Title

CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIND POWER GENERATION PLANT

Background of the Invention

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/281 ,637, filed on November 20, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is _^ hereby incorporated by reference herein. This application also relates to co-pending

application, titled: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING, AUGMENTING AND CONVERTING WIND POWER (Docket No. Smollon-01-NP) filed on even date herewith, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/281 ,671 , filed on November 20, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to the generation of electric power from the wind, and more particularly, to wind monitoring control systems and methods for generating electrical energy obtained from a wind power generation plant.

Background Information

[0003] The conversion of the energy in a wind stream to electricity can be accomplished through the use of wind turbines whose rotors (or blades or impellers) are coupled to a shaft for rotation. The force of an air stream against the surface of the rotors of the turbine causes the shaft to turn, which in turn provides rotary mechanical power that can be utilized to drive one or more generators to produce electricity.

[0004] As a fuel source for the production of mechanical power, which in turn can be converted into electricity, the energy of the wind has two main advantages over fossil derived resources, for example, oil, natural gas and coal, because it is

inexhaustible and freely available. Although it is freely available, wind energy is also an

l intermittent resource, and it varies greatly, both in velocity and the direction from which it emanates, even over the course of short periods of time.

[0005] Wind turbine technological advancement has followed two paths of development, HAWT (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine) and VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine), with HAWT technology dominating the industry. The advantage that HAWT technology has over VAWT is that it is eminently scalable into larger, higher, more powerful applications. The basic underpinning behind HAWT development has been to place larger rotors, which equates to more energy being harvested from the air stream, at greater altitudes where the higher wind velocity allows for greater productivity.

[0006] The inherent physical limitations of VAWT technology prevents following the path of 'ever-larger' scalability of singular HAWT turbines. Past attempts to scale VAWT turbines to larger sizes have been stymied due to the challenges the basic laws of physics place upon the technology.

[0007] Regardless of the various configurations utilized by recent VAWT developers, vertical-axis technology is constrained to an operational realm that is fairly close to ground level. At this point in time, the prevailing practice within the vertical-axis industry is the placement of turbines on the rooftops of apartment, retail and industrial buildings to take advantage of building height.

[0008] The major disadvantage of vertical-axis technology, i.e., the requirement that VAWT installations be built close to ground level, also presents product developers with two major opportunities or advantages, the first being the ability to construct 'ground based' structures that can serve to capture and concentrate elements of the air stream and focus it upon the impellers of wind power generation plants lodged within said structures. A second opportunity afforded to VAWT developers is locating mechanical systems of the wind power generation plant close to the ground, allowing for easy access for purposes of repair and maintenance.

[0009] The ability to construct ground based installations that can serve to capture and concentrate portions of the passing air stream is enhanced in mountainous regions, where the contoured terrain serves to naturally augment and focus the wind stream. In mountainous regions, the wind resource is often stronger closer to the ground than at higher altitudes. In these areas, VAWT wind power generation plants, lodged within structures as described above, have the potential to exhibit production profiles that are equal to, or greater than, the most efficient installations of the utility scale HAWT technology.

[0010] An additional issue that must be taken into account when attempting to capitalize upon the fact that mountainous regions often have stronger wind power resources closer to ground level, is that the same physical features that produce this effect, i.e., ridgelines, passage gaps, bluffs, and other structures, are a very

individualized resource, with many specific nuances and peculiarities related to the wind patterns at any particular location.

[0011] An inherent challenge that comes with situating wind power generation facilities close to ground level in mountainous areas are the specific nuances and peculiarities of the wind resources found in the described type of terrain. There is often a much wider range of wind speed levels, along with more directional shifting of the prevailing wind than is found at higher altitudes. Coupled to this challenge is the fact that ground based VAWT systems do not possess the ability to orient the impact impellers of their wind power generation plants to accommodate the shifting angle of attach of the prevailing wind.

[0012] There remains a need for control systems and methods for generating electrical energy obtained from a wind power generation plant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate common features of the described devices.

[0014] Figure 1 is cross-sectional view of a wind power generation plant illustrating two rows of vertically configured axes with a plurality of turbines disposed thereon according to an aspect of the invention; [0015] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the wind power generation plant of FIG. 1 , illustrating the two rows of vertically configured axes with a plurality of turbines disposed on each axis according to an aspect of the invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a top plan view of the system illustrating the movement of the selectively adjustable louver panel arrays at one angle of attack according to an aspect of the invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a top plan view of the system illustrating the movement of the selectively adjustable louver panel arrays at another angle of attack according to an aspect of the invention;

[0018] Figure 5 is an elevational view of a portion of the adjustable airstream focusing sub-system according to an aspect of the invention; and

[0019] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating the elements and interconnection of the elements associated with a controller according to an aspect of the invention.

[0020] The above-identified drawing figures set forth several preferred

embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are also contemplated, as disclosed herein. The disclosure represents the invention, but is not limited thereby, as it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Summary of the Invention

[0021] Briefly described, according to an aspect of the invention, a control system for a wind power generation plant including one or more turbines disposed on an axis of rotation in a housing with walls formed by selectively adjustable louver panels includes one or more wind speed sensors configured to measure a wind speed, and operational to provide a wind speed measurement signal to a controller; one or more wind directional sensors configured to measure a wind direction, and operational to provide a wind directional measurement signal to a controller; one or more rpm sensors and one or more permanent magnetic generators coupled to an axis of rotation of one or more turbines, the one or more rpm sensors configured to measure revolutions-per-minute of the turbine and the axis of rotation, and operational to provide an rpm measurement signal to a controller; one or more positioning sensors configured to measure a position of one or more arrays of selectively adjustable louver panels, and operational to provide a position measurement signal to a controller; and a real-time programmable controller coupled to the one or more wind speed sensors, the one or more wind directional sensors, the one or more rpm sensors, and the one or more positioning sensors, the controller configured to receive the wind speed, the wind directional, the rpm, and the position measurement signals from the sensors, and to compare the signals with selected parameters, the controller being configured to adjust the position of one or more arrays of selectively adjustable louver panels to direct airstreams toward the one or more turbines in a wind power generation plant.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a wind power generation plant including one or more turbines disposed on an axis of rotation in a housing with walls formed by selectively adjustable louver panels includes the steps of: disposing one or more wind speed sensors configured to measure a wind speed, and operational to provide a wind speed measurement signal to a controller, in a housing; disposing one or more wind directional sensors configured to measure a wind direction, and operational to provide a wind directional measurement signal to a controller, in a housing; providing one or more rpm sensors and one or more permanent magnetic generators coupled to an axis of rotation of one or more turbines, the one or more rpm sensors configured to measure revolutions-per-minute of the turbine and the axis of rotation, and operational to provide an rpm measurement signal to a controller; providing one or more positioning sensors configured to measure a position of one or more arrays of selectively adjustable louver panels, and operational to provide a position measurement signal to a controller; and providing a real-time programmable controller coupled to the one or more wind speed sensors, the one or more wind directional sensors, the one or more rpm sensors, and the one or more positioning sensors, the controller configured to receive the wind speed, the wind directional, the rpm, and the position measurement signals from the sensors, and to compare the signals with selected parameters, the controller being configured to adjust the position of one or more arrays of selectively adjustable louver panels to direct airstreams toward the one or more turbines in a wind power generation plant.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, a wind power generation plant including one or more turbines disposed on an axis of rotation in a housing with walls formed by selectively adjustable louver panels includes a control system as described above.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes",

"including", "has", "having", or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover nonexclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "of refers to an inclusive "or" and not to an exclusive "or". For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present); A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present); and both A and B are true (or present).

[0025] The terms "a" or "an" as used herein are to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done for convenience to the reader and to provide a general sense of the invention. The use of these terms in the description herein should be read and understood to include one or at least one. In addition, the singular also includes the plural unless indicated to the contrary. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] According to an aspect of the invention, an operational control system 90 comprised of hardware and a software application (designated herein as the Wind Velocity Accelerator System Controller (WVAS Controller) for a Wind Velocity

Accelerator System (WVAS) is a real time PLC (programmable logic controller) based digital computer and relay equipped with the facility for extensive input/output (I/O) arrangements that connect the PLC 90 to sensors and actuators that, based upon the instruction sets issued by the WVAS Controller software programming, control the WVAS' various electromechanical systems and sub-systems. The WVAS is described in co-pending application, filed on even date herein and titled: SYSTEM AND METHOD COLLECTING, AUGMENTING AND CONVERTING WIND POWER, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] The inherent challenges of producing electricity from rotary mechanical power produced by the action of wind striking impact impellers fixed upon a rotation are the variability of the wind stream and the shifting of the direction of the prevailing wind.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing structure 10 of the system includes a ceiling 12, a floor 20, and oppositely disposed side walls, which, as described herein, include an array of selectively adjustable louver panels, as further illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated housing structure 10 forms an airstream inlet chamber 26 with an intake opening 28 for collecting an airstream 88, the airstream inlet chamber 26 including a first and a second array of selectively adjustable louver panels, 32 and 34, respectively. Each array 32 and 34 forms a side wall of the structure 10, the side walls being oppositely disposed. One or more wind speed sensors 80 are disposed within and throughout the housing structure. One or more wind directional sensors 82 are disposed on the outer surface 14 of the housing structure 10 and throughout the housing structure 10. At the top and bottom edges of the front and back ends of the housing structure 10 are rounded protuberances or edges 94.

[0029] The airstream inlet chamber 26 includes an internal outlet 30 through which a collected airstream passes. The structure 10 also includes a central chamber 36 for housing a plurality of wind generation power plants, for example, turbines 38, and for receiving a collected airstream from the internal outlet 30 of the airstream inlet chamber 26. A plurality of turbines 38 are rotatably coupled to an axis of rotation 40. The central chamber 36 also includes a third and fourth array of selectively adjustable louver panels, 42 and 44, respectively. Each array 42 and 44 forms a side wall of the structure, and the side walls are oppositely disposed. [0030] The housing structure 10 further includes an airstream outlet chamber 46 with an internal inlet 48 through which a collected airstream passes from the central chamber 36. The airstream outlet chamber 46 includes a fifth and sixth array of selectively adjustable louver panels, 52 and 54, respectively, each of which forms an oppositely disposed side wall of the structure 10. An outlet opening 50 for diffusing a collected airstream is also provided.

[0031] According to an aspect of the invention, a singular, rigid structure anchored to the ground by means of vertical structural columns attached to concrete foundation pads or piers, does not possess the ability to orient either the inlet chamber, or the equipment of the wind power generation plant lodged in the central chamber, into the direction of the prevailing wind stream. The adjustable airstream focusing subsystem 62 is thus provided to capture, direct and focus elements of the prevailing wind stream into the opening of the middle chamber.

[0032] The ceilings and floors of both the inlet and outlet chambers are faced or lined with ribbed steel paneling 18 (FIG. 2), the ribs of said paneling being aligned perpendicular to the face of the middle chamber, while the side walls of the inlet, central and outlet chambers are comprised of adjustable louvers. The floor and ceiling of the central chamber may also be faced with the same material, or other materials of similar properties, strength and durability, with the ribbing oriented in the same direction as the airstream flowing through the chamber.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a top plan view of the structure 10 illustrates the side walls of the housing structure 10 that are formed by the selectively adjustable louver panel arrays 32, 34, 42, 44, 52 and 54, respectively, according to an aspect of the invention.

[0034] The supporting housing structure 10 is composed of steel I-beam columns, attached to concrete foundation pads or piers 11 , and steel I-beam and lattice framing members to which ribbed and corrugated 29 gauge and 26 gauge steel panels (or other suitable materials having similar properties, including strength and durability) of varying widths and lengths are affixed to create the walls, ceilings and floors of the housing structure 10. The construction methodology and materials allow for the structure to withstand wind speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Advantageously, the use of this type of steel construction allows for this aspect of the invention to be constructed at a far lower cost per installed kW of power capacity than any existing HAWT or VAWT wind power generation system in current use. The construction methodology advantageously allows for wide spans of up to 300 feet, with a minimal number of columns being in use, a feature not found in the existing wind augmentation and diffusion technologies, as existing augmentation and diffusion applications are either very small in size, or the structures are studded with many columns and extensive framing which cause turbulence in the incoming and outgoing wind stream.

[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 exemplify the bi-directional functionality of the system. When there is a shift in the prevailing wind, the function of the airstream inlet chamber 26 for receiving and collecting airstreams and the airstream outlet chamber 46 for diffusing collected airstreams is reversed, i.e., the airstream inlet chamber 26 serves to diffuse collected airstreams, and the airstream outlet chamber 46 serves to collect and direct airstreams.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, which illustrate elevational views of a portion of the selectively adjustable louver panel array of the system, the louver panel 24 on a vertical axis 56 with bearings 59 and rotating socket, is in a closed position in FIG. 5a, and an open position in FIG. 5b. Also illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b is a connector arm 58 that may be coupled to a shaft of an electric motor 60 for driving the arrays according to an aspect of the invention. Although illustrated at the top of the louver panel, it should be understood that the connector arm 58 may also be coupled at the bottom of the panel, and alternatively, the panels may be coupled with connector arms 58 at both ends thereof. According to another aspect of the invention, the connector arm 58 is not present, and each of the selectively adjustable louver panels are moved independently of one another, as will be described herein. According to an aspect of the invention, the shaft of the motor 60 may be attached to the axis of the louver panel situated closest to the exterior opening of either chamber, to move the entire panel in concert. [0037] Alternatively, each of the louver panels 24 in the arrays may be independently movable. For example, a variable frequency device (VFD) 89 may be employed, which is an adjustable speed drive, the rotational speed of an alternating current electric motor being controlled by controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor. The speed of the motor being controlled by a

programmable logic computer (PLC). In this aspect, the motor would have an encoder to provide the position of the motor to the PLC 90. The PLC 90 will control the speed and position of the motor to achieve a programmed position for the adjustable louver panel arrays. Alternatively, the array of louvers may be adjusted using a chain drive and sprocket arrangement, wherein the axis of one louver is coupled to a drive shaft of a positioning motor, the motor being controlled by a VFD 89. Each of the louver panels of the array being equipped with a sprocket affixed to a respective rotatable axis, the sprockets being joined by a closed loop drive chain, and the operation of which allows for signal commands from the PLC to the VFD and the positioning motor to be carried out for a particular array by mechanical action of the chain drive and sprocket arrangement.

[0038] The variable frequency device(s) (VFD) 89 in FIG. 6 represent a specific type of adjustable speed drive. It is a system for controlling the rotational speed of an alternating current (AC) electric motor 87 by controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor 87. The VFD 89 powers the positioning motor 87 of the Adjustable Airstream Focusing Sub-System ( AAF). The speed of the motor will be controlled by the PLC 90. The motor 87 includes an encoder which will provide the position of the motor back to the PLC. The PLC will control the speed and position of the motor to achieve the programmed position of the Adjustable Airstream Focusing Sub System Panels.

[0039] Each louver panel 24 is coupled to a vertical axis 56 that intersects and extends beyond the top and bottom ends of each panel. According to an aspect of the invention, each end of each vertical axis 56 being seated in a rotating socket, is joined at the top end with a connector arm 58 for moving the louvers in unison. The louver panels may be moved in unison by an electric motor 60, the shaft of the electric motor being attached to the louver panel proximate the opening 28 or 50 of the airstream inlet chamber 26 or the airstream outlet chamber 46. The louver panel proximate the opening 28 or 50 may extend beyond the opening(s) of the chamber(s) 26 or 46. The louver panels have dimensions corresponding to the interior dimensions of the

chamber.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bi-directionality functionality is further illustrated when an airstream 88 is at different angles of attack is illustrated. In FIG. 3, the angle of attack is at about 130 degrees. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the selectively adjustable louver panels 32, 42 and 54 are in an open position, and the selectively adjustable louver panels 34 and 52 are in a closed position. The movement of the louver panels is controlled by a controller system, as described herein. In FIG. 4, the angle of attack is from the opposite direction, at about 130 degrees. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the selectively adjustable louver panels 32 and 54 are in a closed position, and the selectively adjustable louver panels 52, 44 and 34 are in an open position. As illustrated, the louver panels further direct an airstream either into or out of the central chamber. The opening and closing movement of the louver panels is determined by a controller which actuates depending upon the direction of the prevailing wind.

[0041] It should be understood that a prevailing wind with an angle of attack that is exactly perpendicular, i.e., 90°, to the orientation of the rotation of the axis or axes of the wind power generation plant 38 is the most productive for propelling the impellers. Each degree of shift, from an angle of attack of 90°, results in a progressive lessening of the effective wind power available for striking the impellers of the power plant. For example, at a 140° angle of attack or greater (or 40 degrees if the measurement of degrees is taken from the receding side of the scale), the wind stream is significantly less effective, because of its oblique approach to the wind power generation plant's turbines, for the purpose of powering the wind power generation plant if devices and mechanisms to direct elements of the airstream at a productive angle into central chamber are not utilized.

[0042] The louver panels are capable of being continually re-positioned in reaction to shifts in the angle of attack of the wind stream, thereby capturing elements of the wind stream and directing said wind stream elements into a more productive angle of attack upon the impellers of the wind power generation plant 38. Wind directional sensors 82 may be disposed around the exterior perimeter of the housing structure and remote sensors 81 disposed as far as one mile from the structure may be included to monitor the direction of the prevailing wind speed and send a signal to the main controller, which will then issue a signal command to the appropriate variable frequency drive or drives to the positioning motor associated with the selectively adjustable louver panels, instructing the motor to turn the axis of the master louver panel to adjust the positioning of the entire array of louver panels to an orientation that most productively captures elements of the passing air stream. Advantageously, the continuous readjustment allows for prevailing wind streams with up to a 170° angle of attack to be captured and directed at a more productive angle towards the impellers of the wind power generation plant 38.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 6, the operation of the main controller 90 is illustrated. A real-time programmable PLC 90 is illustrated as being coupled to one or more wind speed sensors 80. The wind speed sensors 80 are configured to measure a wind speed, and operational to provide a wind speed measurement signal to the controller 90. The PLC 90 is also coupled to one or more wind directional sensors 82. The wind directional sensors 82 are configured to measure a wind direction, and operational to provide a wind directional measurement signal to the controller 90. The PLC 90 is also coupled to one or more rpm sensors 83 and one or more permanent magnetic generators 84 are coupled to an axis of rotation 40 of one or more turbines 38. The rpm sensors 83 are configured to measure revolutions-per-minute of the turbine(s) 38 and the axis of rotation 40, and operational to provide an rpm measurement signal to the controller 90. The PLC 90 is also coupled to one or more positioning sensors 86. The positioning sensors 86 are configured to measure a position of one or more arrays of selectively adjustable louver panels, and operational to provide a position

measurement signal to the controller 90.

[0044] The controller 90 is configured to receive the wind speed, wind direction, the rpm and position measurement signals from the sensors, and to compare the received signals with selected parameters. The controller 90 is configured to adjust the position of one or more arrays of selectively adjustable louver panels 32, 24, 42, 44, 52, and 54 to direct airstreams toward one or more turbines 38 in a wind power generation plant based on a comparison of the received data to increase the power and velocity of the collected elements of the passing airstream.

[0045] According to an aspect of the invention, a main controller 90 is connected to the axis(es) 40 of the power plant 38 and the individual louver panels 24, or an array of adjustable louver panels, for selectively controlling movement of the adjustable louvers and for utilizing RPM (revolutions per minute) output signals from the axis(es) of the power plant in order to more efficiently control the movement of the adjustable louvers in order to increase the rotational energy output into mechanical or electrical energy is also provided. For example, if the controller issues commands to move the position of an array of louvers based on input signals received from wind direction sensors placed in and around the housing structure, and the power plant's RPM

(revolutions per minute) sensors send an output signal indicating that the movement of the array of louvers increased the RPMs of the power plant's axis(es), thereby increasing electricity production, the controller would issue a series of commands to the louver arrays to continue making incremental adjustments in positioning in order to further increase electricity production. Output signals from the power plant's RPM sensors to the controller indicating increasing RPMs would result in the controller issuing a command to continue the incremental movement of the louver array in the current direction. If output signals from the power plant's RPM sensors indicated a reduction in the RPMs of the power plant's axis(es) the controller would issue a command to 'correct the positioning' of the louver array to the last former position where the higher level of RPMs was being realized. This ability to make incremental adjustments to the position of the louver arrays extends the production range, and increases the power-producing capability, thereby increasing the capacity factor of the system. The ability to capture wind from a wider scope and operate in a bi-directional fashion with a reversal of the prevailing wind, also increases the power producing capability, thereby further increasing the capacity factor of the system. [0046] The wind power generation plant (WPGP) generates wind power through a single wind turbine 38, or a plurality of turbines 38 rotatably disposed on a rotational axis 40. The axis 40 is joined to a drive shaft of a permanent magnetic generator (PMG) 84. The wind power generation plant converts energy extracted from the air stream by the impellers of the wind turbines 38 into rotational mechanical power, and then converts this energy into electricity utilizing the electromagnetic process created by the turning of the core of the PMG which is affixed to the drive shaft of the generator against stationary portions of the generator that surround the core.

[0047] In FIG. 6, an rpm sensor 95 is coupled to the axis of rotation 40, to which an optional gear box 96 may be coupled thereto. A permanent magnetic generator (PMG) 97 coupled about the axis 40 includes a secondary controller and inverter for converting DC current to AC. The rpm sensor 95 is configured to send signals to the main controller 90, and if conditions warrant, the secondary controller sends instructions to a braking device to halt rotation of the turbine 38.

[0048] In FIG. 6, a positioning motor 87 is coupled to a variable frequency drive 89 and actuates in response to a signal received from the controller 90 to adjust the angle of one or more panels or an entire array(s).

[0049] The wind turbines 38 include a plurality of impellers (blades, rotors) which are coupled to a structural frame to position and orient the impellers to effectively present a certain area of their surface to the passing wind stream in order for the wind stream to strike against the impellers and cause the axis to rotate.

[0050] Each individual wind power generator (WPG) of the WPGP is equipped with its own real-time programmable controller capable of receiving one or more signals and issuing commands for adjusting selected parameters based on the received one or more signals. The main functions of the controller being the regulation of the speed of the rotation of the rotational axis and the performance of a 'dump load,' an operational sequence for the dissipation of Over-produced' electricity, to rectify frequency-variable output voltage of the WPG to DC voltage before feeding the produced electricity into the inverter for conversion into AC voltage, thereby affording overvoltage protection for the WPG and the inverter.

[0051] The controller 90 receives real time input signals from wind speed sensors 80, from voltage monitoring components that are part of that individual WPG's electrical system, from rpm sensors 95 monitoring the RPMs of the WPG's rotational axis, and from an electromagnetic braking device that is a component of the WPG.

[0052] The electromagnetic braking device, equipped with an encoder and sensor, is in communication with the controller 90, with a sensor being capable of providing an output to the controller. The electromagnetic braking device is also attached to the rotational axis 40 of the WPG and is utilized to prevent the axis from over speeding, which can result in reduced production, or, in extremely high winds which could result in the WPG's turbines and other components being damaged or destroyed.

[0053] When the increasing velocity of the wind stream striking the impellers of a WPG's turbine or turbines causes the revolutions (rotations) per minute (RPMs) of the wind power generator's (WPG's) turbines 38 and rotational axis 40 to exceed a level of productive operation the controller, which is continuously receiving real time output signals on the level of RPMs of the rotational axis and turbines, will issue a command to the electromagnetic braking device to partially engage thereby reducing the RPMs of the WPG's rotational axis to a level that allows for efficient production of electricity.

[0054] If the controller receives continuous signals from the wind speed sensor 80 indicating that the wind stream's velocity has risen to a level that could damage or destroy the WPG's turbines and other components of the system, a command is sent from the controller to the electromagnetic braking device to fully engage and hold the WPG's rotational axis in a fixed position. When signals from the wind speed sensors 80 being sent to the controller indicate that the velocity of the wind stream has returned to a level that will allow for the WPG's turbines to operate within an RPM range that is safe for the WPG's components to operate in and will allow for the effective production of electricity the controller sends a command to the electromagnetic braking device to partially disengage so as to allow for the rotational axis to rotate.

[0055] The wind turbines 38, the rotational axis 40, the permanent magnetic generator (PMG) 84, the controller 90 (and the various sensors and encoders

connected to it), the inverter, the electromagnetic braking device and the bracketing and supporting fixtures used to hold the WPG's components in place and couple them to the Invention's structure comprises the components of a wind power generator (WPG).

[0056] In some aspects of the invention a mechanical device, for example, a gearbox mechanism, a transmission or timing chain, is situated between the axis and the PMG's drive shaft, functioning to increase the speed of the drive shaft by a factor of two times or more through the conversion of torque power to higher speed through the use of gearing ratios.

[0057] The need for a gearbox-like speed up mechanism 96 is based upon the size and type of turbine or turbines that are utilized to construct the wind power generator and the power rating and power/torque curve of the PMG with which it is matched. If the PMG that is being utilized has a higher RPM (revolutions per minute) requirement for effectively producing electricity than the turbine or turbines can provide by direct application of the mechanical rotation they create, it is necessary to situate the gearbox-like speed up mechanism between the rotatable axis upon which the turbine or turbines are affixed and the drive shaft of the PMG. Depending upon the size and type of turbines in use and the RPM requirements of the PMG in use, the speed up mechanism may have a ratio ranging from 1 :2 to 1 :4 in order achieve the desired level of RPM's.

[0058] In aspects of the invention where the turbines' power/torque curve and RPM production capability is within the same range as that of the PMG that it has been matched with in the WPG (wind power generator) setup there is no need for any gearbox-like device or mechanical speed up to be placed between the turbine axis and the drive shaft of the PMG. [0059] If the force of the passing air stream striking upon the impellers of the turbines is strong enough it will cause the axis to overcome the inertia of the physical equipment making up the wind power generator (WPG), causing the axis to rotate, thereby rotating the drive shaft of the PMG.

[0060] If the elements of the passing air stream that are collected, focused and directed at the WPGP are of, or increase to, a certain velocity, some of the energy contained in the elements of the air stream striking the turbine's impellers will be of a level of intensity that is great enough so as to overcome the inertia of the wind power generator's physical equipment and electromagnetic resistance of the PMG thereby causing the axis to rotate which in turn causes the PMG's drive shaft to rotate, either directly or via the gearbox or similar mechanical speed up device, and turn the generator's core.

[0061] If the elements of the collected, focused and directed wind stream reach a certain level of velocity, the amount of energy being extracted from the wind stream through the action of its striking against the turbine's impellers will be great enough to increase the revolutions per minute (RPMs) of the rotatable axis and drive shaft of the PMG to attain the number of revolutions per minute required for the generator to create DC electricity which is then converted to 'electric grid acceptable' AC electricity through the use of an inverter.

[0062] The number of revolutions per minute (RPMs) required to begin the generation of electricity by a wind power generator is determined by the level of cogging and torque resistance of any particular PMG that is utilized.

[0063] Once a wind power generator (WPG) has begun to generate electricity, increases in the wind stream's velocity will cause the WPG to produce greater amounts of electricity, while a fall in the wind stream's velocity will result in a decline in the amount of electricity being produced. If the wind stream's velocity falls below a certain level electricity production will cease. [0064] The WPGP can include wind power generators that are based on either of the HAWT (horizontal axis wind turbine) or the VAWT (vertical axis wind turbine) technologies.

[0065] Regardless of whether a turbine is based on HAWT or VAWT technology, the wind power generator and the turbine or turbines must be structured on the basis of correlating and matching the swept area of a turbine or turbines impellers (blades, rotors) with the power generation rating of the permanent magnetic generator (PMG) being utilized for that particularly sized WPG. More simply put, the size of the 'swept area' of a turbine~the area that a turbine's rotors 'sweeps or collects air from'— can be converted over to a measurement of 'aerodynamic DC watts' that a swept area of that size would generate at varying levels of wind velocity.

[0066] For the purposes of constructing a wind power generator the swept area of the turbine or turbines must be large enough to harvest a level of energy from the wind stream that provides a level of rotational mechanical power to the drive shaft of the PMG sufficient to generate electricity within that the PMG's power range.

[0067] If HAWT based wind power generators are used to make up the WPGP's (wind power generation plant) wind power generators (WPGs), each individual wind power generator of the plurality of WPG's that make up the WPGP could be made up of one or more HAWTs coupled to either a supporting or suspending vertically or horizontally aligned pole that had either one or both ends of the pole secured in a rotatable socket with the socket being coupled to framing elements of the housing structure 10.

[0068] If VAWT based wind power generators are used to make up the WPGP's (wind power generation plant) wind power generators (WPGs), each individual wind power generator of the plurality of WPG's that make up the WPGP can be made up of one or more VAWTs affixed to a vertically aligned rotatable axis that has its top terminus secured in a rotatable socket with the socket being coupled to framing elements of the housing structure 10 while the bottom terminus, the end pointed towards the ground, is coupled to either a gearbox-like speed up mechanism which in turn is coupled to the drive shaft of a PMG, or the bottom terminus of the axis is directly coupled to the drive shaft of the PMG, with both the gearbox-like speed up mechanism, if used, and the PMG being supported and held in place by being bracketed and/or shelved to framing elements of the housing structure 10.

[0069] In aspects of the Invention where the WPGP is made up of WPGs (wind power generators) that are VAWT based there are three types of vertical wind turbines that may be utilized to construct the wind power generators, H-Type, C-Type and Darrieus Type turbines.

[0070] A VAWT based WPG constructed utilizing H-Type, C-Type or Darrieus Type turbines may be comprised of one or more turbines, each individual turbine being separately rotatably affixed to a common rotational axis with the axis being coupled to either a gearbox-like mechanical speed up device or directly to the drive shaft of the PMG that is being made a part of the WPG (wind power generator).

[0071] When a VAWT based WPG is constructed utilizing either H-Type, C-Type or Darrieus Type turbine and more than one turbine is employed to construct the WPG each individual turbine has its impellers (blades, rotors) offset from the impellers of the turbine that is adjacent to it on the rotational axis upon which they are coupled. If three or more VAWT turbines are utilized to construct a WPG all of the turbines utilized are coupled to the rotational axis in a fashion so as to ensure that each turbine's impellers are offset from the impellers of the turbine that is adjacent to it. Offsetting the turbine's impellers serves to reduce axial load bearing, stresses and vibratory forces which can cause excessive wear on the WPG's components including the axis' shafting, the turbines themselves, the PMG and the anchoring and supporting equipment holding the WPG in place. In addition, the stresses and vibratory forces cause excessive wear and can cause damage to the housing structure, so reduction in stress and vibration prevent premature wear and damage.

[0072] In a WPGP in which the WPGs are VAWT based, the size and number of turbines that comprise the WPGs are determined upon what is required to be the total nameplate power generation capacity, or power rating, of a particular aspect of the invention.

[0073] VAWT turbines, or the types described, ranging in size from 1 kW to 5 kW or more in power rating can be utilized to construct WPGs, and the WPGs can be comprised of one turbine or a plurality of turbines to achieve the required power rating for the selected system. As an example, four 5 kW turbines could be utilized to construct a WPG with a power rating of 20 kW with the WPG being equipped with a PMG that had a power rating in the range of 20 kW.

[0074] In turn, if the system according to an aspect of the invention required a nameplate power generation capacity of 500 kW then twenty-five 20 kW WPGs would be required to comprise a WPGP (wind power generation plant) of 500 kW. When a plurality of WPGs are required to achieve a certain nameplate capacity for the WPGP according to an aspect of the invention, the WPGs will be arranged in arrays, with the individual WPGs being set adjacent to one and other with certain distances of spacing and orientations of positioning between and amongst them being maintained to assure that each individual WPG is able to have productive elements of the air stream that has been collected, focused and directed into the central chamber in which the WPGs are situated striking against its impellers in an unimpeded fashion. The WPGs must be set at distances from one and other and at orientations to one and other that ensure, regardless of the angle of the incoming wind stream in relation to the position of the WPGs, that neither the impellers of any of the turbines are blocked by those of other turbines and neither the turbulence from any WPGs wake nor the partial depletion of the wind stream's energy significantly reduces the productivity of any of the WPGs in the WPGP.

[0075] When the system according to an aspect of the invention requires a nameplate power generation capacity of a certain rating, the WPGP may be comprised of WPGs of a certain kW rating and the number of WPGs needed to achieve the desired nameplate capacity may require that the WPGs be arrayed in two rows, one row being set towards the one opening of the central chamber and the second row being set in proximity to the opposite opening of the chamber. [0076] When the system according to an aspect of the invention requires that the WPGs be set in arrays of two rows the rows must be set at a distance from one and other assure that each individual WPG is able to have productive elements of the air stream that has been collected, focused and directed into the central chamber in which the WPGs are situated striking against its impellers in an unimpeded fashion. The rows of WPGs must be set at distances from one and other and the individual WPGs in the different rows at orientations to one and other that ensure that regardless of the angle of the incoming wind stream in relation to the position of the WPGs that neither the impellers of any of the turbines are blocked by those of other turbines and the neither the turbulence from any WPGs wake nor the partial depletion of the wind stream's energy significantly reduces the productivity of any of the WPGs in the WPGP.

[0077] In some aspects, it may be required to mix wind power generators

(WPGs) of varying sizes and turbine types in the arrays and rows in which they may be set in the central chamber in order to optimize production. This would mean, as way of an example that WPGs comprised of a plurality of H Type turbines, having a rating of 10 kW and a diameter of 8 feet may be intermixed with WPGs comprised of C Type turbines, having a rating of 20 kW and a diameter of 1 1 feet, in either the same array and row, or in a fashion where one row of WPGs was made up of the WPGs comprised of the H Type turbines and the second row was made of the WPGs comprised of the C Type turbines.

[0078] In certain aspects, it may also be required that the turbines of the WPGs in one row be situated on the rotational axis of the WPG to allow an area of open space for the wind stream to flow through unimpeded in order to strike the impellers of a turbine of a WPG set in the second row and which is situated on the rotational axis of the WPG in such a position as to have its impellers struck directly by the elements of the unimpeded wind stream.

[0079] Advantageously, the system, apparatus, and method of the invention harnesses the combined effects of initially augmenting, then diffusing an airstream by collecting, directing and concentrating the approaching wind and subsequently diffusing the exiting wind stream through the use of a single structural continuum, for the purpose of increasing the amount of wind energy being directed at rotors/blades/impact impellers rotatably attached to turbines or other suitable mechanisms for a wind power generation plant housed within the structure. By diffusing the airstream through either chamber 26 or 46, an area of lower air pressure is created which further increases the velocity of the airstream passing through the area housing a wind turbine array or other suitable mechanism through the creation of a vortex effect.

[0080] The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, the wind power generation plant housed in the central chamber located between the inlet and outlet chambers may be vertical-axis or horizontal-axis in design, with the rotation upon which the impact impellers are affixed being oriented in either a vertical or horizontal alignment in relation to the ground surface, with either orientation allowing for bi-directional functionality. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than with a restrictive view, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

[0081] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, and solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefits, advantages, or solutions to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or an essential feature or element of any or all of the claims.