Vertical axis wind turbine airfoil

Abstract

A vertical axis wind turbine airfoil is described. The wind turbine airfoil can include a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper curved surface, a lower curved surface, and a centerline running between the upper surface and the lower surface and from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The airfoil can be configured so that the distance between the centerline and the upper surface is the same as the distance between the centerline and the lower surface at all points along the length of the airfoil. A plurality of such airfoils can be included in a vertical axis wind turbine. These airfoils can be vertically disposed and can rotate about a vertical axis.

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         18 . An aerodynamic regulator system for a wind turbine comprising:
 at least one aerodynamic regulator configured to rotate about a first axis and comprising a first moveable airfoil and a second moveable airfoil, wherein the first moveable airfoil and the second moveable airfoil are configured to move in different directions; and   wherein movement of said first moveable airfoil and said second moveable airfoil slows the rotational speed of said wind turbine.   
     
     
         19 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 18 , wherein said first moveable airfoil and said second moveable airfoil are rotatable about a second axis wherein said second axis extends outwards from said first axis. 
     
     
         20 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 19 , wherein said aerodynamic regulator is configured to rotate said first moveable airfoil and said second moveable airfoil about said second axis in different directions. 
     
     
         21 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 20 , wherein rotation of said first and second moveable airfoils about said second axis changes the angle of attack of said first and second moveable airfoils and changes the amount of drag produced by said at least one aerodynamic regulator. 
     
     
         22 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 21 , wherein said first moveable airfoil comprises a first length dimension and said second moveable airfoil comprises a second length dimension, wherein said first length dimension is different than said second length dimension. 
     
     
         23 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 22 , wherein said first moveable airfoil is located closer to said first axis than said second moveable airfoil, wherein said first length dimension is larger than said second length dimension. 
     
     
         24 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 23 , wherein said wind turbine rotates about said first axis and comprises a plurality of airfoils. 
     
     
         25 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 24 , wherein said first axis is a vertical axis. 
     
     
         26 . An aerodynamic regulator system for a wind turbine comprising:
 at least one aerodynamic regulator configured to rotate about a first axis and comprising a first moveable airfoil and a second moveable airfoil, wherein rotation of the aerodynamic regulator about said first axis forces said first moveable airfoil and said second moveable airfoil to move in different directions; and   wherein movement of said first moveable airfoil and said second moveable airfoil slows the rotational speed of said wind turbine.   
     
     
         27 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 26 , further comprising at least one actuator configured to rotate said first and second moveable airfoils. 
     
     
         28 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 27 , wherein said actuator comprises a spring and a weight, wherein rotation of said aerodynamic regulator about said first axis forces said weight to move in a direction away from said first axis and wherein said spring resists said weight from moving in a direction away from said first axis. 
     
     
         29 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 28 , wherein said movement of said weight away from said first axis causes said first and second moveable airfoils to move and slow the rotational speed of said wind turbine. 
     
     
         30 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 29 , wherein said movement of said weight away from said first axis changes the angle of attack of said first and second airfoils. 
     
     
         31 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 30 , wherein said weight comprises a first threaded cam and a second threaded cam, wherein said first threaded cam and said second threaded cam are threaded in opposite directions, wherein movement of said weight away from said first axis causes said first threaded cam to rotate said first moveable airfoil in a first direction and said second threaded cam to rotate said second moveable airfoil in a second direction, wherein said first direction is opposite said second direction. 
     
     
         32 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 31 , wherein said weight comprises a tube. 
     
     
         33 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 32 , wherein said wind turbine rotates about said first axis and comprises a plurality of airfoils. 
     
     
         34 . The aerodynamic regulator system of  claim 33 , wherein said first axis is a vertical axis. 
     
     
         35 . A method of slowing the rotational speed of a wind turbine:
 providing a wind turbine comprising at least one aerodynamic regulator configured to rotate about a first axis and comprising a first moveable airfoil and a second moveable airfoil,   allowing the first moveable airfoil and the second moveable airfoil to move in different directions in response to rotation of the wind turbine;   wherein, in response to reaching a threshold rotational speed, the first movable airfoil and second movable airfoil slow the rotational speed of the wind turbine.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein rotation of said wind turbine above said threshold rotational speed causes a weight to overcome resistance provided by a spring and move away from the axis of rotation of said wind turbine, wherein said movement of said weight causes said first and second moveable airfoils to move. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said wind turbine is a vertical axis wind turbine comprising a plurality of airfoils and wherein said first moveable airfoil is longer than said second moveable airfoil.