Multi-rotor wind turbine supported by continuous central driveshaft

Abstract

Co-axial, multi-rotor wind turbines, producing more power than a single rotor of the same diameter, are made even more powerful by increasing driveshaft length and supporting the driveshaft from more than one point. Sacrificing the ability to aim, for the extra length to support additional rotors, results in a more powerful co-axial multi-rotor turbine, especially useful for areas with a predominantly unidirectional wind resource. Ideally the turbine is placed at an offset angle alpha from the wind direction, which, in combination with proper spacing between rotors, allows fresh wind to reach each rotor, so that all rotors contribute toward rotation of the driveshaft. Placing the driveshaft under tension can raise critical speeds and reduce the number of intermediate supports required. This places the Earth or underlying substrate in compression, making it effectively part of the structure of the turbine, saving cost. Cross-axis and reversible blades may also be incorporated.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] [0001] This application for patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 712,792, filed August 30, 2005, and is the priority of pending U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 810,375, filed March 27, 2004. Continuation-in-Part, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 781,213, filed February 17, 2004, assigned U.S. Patent No. 7,008,172, which was assigned U.S. Patent No. A continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 997,499, 6,692,230, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 881,511, which was assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,616,402, filed June 14, 2001, hereby in its entirety Incorporated herein by reference as part of this disclosure. technical field [0003] [0002] The present invention relates to windmills and wind turbines. (Technical Unit 3745) Background technique [0004] [0003] The power output of a wind turbine is proportional to the ar...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0037] 4. However, when providing maximum power output, proper alignment of the drive shaft is not critical for at least efficient power output

However, this concept has disadvantages: each rotor requires separate bearings, generators and fixed supports, and also requires a heavy, complex support structure that is disproportionate to the amount of material required for the piping around each rotor

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