A
habitat friendly, pressure conversion, wind energy extraction
system is disclosed for safely extracting
usable energy from wind. The
system includes one or more shrouds or
concentrator wings that convert the
dynamic pressure of wind into relatively lower static pressure and thereby induces a vacuum that draws wind into a
turbine centralized within the shrouds or
concentrator wings. As such, the
turbine impellor blades may be significantly smaller than the large
diameter rotor blades of current popular designs and may be enclosed within the shrouds or
concentrator wings that present themselves as highly visible objects and as such are easily avoided by birds in flight. The novel
system in particular includes a device and method of
airflow regulation than minimizes or prevents the stalling, or the generation of a turbulent flow of wind over or between the shrouds or concentrator wings. This stalling has been shown to occur when
airflow is quickly accelerated by force of vacuum and drawn out of the
turbine shroud which then mixes with and disturbs the otherwise smooth flow of wind over or between the shrouds or concentrator wings. The system may also include an aerobrake that responds quickly to protect the impellor blades or associated mechanisms from overspeeding or exceeding other design limitations under gusting or violent wind conditions. The system may also include a method of guiding elements of the system to orient appropriately into
prevailing winds, and a method to support elements of the system, without unduly impeding the
free flow of wind. Other advantages and objects are as well disclosed that increase safety and efficiency, increase installation potential, reduce costs and expenses, and minimize negative environmental
impact.