Method and Apparatus for Amplifying an Ambient Wind Stream to a Wind Turbine

摘要

A wind speed amplification device that cooperates with a wind turbine to amplify ambient wind speed conditions directed to the blades of the wind turbine. In one embodiment, the amplification device has a conical shape that is configured to generally overly the central hub associated with an axis of rotation of the blades. In another embodiment, the amplification device has a wedge shape that is positioned radially outboard of the operating footprint of the blades and extends upstream of the plane of operation of the turbine blades. In a preferred embodiment, the wedge shaped amplification device includes a forward wedge portion and a rearward wedge portion that extend in opposite directions relative to the plane of operation of the blades.

主权项

1. An apparatus for amplifying a speed of a wind stream directed at a wind turbine, the apparatus comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned adjacent an intake side of the wind turbine and the second end displaced upstream relative to a wind direction from the first end; and an outer surface of the body configured to increase the speed of the wind stream that strikes the outer surface as the wind stream travels from the second end toward the first end of the body and redirect the wind steam, toward a blade area of the wind turbine.