Wind energy conversion device

A wind energy conversion device for converting directional wind force to torque along on a vertical rotational axis. The device includes a plurality of flexible vanes mounted to a framework for rotation therewith about a vertical axis. The vanes are mounted to upright posts on the framework. Axial vane side edges extend to opposite radial sides of the posts and are connected in a specific manner to the frame in order to produce a positive effect on rotation of the device in a prescribed direction, in response to wind currents.

What I claim is:

1. A wind energy conversion device, comprising:

a central supporting framework;

an upright shaft journalled in the framework for free rotation about a vertical axis;

a secondary frame centered on the shaft and mounted thereto for rotation therewith, with an outer periphery spaced radially from the shaft axis;

a plurality of axial posts mounted to the frame periphery parallel with the shaft;

a flexible vane mounted to each post and including an areal surface with inward and outward side edges extending from opposite sides of the post forming two vane sections; and

connecting means extending between the vane edges to the secondary frame for holding the areal surface of the vanes on a leeward side of the frame against the wind as the frame rotates about the shaft axis and for allowing the vanes to fold over the posts with the vane sections overlapping each other on a windward side of the frame as the frame rotates about the shaft axis.

2. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the connecting means is comprised of connecting members extending from the side edges of each vane to corresponding connecting points on the framework.

3. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

release means between the connecting means and secondary frame for releasing the connecting means from the secondary frame in response to high wind velocity.

4. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 1 wherein the connecting means is comprised of:

inner connecting members extending between the inward side edges of the vanes and a first set of connecting points on the secondary frame spaced from the shaft axis by a first radius;

outer connecting members extending between the outward side edges of the vanes and a second set of connecting points on the secondary frame spaced from the shaft axis by a second radius greater than the first radius.

5. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 4 wherein the lengths of the inner connecting members are greater than the difference in length of the first radius and a third radius from the posts to the shaft axis.

6. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 5 wherein the second radius is greater than the third radius.

7. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 4 wherein the lengths of the outer connecting members is greater than the difference in length of the second radius and a third radius from the posts to the shaft axis.

8. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 5 wherein the lengths of the second and third radii -- and wherein and second radius is greater than the third radius.

9. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 1 wherein the horizontal distances along the flexible vanes from the posts to respective inward side edges is greater than the horizontal distances along the flexible vanes from the posts to the outward side edge.

10. The wind energy conversion device as recited in claim 1 wherein the vanes are constructed of a flexible fabric, and are rectangular in configuration with flexible top and bottom edges joining the inward and outward side edges.