Abstract: A vertical-axis wind turbine includes upper and lower hubs defining an imaginary vertical axis therebetween. A rotor assembly is rotatably coupled to the hubs and includes a plurality of rotor blades. Each rotor blade includes an annular configuration having a first vertical edge perpendicular to a radial edge of the rotor assembly and a second vertical edge spaced inwardly toward the imaginary vertical axis. No rotor blade touches any other blade and an airflow is obstructed only by respective rotor blades when passing through the rotor assembly. A plurality of stationary stator blades are circumferentially arranged about the rotor assembly, each stator blade being positioned tangentially to the rotor assembly such that air that would cause propulsion relative to the rotor blades is unrestricted whereas air that would cause drag is blocked. A plurality of rotor assemblies may be included within a single housing.

Abstract: A vertical-axis wind turbine includes upper and lower hubs defining an imaginary vertical axis therebetween. A rotor assembly is rotatably coupled to the hubs and includes a plurality of rotor blades. Each rotor blade includes an annular configuration having a first vertical edge perpendicular to a radial edge of the rotor assembly and a second vertical edge spaced inwardly toward the imaginary vertical axis. No rotor blade touches any other blade and an airflow is obstructed only by respective rotor blades when passing through the rotor assembly. A plurality of stationary stator blades are circumferentially arranged about the rotor assembly, each stator blade being positioned tangentially to the rotor assembly such that air that would cause propulsion relative to the rotor blades is unrestricted whereas air that would cause drag is blocked. A plurality of rotor assemblies may be included within a single housing.