Wind energy conversion apparatus

Abstract

A wind energy conversion apparatus comprising a supporting structure is presented. The apparatus further comprises shaft having a first and a second end, which is rotatably journalled in said supporting structure, as well as at least one rotor blade having a first end and a second end, which rotor blade is mounted on said shaft with both ends. The object of the presented wind energy conversion apparatus is to improve the known apparatus and to provide an apparatus which is capable of converting a larger amount of wind energy into other forms of energy. Accordingly wind energy conversion apparatus according to the invention is to that end characterized in that the rotor blade is provided with additional wind capturing means.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A wind energy conversion apparatus comprising: 
 a supporting structure;    a horizontal shaft having a first and a second end, which is rotatably journalled in said supporting structure; as well as    at least one rotor blade having a first end and a second end, which rotor blade is mounted on said shaft with both ends, characterized in that the rotor blade is provided with additional wind capturing means.    
     
     
         24 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that said wind capturing means consist of a widened portion of the rotor blade.  
     
     
         25 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  24 , characterized in that said widened portion is circular in shape.  
     
     
         26 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  24 , characterized in that said widened portion is ellipsoidal in shape.  
     
     
         27 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that the rotor blade is elongate in shape.  
     
     
         28 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  27 , characterized in that the rotor blade is a thin, flat plate.  
     
     
         29 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that the rotor blade is made of a metal.  
     
     
         30 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that the rotor blade is made of a plastic material.  
     
     
         31 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that the apparatus comprises two or more rotor blades mounted on said shaft.  
     
     
         32 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  31 , characterized in that the rotor blades describe different diameters during operation.  
     
     
         33 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that the shaft is mounted in bearings in the supporting structure with both its ends.  
     
     
         34 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that the shaft is coupled with means, such as a generator, for converting rotational energy into electrical energy.  
     
     
         35 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , characterized in that said generator is mounted in or on said bearing-mounted shaft.  
     
     
         36 . The wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , further comprising a mast construction on which at least two rotors are mounted.  
     
     
         37 . The rotor blade intended for being mounted on a wind energy conversion apparatus according to  23 , wherein the rotor blade can be mounted on a rotatable horizontal shaft of the wind energy conversion apparatus with both its ends, characterized in that said rotor blade is provided with additional wind capturing means.  
     
     
         38 . The rotor blade according to  37 , characterized in that said wind capturing means consist of a widened portion of the rotor blade.  
     
     
         39 . The rotor blade according to  38 , characterized in that said widened portion is circular in shape.  
     
     
         40 . The rotor blade according to  38 , characterized in that said widened portion is ellipsoidal in shape.  
     
     
         41 . The rotor blade according to  37 , characterized in that the rotor blade is elongate in shape.  
     
     
         42 . The rotor blade according to  41 , characterized in that the rotor blade is a thin, flat plate.  
     
     
         43 . The rotor blade according to  37 , characterized in that the rotor blade is made of a metal.  
     
     
         44 . The rotor blade according to  37 , characterized in that the rotor blade is made of a plastic material.