CPC F03D 7/0236 (2013.01) [F03D 1/0658 (2013.01); F03D 7/0268 (2013.01); F05B 2240/2022 (2013.01); Y02E 10/72 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |
1. A wind turbine, comprising:
a support having an axis of rotation;
a generator;
a plurality of blades rotatably mounted on the support about the axis of rotation, the blades being moveable between a retracted position generally parallel with the axis of rotation and a fully deployed position generally perpendicular with the axis of rotation;
the blades being connected to the generator such that rotation of the blades in a direction induced by wind causes the generator to produce electricity, and provision of electricity to the generator rotates the blades;
a controller connected to the generator;
the turbine being configured to execute first and second retraction protocols to move the blades from the fully deployed position to the retracted position:
the first retraction protocol comprising slowing rotation of the blades, such that due to reduction in centrifugal force the blades begin to transition to the retracted position as rotation slows; and
the second retraction protocol comprising rotating the blades in an opposite direction to that induced by ambient wind.
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