skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Wind energy conversion system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:866187

The wind energy conversion system includes a wind machine having a propeller connected to a generator of electric power, the propeller rotating the generator in response to force of an incident wind. The generator converts the power of the wind to electric power for use by an electric load. Circuitry for varying the duty factor of the generator output power is connected between the generator and the load to thereby alter a loading of the generator and the propeller by the electric load. Wind speed is sensed electro-optically to provide data of wind speed upwind of the propeller, to thereby permit tip speed ratio circuitry to operate the power control circuitry and thereby optimize the tip speed ratio by varying the loading of the propeller. Accordingly, the efficiency of the wind energy conversion system is maximized.

Research Organization:
Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-83CH10093
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, D.C.)
Patent Number(s):
US 4651017
OSTI ID:
866187
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English