Wind turbine spoiler

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:865345

Sullivan, William N ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

An aerodynamic spoiler system for a vertical axis wind turbine includes spoilers on the blades initially stored near the rotor axis to minimize drag. A solenoid latch adjacent the central support tower releases the spoilers and centrifugal force causes the spoilers to move up the turbine blades away from the rotor axis, thereby producing a braking effect and actual slowing of the associated wind turbine, if desired. The spoiler system can also be used as an infinitely variable power control by regulated movement of the spoilers on the blades over the range between the undeployed and fully deployed positions. This is done by the use of a suitable powered reel and cable located at the rotor tower to move the spoilers.

• Research Organization: AT & T CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4500257
• OSTI ID: 865345
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/416/
adjacent
aerodynamic
associated
axis
blades
braking
cable
causes
central
central support
centrifugal
centrifugal force
control
deployed
deployed position
desired
drag
effect
force
force causes
infinitely
infinitely variable
initially
latch
located
minimize
move
movement
near
positions
power
power control
powered
producing
range
reel
regulated
releases
rotor
rotor axis
slowing
solenoid
spoiler
spoilers
stored
suitable
suitable power
support
support tower
tower
turbine
turbine blade
turbine blades
undeployed
variable
variable power
vertical
vertical axis
wind
wind turbine