Lightweight, Collapsible Axial Wind Generator

Abstract

A wind generator that includes a lightweight, collapsible blade assembly mounted on a supporting structure that holds the blade assembly in fixed position that is exposed to low to moderate winds. The blade assembly is coupled to the distal end of a drive shaft linked to a low RPM, axial magnetic generator designed to produce A.C. electric current when rotated at low speeds. The blade assembly is a cylindrical structure with a longitudinally axis. Coaxially aligned around the longitudinal axis is an outer blade component and an inner blade component. The outer blade component is a non-rotating structure which includes a plurality of directional blades designed to direct the wind into and towards the blades on the inner blade assembly. The inner blade component is designed to rotate inside the outer blade component and coupled to the generator's drive shaft. The blades on the inner and outer blade assemblies are made of flexible, lightweight material that enable them to be fully extend when exposed to low and moderate winds or collapse in the blade assembly when exposed to high winds or during repairs. Control mechanisms are provided for automatically extending and retracting the blades on the inner and outer blade components.

1 . A wind generator, comprising:
 a. a lightweight, collapsible blade assembly, said blade assembly being a cylindrical structure with a longitudinally axis, said blade assembly includes an outer blade component and an inner blade component, said outer blade component is a non-rotating structure which includes a plurality of directional blades designed to direct the wind into and towards the blades on the inner blade component, said inner blade component is designed to rotate inside the blade assembly, said blades on said outer blade component and said inner blade component are made of flexible, lightweight material that enable them to be fully extended in the blade assembly when exposed to low and moderate winds or collapsed in the blade assembly when exposed to high winds or during repairs;   b. a support structure connected to said blade assembly and used to hold said blade assembly in a wind exposed area; and,   c. a low RPM, axial magnetic generator connected to said inner blade component.   
     
     
         2 . The wind generator as recited in  claim 1 , further including control mechanisms that automatically extending and retracting said blades on said outer and inner ring components under different wind conditions.