Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine With Protective Screen

摘要

A vertical-axis wind turbine apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a substantially vertically-oriented main shaft. A blade assembly is coaxially aligned with and rotatably engaged about the main shaft. The blade assembly provides an at least one blade radially projecting therefrom. A housing is rotatably engaged with the main shaft and configured for selectively encompassing the blade assembly. A first screen is integral with the housing and configured for shielding a return portion of the blade assembly. A second screen is rotatably engaged with the housing and configured for selectively moving between a retracted position, wherein the second screen is positioned substantially adjacent to the first screen such that a catch portion of the blade assembly is exposed, and a deployed position, wherein the second screen is rotated away from the first screen for at least partially shielding the catch portion from the wind.

主权项

1. A vertical-axis wind turbine apparatus comprising:
a substantially vertically-oriented main shaft; a blade assembly coaxially aligned with and rotatably engaged about the main shaft, the blade assembly providing an at least one blade radially projecting therefrom; the blade assembly having a circumference that comprises a catch portion, wherein the at least one blade catches the wind, and a return portion, wherein the at least one blade carries out its revolution about the main shaft before returning to catch the wind once again; and a housing rotatably engaged with the main shaft and configured for selectively encompassing the blade assembly, the housing comprising:
a first screen integral with the housing and configured for shielding the return portion of the blade assembly circumference from the wind; anda second screen rotatably engaged with the housing and configured for selectively moving between a retracted position, wherein the second screen is positioned substantially adjacent to the first screen such that the catch portion of the blade assembly circumference is exposed, and a deployed position, wherein the second screen is rotated away from the first screen for at least partially shielding the catch portion from the wind; whereby, during use of the apparatus, the second screen is capable of selectively moving into the deployed position upon the occurrence of pre-determined environmental conditions that would otherwise potentially damage the blade assembly.