Patent Description:
Some of the largest turbines on earth are wind turbines and, in order to access enough wind to operate, must be placed at the top of tall towers or structures. These structures must be slender, so as to not disrupt the flow of wind through a turbine, and strong, to endure the forces exerted by the wind on the blades of the turbine. While a tall tower improves the performance of a wind turbine, the taller the tower, the more difficult it is to place and service machinery at the top of the tower.

Commercial wind turbines produce thousands of watts (kW), if not, millions of watts (MW) of electricity. A generator large enough to produce these amounts of electricity is both large and heavy, weighing many tons. Current designs of electricity-generating wind turbines place the generator at the top of the tower, close to the rotor. The generator is so large and heavy that large and expensive cranes and crane systems are required to construct commercial wind turbines. Accordingly, a significant portion of construction costs are associated with lifting the generator to the top of a wind turbine tower. This problem is compounded for offshore turbine installations.

Additionally, wind turbines must be maintained on a regular basis to ensure they remain productive and efficient. Because the rotor, gear sets, transmission, and generator of a typical wind turbine are all located the top of the wind turbine tower, access is limited and maintenance is expensive and often dangerous. The device described herein addresses the high expense of construction and maintenance of existing wind turbines by relocating the generator at or near the bottom of the wind turbine tower. An innovative power transmitting device is used to transfer the rotational energy from the rotor at the top of the tower to the generator at or near the bottom of the tower.

Wind turbines can be of two general designs, direct drive and indirect drive. Direct drive wind turbines have a direct connection between the wind turbine rotor and the generator whereby the generator is rotated at the same speed as the rotor. Indirect drive turbines have a gear set or transmission between the shaft rotated by the rotor and the input shaft of the generator. The gear set can have a fixed or variable gear ratio to control the rotational speed of the rotor and/or the generator.

<CIT>, for example, discloses a wind turbine system, which generates electricity form wind energy. A generator is located at the bottom portion of the system of the tower, wherein a flexible power transfer member (e.g., endless loop cable, belt, pull rods, etc.) inside the tower connects a top rotation transfer member (e.g., a crankshaft) and a bottom rotation transfer member (e.g., a crankshaft) to transfer the wind energy captured by the turbine rotor to the top rotation transfer member to the bottom rotation transfer member.

Additional shortcomings to the prior art can be attributed to the slow speed (~<NUM> rpm) at which the rotor of a wind turbine rotates. In the case of a direct drive wind turbine, the generator must be designed with additional poles to produce a sufficient amount and quality of electrical energy, which substantially increases the weight and cost of the generator. In the case of indirect drive wind turbines, the reliability and serviceability of the gear sets is a cause for concern because they are not easily accessible due to their location in a nacelle, directly behind the rotor, at the top of the wind turbine tower. However, indirect drive wind turbines can have an advantage when placed on floating, off-shore installations due to their smaller generators and lower overall weight.

The needs set forth herein as well as further and other needs and advantages are addressed by the present embodiments, which illustrate solutions and advantages described below. There is a need for a device that efficiently transfers energy from the rotor of a wind turbine at the top of a wind turbine tower to a generator that is closer to the ground than current designs. Placing the generator closer to the ground will help reduce costs associated with maintenance and construction of the wind turbine as well as reduce overall weight.

One embodiment of the wind turbine has a tower, the tower having a top end and bottom end. The wind turbine also has a first eccentric mechanism connected to a turbine rotor, the turbine rotor and the first eccentric mechanism at the top end of the tower, where the first eccentric mechanism is a cam-follower mechanism. The wind turbine has a second eccentric mechanism connected to an electric generator, the electric generator at the bottom end of the tower, where the second eccentric mechanism is the second eccentric mechanism and a plurality of tensile links extending from the first eccentric mechanism to the second eccentric mechanism and connecting the first and second eccentric mechanisms.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a cam-follower mechanism where the cam-follower mechanism has a cam shaft with at least one cam profile, having a plurality of cam lobes driven by the turbine rotor, and a plurality of cam followers each driven by the plurality of cam lobes.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a plurality of tensile links where each tensile link of the plurality of tensile links has a first end connected to a cam follower of the plurality of cam followers.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has cam lobe heads where each cam lobe has at least one cam lobe head and each cam lobe head of the cam shaft is separated by a phase angle offset measured about an axis running parallel to a length of the cam shaft.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a phase angle where the phase angle offset is <NUM>/(n*m) degrees, wherein n is equal to the number of tensile links of the plurality of links and m is equal to the number of cam lobes per cam profile.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a swash plate mechanism where the swashplate mechanism has an output shaft and a plate, the output shaft is connected to a generator, and the plate is connected to the plurality of tensile links.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a plate where the plate has connection locations disposed along a perimeter on the plate, the perimeter is disposed around the output shaft, and the plurality of tensile links are connected to connection locations.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a perimeter where the perimeter is a circle in the plane of the plate.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has connection locations where the connection locations are disposed in equal distances from each other along the perimeter.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a first eccentric mechanism where the first eccentric mechanism and turbine rotor rotate about a rotational axis, the first eccentric mechanism is connected to the tower via a first yaw mechanism, and the first yaw mechanism allowing the first eccentric mechanism to rotate in relation to the tower and about an axis oblique or perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first eccentric mechanism.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a second eccentric mechanism where the second eccentric mechanism is connected to the tower through a second yaw mechanism, and the second yaw mechanism allows the second eccentric mechanism to rotate in relation to the tower and about an axis parallel to the length of the tower.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a first yaw mechanism where the first yaw mechanism position is adjusted in response to a change in the position of the second yaw mechanism position or vice versa.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a first yaw mechanism where the first yaw mechanism and the second yaw mechanism are one mechanically connected mechanism.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has tensile links where the tensile links are comprised of carbon fibers.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a cam profile where the cam profile has a plurality of lobes.

One embodiment of a wind turbine has a tower having a top end and bottom end; a first eccentric mechanism connected to a turbine rotor, the turbine rotor at the top end of the tower; a second eccentric mechanism connected to an electric generator, the electric generator at the bottom end of the tower; a plurality of tensile links connecting the first and second eccentric mechanisms; a first yaw mechanism; and a second yaw mechanism. The wind turbine has a first eccentric mechanism where the first eccentric mechanism is a cam-follower mechanism and the cam-follower mechanism has a cam shaft with at least one cam profile, with a plurality of cam lobes driven by the turbine rotor, and a plurality of cam followers each driven by the plurality of cam lobes. Each tensile link of the plurality of tensile links has a first end connected to a cam follower of the plurality of cam followers. Each cam lobe has a cam lobe head and each cam lobe head of the cam shaft is separated by a phase angle offset of <NUM>/(n*m) degrees measured about an axis running parallel to a length of the cam shaft, wherein n is equal to the number of tensile links of the plurality of links and m is equal to the number of cam lobe heads per cam profile. The second eccentric mechanism is a swashplate mechanism and the swashplate mechanism has an output shaft and a plate, the output shaft is connected to a generator, and the plate is connected to the plurality of tensile links at connection locations. The plate has connection locations disposed at equal distances along a perimeter on the plate and the perimeter is disposed around the output shaft.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a first eccentric mechanism and a turbine rotor where the first eccentric mechanism and the turbine rotor rotate about a rotational axis.

Another embodiment of the wind turbine has a first eccentric mechanism where the first eccentric mechanism is connected to the tower via a first yaw mechanism. The yaw mechanism allows the first eccentric mechanism to rotate in relation to the tower and about an axis oblique or perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first eccentric mechanism. The second eccentric mechanism is connected to the tower through a second yaw mechanism. The second yaw mechanism allows the second eccentric mechanism to rotate in relation to the tower and about an axis parallel to the length of the tower.

The present teachings are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the present embodiments are shown. The following description is presented for illustrative purposes only and the present teachings should not be limited to these embodiments.

For purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular structures, architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description with unnecessary detail.

The use of "first", "second," etc. for different features/components of the present disclosure are only intended to distinguish the features/components from other similar features/components and not to impart any order or hierarchy to the features/components.

A notable advantage to the disclosed device is the reduction of overall weight in a wind turbine assembly and the reduction of weight at the top of a wind turbine assembly. This is particularly useful for off-shore, floating wind turbine installations. Further advantages are ease of maintenance of major working components because the disclosed device moves the generator closer to the ground at the bottom of the wind turbine tower. The disclosed device also removes the need to maintain a gear box near the wind turbine rotor because the disclosed device does not require a gear box connected to the wind turbine rotor, although one can be added if desired. A further advantage of the disclosed device is that if a speed change is required, then a gear box can be placed closer to ground level near the generator instead of near the wind turbine rotor. Alternatively, a gear speed increase can be realized with a multi-lobe cam profile incorporated with a minimal weight penalty at the top of the wind turbine tower.

Referring to <FIG>, a wind turbine <NUM> system is shown having a wind turbine rotor <NUM>, wind turbine blades <NUM>, a driveshaft <NUM>, cam profiles <NUM>, tension members <NUM>, a swash plate <NUM>, an output shaft <NUM>, generator <NUM>, tower <NUM>, tower base <NUM>, and nacelle <NUM>.

The wind turbine <NUM> can have two or more turbine blades <NUM> connected to the rotor <NUM>, about which the turbine blades <NUM> rotate. The rotor <NUM> can be connected to a cam profile <NUM> through a drive shaft <NUM>. The rotor can also be connected to a cam profile <NUM> such that rotation of the rotor <NUM> rotates the cam profiles <NUM>.

Although an embodiment of the disclosed wind turbine drive train would have the cam profiles <NUM> directly driven by the rotor <NUM>, there can be a gearset positioned between the driveshaft <NUM> and the cam profiles <NUM> such that the cam profiles <NUM> rotate faster than the rotor <NUM>. In turn, torque transmitted from the rotor <NUM> to the cam profiles <NUM> can be decreased. Torque transmitted to and cam profile <NUM> shape can be optimized based on the required rotational speed of a generator and the expected or observed rotational speed of the rotor <NUM>.

The cam profiles <NUM> can act on tension members <NUM>. The lobes of the cam profile <NUM> can pull the tension members <NUM> through cam followers <NUM> to transmit a force from the rotor <NUM> to the tension members <NUM>. The cam profiles <NUM> each can have cam followers <NUM> that follow an eccentric path around the cam profile <NUM>. The cam followers <NUM> can be connected to the tension members <NUM> such that the tension members <NUM> are pulled and released as the cam followers <NUM> each follow the eccentric path around each cam profile <NUM>. The tension members <NUM> can be raised and lowered according to the movement of cam followers <NUM> along cam profiles <NUM>.

The lobes of the cam profile <NUM> can have a lobe spacing such that tension is applied to each tension member <NUM> sequentially rather than simultaneously over the course of a rotation of the wind turbine rotor <NUM>. For example, in a case where a wind turbine <NUM> has three tension members <NUM>, a full rotation of the rotor <NUM> can be divided into <NUM> degrees and can result in a tension force being applied to a first member starting at <NUM> degrees, a tension force being applied to a second tension member <NUM> starting at <NUM> degrees, and a tension force being applied to a third tension member <NUM> starting at <NUM> degrees. Such an arrangement is a system where each tension member <NUM> is cyclically tensioned, moved, and released over the course of a rotation of the wind turbine rotor <NUM>. The lobes of each cam profile <NUM> are situated such that the cyclical tension application to each tension member <NUM> is out of phase with each other and a smooth application of force to the tension members <NUM> is achieved.

In the case of more tension members <NUM>, the cam profile <NUM> quantity and spacing can be adjusted such that tension is applied to each member along individual cycles that are phased equally about a full rotation of the rotor <NUM>. A complete cycle where a tension member <NUM> is tensioned, then un-tensioned is a tension cycle. Additionally, the tension cycles of the tension members <NUM> can be phased equally about multiple rotations of the rotor <NUM>. For example, when a gear reduction mechanism is placed between the rotor <NUM> and the cam profiles <NUM>. In this case, the rotor would spin more than one rotation per a single rotation of the cam profiles <NUM>. Conversely, multiple tension cycles per tension member <NUM> can be equally phased over one rotation of the rotor <NUM>; this corresponding to a gear ratio increase.

The tension members <NUM> can be connected to a swash plate mechanism having a swash plate <NUM> and an output shaft <NUM>. The tension members <NUM> can be connected to portions of the swash plate <NUM> such that each tension member <NUM> acts on a different point of the swash plate <NUM>. The tension members <NUM> can also be connected to different points on the swash plate <NUM> along a perimeter around the output shaft <NUM>. For maximum leverage, the tension members <NUM> can be connected to an outer perimeter or circumference of the swash plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The tension members <NUM> can be tensioned in sequence going around a perimeter surrounding the output shaft <NUM>. For example, a round swash plate <NUM> can have three tensioning members <NUM> attached at equally-spaced points around a circumference of the swash plate <NUM>. As the rotor <NUM> is turned, the cam profiles <NUM> are situated such that a tension force is applied to a first tensioning element <NUM>, applying a pulling force to the edge of the swash plate <NUM> in a direction parallel to the output shaft <NUM>. This causes the swash plate <NUM> to tilt about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft <NUM> and perpendicular to a line extending from the same longitudinal axis to the connection point of the first tension member <NUM> to the swash plate <NUM>. An amount of time after a force is applied to the first tensioning member <NUM>, but before the first tensioning member <NUM> reaches the top of its travel, a force is applied to a second tensioning member. The second tensioning member <NUM> being adjacent to the first tensioning member <NUM> along the perimeter in the direction of the rotation of the output shaft <NUM>. The force applied to the first tensioning member <NUM> is decreased and the second tensioning member <NUM> is pulled to the top of its travel, tilting the swash plate <NUM> about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft <NUM> and perpendicular to a line extending from the longitudinal axis to the connection point of the second tension member <NUM> to the swash plate <NUM>. This process continues with the third tensioning member <NUM>, and then back to the first tensioning member <NUM>, and so on. This process causes the swash plate to move such that the highest point of the circumference of the swash plate travels around the circumference of the swash plate <NUM> in a circular oscillation.

The swash plate motion described above can cause the output shaft <NUM> to rotate. There can be a mechanism between the swash plate <NUM> and the output shaft <NUM> that transfers a pulling force on the swash plate <NUM> to a rotational force on the output shaft <NUM>. The above process of sequentially applying tension to the tensioning members <NUM> connected to the swash plate <NUM> can cause the swash plate <NUM> to move with a cyclical "wobble" whereby when the swash plate <NUM> is tilted in a direction about the output shaft <NUM>, the output shaft <NUM> is rotated a fraction of a full rotation. This "wobble" can also be described as a circular oscillation. The device, by continuously changing the direction in which the swash plate <NUM> is tilted, continuously rotates the output shaft <NUM>.

In order to achieve a rotation of the output shaft <NUM>, the swash plate <NUM> can be rotationally fixed about the rotational axis of the output shaft <NUM>. This can be achieved by links <NUM> fixing the swash plate <NUM> in a rotational direction while allowing the swash plate <NUM> to tilt in the directions stated above. Examples of securing links <NUM> include Watt-link mechanisms and Chebyshev-link mechanisms.

The output shaft <NUM> can be connected to a generator <NUM>. The generator <NUM> can be mounted at or near the bottom of the wind turbine tower <NUM>. As the swash plate <NUM> is cyclically tilted as described above, the output shaft <NUM> can be rotated and transfer rotational force to the generator <NUM> to produce electricity. The generator <NUM> can be specified depending on the amount and type of electricity required. Generating capacities can be as small as a few watts up to multiple megawatts, although currently commercial generators are specified to produce electricity in the range of kilowatts to megawatts.

There can be a direct connection between the output shaft <NUM> and the generator <NUM> whereby one rotation of the output shaft <NUM> rotates the generator <NUM> one rotation. Alternatively, there can be a gear box or transmission device with an increasing gear ratio. The device can either convert one rotation of the output shaft <NUM> into multiple rotations of the generator with an increasing gear ratio, or the same device can reduce one rotation of the output shaft <NUM> to less than one rotation of the generator <NUM> with a reducing gear ratio, although not limited thereto. The transmission or gear box device between the output shaft <NUM> and the generator <NUM> can have a variable gear ratio such that the ratio of the rotational speed of the output shaft <NUM> and the generator <NUM> can be varied using a control device. The control device can be programed to change the output shaft/generator rotation ratio such that the rotation speed of the generator <NUM> is maintained within a window. The window can be defined by a minimum generator rotational speed and a maximum generator rotational speed.

The tension members <NUM> can have a tensioning mechanism such that slack is removed from the tension members <NUM> when the cam profile <NUM> and cam follower <NUM> release the tension member <NUM>. This anti-slack mechanism can be a spring mechanism, screw mechanism, clamp mechanism, hydraulic mechanism, or any other mechanism known in the art for removing slack from a linear tensile element.

A wind turbine must face into the direction the wind is blowing to be most efficient. To accomplish this, wind turbines include a yaw mechanism that allows the nacelle on top of the wind turbine tower to rotate, thereby rotating the wind turbine rotor to face the direction of the wind. The wind turbine <NUM> can also rotate the nacelle <NUM> to face the rotor <NUM> into the wind. However, additional considerations must be made for the drivetrain mechanism at the bottom of the wind turbine tower <NUM>. The wind turbine <NUM> can have a yaw mechanism <NUM> between the nacelle <NUM> and the tower <NUM> whereby the nacelle <NUM> can rotate about a longitudinal axis through the tower <NUM>. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can have a bearing about which the nacelle <NUM> rotates in relation to the center axis of the tower <NUM>. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can be driven by a spur gear set, worm gear, linear motors, belt drive, or any other mechanism known in the art for rotating a structure in relation to another. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can have a brake or other mechanism known in the art for securing the rotational position of a structure in relation to another.

Additionally, the generator <NUM> can also have a yaw mechanism <NUM> with which it can rotate simultaneously with the nacelle <NUM>. This yaw mechanism <NUM> can be of the same structure as the yaw mechanism <NUM> or separate. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can be a table or other similar structure upon which the generator <NUM> is secured. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can rotate at the same time as or in response to a rotation of yaw mechanism <NUM> and vice versa. The positioning of the yaw mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> can be calculated and carried out in order to prevent additional or excessive tensioning and/or binding of the swash plate <NUM>, output shaft <NUM>, or tension members <NUM>.

Alternatively, there can be a yaw mechanism <NUM> built into the swash plate <NUM> whereby the fixing links <NUM> and the swash plate can rotate in relation to the output shaft <NUM>. Once the swash plate <NUM> yaw is repositioned, the yaw mechanism <NUM> can be secured such that the swash plate <NUM> can rotate the output shaft <NUM> without itself rotating. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can be driven by a spur gear set, worm gear, linear motors, belt drive, or any other mechanism known in the art for rotating a structure in relation to another. The yaw mechanism <NUM> can have a brake or other mechanism known in the art for securing the rotational position of a structure in relation to another.

The tension members <NUM> can have a mechanism to dampen vibration induced by wind, geographic movement, operation of the wind turbine <NUM>, or any other condition a wind turbine may be exposed to. Additionally, the tension members <NUM> can be designed such that they have inherent vibration or oscillation dampening characteristics to prevent destructive resonant frequency activity or persistent vibration. This in turn can prevent premature wear of wind turbine <NUM> components and failure.

Referring to <FIG>, a cam follower mechanism is shown such that the tension member is acted upon by a levered arm <NUM>. The cam profile <NUM> has three lobe heads <NUM>. In this configuration, a single rotation of the cam profile <NUM> pulls and releases the tension member <NUM> three times. Each tensioning of the tension member <NUM> can correspond to one "wobble" cycle of the swash plate <NUM>, which each can correspond to one rotation of the output shaft <NUM>. This configuration can act as a 3x speed increase instead of a gear box and save weight and cost. Costs are reduced because a cam mechanism would likely require less maintenance and a cam follower mechanism as shown in <FIG> would likely contain fewer parts than a gear box would.

The cam follower of <FIG> can have a roller <NUM> that follows the contour of the cam profile <NUM>. As the roller <NUM> follows the cam profile <NUM>, the levered arm <NUM> can pivot about a fulcrum <NUM>, thus transmitting a force from the cam profile <NUM> to the tension member <NUM>. Alternatively, the roller <NUM> can also be a sliding surface made of self-lubricating material or made of material requiring a lubricating compound.

Referring to <FIG>, another cam follower is shown with a cantilevered arm <NUM>. This mechanism can have a roller <NUM> that follows a cam profile <NUM>. When a cam lobe head <NUM> acts upon the roller <NUM>, the cantilevered arm <NUM> raises and transmits a force to the tension member <NUM>. The cantilevered arm <NUM> can, through this motion, move the tension member <NUM> through an oscillating motion cycle in the direction of the length of the tension member <NUM>. As above, the roller <NUM> can also be a sliding surface. As above, the number of cam lobes increases the oscillation speed and thus multiplies the rotational speed of the generator without the need for a gear box.

Referring to <FIG>, another cam follower is shown with a plurality of levers forming an actuating linkage <NUM>. The cam profile <NUM> can rotate between rollers <NUM>, two opposing cam lobe heads <NUM> simultaneously acting to move the rollers <NUM> in opposite directions. The motion of the rollers <NUM> pulls the linkage <NUM> and <NUM> such that the attachment point <NUM> is moved. This movement applies force to the tension member <NUM>, moving it through an oscillating motion cycle in the direction of the length of the tension member <NUM>. As above, the roller <NUM> can also be a sliding surface. As above, the number of cam lobes increases the oscillation speed and thus multiplies the rotational speed of the generator without the need for a gear box. In this version of the mechanism a speed increase of 4x is realized.

Referring to <FIG>, another cam follower is shown with a piston-like frame <NUM> having a roller <NUM>, the frame moving within a channel <NUM>. When the cam lobe head <NUM> of the cam profile <NUM> acts on the roller <NUM>, the piston-like frame <NUM> is moved a distance within the channel <NUM>, thus applying force to a tension member <NUM>. The motion of the piston-like frame <NUM> moves the tension member <NUM> through an oscillating motion cycle in the direction of the length of the tension member <NUM>. As above, the roller <NUM> can also be a sliding surface. As above, the number of cam lobes increases the oscillation speed and thus multiplies the rotational speed of the generator without the need for a gear box.

A practical embodiment of the disclosed apparatus is described below.

A wind turbine <NUM> can have a rotor <NUM> with three rotor blades <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> can be connected to a drive shaft <NUM> that enters through the front of a nacelle <NUM>. The nacelle <NUM> contains three cam profiles <NUM> that are coaxially connected about their rotational axis to the drive shaft <NUM>. Each individual cam profile <NUM> is part of an individual one of three cam profiles. One rotation of the drive shaft <NUM> causes the cam profiles <NUM> to make a full revolution about their rotational axis. The cam profiles <NUM> are equally separated rotationally about their rotational axis such that the cam lobe heads <NUM> of each cam profile <NUM> are separated by <NUM>/(n *m) degrees as measured about the rotation axis of the series of cam profiles <NUM>. "n" is equal to the number of tensile links and "m" is equal to the number of cam lobe heads per cam profile. In this embodiment, the cam profiles <NUM> are separated rotationally about their rotational axis such that the cam lobe heads <NUM> are separated by <NUM> degrees from adjacent cam profiles <NUM> as measured about the rotation of the series of cam profiles <NUM>. This embodiment realizes a 3x speed multiplication. The nacelle <NUM> is situated at the top of a wind turbine tower <NUM>.

Also, in the nacelle <NUM> are three cam followers <NUM> that follow the contour of the cam profiles <NUM>. Each cam follower <NUM> is assigned to each individual cam profile <NUM>. The cam followers <NUM> have a cantilevered arm <NUM> situated over the cam profiles <NUM> and have a roller <NUM>. The cantilevered arm <NUM> is actuated by the rotation of the cam profile <NUM> whereby when the cam lobe head <NUM> passes by the roller <NUM>, the cantilevered arm <NUM> is lifted.

Each cantilevered arm <NUM> of the cam follower <NUM> is connected to one tension member <NUM> at one end, although multiple tension members <NUM> can be connected to one follower. The tension member resembles a rope, cable, or rod. The tension member is made of carbon nanofiber composite, although other materials such as steel, lightweight metal alloys, composites, fibers, or any other material known in the art of tension member construction could be used.

The three tension members <NUM> extend down the wind turbine tower <NUM> and are each connected at their second end to a circular swash plate <NUM>. The three tension members <NUM> are each connected to a different point on the swash plate <NUM>. Because there are three tension members <NUM> in this case, each tension member <NUM> is connected to a point at or near the outer circumference of the swash plate <NUM>. Each of the connection points are equally separated along the outer circumference of the swash plate <NUM>, in this case each separated by an angle of <NUM> degrees measured around the center of the swash plate <NUM>. The tension member <NUM> are connected in positions around the circumference of the swash plate <NUM> such that according to the phase of the cam profiles <NUM>, the tension members <NUM> are moved axially up and down in a sequential order following the perimeter of the swash plate <NUM>.

The swash plate <NUM> has an output shaft <NUM> which is connected to a generator <NUM>. The swash plate <NUM> is connected to the output shaft <NUM> with a mechanism that rotates the output shaft <NUM> when the swash plate <NUM> is tilted in relation to the rotational axis of the output shaft <NUM>.

With cam profiles <NUM> equally phased about the rotation of the rotor <NUM>, wind pushes on the blades <NUM> of the wind turbine <NUM>, spinning the rotor <NUM>. This in turn rotates the driveshaft <NUM> and the cam profile <NUM>. The cam lobe heads <NUM> actuate the cam followers <NUM> which in turn move the tension members <NUM> axially parallel to their length. Due to the equally phased positions of the cam profiles <NUM> about the rotation of the rotor <NUM>, the axial motion of the tension members <NUM> is equally phased in relation to the rotation of the rotor <NUM>.

The equally phased motion of the tension members <NUM> causes the swash plate <NUM> to tilt in relation to the rotational axis of the output shaft <NUM>. As the rotor <NUM> rotates, the tension members <NUM> are actuated sequentially, rotating the direction of the tilt of the swash plate <NUM> in a circular direction about the axis of rotation of the output shaft <NUM>. This circular oscillation causes the output shaft to rotate the generator <NUM> input shaft. The rotation of the generator produces electricity.

The swash plate <NUM> is secured by links <NUM> preventing the swash plate <NUM> itself from rotating about the rotational axis of the output shaft <NUM>.

Both the nacelle <NUM> and the generator <NUM> are mounted on yaw mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>. Both mechanisms allow their respective structures to rotate in relation to the tower <NUM> to face into the wind for optimum generating capacity and efficiency.

Claim 1:
A wind turbine (<NUM>) comprising:
a tower (<NUM>) having a top end and a bottom end;
a first eccentric mechanism connected to a turbine rotor (<NUM>), the turbine rotor (<NUM>) and the first eccentric mechanism being at the top end of the tower (<NUM>), the first eccentric mechanism comprising a cam-follower mechanism;
a second eccentric mechanism connected to an electric generator (<NUM>), the electric generator (<NUM>) being at the bottom end of the tower (<NUM>), the second eccentric mechanism comprising a swashplate mechanism;
a plurality of tensile links (<NUM>) extending from the first eccentric mechanism to the second eccentric mechanism and connecting the first and second eccentric mechanisms.