Patent ID: 7400057

Claim:
An omni-directional, shrouded vertical wind turbine for generating electricity, the omni directional, shrouded vertical wind turbine comprising: a) a plurality of curved members defining a central collection chamber substantially expanding in a direction of airflow there within; b) a plurality of substantially vertical support members; c) a hollow member wherein the hollow member expands in cross section in the direction of air flow; d) a rotating member disposed above the central collection chamber wherein the rotating member is connected to a generator to generate electricity from rotation of the rotating member; wherein the rotating member is connected to the omni directional, shrouded vertical wind turbine and located near an inlet of the hollow member; wherein each of the plurality of curved members is connected to at least one of the plurality of substantially vertical support members so as to form a plurality of air inlets into the central collection chamber; wherein at least one of the plurality of curved members and the plurality of substantially vertical support members are shaped and spaced to direct air to a diametrically opposite side of an internal aspect of the omni directional, shrouded vertical wind turbine so as to form an air gate to reduce air leakage on the diametrically opposite side and adjacent sides of the internal aspect of the omni directional, shrouded vertical wind turbine; wherein the plurality of curved members and the plurality of substantially vertical support members are shaped and spaced to focus air directly to an entire lower surface of the rotating member; wherein the plurality of curved members form a central collection chamber that expands in cross section from a location furthest from the rotating member to a location nearest the rotating member.