Patent · US Expired

Wind energy concentrators

US4045144A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1975
Grant dateAug 30, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S416/04
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The herein described horizontal and vertical wind energy concentrators are structurally simple and light and are capable of concentrating the wind energy at least six times with very high efficiency. This permits a corresponding reduction in the frontal area of the wind turbine and increases its speed without sacrifice in wind energy harnessed. The wind energy concentrator is a high lift, short aspect ratio wing, which is designed to maximize the induced drag. This induced drag takes the velocity out of the wind but transforms the wind energy into rotational energy present in the shed vortex system. The design is such that most of this rotational energy can be harnessed by a small high speed wind turbine placed in the rolled up wing tip vortex.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.