Vertical axis wind turbine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a turbine including a central axis, a variable pitch blade, and a frame link operably coupled with the central axis and the blade, the blade configured such that as the blade rotates about the central axis, the blade may be pivoted relative the frame link from a first position to a second position. The present disclosure also relates to a method for reducing the negative torque on a wind turbine including providing a turbine having variable pitch blade for rotation about a central axis, the blade operably coupled with the central axis via a frame link, and positioning the blade, frame link, and central axis, such that the blade is pivoted relative the frame link from a first position to a second position so as to reduce negative torque on the central axis caused by the blade heading generally into oncoming wind.

1 . A turbine, comprising:
 a central axis;   a variable pitch blade; and   a frame link operably coupled with the central axis and the variable pitch blade, the variable pitch blade configured such that as the blade rotates about the central axis, the blade may be pivoted relative the frame link from a first position to a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of variable pitch blades, operably coupled with the central axis via a respective frame link, the variable pitch blades each configured such that it may be pivoted relative to its respective frame link, from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine of  claim 2 , wherein the blades have an aerofoil shape. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine of  claim 2 , further comprising an output link operably coupled with the central axis and a magnetic drive assembly, the magnetic drive assembly comprising:
 a first drive magnet having magnetic shielding on a portion thereof altering the magnetic field of the first drive magnet;   a first motion magnet; and   a first acceleration field created by the interaction between the first drive magnet and the first motion magnet as the first motion magnet is passed through the altered magnetic field of the first drive magnet.   
     
     
         5 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein the variable pitch blade is also configured such that as the blade rotates about the central axis, the blade may be pivoted relative the frame link from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine of  claim 5 , wherein the blade is pivoted toward and into the first position as the blade moves generally with oncoming wind. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine of  claim 6 , wherein the blade is pivoted toward and into the second position as the blade moves generally into oncoming wind. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine of  claim 5 , wherein the pivot range between the first position and the second position is from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine of  claim 5 , further comprising a position limiter to keep the blade from pivoting past the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine of  claim 9 , further comprising a position limiter to keep the blade from pivoting past the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of wind or inertial forces cause the blade to pivot from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         12 . A method for reducing the negative torque on a wind turbine, comprising:
 providing a turbine having variable pitch blade for rotation about a central axis, the variable pitch blade operably coupled with the central axis via a frame link; and   positioning the variable pitch blade, frame link, and central axis, such that the variable pitch blade is pivoted relative the frame link from a first position to a second position so as to reduce negative torque on the central axis caused by the blade heading generally into oncoming wind.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising operably coupling the central axis to a generator for producing electricity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , positioning the variable pitch blade, frame link, and central axis, such that the variable pitch blade is pivoted relative the frame link from the second position to the first position as the blade moves generally with oncoming wind. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pivot range between the first position and the second position is from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . A wind turbine, comprising a variable pitch blade, which in addition to rotating about a central axis of the wind turbine, is configured to transition from a first position to a second position about a pivot point of the blade. 
     
     
         17 . The wind turbine of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of variable pitch blades, which in addition to rotating about a central axis of the wind turbine, are each configured to transition from a first position to a second position about a pivot point of the blade. 
     
     
         18 . The wind turbine of  claim 16 , wherein the blade is also configured to transition from the second position to the first position about the pivot point of the blade. 
     
     
         19 . The wind turbine of  claim 18 , wherein the blade is pivoted toward and into the first position as the blade moves generally with oncoming wind. 
     
     
         20 . The wind turbine of  claim 19 , wherein the blade is pivoted toward and into the second position as the blade moves generally into oncoming wind.