Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Currently, there is a growing demand for wind energy. In the past, this demand has been met using wind turbines for power generation. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The disclosure provides a retractable wind turbine apparatus for generating power. When required, the mast and blades of the retractable wind turbine apparatus are designed to retract and become non-visible to an observer. The retractable wind turbine apparatus will enable power generation in locations where aesthetic issues are a concern. Power generation may be stopped during designated periods such as tourist season or daylight hours. In these situations, the wind turbine apparatus will be retracted and hidden from view. 
         [0003]    The apparatus will use a plurality of blades. One blade is independent. The other blades are either locked in their power generating position or their retracted position. When in power generating position, all of the blade tips are equidistant from each other. When in the retracted position, the blades are lined-up with the independent blade. In a separate embodiment, the plurality of blades may be may be permanently locked in their power generating position. 
         [0004]    Different embodiments are available to retract the mast of the retractable wind turbine apparatus. A scissor lift embodiment may be used. A second embodiment is a solid mast which may be moved up or down via a gear system. A third embodiment uses a telescoping mast which is actuated with a spring loaded cable system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows three blades locked in their power generating position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a retractable wind turbine apparatus using a scissor lift mast. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a retractable wind turbine apparatus using a solid mast with a gear system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a retractable wind turbine apparatus using a telescoping mast with a spring loaded cable system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    There is growing demand for wind power, power which is derived from wind energy. Wind power is typically generated using wind turbines. These wind turbines can be large and in many cases are considered aesthetically unappealing. Wind farms, collections of wind turbines, have been stopped from construction due to public outcry over potential loss in property values. It is assumed that the property values of areas near the potential wind farms would drop due to the perception that wind turbines are aesthetically unappealing. 
         [0010]    The present disclosure provides a retractable wind turbine apparatus for generating power. The retractable wind turbine apparatus may be retracted and hidden from view during periods of concern when aesthetics are important. Examples of such periods are daytime hours or a tourist season. The retractable wind turbine apparatus may then be placed back into service at times when aesthetics are less important. 
         [0011]    In developing the present disclosure, the inventors have found unexpected results. One unexpected result is that there is an added benefit of being able to retract the wind turbine apparatus and protect it during difficult weather conditions. A second unexpected result is the potential reduction in maintenance costs derived from protecting the retractable wind turbine apparatus during during difficult weather conditions. 
         [0012]    The present apparatus is comprised of blades, a mast, and means to retract the blades and mast. 
         [0013]    The apparatus will use a plurality of blades. One blade is independent. The other blades are either locked in their power generating position or their retracted position. When in power generating position, all of the blade tips are equidistant from each other. When in the retracted position, the blades are lined-up with the independent blade. In a separate embodiment, the plurality of blades may be may be permanently locked in their power generating position. 
         [0014]    Different embodiments are possible for the mast. A first embodiment is to use a scissor lift for the mast. A second embodiment is to use a single section mast. The single section mast may have teeth on the side(s) to enable motion via a gear system. A third embodiment uses a telescoping mast. The telescoping mast uses an spring-loaded cable or other device capable of providing necessary tension. 
         [0015]    Different means may be employed to retract the blades and mast. The means employed correspond to the type of mast used. When using a scissor lift mast, a motor may be used to provide the necessary power to open and close the scissors. Opening the scissors lowers the mast, while closing the scissors raises the mast. When using a single section mast, a gear system may be used to raise or lower the mast. When using a telescoping mast, a spring loaded cable system may be used to raise or lower the mast. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a blade assembly locked in its power generating position. The independent blade  101  is permanently locked in position. The dependent blades  102  and  103  may be moved relative to the independent blade  101 . A blade assembly fastener  104  ties the blade assembly to the generator drive shaft  108 . Independent blade controller  105  positions the independent blade in a downward position when the blades are stopped. 
         [0017]    Dependent blade actuator  106  positions corresponding blade  102  into either the power generating position, as shown, or the storage position. When moving from the power generating to storage position, blade  102  moves in a counter-clockwise motion. Conversely when moving from the storage position to power generating position, blade  102  moves in a clockwise motion. 
         [0018]    Dependent blade actuator  107  positions corresponding blade  103  into either the power generating position, as shown, or the storage position. When moving from the power generating to storage position, blade  103  moves in a clockwise motion. Conversely when moving from the storage position to power generating position, blade  103  moves in a counter-clockwise motion. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a retractable wind turbine apparatus using a scissor lift mast  202 . Wind energy is used to drive a blade assembly  205 . A blade assembly fastener  206  ties the blade assembly  205  to a generator drive shaft  204 . The generator drive shaft  204  drives a generator  203 . The generator may be raised or lowered with the scissor lift mast  202 . The scissor lift mast  202  may be raised or lowered with movable arms  209 . The movable arms  209  are actuated with a motor  208 . When the wind turbine apparatus is lowered, the blade assembly rests in a blade resting space  210 . The blade assembly shown is the embodiment where a plurality of blades are permanently locked in their power generating position. The lift housing  201  is used to store the retractable wind turbine apparatus. An anemometer  207  may be used to determine wind speed. Wind speed may be a criterion used to determine whether or not the wind turbine apparatus should be raised or lowered. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a retractable wind turbine apparatus using a solid mast  306  with a gear system. Wind energy is used to drive a blade assembly  311 . A blade assembly fastener  312  ties the blade assembly  311  to a generator drive shaft  310 . The generator drive shaft  310  drives a generator  309 . The generator may be raised or lowered with the solid mast  306 . The solid mast  306  has teeth  305 . The teeth  305  are used in conjunction with gears  303  to raise and lower the solid mast  306 . The gears are driven with gear shafts  302 . The gear shafts  302  are driven with motors  301 . When the mast is lowered, it is stored in a mast resting place  313 . When the wind turbine apparatus is lowered, the blade assembly rests in a blade resting space  307 . The blade assembly shown is the embodiment where a plurality of blades are permanently locked in their power generating position. The lift housing  308  is used to store the retractable wind turbine apparatus. An anemometer  304  may be used to determine wind speed. Wind speed may be a criterion used to determine whether or not the wind turbine apparatus should be raised or lowered. 
         [0021]    In a separate embodiment, a hydraulic system may be substituted for the gear system shown in  FIG. 3 . The hydraulic system is capable of raising and lowering the mast. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a retractable wind turbine apparatus using a telescoping mast  409  with a spring loaded cable system. Wind energy is used to drive a blade assembly  412 . A blade assembly fastener  413  ties the blade assembly  412  to a generator drive shaft  411 . The generator drive shaft  411  drives a generator  410 . The generator may be raised or lowered with the telescoping mast  409 . The telescoping mast  409  has an internal spring loaded cable with teeth  403 . The spring loaded cable with teeth  403  is used in conjunction with a gear  404  to raise and lower the telescoping mast  409 . Cable brackets and a channel guide are used to support the spring loaded cable with teeth  403 . The gear is driven with a gear shaft  402 . The gear shaft  402  is driven with a motors  401 . When the wind turbine apparatus is lowered, the blade assembly rests in a blade resting space  408 . The blade assembly shown is the embodiment where a plurality of blades are permanently locked in their power generating position. When the wind turbine apparatus is lowered, the spring loaded cable with teeth is stored in a cable storage space  405 . The lift housing  406  is used to store the retractable wind turbine apparatus. An anemometer  407  may be used to determine wind speed. Wind speed may be a criterion used to determine whether or not the wind turbine apparatus should be raised or lowered. While the disclosure describes embodiments and various alternatives thereto, it should be apparent that the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Rather, many variations would be apparent to persons of skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined herein and in the claims.

Technology Category: 4