Patent attributes
An omni-directional vertical axis wind turbine includes an axial flow turbine rotor to supply force to operate an electrical generator mounted for rotation on a vertical shaft. A shroud surrounds the turbine rotor forming a circular chamber coaxially with the turbine rotor, enclosing the airflow entry face and leaving the discharge face uncovered. Wind entering the shroud from any direction flows inwardly through air passages, where a set of baffles surrounding the circular chamber redirect incoming airflow into a stream within the circular chamber. A cylindrical enclosure mounted concentrically with the turbine rotor within the circulation chamber houses an array of stationary vanes positioned to extend across the entry base and in close proximity to the turbine rotor and aligned at angles relative to the axis of rotation, form flow-through passages to intercept the airflow and redirect it vertically into the swept area of the turbine rotor in the form of laminar streams. Entrainment effect of the streams enhances the force of airflow through the sweet area, while leading edges of rotating turbine blades intercept airflow along continuously changing points of intersection from successive passages to create additional torque to power the turbine. Angular alignment and curvature of the stationary vanes can be varied to optimize performance over a variety of wind conditions.
