Wind Turbine

Abstract

A wind turbine comprising a support structure for supporting a rotatable, substantially vertical hub wherein at least one substantially horizontal support arm is connected to the hub. At least one wind trap is connected to each of the at least one support arm, and each of the at least one wind trap supports at least one petal that may move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the at least one petal, and a closed position, wherein the at least one petal blocks the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub.

20 . A wind turbine, comprising:
 a support structure for supporting a rotatable, vertical hub;   at least one horizontal, monolithic support arm connected to the hub; and   at least one wind trap fixedly connected to each of the at least one support arm and having at least one rigid, flat petal that move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the at least one petal, and a closed position, wherein the at least one petal blocks the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub.   
     
     
         21 . The wind turbine stated in claim  1 , further comprising:
 the at least one wind trap each having a base wherein the at least one petal is pivotally connected to the base for movement between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         22 . The wind turbine stated in claim  2 , further comprising:
 the base of the at least one wind trap having a plurality of sides; and   each of the at least one petal having a triangular shape pivotally connected to a side of the base.   
     
     
         23 . The wind turbine stated in claim  2 , further comprising:
 the base of the at least one wind trap having a arcuate, faceted frame; and   each of the at least one petal having trapezoidal shapes or substantially triangular shapes.   
     
     
         24 . The wind turbine stated in claim  1 , comprising:
 the at least one horizontal support arm pivotally connected to the hub;   a spindle connected to and extending upward from the support structure; and   a lowering arm connected to each of the at least one wind trap and pivotally connected to the spindle such that the horizontal support arm can be positioned in an operating position, wherein the support arm extends horizontally to allow the wind turbine to operate, and a maintenance position, wherein the at least one horizontal support arm and the lowering arm pivot downwards to allow the wind trap to lower for performing maintenance on the wind trap and placing the wind trap in a protective structure.   
     
     
         25 . The wind turbine as stated in claim  1 , further comprising:
 a generator operably connected to the hub wherein the hub operatively drives the generator upon rotation of a shaft to generate power.   
     
     
         26 . A wind turbine, comprising:
 a support structure;   a hub connected to the support structure and rotatable about a vertical longitudinal axis;   at least one horizontal support arm connected to the hub;   at least one wind trap connected to the at least one support arm and each of the at least one wind trap having a base; and   a plurality of rigid petals pivotally connected to the base wherein the plurality of petals move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the petals, and a closed position, wherein the petals adjacently align one another to block the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub.   
     
     
         27 . The wind turbine as stated in claim  7 , comprising:
 the base of the at least one wind trap having four sides to form a square frame; and   each of the at least one petal having a triangular configuration.   
     
     
         28 . The wind turbine as stated in claim  7 , further comprising:
 a scoop having side walls extending from the base of the wind trap at right angles wherein the side walls are perpendicular to one another to form a diamond structure.   
     
     
         29 . The wind turbine as stated in claim  7 , further comprising:
 a scoop having side walls extending from the base of the wind trap at obtuse angles wherein the side walls are perpendicular and connected to one another to form a diamond structure.   
     
     
         30 . The wind turbine as stated in claim  7 , further comprising:
 the base of the wind trap having a faceted arcuate configuration; and   a scoop having side walls extending from the base of the wind trap.   
     
     
         31 . The wind turbine of claim  7 , further comprising:
 the at least one horizontal support arm pivotally connected to the hub;   a spindle extending from and supported by the support structure; and   a lowering arm connected to each of the at least one wind trap and pivotally connected to the spindle such that the at least one horizontal support arm can be positioned between an operating position, wherein the at least one horizontal support arm extends horizontally to allow the wind turbine to operate, and a maintenance position, wherein the at least one horizontal support arm and the lowering arm pivot downwards to allow the wind trap to lower for performing maintenance on the wind trap.   
     
     
         32 . The wind turbine as stated in claim  7 , further comprising:
 a generator operably connected to the hub wherein the hub drives the generator upon rotation of the hub to generate power.   
     
     
         33 . A wind turbine, comprising:
 a support structure;   a hub connected to the support structure and rotatable about a vertical longitudinal axis;   a generator operably connected to the hub for generating power upon the rotation of the hub;   at least one horizontal support arm connected to the hub;   at least one wind trap connected to each of the at least one horizontal support arm and having a base;   a plurality of flat petals pivotally connected to the base wherein the plurality of petals move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the petals, and a closed position, wherein the petals adjacently align one another to block the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub;   a front framework and a rear framework connected to opposite sides of the base of each of the at least one wind trap for supporting a guide rod extending along a longitudinal axis of the at least one wind trap;   a synchronizer slideably connected to the guide rod for movement between the open position and the closed position; and   a plurality of push rods pivotally connected to the synchronizer and the plurality of petals for moving the plurality of petals between the open position and the closed position upon movement of the synchronizer.   
     
     
         34 . The wind turbine stated in claims  14 , the at least one wind trap further comprising:
 a plurality of wind traps mounted adjacent one another to form a diamond shaped wind trap configured from the plurality of wind traps.   
     
     
         35 . The wind turbine stated in claim  14 , further comprising:
 the base of the at least one wind trap having four sides to form a square frame; and   each of the at least one petal having a triangular configuration.   
     
     
         36 . The wind turbine stated in claim  14 , further comprising:
 the base of the wind trap having a faceted arcuate configuration; and   a scoop having side walls extending from the base of the wind trap.   
     
     
         37 . The wind turbine stated in claim  17 , further comprising:
 the plurality of petals forming concentric rings that are adjacently aligned; and   each concentric ring of petals having separate push rods wherein the push rods of each concentric ring are connected to a separate synchronizer wherein the synchronizers are slidably mounted on the guide rod.   
     
     
         38 . The wind turbine stated in claim  18 , further comprising:
 the plurality of petals having triangular and trapezoidal configurations.