Multi-cylinder wind powered generator

Abstract

A multiple generator having a vertical post and multiple vertical tubes has the generators positioned vertically one above the other. Each is cylindrical in shape and has two rings separated by connecting fins. The cylinders vary in size with the top being the smallest, the middle or second being larger and the third being the largest. With low winds, only the smallest generator turns. As wind velocity increases, the small generator rotates faster until clutches in a clutch ring move outwardly until they engage and secure to the second generator so both generators move together. As wind speed increases, clutches on the second generator move outwardly until they engage and secure to the third generator and all generators now rotate together. Thus varying amounts of electricity are generated depending on the wind speed and which generators are active. Each generator has its own rotating shaft with ball bearings between the post and first tube and between the first and second tubes. A cage protects the device from birds or other air-suspended articles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational schematic view of the multi-cylinder wind powered generator of the present invention in this example having three cylinders.

FIG. 2 is an elevational, isolated view of the first, top and lightest weight cylinder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of the first cylinder shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the positioning of the wind-engaging fins.

FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of the top cylinder as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 showing the clutch plates in the extended condition so as to engage the inside of the second, middle cylinder positioned below and cause that cylinder to rotate with the top cylinder.

FIG. 5 is an elevational, isolated view of the second, and somewhat larger cylinder which is attached to a tube rather than the post to which the top cylinder is connected and is separated from the post by ball bearing rings.

FIG. 6 is a top, plan view of the second cylinder shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top, plan view of the second cylinder showing the clutch plates in the extended condition so as to engage the inside of the third and largest cylinder positioned below and cause that cylinder to rotate with the second and first cylinders.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the third and largest cylinder which is attached to a second tube which is separated from the first tube by ball bearing rings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a generating device shown generally as 10 includes a first squirrel cage cylinder 12 which is attached to a post 14 by braces 16, 18 that extend to the inner perimeter 20 of cylinder 12. A plurality of fins 22 are secured to and between circular end rings 24, 26 in a fixed relationship.

Cylinder ring 26 supports clutch plates 30. When cylinder 12 is not rotating rapidly, retracting springs 32 hold plates 30 to ring 26, thus allowing ring 26 to fit freely inside the top ring 34 of second cylinder 36. As wind rotates cylinder 12 at a faster rate, centrifugal force pushes clutch plates 30 outwardly so that they engage the inner perimeter 35 of top ring 34 of second cylinder 36 and cause it to rotate. As wind decreases, clutch plates 30 retract and second cylinder 36 stops moving. FIG. 4 illustrates clutch plates 30 of cylinder 12 in the extended, rim-engaging position.

Second cylinder 36 is attached to a first tube 38. The attachment is similar to the attachment of top cylinder 12 to post 14. Second cylinder 36 also has a ring 40 with clutch plates 42 attached, and they function similarly to clutch plates 30 on top cylinder 12. To keep post 14 and first tube 38 separated and turning freely, two rings 44 are attached to post 14. They house a series of ball bearings that touch first tube 38 and keep it separated from post 14.

The third and largest cylinder 50 is attached to second tube 52 in the same manner as those previously described. Its only difference is that it does not have a ring of clutch plates because there is no cylinder below it to be turned. Ball bearings within rings of bearings 46 keep second tube 52 separated from first tube 38 and allow easy turning.

First cylinder 12 is attached to the longest supporting and rotating member, post 14, and at the bottom of post 14 is a conventional gearing mechanism which turns a dynamo (not shown). On the outside of post 14 is first tube 38 to which second cylinder 36 is attached. It rotates independently of post 14 and also has a connected conventional gearing mechanism and dynamo. Second tube 52 is outside first tube 38 and attaches to third cylinder 50. It operates similarly to first tube 38. There are ball bearings, more particularly, ball bearing rings 46 between post 14 and first tube 38 for separation and sturdiness which allow post 14 and first tube 38 to rotate with a minimum of friction. Similarly, there are ball bearings, more particularly, ball bearing rings 46 between first tube 38 and second tube 52 which accomplish the same result.

Suspended over cylinders 12, 36 and 50 is a covering 56 (FIG. 1) made of wire mesh or other suitable material whose purpose is to protect the cylinders from heavy hale or other adverse weather conditions and to prevent birds prevent birds from colliding with the moving cylinders and sustaining injuries.

From the preceding description, it can be seen that a multi-cylinder vertically positioned wind-powered generator system has been provided that will meet all of the advantages of prior art devices and offer additional advantages not heretofore achievable. With respect to the foregoing invention, the optimum dimensional relationship to the parts of the invention including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, use and assembly are deemed readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed herein.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. All suitable modifications and equivalents that full within the scope of the appended claims are deemed within the present inventive concept.

Claims

1. A wind driven generation device comprising: multiple vertically positioned wind driven rotatable and electricity generating cylinders; and means selectively connecting the cylinders to increase generating capacity in response to increased wind speed and to decrease generating capacity in response to decreased wind speed.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the generators include a first generator of a first size, a second generator of a second larger size and a third generator of a third size larger than the second larger size generator.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a cage surrounding the device to provide protection from birds and other air suspended articles.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the device responds to multi-directional wind flow without wind directional adjustment.

5. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders has a plurality of vertical wind-receiving fins.

6. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders is connected to a single centrally positioned rotating member.

7. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders has circular ends to which the vertical wind-receiving fins are secured and a plurality of clutch plates normally held in a circular configuration around at least one circular end by the bias of a plurality of springs and movable outwardly upon rotation of the cylinder to overcome the bias of the springs and engage and secure the cylinder to another rotatable cylinder so that the secured cylinders rotate together.

8. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the device responses to multi-directional wind flow without wind directional adjustment.

9. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders has a plurality of vertical wind-receiving fins.

10. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders is connected to a single centrally positioned rotating member.

11. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the device responds to multi-directional wind flow without wind directional adjustment, each of the rotatable cylinders has a plurality of wind-receiving fins and each of the rotatable cylinders is connected to a single centrally positioned rotating member.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders has circular ends to which the vertical wind-receiving fins are secured and a plurality of clutch plates normally held in a circular configuration around one circular end by the bias of a plurality of springs and movable outwardly upon rotation of the cylinder to over come the bias of the springs and engage and secure the cylinder to another cylinder so that the secured cylinders rotate together.

13. The device as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: a cage surrounding the device to provide protection from birds and other air-suspended articles.

14. The device as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: a cage surrounding the device to provide protection from birds and other air-suspended articles.

15. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein all cylinders are connected and rotate together.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15 further comprising: a cage surrounding the device to provide protection from birds and other air-suspended articles.

17. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the rotatable cylinders has a circular interior opening with first and second interior opening ends and circular ends over the first and second interior opening ends to which the vertical wind-receiving fins are secured and a plurality of clutch plates normally held in a flat circular configuration proximate one of the circular ends and within one of the interior opening ends of an adjacent cylinder by the bias of a plurality of springs and movable outwardly upon rotation of the cylinder to overcome the bias of the springs and engage and secure the rotating cylinder to the surface of the inside of the circular interior opening of the adjacent cylinder so that the secured cylinders rotate together.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the device responds to multi-directional wind flow without wind directional adjustment, each of the rotatable cylinders has a plurality of vertical wind-receiving fins, each of the rotatable cylinders is connected to a single centrally positioned rotating member.

19. The device as claimed in claim 17 further comprising: a cage surrounding the device to provide protection from birds and other air-suspended articles.

20. The device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising: a cage surrounding the device to provide protection from birds and other air-suspended articles.