1. Summary of Invention

The purpose of this wind turbine is to generate electricity, propel large cargo ships and yachts, and power air condition and heater in buildings, agricultural and industrial water pumps, including water treatment process in factories or urban areas. The vertical- axis wind turbine can be easily constructed with various sizes, and can be made of typical metals or high-technology material such as carbon-fiber. The structure of the wind turbine is not intricate, and thus can be fabricated by any technician. When a large size of wind turbine is needed for generating electricity, the structure of the turbine itself does not need to be large compared to that of the horizontal-axis wind turbine. The vertical-axis wind turbine does not require an anemometer to direct its blade against the wind because it can capture wind from every direction; therefore, it is less expensive than the horizontal-axis wind turbine with greater efficiency - compared with equal construction cost. This invention is aimed to be an alternative source of energy, which is renewable and environmental-friendly, to replace fossil-related energy that is consumable and leaves behind major pollution and global warming problems.

2. Technical Field

Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design 3. Background of Invention

Global warming is a very critical problem that cannot be solved easily due to unstoppable human demands of fossil energy in industry, commerce, navigation, etc. These activities require fossil energy which cannot be substituted by other alternatives. As a result, this vertical-axis wind turbine is invented to produce the renewable and environmental-friendly energy as another alternative to replace fossil energy.

The vertical-axis wind turbine is invented to solve the supersonic noise caused by strong wind in the horizontal-axis wind turbine. The size of the vertical-axis wind turbine is also smaller, and the design less intricate, than that of the horizontal-axis turbine, which requires an anemometer to direct its blades against the wind. As a result, the horizontal- axis wind turbine needs a larger size of the tower, which leads to more construction cost, and thus making the turbine less multi-purpose. The vertical-axis wind turbine can also be built in various sizes and can be used in many purposes. When the vertical-axis wind turbine is built for any seagoing ships, it can capture wind in every direction that the ship is navigated - against, perpendicular, or parallel. The site upon which the turbine is required to be built to produce the same amount of electricity is smaller than other types because a generator or any mechanical device can be installed at ground level (or adjacent to rotor above tower) by welding the shaft underneath. As a result, maintenance of this type of wind turbine is most convenient, fast, economical, and safe. The vertical-axis wind turbine also has many configurations that can be adjusted to wind velocity in any regions; when wind velocity is strong, its blades can be folded to prevent damage. It can be made of typical metals or high-technology material such as carbon-fiber, and requires no intricate technology sensors or movable electronic- controlled segment on top of the tower that requires strong and large structural support. Its structure allows the turbine to capture wind in any directions and can generate electricity with lower wind velocity compared to other types. When its blades rotate in the same direction as the wind, or in reverse, the turbine will not generate supersonic sound because the rear structure of the blades have been designed with aerodynamics to produce maximum mechanical efficiency to achieve the goals of this wind turbine: being convenient, clean, economical, and of highest efficient.

4. Brief Descriptions of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a general configuration of the multi-blade vertical-axis wind turbine with one or multiple sets of blades. Figure 2 demonstrates components of the multi-blade vertical-axis wind turbine with one or multiple set of blades.

Figure 3 are partial cross sections of the blades of the vertical-axis wind turbine illustrating components of the blades and their arrangements with the central shaft with one or multiple set of blades. Figures 4A & B show front views of various types of blades.

Figures 5A & B show top, bottom and side views of various types of blades.

Figures 6A & B show blades with various types of cross sections.

Figure 7 illustrates a side view for an arrangement of one set of blades. Figure 8 demonstrates an arrangement of multiple sets of blades.

Figure 9 illustrates an arrangement of blades with extension from the central shaft (9 A) and blades with extension from the central shaft while being folded (9B.)

5. Complete Disclosure of Invention

Figure 1 shows typical details of the vertical-axis wind turbine consists of a set of blades, a segment containing a generator and a gearbox installed at ground level near the supports, a central shaft, a tower, and two sets of blades on top (the generator and the gearbox can also be installed on top of the tower.)

Figure 2 demonstrates sets of blades (5 and 8, and 6 and 9 as there are two sets of blades) on top of the wind turbine. Each set may contain blades (8, 9), attached to its hub (5, 6), from two blades to 20 blades and/or there may be multiple sets, from one set to 20 sets, of blades superimposing on the central shaft (4.) These sets of blades are attached on top of the turbine (3) that has a rotary system (7.) Regardless of the wind direction, these blades can accumulate wind power from every direction due to their physiques of the wide front turning in the same direction. Their slender ends also allow wind energy to be fully stored. When blades (8, 9) start to rotate, counterclockwise or clockwise, they will cause the central shaft (4) to rotate along with the gearbox (2), which will increase revolution. The gearbox will transfer its rotational energy to the generator, which is installed at ground level (or adjacent to rotor above tower) thus allowing installation and maintenance to be convenient. In addition, the structure of the wind turbine is not required to be large because the gearbox and the generator, which account for most of the weight of the turbine, are at ground level. As a result, this type of wind turbine is more economical than the horizontal-axis type that its gearbox and generator must be on top of the tower. Figure 3 is a section of a turbine at the topmost level blades which may consist of a set of blades from one set to 20 sets. Each set contains blades (8, 9) from two blades to 20 blades aligned in a plane circle with equal space around one axis. For example, if a set has three blades, each will be 120° apart, or if a set contains four blades, each will be 90° apart. Blades (8, 9) may be attached to its hubs (5, 6) connecting to the central shaft (4) or to any special extension to increase mechanical efficiency. One end of this extension is attached to the blade's hub (5 or 6) while the other is attached to the bottom of the blade so that the blade is lengthened to increase mechanical efficiency and thrust without increasing much of construction cost. This can be considered an optimum design for the intervention. Major characteristics of the blade are: its bottom is slender (A), the mid part is widened (B), its tip is tapered (C), its front is open wide (B), and its body is a deep v- channel (D) created by two segments joining to form an acute angle at the back (E). When blades are installed in a plane circle around one axis with their fronts facing the same direction, they will be able to rotate at all times allowing its deep v-channel to accumulate energy with great efficiency.

Figures 4A & B show front views of various types of blades with O demonstrating the bottom of the blade, x illustrating the tip of the blade, and A, B, C, P, Q, and R demonstrating the central position of the blade, which is openings, on both sides.

Figure 4 A shows geometric details of blades with Angles O and X of every blade are acute angles, and Angles A, B, C, P, Q, and R are obtuse angles.

First type of blade OAXP: Angles O and X are acute while Angles A and P, which are more adjacent to point O, are obtuse. Ratio of AP:OX, or blade's widtkblade's length, = 1:1-20.

Second type of blade OABXQP: Angles O and X are acute while Angles A, B, P, and Q, which are more adjacent to point O, are obtuse. The middle portion of the blade (AB, PQ) has ratio of AP or BQ:OX = 1 : 1-20.

Third type of blade OACXRP: This type is similar to the second type, i.e., the middle portion is long and straight, but the bottom and the tip are tapered with the same slope resulting in OA = OP = XC = XR, and ratio of AP or CR:OX = 1 : 1-20. Fourth type of blade OBXQ: This is a rhombus-shaped blade, i.e., OB = OQ = XB = XQ, and ratio of BQ:OX = 1 : 1-20.

Fifth type of blade OBCXRQ: This is a reverse shape of the second type, i.e., the shape of its bottom is similar to that of the second type's tip; and vice versa. Sixth type of blade OCXR: This is a reverse shape of the first type, i.e., the shape of its bottom is similar to that of the first type's tip; and vice versa.

Figure 4B shows parabolic blades with Angles O and X of every blade are acute angles, and Angles A, B, C, P, Q, and R on parabolic curves are obtuse angles.

First type of blade OAXP: this blade is similar to the first type in Figure 4A except it has a parabolic shape.

Second type of blade OABXQP: this blade is similar to the second type in Figure 4A except it has a parabolic shape.

Third type of blade OACXRP: this blade is similar to the third type in Figure 4 A except it has a parabolic shape. Fourth type of blade OBXQ: this blade is similar to the fourth type in Figure 4A except it has a parabolic shape.

Fifth type of blade OBCXRQ: this blade is similar to the fifth type in Figure 4A except it has a parabolic shape.

Sixth type of blade OCXR: this blade is similar to the sixth type in Figure 4A except it has a parabolic shape.

Figures 5A & B show top, bottom and side views of various types of blades. According to Figures 5 A & B, point O is the bottom of the blade, point A is the tip of the blade, and point A', B' and C represent the middle portion on the back side of the blade, which is close. Figure 5A shows top and bottom views of geometric blades. Angles O and X of every blade are acute angles, while Angles A', B', and C can be either acute or obtuse depending on the types of blades.

First type of blade OA'X: Angles O and X are acute while Angle A' can be either acute or obtuse. Ratio of OX:height of A' from OX = 1 :0.125-2. The deepest portion in the channel of the blade is more adjacent to the bottom of the blade while the blade remains balanced. It can be used with the first type of blade in Figure 4 A.

Second type of blade OA'B'X: Angles O and X are acute while Angle A' and B' can be either acute or obtuse. Ratio of OX:height of A' or B' from OX = 1 :0.125-2. The deepest portion in the channel of the blade is more adjacent to the bottom of the blade. Ratio of A'B' to OX is such that the blade remains balanced. These lengths can be used with AB or PQ in the second type blade in Figure 4 A.

Third type of blade OA'C'X: This type is similar to the second type, i.e., the middle portion is long and straight, but the bottom and the tip are tapered with the same slope. Ratio of OX:height of A' or C from OX = 1 :0.125-2. Ratio of A'C to OX is such that the blade remains balanced. These lengths can be used with AC or PQ in the third type blade in Figure 4A.

Fourth type of blade OB'X: The blade forms an isosceles triangle, i.e., B'O = B'X. Ratio of OX:height of B' from OX = 1 :0.125-2. Ratio is such that the blade remains balanced and these lengths can be used with the fourth type blade in Figure 4A.

Fifth type of blade OB'C'X: This is a reverse shape of the second type, i.e., the shape of its bottom is similar to that of the second type's tip; and vice versa. Ratio is also reverse of that of the second type. Ratio of B'C to OX is such that the blade remains balanced. These lengths can be used with BC or QR in the fifth type blade in Figure 4A. Sixth type of blade OCX: This is a reverse shape of the first type, i.e., the shape of its bottom is similar to that of the first type's tip; and vice versa. Ratio is also reverse of that of the first type and can be used with the sixth type blade in Figure 4 A. Figure 5B shows top and bottom views of parabolic blades. Angles O and X of every blade are always acute, while Angles A', B', and C can be either acute or obtuse depending on the types of blades.

First type of blade OA'X: this blade is similar to the first type in Figure 5A except it has a parabolic shape. This is also applicable to the first type blade in Figure 4B.

Second type of blade OA'B'X: this blade is similar to the second type in Figure 5 A except it has a parabolic shape. This is also applicable to the second type blade in Figure 4B.

Third type of blade OA'C'X: this blade is similar to the third type in Figure 5A except it has a parabolic shape. This is also applicable to the third type blade in Figure 4B.

Fourth type of blade OB'X: this blade is similar to the fourth type in Figure 5A except it has a parabolic shape. This is also applicable to the fourth type blade in Figure 4B.

Fifth type of blade OB'C'X: this blade is similar to the fifth type in Figure 5A except it has a parabolic shape. This is also applicable to the fifth type blade in Figure 4B.

Sixth type of blade OCX: this blade is similar to the sixth type in Figure 5A except it has a parabolic shape. This is also applicable to the sixth type blade in Figure 4B.

Figures 6A & B show blades with various types of cross sections. OX, OX', and OX" are the depths of blades, AB is the width of the blade which wind blows through. AX, AX', AX" and BX, ΒΧ', BX" are lines demonstrating symmetry on both segments of the blade.

Figure 6A shows blades with geometric cross sections, i.e., both segments are straight and symmetry. Ratio of AB:OX or OX' or OX" = 1: 1-4, which means ratio of width of blade's opening:depth of blade's channel = 1: 1-4 [ one straight line (AX = BX and AX' ' = BX") or multiple straight lines with angles in between (AP + PQ + QX' = BR + RS +SX'.) ] Figure 6B shows blades with parabolic cross sections, i.e., both curve segments are parabolic and symmetry (AX = BX, AX' = BX' and AX" = BX"). Ratio of AB:OX or OX' or OX" = 1 :1-4, which means ratio of width of blade's opening:depth of blade's channel = 1:1-4.

Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement of one set of blades that may have a number of blades from 2, 4, 8, to 20 blades. The arrangement of blades in one plane needs geometric balance or symmetry. For example, if a set contains two blades, they must be arranged 180° apart (360Ύ2), or if a set has four blades, they must be arranged 90° apart (360°/4.) Weight must be balance so that rotation can occur easily and agile.

From the Figure, O is the hub, and A's are the blades with their bottom attached to the hub. The blades are arranged counterclockwise. The sides with obtuse angle are their backs, while the opposite are openings that capture wind thrust, marked with W— >.

Regardless of wind direction W— >, all blades will rotate in the same direction (blades and also be arranged clockwise by switching the front to the other side.)

Figure 8 demonstrates an arrangement of multiple sets of blades, from 1, 2, 3, 4 to 20 sets. When superimposing sets of blades, after the first set is installed, the second set must be installed such that their blades will equally divide angles between blades in the first set. The third set then must be installed such that their blades will equally divide angles between blades in the second set, and henceforth.

Figures 9A & B illustrate an arrangement of blades with extension from the central shaft (9 A) and blades with extension from the central shaft while being folded (9B.)

Figure 9A demonstrates a set of blades (A) with extension (B) from the hub (O), which is the more economical and efficient configuration because the blades need not be larger to accumulate more wind. Blades can be constructed with extension, as long as required, to increase mechanical efficiency and torque without enlarging their structures which will increase cost. Mechanical efficiency can be increased multiple times by using longer extension (B.) Figure 9B demonstrates a set of blades (A) with extension (B) from the hub (O) while being folded. Blades with extension are built for specific purposes such as propelling large cargo ships. While traveling at sea, ships sometimes face storm with high wind velocity; therefore, to prevent excessive damage, blades must be designed such that they can be folded.

6. Best Method of Invention

The best method of invention is as previously stated.

7. Implementation of Invention

The invention can be used in general industry, electricity-generating industry, agriculture, commerce, or navigation.

- Industry: the invention can be widely used for generating electricity with low cost, both in business and household use.

- Agriculture: the invention can be use for agricultural pumps, fanning, livestock, and fishery.

- Navigation: the invention can be used with cargo ships, yacht, and fishing boats. This wind turbine can capture wind in every direction; therefore, navigation can maintain its course in any direction as long as there is wind.

- Desalination: the invention can be used to propel a high-pressure pump in reverse-osmosis process.