1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to vertical axis turbines, and more specifically to vertical axis wind turbines.
2. Description of Related Art
A turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the movement of a medium into electrical power. This medium can include both gases and liquids. For example, some turbines are utilized for capturing hydropower, while other turbines are utilized for capturing wind power.
When capturing wind power, there are generally two broad categories of turbines utilized. The first type of turbine is a horizontal axis wind turbine. Horizontal axis wind turbines generally have a rotor that has a rotational axis that is horizontal with the ground. The rotor of these horizontal axis wind turbines must be rotated such that they face the incoming wind, so as to capture wind in an efficient manner. Small horizontal axis wind turbines may be rotated by a simple wind vane, while larger turbines generally use a wind sensor coupled with a servo motor. However, rotation of these turbines is both time consuming and requires energy, thereby reducing the overall efficiency of these systems.
The second type of turbine is a vertical axis wind turbine. Vertical axis wind turbines generally have an axis of rotation that is perpendicular, or vertical, to the ground. One advantage vertical axis wind turbines have over horizontal axis wind turbines is that vertical axis wind turbines do not need to be rotated so as to face the wind to increase their efficiency. However, these vertical axis wind turbines are generally not as efficient at capturing wind energy as horizontal axis wind turbines that are properly rotated to face the incoming.