VAWT cluster and individual supporting arrangements

Abstract

One or more vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT), preferably of the Savonius type, are mounted in a relatively simple and inexpensive manner. For a single VAWT a center pole may be disposed within a hollow shaft of the VAWT with at least upper and lower bearings acting between the shaft and center pole. Alternatively, a short tower or platform may mount a lower bearing (e. g. about 4-14 feet off the ground) for the VAWT shaft, and an upper bearing for the shaft may be mounted by an outrigger. The outrigger is connected at a number of different points (e. g. different arms) by strands (such as steel cables) to stationary supports. Where multiple VAWTs are provided, them may be in a cluster. Each VAWT in the cluster has a structural support in common with at least one other VAWT of the cluster, and each VAWT is operatively connected to a separate useful driven mechanism (such as an electricity or fuel gas generator). Each VAWT typically has an outrigger mounting an upper bearing, with strands, rods, or bars, connecting outriggers of adjacent VAWTs together. Different VAWTs in the cluster preferably rotate in different directions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top schematic perspective view of three clustered VAWTs having common support elements, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view at or adjacent the top of one of the VAWTs of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of one exemplary configuration of five clustered VAWTs using common support elements;

FIG. 4 is a view like that of FIG. 4 showing a different configuration of the clustered VAWTs;

FIG. 5 is perspective schematic view of a single VAWT having particular mounting elements according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side schematic view, mostly in elevation but partly in cross-section, of a single VAWT like that of FIG. 5 with modifications;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of just the outrigger element and the top of the vanes of the turbine of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a hinged shaft configuration that may optionally be used with the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7;

FIG. 9 is a side view, partly in cross section and partly in elevation, of an exemplary center pole mounting arrangement for a Savonius or helical VAWT; and

FIG. 10 is a partial view like that of FIG. 1 with a modification of the upper bearing.

Claims

1. A cluster of a plurality of widely spaced vertical axis wind turbines, each connected to a separate useful driven mechanism; and a plurality of structural supports for the vertical axis wind turbines, including at least one structural support common to at least two of the plurality of wind turbines.

2. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 1 wherein the driven structures are electricity generating or fuel gas producing elements.

3. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 1 wherein each vertical axis wind turbine has a structural support in common with at least one other vertical axis wind turbine.

4. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one of the vertical axis wind turbines has an outrigger element operatively connected at or adjacent a top portion thereof and to an upper bearing; and wherein said structural supports comprise a strand, rod, or bar operatively connected to said outrigger element.

5. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said vertical axis wind turbines has an outrigger element operatively connected at or adjacent a top portion thereof, and wherein a structural support is operatively connected from each outrigger element to at least one other outrigger element.

6. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 5 wherein a strand is connected from at least one of the outrigger elements to a stationary support.

7. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 1 wherein at least three vertical axis wind turbines are provided, and are arranged on the imaginary periphery of a polygon, circle, or oval.

8. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 7 wherein at least one of the wind turbines rotates in the opposite direction to at least one other wind turbine.

9. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 7 wherein an even number of wind turbines is provided, and wherein alternating turbines along the imaginary periphery rotate in opposite directions.

10. A cluster of vertical axis wind turbines as recited in claim 9 wherein the vertical axis wind turbines comprise three bladed Savonius wind turbines.

11. A cluster of at least three vertical axis wind turbines, each vertical axis wind turbine in the cluster having a structural support in common with at least one other vertical axis wind turbine of the cluster, and each vertical axis wind turbine operatively connected to a separate useful driven mechanism.

12. A vertical axis wind turbine comprising: a plurality of vanes; said vanes operatively connected to a central shaft structure mounted by at least one lower bearing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis; an outrigger operatively connected at or adjacent a top portion of said central shaft structure with an upper bearing operatively disposed between said outrigger and said central shaft structure; and a plurality of structural supports operatively connected to a plurality of different portions of said outrigger, and each also operatively connected to a stationary support.

13. A vertical axis wind turbine as recited in claim 12 wherein said outrigger comprises at least three distinct arms, and wherein said structural supports comprise at least three strands, one operatively connected to each arm and to a different stationary support.

14. A vertical axis wind turbine as recited in claim 12 wherein said lower bearing is mounted by a short tower or platform.

15. A vertical axis wind turbine as recited in claim 14 wherein said short tower or platform mounts said lower bearing about four-fourteen feet above the ground, and the bottoms of said vanes are above said lower bearing and positioned not to interfere with a human positioned thereunder.

16. A vertical axis wind turbine as recited in claim 14 wherein a useful driven mechanism is operatively connected to said central shaft structure below said lower bearing and within the periphery of said short tower or platform.

17. A vertical axis wind turbine as recited in claim 12 wherein said central shaft structure comprises a single shaft that has a pivotal connection above said short tower or platform.

18. A vertical axis wind turbine as recited in claim 12 wherein said vanes are at least partially curved, and the vertical axis wind turbine is a two or three bladed Savonius.

19. A Savonius or helical VAWT having a hollow central shaft; a center pole extending through said shaft for mounting the Savonius or helical VAWT; and at least upper and lower bearings operatively disposed between said shaft and center pole for mounting said shaft for rotation with respect to said center pole about a substantially vertical axis.

20. A Savonius or helical VAWT as recited in claim 19 wherein said upper bearing is mounted exteriorly of said shaft and supported by a portion of said center pole above said shaft.