Vertical axis wind turbine energy converter (VAWTEC)

Abstract

This vertical axis wind turbine energy converter (VAWTEC) is made up of a number of rotary arms, which arms radiate from a central rotating column, and each radial arm holding two vertically opposed sails. Rotation of the central column drives a master gear, which causes the pinions on the alternators to rotate. The alternators convert wind forces into a direct current (DC) energy. This DC energy is converted into alternating current (AC) by the inverters. This AC output is conditioned and fed into the Public Utility Company (PUC) grid and/or into storage batteries. This VAWTEC is self-orienting into the wind. It will automatically shut itself down should the PUC's grid be shut down. It will automatically re-start itself after the grid has been restored to service. It contains a governing system to regulate the maximum speed in order to avoid self-destruction.

1 . A self-orienting vertical axis wind turbine comprising: 
 (a) a vertical column;    (b) a horizontal arm attached to said vertical column;    (c) a sail journal attached to said horizontal arm;    (d) a mast rotatably attached to said sail journal;    (e) a horizontal boom support secured to said mast;    (f) a boom attached to said horizontal boom support;    (g) a pair of vertically opposed sails attached to said mast and booms;    (h) a solenoid attached to said horizontal arm;    (i) a stop pin attached to said solenoid;    (j) a means for limiting speed of said vertical column;    (k) a means for halting rotation of said vertical column;    (l) a means for sail rotational counter balance,    whereby said sails when driven by incoming wind, are restrained from moving freely about the vertical axis by said stop pin, thereby capturing the energy of the wind and causing the turbine to rotate, and whereby said sails, when overdriven by incoming wind, are free to move about the vertical axis by retraction of said stop pins, thereby causing the sails to assume a neutral orientation into the wind, thereby halting the rotation of the turbine.    
   
   
       2 . The self orienting vertical axis wind turbine, as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a wind-speed measuring device, a plurality of alternators driven by drive gears, a means for delivering electrical energy to a power grid, a means for detecting a power outage at the power grid, a shunt device, a plurality of horizontal arms, sail journals, masts, horizontal boom supports, booms, solenoids, and stop pins, and with a central processing device that controls all of the functions of the wind turbine.