20140291991 | Method and Apparatus for Amplifying an Ambient Wind Stream to a Wind Turbine - A wind speed amplification device that cooperates with a wind turbine to amplify ambient wind speed conditions directed to the blades of the wind turbine. In one embodiment, the amplification device has a conical shape that is configured to generally overly the central hub associated with an axis of rotation of the blades. In another embodiment, the amplification device has a wedge shape that is positioned radially outboard of the operating footprint of the blades and extends upstream of the plane of operation of the turbine blades. In a preferred embodiment, the wedge shaped amplification device includes a forward wedge portion and a rearward wedge portion that extend in opposite directions relative to the plane of operation of the blades. | 10-02-2014 |