Patent ID: 8541897

Claim:
An electric energy generation system comprising: a plurality of windmills, each configured to transform wind energy into rotational energy; a windmill support system supporting the plurality of windmills in positions that are spaced apart from one another; an electric generator configured to transform rotational energy into electric energy; and a coupling system, including a common shaft configured to be driven by each of the plurality of windmills, comprising: a flexible coupling between each neighboring set of windmills configured to permit the common shaft to bend along its shaft axis during operation of the electric energy generation system, or a telescoping coupling between each neighboring set of windmills configured to permit the length of the common shaft between each neighboring set of windmills to change during operation of the electric energy generation system, wherein the coupling system is configured to couple the rotational energy generated by each of the plurality of windmills to the electric generator in a manner that permits the plurality of windmills to rotate at different speeds during operation of the electric energy generation system.