Patent Document

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,270, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,426, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/215,232, abandoned; is co-pending with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,167, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,425; and is co-pending with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/854,736, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/215,233, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,513,826, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of invention relates to a system for channeling wind to one or more wind turbines in order to increase the productivity of the wind turbines. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wind turbines harness the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into mechanical or electric power. Traditional wind turbines have a horizontal spinning axis that allowed blades of the wind turbine to rotate around the axis. As wind engages the blades, the blades move around the horizontal spinning axis of the wind turbine. The relative rotation of the blades to the horizontal axis may then be converted into energy. 
         [0004]    Wind turbines only capture wind that engages the blades. Thus, only the wind directly passing the in line with the wind turbine is converted into energy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In the method of this invention, the force of wind acting on a wind turbine is increased thereby increasing the resulting energy output of the wind turbine. This method is achieved by positioning one or more wind compressors proximate a first side of a wind turbine and one or more wind compressors proximate the second side of the wind turbine, where the second side is distal from the first side. The wind compressors comprise an obstruction configured to redirect a wind flow from each of the wind compressors toward the wind turbine. The one or more wind compressors should be arranged proximate to the wind turbine in a configuration that creates a Venturi effect on the wind flow aimed at the wind compressors so that the redirected wind flows converge toward the wind turbine at an increased velocity and force. 
         [0006]    The wind directing system of this invention comprises one or more wind compressors which are proximate to a first side of the wind turbine and one or more wind compressors which are proximate a second side of the wind turbine. The second side is distal from the first side. Each of the wind turbines of this invention comprise an obstruction which is configured to redirect wind flow from each of the wind compressors toward the wind turbines so that the converged wind flow creates a Venturi effect. The redirected wind flow has an increased velocity and force. The system also comprises a plurality of transporters with one or more wind compressors coupled to at least one transporter. The transporters are configured to move at least one wind compressor to a location that maximizes the force of the wind encountered by the wind compressor and directed by the wind compressor to the wind turbine. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the wind compressor system for directing wind toward one or more wind turbines of this invention comprises one or more riggings with a sail coupled to each one which is configured to engage and redirect the wind so that the wind converges toward the one or more wind turbines in a Venturi effect. A transporter is also coupled to the riggings and is configured to maintain a first location of the sail while the sail redirects wind toward the one or more wind turbines. The system also comprises a controller which is configured to move the transporter to a second location in response to a change in the wind direction. 
         [0008]    This invention also entails a wind powered generator system for generating electrical power from wind power which comprises a vertical turbine rotor, a vertical turbine support, and one or more blades coupled to the turbine rotor which are configured to move the turbine rotor relative to the turbine support. One or magnet sets are located between the turbine support and the turbine rotor. There is also a space between a portion of the turbine rotor and the turbine support, where the space is created by the magnetic force from the one or more magnet sets. One or more generators are configured to generate electric power from the rotating movement of the turbine rotor. The one or more wind compressors are proximate to a first side of the turbine support and one or more compressors are also proximate to a second side of the turbine support, where the second side is distal from the first side. Each of the wind compressors have an obstruction which is configured to redirect wind flow from each of the wind compressors toward the turbine rotors so that the converged wind flow from the wind compressors creates a Venturi effect. The converged wind flow results in an increased velocity and wind force on the turbine rotors. 
         [0009]    The method of this invention for generating electricity comprises attaching a set of dipolar magnets to a turbine rotor and a turbine support. In one aspect, the magnets are located between the turbine rotor and the turbine support, creating an opposing magnetic force that reduces friction and creates a space between the turbine rotor and the turbine support. As one or more blades engage with wind, the vertical turbine rotor is rotated relative to the turbine support. A generator converts the mechanical energy of the moving vertical turbine into electric power. One or more wind compressors are proximate to a first side of a turbine support and to a second side of the turbine support where the second side is distal from the first side. The wind compressors comprise an obstruction configured to redirect wind flow from each of the wind compressors towards the turbine rotor. The wind compressors proximate to the turbine support create a Venturi effect on the wind flow aimed at the wind compressors so that the redirected wind flow converges toward the turbine rotor at an increased velocity and force. The mechanical energy of the moving turbine rotor is converted into electric power by the use of a generator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying DRAWINGS, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic top view of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic top view of a wind turbine with wind compressors according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of wind turbines with wind compressors according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a wind compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a wind compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The following detailed description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic cross sectional view of a wind turbine  100 , according to one embodiment. The wind turbine  100 , as shown, is a vertical axis wind turbine. Therefore, a core axis  102  of the wind turbine  100  is substantially in a vertical plane relative to the Earth. The wind turbine  100  may have a turbine rotor  104  and a turbine support  106  within and concentric to the turbine rotor  104 . The turbine rotor  104  rotates around the core axis  102  of the turbine support  106  in response to wind engaging one or more blades  108 , shown schematically. The kinetic energy from the wind is captured by the blades  108  thereby rotating the turbine rotor  104 . The turbine core support  106  may remain stationary as the turbine rotor  104  rotates around the axis  102 . In order to reduce the effects of friction between the rotating turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106 , one or more sets of magnets  110  are used to reduce the weight force of the turbine rotor  104  acting on the turbine support  106 . A generator  112  may be located proximate the wind turbine  100  in order to convert the mechanical energy of the rotating turbine rotor  104  into electric power. 
         [0021]    The turbine rotor  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , comprises a central axis  113  that is substantially centered around the axis  102 . The turbine rotor  104 , may include a top  114  and a bottom  116  extending out from the central axis  113 . As shown, the central axis  113  supports the top  114  and the bottom  116 . The top  114  and/or the bottom  116 , as shown, extends radially away from the central axis  113 . In  FIG. 1B  a top view of the wind turbine  100  is shown. The top view shows the top  114  extending a first radius R 1  away from the axis  102 . The bottom  116  may extend the same distance as the top  114  from the axis  102 ; however, it should be appreciated that the distance the top  114  and bottom  116  extend from the axis  102  may vary depending on design conditions. The top  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , extends over the top of a support shaft  118  of the turbine support  106 ; however, it should be appreciated that other suitable configurations for the top  114  may be used. 
         [0022]    The turbine rotor  104  may have alternative designs to the one shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the turbine rotor  104  may not cover the top of the support shaft  118 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, the turbine rotor  104  may simply include the top  114  and the bottom  116  and be held together by the blades  108 . Further still, the top  114  and/or the bottom  116  may not be shaped in a circular pattern, but instead may extend as supports over each of the blades  108  in an effort to save money on materials and reduce the weight of the turbine rotor  104 . The turbine rotor  104  may have any suitable design capable of supporting the blades  108  and rotating around the axis  102 . 
         [0023]    The bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104  may include one or more of the magnets  110 . The one or more magnets  110  located in the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104  provide an opposing force against one or more magnets  110  located on the turbine support  106 . The opposing force created by the one or more magnets  110  reduces the weight load of the turbine rotor  104  on the turbine support  106 , as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0024]    The turbine support  106  may be any suitable shape capable of supporting the weight of the turbine rotor  104  and stabilizing the turbine rotor  104  as it rotates about the axis  102 . The turbine support  106 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , includes a base  120  and the support shaft  118 . The base  120  may rest under the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104 . The base  120  typically acts as a support between a surface  124 , such as the ground or bed rock, and the turbine rotor  104 . The base  120  may include a platform  122  adjacent the turbine rotor  104  and a bottom member  123  adjacent the surface  124 . The base  120  may be any suitable shape so long as the base is capable of supporting the weight of the turbine rotor  104 . 
         [0025]    The surface  124 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , is the ground; however, it should be appreciated that the surface  124  may be any suitable surface for supporting the base  120  including, but not limited to, a trailer, a boat, a rail car as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a top of a building, a top of a parking garage, a top of a stadium, and the like. 
         [0026]    The platform  122  typically provides the support for the wright of the turbine rotor  104 . The platform  122  may include one or more magnets  110 A which provide an opposing force against the one or more magnets  110 B located on the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104 , as will be described in more detail below. The base  120  and/or the platform  122  may extend the same radial distance from the axis  102  as the turbine rotor  104 . Alternatively, the base  120  may extend a shorter radial distance from the axis  102  than the turbine rotor  104 , or, in another alternative embodiment, may extend a longer radial distance from the axis  102  than the turbine rotor  104 . It should be appreciated that the platform  122  may be any suitable shape capable of providing a vertical support surface for the turbine rotor  104 . 
         [0027]    The support shaft  118  of the turbine support  106  may provide for stabilization of the turbine rotor  104 . The support shaft  118 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  is located radially inside the central axis  113  of the turbine rotor  104 .  FIG. 1A  shows the support shaft  118  as a substantially solid shaft which is slightly smaller than the interior of the central axis  113  of the turbine rotor  104 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the support shaft  118  may define an opening that allows for an interior access way  202 . The support shaft  118  allows the turbine rotor  104  to rotate in response to the wind while preventing the turbine rotor  104  from moving substantially in the direction perpendicular to the core axis  102 . The support shaft  118  may include one or more magnets  110 C which provide an opposing force against one or more magnets  110 D located on the central axis  113  of the turbine rotor  104 . The magnet  110 C located on the support shaft  118  may act to stabilize the turbine rotor as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0028]    The wind turbine  100  may include a connector  126 , shown schematically in  FIGS. 1A and 3 . The connector  126  may secure the turbine rotor  104  to the turbine support  106  while allowing the turbine rotor  104  to rotate.  FIG. 1A  shows the connector  126  as a pin type connection which is secured to the support shaft  118  and penetrates an opening in the top  114  of the turbine rotor  104 . A head of the pin may rest on the top  114  of the turbine rotor  104 . The opening may be large enough to not engage the pin as the turbine rotor  104  rotates about the turbine support  106 . The head may simply provide an upward travel limit for the turbine rotor  104 . Thus, typically the turbine rotor  104  may not engage the connector  126 ; however, in the event that the turbine rotor  104  lifts off of the turbine support  106 , the head will stop it from becoming detached from the wind turbine  100 . It should be appreciated that any suitable arrangement for securing the turbine rotor  104  to the turbine support  106  may be used. 
         [0029]    The one or more sets of magnets  110 C,  110 D reduce friction between the turbine support  104  and the turbine rotor  106  by creating a space between the turbine support  104  and the turbine rotor  106 . The magnets replace the role of roller bearings in prior wind turbines. The one or more magnets  110 A,  110 B positioned on the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104  and the platform  122  of the turbine support may include one or more levitation magnets and one or more stabilization magnets. The levitation magnets supply an opposing force between the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104  and the platform  122 . The opposing force created by the levitation magnets may create a force on the turbine rotor  104  substantially opposite to a gravitational force on the turbine rotor  104 . The levitation magnets can provide a large enough opposing force to lift the turbine rotor  104  off of the platform  122  thereby eliminating friction between the platform  122  and the turbine rotor  104 . Specifically, a space may be created between the platform  122  and the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104  as a result of the opposing force. Alternatively, the opposing force created by the levitation magnets may only negate a portion of the gravitational force, so that the friction force between the platform  122  and the turbine rotor  104  is reduced. 
         [0030]    The stabilization magnets  110 D,  110 C, as shown in  FIG. 1A , are designed to provide an opposing force between the central axis  113  and the support shaft  118 . The stabilization magnets may be located directly on the interior of the central axis  113  and the exterior of the support shaft  118 . The stabilization magnets may maintain a space between the inner diameter of the central axis  113  and the outer diameter of the support shaft  118 . Therefore, during rotation of the turbine rotor  104  there may be no friction between the central central axis  113  of the turbine rotor  104  and the support shaft  118 . It should be appreciated that other means of reducing the friction between central central axis  113  and the support shaft  118  may be used including, but not limited to, a bearing. 
         [0031]    Friction may be eliminated between the turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106  using both the levitation magnets and stabilization magnets. The one or more sets of magnets  110  may be any magnets suitable for creating an opposing force including but not limited to a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, permanent rare earth magnet, ferromagnetic materials, permanent magnet materials, magnet wires and the like. A permanent rare earth magnet may include samarium cobalt (SmCo) and/or neodymium (NdFEB). Further, the one or more magnets  110  may be arranged in any suitable manner so long as they reduce the friction between the turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106 .  FIGS. 1A ,  2 , and  3  show the one or more sets of magnets  110  as a series of permanent magnets spaced apart from one another; however, it should be appreciated that an electromagnet may be used in order to magnetize a portion of the turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106 . Further, in an alternative embodiment, a portion of the turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106  may be magnetized to provide the opposing force. Thus in an alternative embodiment, the entire platform  122  and/or base  120  may be magnetized to provide an opposing force on the bottom  116  of the turbine rotor  104  which may also be magnetized. 
         [0032]    The blades  108  may be any suitable blade capable of converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy. In one embodiment, the blades  108  are made from a thin metal material, however, it should be appreciated that blades may be any suitable material including, but not limited to, a poly-carbon, a fabric, a synthetic material. 
         [0033]    The blades  108  may be fixed to the turbine rotor  104  in a static position. Alternatively, the blades  108  may be moveably attached to the turbine rotor  104 . For example, a connection between the blades  108  and the turbine rotor  104  may allow the angle of the blades  108  to adjust in relation to the turbine rotor  104 . The angle may adjust manually or automatically in response to the wind conditions at the location. 
         [0034]    The turbine rotor  104  provides mechanical energy for the one or more generators  112  as the turbine rotor  104  rotates about the axis  102 . In one embodiment, a generator gear  128  is moved by a portion of the turbine rotor  104  as the turbine rotor  104  rotates. As shown in  FIG. 1A , an outer edge  130  of the gear  128  may be proximate an edge of the turbine rotor  104 . In one embodiment, the gear  128  engages the turbine rotor  104  with a traditional gear and/or transmission device capable of transferring rotation to the gear  128 . 
         [0035]    In an additional or alternative embodiment, the gear  128  may be a magnetic gear. The magnetic gear is a gear that moves in response to a magnetic force between the turbine rotor  104  and the magnetic gear. At least one of the gear  128  and/or the proximate portion of the turbine rotor  104  may be magnetized. Thus, as the turbine rotor  104  rotates proximate the gear  128  the magnetic force moves the gear  128  in response to the turbine rotor  104  rotation. The magnetic gear allows the turbine rotor  104  to rotate the gear  128  without any friction between the two components. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows the magnetic gear according to one embodiment. A rotor gear component  300  may protrude from the outer surface of the turbine rotor  104 . The rotor gear component  300  may extend beyond the outer diameter of the turbine rotor  103  and rotate with the turbine rotor  104 . As shown, the rotor gear component  300  is a plate extending around an outer diameter of the turbine rotor  104 ; however, it should be appreciated that any suitable configuration for the rotor gear component  300  may be used. The gear  128  may include one or more gear wheels  302  which extend from the gear to a location proximate the rotor gear component  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , there are two gear wheels  302  which are located above and below a portion of the rotor gear component  300 . As the turbine rotor  104  rotates, the rotor gear component  300  rotates. A portion of the rotor gear component  300  may pass in between two portions of one or more gear wheels  302 . Any of the rotor gear component  300 , and the one or more gear wheels  302  may be magnetized. The type of magnet used to produce the magnetic force for the magnetic gear may be any magnet described herein. The magnetic force between the components of the magnetic gear move the gear  128 , thereby generating electricity and/or power in the generator  112 . 
         [0037]    The generators  112  may be located at various locations proximate the turbine rotor  104 .  FIG. 1B  shows three generators  112  located around the perimeter of the turbine rotor  104 . It should be appreciated that any suitable number of generators  112  may be used around the perimeter of the turbine rotor  104 . Further, the generator  112  may be located at other locations proximate the turbine rotor including, but not limited to, proximate the shaft  102  of the turbine rotor, in line with the axis  102  above and/or below the turbine rotor  104 , and the like. 
         [0038]    The generator  112  may be any suitable generator for converting mechanical energy into power including, but not limited to, electric generators, motors, linear generators, and the like. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, one or more of the generators  112  is a linear synchronous motor (LSM). The LSM motor may advance the turbine support  120  and may double as a braking system. 
         [0040]    The power generated by the generator may be fed directly to a power grid. Further, it should be appreciated that the power may alternatively or additionally be used on site or stored. The stored power may be used at a later date when demand for the power is higher. Examples of power storage units include, but are not limited to, batteries and generating stored compressed air, a flywheel system, a magnetically levitated flywheel system, hydraulic accumulators, capacitors, super capacitors, a combination thereof, and the like. 
         [0041]    The one or more magnets  110  reduce and potentially eliminate friction between the turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106 . This friction reduction allows the scale of the wind turbine  100  to be much larger than a conventional wind turbine. In a conventional wind turbine the larger the wind turbine, the more friction is created between the moving parts. The amount of friction eventually limits the effective size of a conventional wind turbine. In one example, the wind turbine may have an outer diameter of 1000 ft. In a preferred embodiment, a fixed wind turbine  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , has an outer diameter of about 600 ft. and is capable of producing more than 1 GWh of power. A smaller portable wind turbine  304 , shown in  FIG. 3 , may be adapted to transport to remote locations. The portable version may have a diameter of greater than 15 ft. and a height of greater than 15 ft. In a preferred embodiment, the portable version has an outer diameter of about 30 ft. and a height of about 25 ft. and is capable of producing 50 MWh of power. It should be appreciated that the size and scale of the wind turbine may vary depending on a customers need. Further, it should be appreciated that more than one wind turbine may be located on the same portable transports system, and/or at one fixed location. 
         [0042]    Although, the overall size of the wind turbine  100  may be much larger than a traditional wind turbine, the amount of power one wind turbine  100  produces is much larger than a traditional wind turbine. Therefore, the total land use required for the wind turbine  100  may be reduced over that required for a traditional wind farm. 
         [0043]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  shows the fixed wind turbine  200 , according to one embodiment. The fixed wind turbine  200  may have a turbine support  106  which extends over the turbine rotor  104 . The one or more magnets  110  may be on an upper portion  201  of the turbine support  106  in addition to the locations described above. 
         [0044]    The fixed wind turbine  200  may include an interior access way  202 , according to one embodiment. It should be appreciated that any of the wind turbines  100 ,  200  and  304  may include an interior access way  202 . The interior access way  202  allows a person to access the interior of the turbine support  106 . The interior access way  202  may extend above and/or below the turbine rotor  104  in order to give the person access to various locations in the fixed wind turbine  200 . The interior access way  202  may allow a person to perform maintenance on the magnets  110  and other components of the wind turbine  100 ,  200 , and  304 . Further, the interior access way  202  may have a means for transporting persons up and down the interior access way  202 . The means for transporting persons may be any suitable item including, but not limited to, an elevator, a cable elevator, a hydraulic elevator, a magnetic elevator, a stair, a spiral staircase, an escalator, a ladder, a rope, a fireman pole, a spiral elevator, and the like. The spiral elevator is an elevator that transports one or more persons up and down the interior access way  202  in a spiral fashion around the interior of the interior access way  202 . For example, the spiral elevator may travel in a similar path to a spiral staircase. The elevator and/or spiral elevator may use magnetic levitation to lift the elevator up and down. 
         [0045]    The upper portion  201  of the turbine support  106  may include an observation deck  204 . The observation deck  204  may extend around the perimeter of the wind turbine  100 ,  200  and/or  304 , thereby allowing a person to view the surrounding area from the observation deck  204 . The observation deck  204  may also serve as a location for an operator to control various features of the wind turbine, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0046]    The upper portion  201  of the turbine support  106  may further include a helipad  206 . The helipad  202  allows persons to fly to the wind turbine  100 ,  200 , and/or  304  and land a helicopter (not shown) directly on the wind turbine. This may be particularly useful in remote locations, or locations with limited access including, but not limited to, the ocean, a lake, a industrial area, a tundra, a desert, and the like. 
         [0047]    The upper portion  201  of the turbine support  106  may further have one or more cranes  208 . The cranes  208  allow an operator to lift heavy equipment. The crane  208  may be a tandem crane capable of rotating around the diameter of the wind turbine. The crane may assist in the construction of the wind turbine  100 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the wind turbine  100  in conjunction with one or more wind compressors  400 . The wind compressors  400  are each an obstruction configured to channel the wind toward the wind turbine  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a wind compressor  400  is positioned on either side of the wind turbine  500  so as to redirect the flow of wind towards the wind turbine  500 . The wind compressor  400  funnels the wind  506  into the wind turbine  500 . The convergence of the winds towards the wind turbine  500  creates a Venturi effect thereby increasing the speed and force of the winds upon the wind turbine  500 . This Venturi effect on the wind turbines increases the rpms or rotation speed of the rotors which translates into increased electrical energy produced by the generators  112  ( FIG. 1A ). This increase in wind energy and force upon the turbine blades  108  is thus translated from the wind turbine  500  to the generator  112  resulting in an increased output of electricity. This invention  400  increases the efficiency and ultimate output of the wind turbine  100 ,  500  up to, beyond 1000-2000 megawatts (MGW) per hour or 1 gigawatt (GW) per hour. Known wind turbines produce between 2-4 MGW/hour. 
         [0049]    The wind compressor  400  may be any suitable obstruction capable of re-channeling the natural flow of wind towards the wind turbines  100 ,  400 . Suitable wind compressors include, but are not limited to, a sail, a railroad car, a trailer truck body, a structure, and the like. Structurally the obstructions comprise a shape and size to capture and redirect a body of wind towards the wind turbine. In one embodiment an obstruction such as a sail, which comprises a large area in two dimensions but is basically a flat object, must be anchored to avoid displacement by the force of the wind. Other obstructions, such as the rail road car or trailer truck, should have enough weight to avoid wind displacement. 
         [0050]    Each of the wind compressors  400  may be moveably coupled to a transporter  403 , or transport device to move the compressor  400  to a location or position that captures the wind flow as the direction of wind changes and directs the wind flow towards the wind turbine. The transporter may be any suitable transporter  403  capable of moving the wind compressor  400  including, but not limited to, a locomotive to move a rail car, a automobile, a truck, a trailer, a boat, a Sino trailer, a heavy duty self propelled modular transporter  403  and the like. Each of the transporters  403  may include an engine or motor capable of propelling the transporter  403 . The location of each of the wind compressors  400  may be adjusted to suit the prevailing wind pattern at a particular location. Further, the location of the wind compressors  400  may be automatically and/or manually changed to suit shifts in the wind direction. To that end, the transporter  403  may include a drive member for moving the transporter  403 . The transporter  403  may be in communication with a controller, for manipulating the location of each of the transporters  403  in response to the wind direction. A separate controller may be located within each of the transporters  403 . 
         [0051]    One or more pathways  402 , shown in  FIG. 4 , may guide transporters  403  as they carry the wind compressors  400  to a new location around the wind turbine  100 . The one or more pathways  402  may be any suitable pathway for guiding the transporters including, but not limited to, a railroad, a monorail, a roadway, a waterway, and the like. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the one or more pathways  402  are a series of increasingly larger circles which extend around the entire wind turbine  100 . It should be appreciated that any suitable configuration for the pathways  402  may be used. As described above, the size of the wind turbine  100  may be greatly increased due to the minimized friction between the turbine rotor  104  and the turbine support  106 . Thus, the pathways  402  may encompass a large area around the wind turbine  100 . The wind compressors  400  as a group may extend out any distance from the wind turbine  100 , only limited by the land use in the area. Thus, a large area of wind may be channeled directly toward the wind turbine  100  thereby increasing the amount of wind engaging the blades  108 . 
         [0052]    In one aspect of this invention, the controller may be a single controller  404  capable of controlling each of the transporters  403  from an onsite or remote location. The controller(s)  404  may be in wired or wireless communication with the transporters  403 . The controller(s)  404  may initiate an actuator thereby controlling the engine, motor or drive member of the transporter  403 . The controller(s) may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), support circuits and memory. The CPU may comprise a general processing computer, microprocessor, or digital signal processor of a type that is used for signal processing. The support circuits may comprise well known circuits such as cache, clock circuits, power supplies, input/output circuits, and the like. The memory may comprise read only memory, random access memory, disk drive memory, removable storage and other forms of digital memory in various combinations. The memory stores control software and signal processing software. The control software is generally used to provide control of the systems of the wind turbine including the location of the transporters  403 , the blade direction, the amount of power being stored versus sent to the power grid, and the like. The processor may be capable of calculating the optimal location of each of the wind compressors based on data from the sensors. 
         [0053]    One or more sensors  310 , shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , may be located on the wind turbines  100 ,  200 ,  304  and/or  500  and/or in the area surrounding the wind turbines. The sensors  310  may detect the current wind direction and/or strength and send the information to a controller  312 . The sensors  310  may also detect the speed of rotation of the turbine rotor  104 . The controller  312  may receive information regarding any of the components and/or sensors associated with the wind turbines. The controller  312  may then send instructions to various components of the wind turbines, the wind compressors and/or the generators in order to optimize the efficiency of the wind turbines. The controller  312  may be located inside the base of the tower, at the concrete foundation, a remote location, or in the control room at the top of the tower. 
         [0054]    It should be appreciated that the wind compressors may be used in conjunction with any number and type of wind turbine, or wind farms. For example, the wind compressors  400  may be used with one or more horizontal wind turbines, traditional vertical wind turbines, the wind turbines described herein and any combination thereof. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic top view of two wind compressors  400  used in conjunction with multiple wind turbines  500 . The wind compressors  400  are located on two sides of the wind turbines  500 . The wind turbines  500  represent any wind turbine described herein. The wind compressors  400  engage wind  504  which would typically pass and not affect the wind turbines  500 . The wind  504  engages the wind compressors  400  and is redirected as a directed wind  506 . The directed wind  506  leaves the wind compressor  400  at a location that optimally affects at least one or the wind turbines  500 . The wind compressors  400  may shield a portion of the wind turbines  500  from an engaging wind  508  in order to increase the affect of the wind on the wind turbines  500 . The engaging wind  508  is the wind that would directly engage the wind turbines  500 . For example, the wind compressors  400  shown in  FIG. 5  shield a portion  509  of a vertical wind turbine which would be moving in the opposite direction to the wind  504 . The redirected wind  506  and the engaging wind  506  then engage an upstream side  510  of each of the wind turbines  500 . This arrangement may greatly increase the effectiveness of the wind turbines  500 . 
         [0056]    Although the wind compressors  400  are shown on each side of the wind turbines  500 , it should be appreciated that any arrangement that increases the productivity of the wind turbine  500  may be used. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of the wind compressor  400  according to one embodiment. The transporter supporting the wind compressor is shown as a trailer  600 . The trailer supports a rigging  602 . The rigging  602  supports a sail  604 .  FIG. 7  shows a side view of the wind compressor  400 , according to one embodiment. The sail  604  is full blown and shown in a mode of the wind engaging the sail  604 . 
         [0058]    The rigging  602 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  includes multiple poles extending in a substantially vertical direction from the transporter. The multiple poles are configured to couple to the sail  604 . The poles may couple to the sail  604  proximate two sides of the sail  604 . In one embodiment, two poles may be spaced apart from one another in order to allow the sail to extend a large distance between the poles. As shown, the poles vary in height; however, it should be appreciated that any arrangement of the poles may be used. Further, the rigging may be any suitable structure capable of supporting the sail  604 . 
         [0059]    The sail  604  is any suitable surface intended to deflect wind. As shown, the sail is a flexible material held by the rigging. The flexible material may be any flexible material including, but not limited to, a canvass, a cloth, a polycarbon, a metal, a glued and molded sail, a mylar, and the like. Further, the sail may be a solid non-flexible material which deflects wind that engages the sail. The non-flexible material may not require the rigging. 
         [0060]    Preferred methods and apparatus for practicing the present invention have been described. It will be understood and readily apparent to the skilled artisan that many changes and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. The foregoing is illustrative only and that other embodiments of the integrated processes and apparatus may be employed without departing from the true scope of the invention defined in the following claims.

Technology Category: f