, wind per direction, wind per height, wind speed overall (all directions-an average), wind speed per direction, wind speed per height, wind acceleration (all directions-an average) wind acceleration per direction, wind acceleration per height, wind duration (overall-an average), wind duration per direction, wind direction per height wind gusts (overall), wind gusts per direction, wind gusts per height, wind turbulence (overall), wind turbulence per direction, wind turbulence per height, wind angle (overall), wind angle per direction, and wind angle per height from the ground. 
         [0030]    The Wind Power is equal to the air density multiplied by the cube of the wind velocity. The Wind Energy is the Wind Power accumulated over time. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a simplified side view of an exemplary wind power system  100  in accordance with an embodiment. The wind power system  100  includes a blade  102  moveable on a pivot  102 . The blade  102  is an extended element or member that is displaceable by the wind. The blade  102  may extend beyond the pivot  102 , or alternately, a pivot arm (not shown) may be extended from the pivot  104  with the pivot arm coupled to the blade  102 . In one example, the blade  102  may be an airfoil, a sheet, a sail and the like. In some embodiments, the blade being a member displaceable by the wind may take the form of a sail, an airfoil and the like. In some embodiments described below, the blade  102  may encompass or be referred to as a wind lever. The wind lever is a device where the wind provides a force against a surface area of the device to leverage that force against a horizontally rotatable shaft. The rotating shaft provides mechanical energy to a generator while the device is either moving with, or recovering from the effects of the force. 
         [0032]    The pivot  104  refers to a fixture or system that may support from one to a plurality of blades in a moveable fashion. In one embodiment, the pivot allows the blade to rotate from a fixed point or pivot point in any desired direction. For example, the pivot  104  allows the blade  102  to oscillate, back and forth as represented by arrows  106 . 
         [0033]    The blade  102  via the pivot  104  is mounted on a base  108 , which is used to support the blade  102  and the pivot  106 . The base  108  may or may not be raised above ground level. For example, the base  108  may be supported on a tower, a rooftop or any other raised structure that is capable of supporting the wind power system  100 . The base  108  is not intended to be limited to any specific structure, and may include a conical, cylindrical, multisided, multipart, tubular structure, having openings, closed walls, solid walls, and flexible and/or stiff walls. The base  108  may be made to any suitable height dimension that places the blade  102  in an optimal position for receiving a suitable wind current and that minimizes ground effects on the wind current. For example, in one embodiment, the height of the base  108  may be between about 50 meters and 100 meters, and preferably, between about 60 meters and 90 meters. In an alternative embodiment, for smaller, owner-controlled applications, the height of the base may be between about 1 meter and 15 meters, and preferably, between about 2 meters and 5 meters. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a simplified illustration of an embodiment of a wind power system  100   a , which includes a plurality of blades  102 . In this multi-blade embodiment, base  108  may support a plurality of pivots  104 , with each pivot supporting a blade  102 . In one embodiment, the blades  102  are independently movable on one or more pivots  108  by the wind. It should be understood that the embodiments described below, which describe the implementation of wind power systems using a single blade or the equivalent, may also be implemented as a multi-blade system as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    In one implementation, the base  108  may define or include a space  110 , that provides a location for positioning an electrical power generation system  112  ( FIG. 3 ). In addition to providing a support structure for optimally positioning the blade  102 , the base  108  may include an enclosed space  110  to provide for the protection of the power generation system  112  from debris and adverse weather or temperature conditions. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system  300  in accordance with an embodiment including electrical power generation system  112 . In one embodiment, electrical power generation system  112  may include an extended member  304 , a line fixture  306 , a moveable magnet  308 , and a wire coil  314  along with additional support structures provided for securing and operating the components of the power generation system  112 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the extended member  304  is coupled to, or adjacent to, the pivot  104  and extends in-line with, but in the opposite direction of the blade  102 . A first end of the line fixture  306 , such as a cable, a wire, a chain, a rope, or other similar structure is coupled to the extended member  304 . A second end of the line fixture  304  is coupled to the magnet  308 . One or more guides  310  along or around which the line fixture  306  may pass, may be interposed between the first end and the second end of the line fixture  304 . The one or more guides  310  may include, for example, a wheel, a gear, a pulley, an idler or other similar guiding elements. 
         [0038]    As indicated in  FIG. 3 , the magnet  308  is configured to move relative to the wire coil  314 . For example, in one embodiment, the magnet  308  is configured to move up and down, as indicated by arrow  312 , which moves the magnet in-and-out of the wire coil  314 . The wire coil  314  is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the magnet within the boundaries of the coiled wire. 
         [0039]    In one alternative embodiment, the magnet  308  may be one to a plurality of magnets fixed relative to the wire coil  314 . In this embodiment, the wire coil  314  may be moved relative to the magnets, for example, within a space surrounded by one or more of the magnets  308 . The wire coil  314  includes contacts  316  through which current can pass. 
         [0040]    In operation, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , wind pressure and air currents impinge on the blade causing the blade to move about a pivot point  302 . As the wind currents naturally ebb and flow, the blade  102  may oscillate back and forth about the pivot point  302 . The back and forth movement of the blade  102  may be quantified as a variable degree of rotation relative to a centerline  318  of the wind power system  300 . The blade  102  may oscillate less than 360 degrees from the centerline  318 . In some embodiments, the blade  102  may oscillate from between approximately 0 and ±90 degrees from the centerline  318 , for example, approximately between 0 and ±10 degrees, preferably approximately between 0 and ±5 degrees. 
         [0041]    Movement of the blade  102  above the pivot point  302  causes the extended member  304  to also move below the pivot point  302 , albeit in an opposite direction. The rotation of the extended member  304  pulls on the first end of the line fixture  306 . The tension on the line fixture  306  substantially simultaneously causes the second end of the line fixture  306  to pull on the at least one magnet  308 . The magnet  308  is thus made to move relative to the nest of coiled wire  314 . The relative movement between the magnet and the wire creates a current within the coiled wire that may be passed to an electrical grid, or a storage device, such as a battery or capacitor, via electrical contacts  316 . 
         [0042]    As previously mentioned, although a single electrical power generation system  112  is shown in  FIG. 3 , this is not to be taken as a limitation and it should be understood that multiple blades  102  coupled to multiple electrical power generation systems  112  may be used in implementations, such as the wind power system  100   a  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are simplified side and end views of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system  400  in accordance with an embodiment. Wind power system  400  is generally configured to operate as described above, however with the exceptions and alternatives described below. The wind power system  400  includes at least one to a plurality of blades  102  affixed to the one to a plurality of pivots  104 , which are mounted to base  108  (not shown). With no intent to be limiting, the embodiment is described hereafter with reference to only a single blade/pivot system. 
         [0044]    The blade  102  is movable on pivot  104  in response to the wind pressure and air currents impinging on the blade  102 . In one embodiment, the blade  102  may extend beyond the pivot  104 , or alternatively, a pivot arm may be extended from the pivot  104  coupled to the blade  102 . 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the wind power system  400  includes the extended member  304  coupled to, or near the pivot  104  and extending in-line with, but in the opposite direction of the blade  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , one or more magnetic elements  402  are coupled to an end of extended member  304 . The wind power system  400  also includes a coiled wire  404  that is positioned below the one or more magnetic elements  402  disposed at the end of the extended member  304 . As shown in the figures, the coiled wire  404  may be formed as a channel defining an arched trough  406 . The one or more magnetic elements  402  are sized and shaped to at least partially fit within the arched trough  406 . The arched trough  406  is configured to receive at least partially, the one or more magnetic elements  402 . 
         [0046]    In operation, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as wind pressure and air currents impinge on the blade  102 , the blade  102  moves about the pivot point  302 . As the wind currents naturally ebb and flow, the blade  102  oscillates back and forth about the pivot point  302 . Movement of the blade  102  above the pivot point  302  causes the extended member  304  to move below the pivot point  302 , albeit in an opposite direction. The rotation of the extended member  304  causes the one or more magnetic elements  402  to move. The movement of the one or more magnetic elements  402  resembles the swinging of a pendulum. The magnet  402  positioned within the arched trough  406  “swings” at least partially within the confines of the coiled wire  404 . The relative movement between the magnet and the wire creates a current within the coiled wire  404  that may be passed to an electrical grid, or a storage device, such as a battery or capacitor, via electrical contacts  316 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are simplified side and end views of an exemplary implementation of a wind power system  500  in accordance with an embodiment. Wind power system  500  is generally configured to operate as described as the wind power systems described above, however with the exceptions and alternatives described below. The wind power system  500  includes at least one to a plurality of blades  102  affixed to the one to a plurality of pivots  502 , which are mounted to the base  108  (not shown). With no intent to be limiting, the embodiment is described hereafter with reference to only a single blade/pivot system. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the pivot  502  includes a first pivot section  502   a  and a second pivot section  502   b.  The first and second pivot sections are coupled together via a pivot member  503  positioned at the pivot point  302  of the wind power system  500 . The wind power system  500  also includes a contact support member  504 . The contact support member  504  may be coupled to, or formed as part of, the blade  102 . In this embodiment, the contact support member  504  is positioned at the end of the blade  102  and is positioned between the first and second pivot sections  502   a  and  502   b  of the pivot  502 . The contact support member  504  is seated approximately concentric with the pivot member  503  at pivot point  302 . 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the blade  102  and contact support  504  are coupled to an extended arm  510 , which extends in-line with, but in an opposite direction, from the blade  102 . The extended arm  510  moves about pivot point  302  as the blade  102  moves about pivot point  302  albeit in an opposite direction relative to the centerline of the system. A coiled wire  512  may be coupled to the end of the extended arm  510 . The coiled wire  512  is operatively and electrically connected via a wire or other conductive element, to the contact elements  506  and  508  positioned on contact support member  504 . In this manner, current generated in the wire coil  512  may be passed to the contacts  506  and  508 . 
         [0050]    One or more magnetic elements  514  may be positioned below the coiled wire  512  in proximity to the wire coil  512 . The magnetic elements  514  may be formed in an arc ( FIG. 6 ) so that the magnetic elements remain in proximity to the wire coil  512  as the wire coil is made to move. 
         [0051]    In operation, as wind pressure and air currents impinge on the blade  102 , the blade  102  moves about the pivot point  302 . As the wind currents naturally ebb and flow, the blade  102  oscillates back and forth about the pivot point  302 . Movement of the blade  102  above the pivot point  302  causes the extended arm  510  to move below the pivot point  302 , albeit in an opposite direction. The rotation of the extended arm  510  causes the wire coil  512  to move. The movement of the wire coil  512  resembles the swinging of a pendulum. The coiled wire  512  positioned within the arc of magnetic elements “swings” through the magnetic field created by the magnetic elements  514 . The relative movement between the magnetic elements  514  and the wire coil  512  creates a current within the coiled wire. Operationally, the current may be collected at the contacts  506  and  508  via a connection with out bound contacts  516  positioned on the pivot section  502   a  and passed to an electrical grid, or a storage device, such as a battery or capacitor. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  is a simplified view of a wind lever energy collection system  800  (hereinafter, the “wind lever system  800 ”) in accordance with an embodiment. In one implementation, the wind lever system  800  includes a wind lever assembly  802 , a generator  804 , associated electronics  804   a,  and a mechanical drive assembly  806 . The wind lever assembly  802  includes an extended element  808 , such as a blade or sail, a pivot  810  and a counterweight  812 . 
         [0053]    The extended element  808  may be supported on an upper arm or pivot arm  814  to extend the reach of the extended member  808 , if desired, and coupled directly to a rotatable support element  816 . In one embodiment, the extended element  808  may include a sail pivot  809  interposed in the pivot arm  814 . Using the sail pivot  809 , at predetermined times, locations or in response to varying wind conditions, the extended element  808  may be pivoted to allow for at least one of, allowing wind energy capture, improving wind energy capture, preventing damage from high winds, adjusting the angle of the extended element to the wind and adjusting the extended element&#39;s return profile. 
         [0054]    The rotatable support element  816  couples the wind lever assembly  802  to a support base  818 , which is used to support the entire wind lever system  800 . The base  818  may or may not be raised above ground level  820 . For example, the base  818  may be lifted above the ground level  820  and supported on, for example, a tower, a rooftop or any other raised structure that is capable of supporting the base  818 . The base  818  is not intended to be limited to any specific structure, and may include a conical, cylindrical, multisided, multipart, tubular structure, having openings, closed walls, solid walls, and flexible and/or stiff walls. The base  818  may be made to any suitable height dimension that places the extended element  808  in an optimal position for receiving a suitable wind current and that minimizes ground effects on the wind current. 
         [0055]    The counterweight  812  is coupled to the pivot point via an extendable arm  824 . The arm  824  supporting the counterweight  812  may be an extendable arm to change the distance of the weight from the pivot point to vary the amount of torque required to move the extended element  808 . By controlling the required torque, the size of the oscillations that the extended element  808  is made or allowed to perform may also be controlled. The extension of the extendable arm may be done automatically in response to achieving a threshold value of preset criteria, or may be adjusted manually. 
         [0056]    The counterweight  812  may be any suitable structure or other means that provides a counterbalancing function for the extended element  808 . For example, in addition to a conventional gravitational mass, such as a metal weight, the counterweight  812  may include a waterway current, a piston, hydraulics, belts, gears, wheels, pulleys, chains, clutches, transmissions and the like. In one embodiment, the base  818  defines an open space  822  between the supporting structures that form the base  818 . The open space  822  is sized and configured to provide an area below the extended element  808  to receive the counterweight  812  and provide enough room to allow the counterweight  812  to move (i.e. swing) within the space  822  without contacting the supporting structures. 
         [0057]    In one alternative embodiment, the counterbalancing function provided by counterweight  812  may be provided using the electrical current generation systems described above with regard to  FIGS. 3-7 . For example, the function of the counterweight  812  shown in the embodiments of the wind lever assembly  802  may be provided by replacing the counterweight  812  with one or more magnetic elements, or a wire coil, disposed at the end of the extended arm  824 . The magnetic elements, or the wire coil, are used in conjunction with a corresponding wire coil or magnetic element, respectively, which are positioned, for example, in the open space  822 . The relative movement between the magnetic elements and wire coil may be used to generate an electric current as described above. 
         [0058]    Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the mechanical drive assembly  806  may be used to couple and translate the kinetic energy provided by the movement of the extended element  808 , and pass it to the generator  804  for generating a current. In some implementations, the generator  804  is a coil magnet type device, such as are well known in the art. The generator  804  may be connected to the associated electronics package  804   a  to provide at least one of, but without limitation: output, power conditioning, inversion to AC, DC to DC conversion, and conversion for storage. The generator  804  may include a uni-directional or bi-directional generator as is appropriate for use in a particular implementation as further described below. 
         [0059]    In one implementation, the mechanical drive assembly  806  includes the capability to turn a bi-directional generator  804  to produce power. In this embodiment, the capability includes a direct drive system for use with the bi-directional generator. The direct drive system may include a rotating/reciprocating shaft  826  coupled to the extended element  808 , the counterweight  812 , and the bi-directional generator  804 . The shaft  826  is capable of moving in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. In this implementation, as the extended element  808  and counterweight  812  move or reciprocate back and forth, the shaft  826  also moves and thus turns the generator  804  in either the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction to produce power while moving in either direction. 
         [0060]    In some implementations, a drive mechanism  828 , such as a chain, gear or belt drive assembly, may be used to alter the rotational speed of the shaft  826 . The drive mechanism  828  may include fixed or variable gears, pulleys, wheels, belts, pulleys, and chains, hydraulic coupling and may include a clutch, a transmission (either regular or continuously variable) and the like, that may be used to alter the rotational movement transferred to the generator  804 . In this implementation, the drive  828  may be a bi-directional drive, so that both the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the shaft  826  is transferred to the bi-directional generator. 
         [0061]    In some implementations, a uni-directional generator may be selected, and accordingly, the drive mechanism  828  may be a one-way drive that only translates rotation in one direction to the generator  804 . 
         [0062]    The current generated by the generator  804 , and any other current generated, for example, through the optional use of the current generating systems shown in  FIG. 3-7 , may be passed to a storage device, such as a battery or capacitor. Unless being stored, the output from the electronics package  804   a  may be fed out of the system via one or more line outs  830 . 
         [0063]    In operation, the wind lever system  800  is a reciprocating wind energy collection system that operates in a wind capture/lever return cycle in accordance with an embodiment. The wind is captured by the extended element  808 , in the form of a blade or sail. From a generally vertical orientation relative to the ground, the sail is displaced either clockwise or counterclockwise about the pivot point during a “wind capture ½ cycle.” The movement of the sail, in turn, moves or rotates the shaft  826 . The shaft may be directly connected to the generator  804 , or may be connected to an intervening drive assembly  828 . As described above, the drive assembly  828  provides a capability for adjusting the rotational speed of the shaft for providing an altered rotational speed to the generator  804 , if desired. 
         [0064]    Once the displacement of the sail is complete, the wind capture ½ cycle is complete. The lever return ½ cycle is then initiated. The counterweight  812  or other equivalent means suspended from or acting on the extendable arm  824  (or an additional structure below the sail, such as described with regard to  FIGS. 3-7 ) provide a force to at least partially restore the displaced sail back towards the substantially vertical orientation where the wind capture ½ cycle began. The return of the sail completes the wind capture-lever return cycle. 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, it is understood that changing the sail or blade surface area and keeping other system variables, such as wind speed, wind acceleration, wind turbulence, counter weight and magnetic fields constant, corresponds to an increase or decrease in the wind energy that may be harvested using the wind power system  800 . For example, using the sail pivot  809 , the sail  102  may be deployed to provide a large wind facing surface area for initial wind capture during the wind capture ½ cycle. The surface area profile of the sail  102  may then be altered by turning the sail so that it does not face the wind direction. By reducing the surface of the sail exposed to the wind direction, the force against which the sail pushes against is reduced. The sail returns during the lever return ½ cycle to its initial position. 
         [0066]    Reducing the force that the sail must work against during the return ½ cycle makes the system more efficient. Reducing the drag on the sail for the return ½ cycle of the movement may also reduce the forces needed to complete the lever return ½ cycle. Changing the counter weight position is a means to use the balance of plant (BOP) to adjust sail, device, system and method parameters in response to variables, such as wind speed, power demands, magnetic fields and the like. 
         [0067]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a wind lever energy collection system  900  (hereinafter, the “wind lever system  900 ”) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In one implementation, the wind lever system  900  includes a wind lever assembly  902 , a generator  904 , associated electronics  904   a,  and a mechanical drive assembly  905 . The wind lever assembly  902  includes an extended element  906 , such as a blade, sail or wind lever, pivots  908  and a counterweight  910 . 
         [0068]    In this exemplary implementation, the extended element  906  (hereinafter, the “wind lever  906 ”) may have a frame  912  that supports a flexible wind deflector  914 . The wind deflector  914  is capable of blocking, deflecting, redirecting, reflecting or otherwise responding to the movement of wind currents that impinge on a surface area  916  of the deflector  914 . In one embodiment, the wind deflector  914  may be made of a solid, a mesh, or a multi-part material. For example, as shown in  FIG. 10(   a ) the wind deflector  914  may be made of the same discrete material  1002  throughout. As shown in  FIG. 10(   b ) the wind deflector  914  may have multi-zones  1004  and  1006 , where each zone includes a different type of material. Each wind deflector material may be made from a variety of individual homogenous materials, or may be made from a combination of materials, each of which is capable of providing adequate structural support to withstand the variable wind loads that may be experienced by the wind deflector  914  at the various zones. For example, the wind deflector  914  may be a made of a metal, a polymer, Dacron, a canvas material, a composite material, such as carbon, fiberglass, and fiberglass-reinforced plastic, or any combination of these materials. 
         [0069]    The wind deflector  914  may be formed with any suitable surface geometric shape depending on the specific implementation. For example, the wind deflector  914  may have a flat surface that is capable of being positioned perpendicular to the wind direction, a multifaceted surface that includes multiple flat surfaces positioned at various angles to the wind direction, or a curved surface, that may have a circular, parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptical or similarly curved geometry. In some implementations, the geometry of the wind deflector  914  may include a combination of the geometries thus described. 
         [0070]    The size of the lever  906  may vary based on many variables, for example, depending upon the requirements for energy production and the space available for implementation. In one embodiment, the size of the wind lever  906  may be between about 1 meter and 2 meters, for example, about 1.5 meters in width, and between about 1.5 meters and 3 meters, for example, 2 meters in length. 
         [0071]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 11(   a ) and  11 ( b ), a wind deflector  1102  may be mounted on frame  912  such that the edges of the wind deflector  1102 , with the exception of the top edge, or at least the top corners, are not rigidly or fixedly mounted to the frame  912 . In this embodiment, the bottom corners  1106  may be attached to a slidable member  1108 , which is slidably attached to the frame  912 , such that the slidable members may move along the frame. The slidable member  1108  may include any suitable member that can attach to the wind deflector and be capable of sliding along the frame. For example, the slidable member  1108  may be a circular ring, or a cylindrical bushing, which allow a portion of the frame to pass therethrough. Since the side edges of the wind deflector  1102  are not mounted to the frame  912 , the bottom corners  1106  of the wind deflector  1102  may rise and fall as the wind impinges on the surface of the wind deflector  1102 . As the wind pressure increase on the wind deflector  1102 , the wind deflector  1102  rises up to reduce the amount of surface area of the wind deflector effectively exposed to the wind. In one embodiment, physical stops  1104  may be positioned on the frame  912  to limit the movement of each slidable member  1108  along the frame  912  to control the amount that the wind deflector  1102  rises, and thus control the change in the effectively exposed surface area of the wind deflector. Thus, the deflector is moveable between a fully deployed configuration, where substantially all of a surface area of the deflector is effectively exposed to a wind vector, and a partially deployed configuration, where only a portion of the surface area of the deflector is effectively exposed to the wind vector. 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 11(   c ) and ( d ), in an alternative embodiment, the wind deflector  1110  may be divided into two sections. A first section  1110   a  may be fixedly and rigidly attached to the frame  912 . The first section  1110   a  may generally comprise approximately the top quarter to top half of the wind deflector surface area. A second section  1110   b  may be mounted on frame  912  such that the edges of the second section  1110   b,  with the exception of the top edge, or at least the top corners, are not rigidly or fixedly mounted to the frame  912 . In this embodiment, the bottom corners may be attached to the slidable members  1108 , which are slidably attached to the frame  912 , such that the slidable members may move along the frame. As the wind pressure increases on the wind deflector  1110 , the second section  1110   b  rises up to reduce the exposed surface area of the second section  1110   b  of the wind deflector. It should be understood that the amount of surface area of the wind deflector that is allotted to be included in either the first or the second sections  1110   a  and  1110   b  might vary for any given implementation. 
         [0073]    Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the wind deflector  914  and frame  912  are supported on a rotatable support element  918  via pivots  908 . In one embodiment, pivots  908  may include, for example ball bearings, bushings and the like, located at opposing ends of the rotatable support element  918  and mounted on a support base  920 . The counterweight  910  is also coupled to the rotatable support member  918  via an extendable arm  922 . Thus, as the wind lever  906  and the counterweight are displaced, the rotatable support element  918  may be made to rotate. 
         [0074]    The rotatable support element  918  couples the wind lever assembly  902  to the support base  920 . The base  920  may be seated on the ground or may be raised above ground level. For example, the base  920  may be lifted above the ground level, or the base  920  may be supported on a tower, a rooftop or any other raised structure that is capable of supporting the base  920 . The base  920  is not intended to be limited to any specific structure, and may include a conical, cylindrical, multisided, multipart, tubular structure, having openings, closed walls, solid walls, and flexible and/or stiff walls. 
         [0075]    The base  920  may be made to any suitable height dimension that places the lever  906  in an optimal position for receiving a suitable wind current and that minimizes ground effects on the wind current. In one embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, the base  920  may have a height of between about 2 meters and 5 meters, for example, about 3 meters. It should be understood that the footprint of the base may vary depending upon the application of the wind lever system. By way of example, and not limitation, the footprint of the base  920  maybe approximately 2 meters by 2 meters. 
         [0076]    The counterweight  910  may be any suitable structure or other means that provides a counterbalancing function for the wind lever  906 . For example, the counterweight  910  is a conventional gravitational mass, such as a metal weight. In one embodiment, the base  920  defines an open space  926  that is configured to receive the counterweight  910  and provide enough space to allow the counterweight  910  to move (i.e. swing) within the space  926  without contacting the base  920  as the wind lever  906  is being displaced. 
         [0077]    Contrary to lock out, braking and other systems that are known in the art to dampen or reduce blade movement and speed during high winds on horizontal axis wind turbines and vertical axis wind turbines, the wind lever system “self-adjusts” to high wind conditions with no braking or stopping. In some embodiments, the wind lever continues to generate power when high wind speed results in forcing the wind lever into a substantially horizontal position. As described below, the instability of the wind lever caused generally by the counterweights and variations in wind currents also provides the desired movement for the generation of power. For example, in one embodiment, when confronted with high winds of continuous high velocity, the open space  926  allows the wind lever  906  and counterweight  910  to rotate to a substantially horizontal orientation without interference from the supporting structures of the base  920 .  FIG. 12  is a simplified schematic view of the wind lever assembly  902  in a substantially horizontal orientation caused by exposure to continuous high winds. As shown in the figure, the wind lever assembly  902  is generally unstable in the horizontal orientation. The instability is caused by the imbalance created by inconsistent wind forces impinging on both surfaces  1204  and  1206  of the wind lever  906 , and the inability of the counterweight  910  to overcome the imbalance and right the orientation of the wind lever assembly  902  to a vertical orientation along the centerline of the wind lever assembly  902 . In this orientation, the wind causes the wind lever  906  to oscillate up and down relative to the ground as indicated by arrow  1202 . These oscillations, however, still cause the wind lever system  900  to cycle through the wind capture-lever return cycle. In this orientation, the oscillations occur about the horizontal axis of the wind lever system  900 . The cycling of the system about the horizontal axis, causes the rotatable shaft  918  to turn the generator  904  and generate a current as described below. Thus, advantageously, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in either low or high wind environments or conditions, the wind lever system is capable of generating useable energy, and is not limited by the use of lockout, brake and similar systems that typically limit movements in high wind. 
         [0078]    Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the extendable arm  922  coupled to the counterweight  910  may be extendable so as to vary the amount of torque required to displace the wind lever  906  about the pivots  908 . By controlling the required torque, the size of the oscillations that the wind lever  906  is made to perform may also be controlled. The extension of the extendable arm may be done automatically in response to arriving at threshold of a preset criteria, or may be adjusted manually. The preset criteria may be for example, the amount of wind speed or acceleration experienced at the wind lever  906 . An anemometer  924  may be positioned adjacent the lever  906  for recording the wind speed and other associated parameters for determining when the particular threshold has been reached. 
         [0079]    The wind lever system  900  is a reciprocating wind energy collection system that operates in the wind capture-lever return cycle in accordance with an embodiment. The wind captured by the wind lever  906  displaces the lever in either the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction relative to a vertical centerline of the system during the wind capture ½ cycle. The wind lever rotates about the pivots  908 . The displacement of the wind lever  906  may be between about 0 degrees from the centerline to about ±90 degrees from the centerline, preferably between about 0 and about ±10 degrees, for example, about ±5 degrees. The rotatable support element  918  may be used to couple and translate the kinetic energy provided by the movement of the wind lever  906  and pass it to the generator  904  for generating a current. The generator  904  may be connected to the associated electronics package  904   a  to provide at least one of, but without limitation: output, power conditioning, inversion to AC, DC to DC conversion, and conversion for storage. In this exemplary embodiment, the generator  904  is a bi-directional generator capable of being driven directly by the rotating/reciprocating support shaft  918 . 
         [0080]    Once the displacement is complete, the lever return ½ cycle is initiated. The counterweight  910  suspended from or acting on the extendable arm  922  provides a force to at least partially restore the displaced wind lever back towards the substantially vertical orientation where the wind capture ½ cycle began. In turn, the movement of the wind lever  906  as its position is being restored again moves or rotates the rotatable support shaft  918 , which is directly connected to the generator  904  for producing power. The return of the wind lever  906  to the initial position completes the wind capture-lever return cycle. As the wind continues to blow, the rotating/reciprocating support shaft  918  continues to be moved in the clockwise and the counterclockwise reciprocating directions to produce power in the generator  904  as the wind lever assembly  902  continues to cycle through the wind capture-lever return cycle. 
         [0081]    While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted in an illustrative, and not a limiting sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5