The invention relates to a ducted wind turbine having a turbine rotor assembly which extracts kinetic energy from air flowing there past. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades having rotor tips at their outermost ends which define a rotor tip sweep circumference. A duct assembly at least partially surrounds said rotor tip sweep circumference and a base platform supports the ducted wind turbine. The duct assembly is mounted on the base platform by way of a weathervane bearing arrangement such that the duct assembly may weathervane around the turbine rotor assembly in response to changes in wind direction. A semi-submersible support platform, wave energy capture apparatus, torsional bearing mechanism and a latticework wind turbine tower associated with the ducted wind turbine are also provided.

A wind turbine assembly include a housing, a turbine disposed in the housing and configured to rotate about an axis, the turbine including a rotor and a plurality of blades which protrude from an outer surface of the rotor, and a funnel configured to collect fluid stream energy through a fluid inlet opening and to direct at least a portion of the collected fluid stream energy into the housing and in a first direction toward the turbine, and the funnel and the housing are configured to rotate together about an axis independently of the turbine blades.

A wind turbine assembly include a housing, a turbine disposed in the housing and configured to rotate about an axis, the turbine including a rotor and a plurality of blades which protrude from an outer surface of the rotor, and a funnel configured to collect fluid stream energy through a fluid inlet opening and to direct at least a portion of the collected fluid stream energy into the housing and in a first direction toward the turbine, and the funnel and the housing are configured to rotate together about an axis independently of the turbine blades.

The present invention relates to a wind tower (10) for delivering wind flow to a turbine. The wind tower (10) including includes a support structure (12) mounted to a support surface (14) and a wind intake section 16 rotatably mounted to the support structure (12) and elevated with respect to the support surface (14). The intake section (16) includes a plurality of internal passageways (32) extending between a plurality of wind-facing inlets (22) and a plurality of outlets (34). The plurality of inlets (22) are orientated for concurrently receiving an oncoming wind-flow W. Each of the inlets (22) are in fluid communication with one of the outlets 34 via one of the passageways (32). The wind tower (10) further includes an output passageway (42) for collecting wind flow W from the plurality of outlets (34). The output passageway (42) is in fluid communication with the outlets (34) and extends downwardly from the intake section (16) toward the support surface (14) for delivering wind flow W to a turbine located at or proximate to the support surface (14).

The present invention relates to a wind tower (10) for delivering wind flow to a turbine. The wind tower (10) including includes a support structure (12) mounted to a support surface (14) and a wind intake section 16 rotatably mounted to the support structure (12) and elevated with respect to the support surface (14). The intake section (16) includes a plurality of internal passageways (32) extending between a plurality of wind-facing inlets (22) and a plurality of outlets (34). The plurality of inlets (22) are orientated for concurrently receiving an oncoming wind-flow W. Each of the inlets (22) are in fluid communication with one of the outlets 34 via one of the passageways (32). The wind tower (10) further includes an output passageway (42) for collecting wind flow W from the plurality of outlets (34). The output passageway (42) is in fluid communication with the outlets (34) and extends downwardly from the intake section (16) toward the support surface (14) for delivering wind flow W to a turbine located at or proximate to the support surface (14).

A system utilizes conventional sail technology to greatly increase the wind energy captured at modest cost. The use of a large area collector for wind energy, such as a sail, allows the conversion of wind kinetic energy into pressure so as to be further converted into mechanical or electrical energy in a much smaller turbine than in the conventional wind mill configuration. The collector is characterized by a deployed condition and a furled condition. In the deployed condition, a plurality of flexible membranes of the collector are deployed over an entirety or a portion of a roof. In the furled condition, plurality of flexible membranes are furled.

A system utilizes conventional sail technology to greatly increase the wind energy captured at modest cost. The use of a large area collector for wind energy, such as a sail, allows the conversion of wind kinetic energy into pressure so as to be further converted into mechanical or electrical energy in a much smaller turbine than in the conventional wind mill configuration. The collector is characterized by a deployed condition and a furled condition. In the deployed condition, a plurality of flexible membranes of the collector are deployed over an entirety or a portion of a roof. In the furled condition, plurality of flexible membranes are furled.

An inverted funnel-shaped columnar tower (115) includes a window region (120), a heat absorbing surface (130), an air entrance (116) and exit (117). Solar energy passes through the window region and heats the heat absorbing surface. A plurality of fans (145), each connected to a generator (150), are suspended within the tower and extract energy from convectively rising air, generating electricity. A fan (160) outside the tower intercepts wind and turns an internal fan (145) that aids the convective flow, providing a self-starting feature. A plurality of rotors (100) with wings (705) are connected in groups to generators (725) and all are arranged adjacent the tower. The rotors intercept wind energy and deliver it to the generators for conversion to electricity. The rotors include a flap (800) that predetermines the direction of rotation of the rotor, providing a second self-starting feature. The convection and wind-capture functions operate independently.

A wind turbine system utilizes an air deflector configured inside of an air scoop extending along a circular track around the air deflector to capture the prevailing wind and direct it up through an air rotor. The air rotor is configured with a plurality of fins in the air rotor channel and the flow of air past the fins spins the air rotor. A rotor of an electrical generator is coupled with the air rotor and spins with respect to a stator, fixed to the wind turbine frame, to produce electricity. The air scoop rotates about the wind turbine as a function of the prevailing wind and may be controlled by a controller that is coupled with one or more of the wheels of the air scoop. A plurality of baffles may be configured under the fins to direct the air and over the fins.

Large wind inlet ducts connected to one or more ducted turbines are used for conversion of wind energy into electricity. A main building structure into which are located the large inlet ducts and the turbines is supplemented by a plurality of large scale channel walls radiating outward for defining a plurality of canyon structures for accelerating wind towards the main building structure.