BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to devices, components, apparatuses, and systems related to wind turbines. More specifically, the present invention is a wind turbine that includes a mandrel, a plurality of supporting arms or trusses, and a plurality of umbrella-like vanes. The wind turbine is adapted for rotating in a generally circular orientation with respect to the vertical axis of a turbine-receiving structure during operation wherein the circular orientation is generally parallel to a ground surface.
Description of the Related Art
Devices, components, apparatuses, and systems related to wind turbines are well known in the art.
The Applicant is unaware of inventions or patents, taken either singly or in combination, which are seen to describe the present invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a wind turbine that includes a mandrel, a plurality of supporting arms or trusses, and a plurality of umbrella-like vanes. The wind turbine is adapted for rotating in a generally circular orientation with respect to the vertical axis of a turbine-receiving structure during operation wherein the circular orientation is generally parallel to a ground surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a wind turbine according to the present invention, wherein the wind turbine is mounted upon a turbine-receiving structure, such as a tower;
FIG. 2 is an environmental, elevational view of the wind turbine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the wind turbine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view of an umbrella-like vane of the wind turbine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the umbrella-like vane of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a top and elevation view of a mandrel of the wind turbine of FIG. 1.
It should be understood that the above-attached figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the present invention is a wind turbine that comprises a rotating mandrel 3, a plurality of arms or trusses 5 extending laterally away from and mounted, secured or attached to the mandrel 3, and a plurality of umbrella-like vanes 6,7 mounted, secured or attached on the ends of arms or trusses 5 opposite mandrel 3. The mandrel 3 is adapted for being sufficiently secured for operation to a turbine-receiving structure 2, such as a tower or pole 2, having a generally vertical axis and a sufficient height. The plurality of arms or trusses 5 and plurality of umbrella-like vanes 6,7 are adapted for rotating in a generally circular orientation with respect to the vertical axis of the structure 2 during operation wherein the circular orientation is generally parallel to a ground surface.
Preferably, the wind turbine comprises six (6) umbrella-like vanes 6,7 that are proportionally positioned relative to the mandrel 3 to provide an efficient energy-producing apparatus when the wind turbine is secured upon the tower or pole 2.
FIG. 1 shows an environmental, perspective view of a wind turbine mounted upon a tower 2 that is supported by a base 1 of concrete or any solid material heavy enough and strong enough to support the tower and turbine. The wind turbine rotates in a circular orientation with respect to the vertical axis of the structure 2 during operation wherein the circular orientation is generally parallel to a ground surface. A rotating mandrel 3 is secured about an upper end of the tower 2 and is to which rotating arms or trusses 5 are solidly secured or attached. Mandrel 3 is fitted with pulley, sprocket or gears that drive any convenient, common power mechanism, generator, water pump, hydraulic pump, winch or combination of these. An umbrella-like vane 6,7 is mounted on the end of arm 5 opposite mandrel 3. Vanes 6,7 are the same vanes respectively in either an open position or a closed condition. When in the open position, the wind acts upon the face sides of the vanes 7 causing them to rotate until the back sides of the vanes 6 has come through rotation to be acted upon by the wind and closed by it for diminished wind resistance while rotating back to where the wind again opens and drives the vanes 7 in the direction shown by 9 until rotation again brings vanes 7 to where wind hits their back sides.
FIG. 2 shows an environmental, elevational view of the turbine showing a tower 2 with a platform 4 for mounting an energy-producing apparatus to be driven by the turbine. Platform 4 can be any convenient size and shape, placed at any height convenient to connect to a pulley, sprocket or gear that is used to drive the energy-producing apparatus. Mandrel 3 is shown with connecting arms or trusses 5 of any convenient length, construction of which can be light weight material strong enough to carry their own weight plus that of the umbrella-like vanes 6,7. Trusses 5 is preferably built similar to the drawings, with top and bottom cord with cross members tying them together for strength. Vanes 6,7 are shown respectively in closed and open positions.
FIG. 3 shows a top, plan view of the turbine. Wind direction is indicated by 10 showing that because the vanes 6,7 are positioned in a 360 degree circle, wind coming from any direction will act on the face sides of the vanes 7 on one half of the circle and concurrently on the back sides to close the vanes 6, thereby reducing drag vanes travel back to the opposite side of turbine to again be driven with force. Bridge 8 is shown connecting arms or trusses 5 together to tie structure together so that force exerted at any point transmits through the entire wind turbine. Direction of rotation with respect to direction of the wind 10 is indicated by curved arrow 9.
FIG. 4 shows an umbrella-like vane with 7 e being “sail cloth” or parachute cloth or any light-weight cloth selected for strength and having been treated for sun and weather resistance. Arms and trusses 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 connect to and carry hub 7 b to which pivoting, skeletal rod holder 7 d is attached. Skeletal rods 7 c are connected to ball bearings that are mounted in 7 d, 7 c and 7 d are the opening and closing framework of the vane with cloth or fabric 7 e being sewn or otherwise attached to the framework and with strong flexible cord 7 a as an outer border of the vane and sized to take strain off from rods limiting their opening ability high winds. Flexible cord 7 a also attaches to fabric 7 e.
FIG. 5 shows a side view of an open umbrella-like vane 7 showing hub indicated by 7 b and 7 f. The hub 7 b, 7 f has an outer ring or nut 7 h that acts as a stop to limit the opening of the vane to a shape similar to that shown in the drawing. Bolt 7 g and nut 7 h attach vane hub 7 f to arm or truss 5. Direction of the wind 10 is indicated to show direction of wind in relationship with opened vane.
FIG. 6 shows mandrel 3 which is preferably a metal tube that turns on bearings 3 b, 3 c which are mounted on an inner shaft 3 a. The inner shaft, alternatively could be longer, extending upward out of the outer shaft bearing assembly to have the trusses attach to it 3 a above top of mandrel 3 which will in that case connect to tower support.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and non-limiting examples described above or as shown in the attached figures, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the spirit of the invention.