Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical energy includes at least one fixedly mounted stator having a generally cylindrical cross-section and further including an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The apparatus additionally includes a rotor which is mounted for rotation relative to the stator about an axis. A plurality of field windings is mounted to the stator to extend about its periphery preferably in a serpentine manner. Further, the apparatus includes first and second groups of permanent magnets. The first group of permanent magnets is mounted to the rotor and is axially arranged about the axis such that the first group of magnets faces the inner periphery of the stator. The second group of magnets is mounted to the rotor and is arranged about the axis such that the second group of permanent magnets faces the outer periphery of the stator.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating power by utilizing the wind produced from the passage of vehicular traffic such as on a highway or freeway includes a plurality of vertical axis rotors mounted vertically within a support structure. Each of the vertical axis rotors is coupled to a generator adapted to convert rotational energy of the rotors into electrical energy. The apparatus is particularly well adapted for placement between two opposing lanes of vehicular traffic in order to provide a barrier which replaces conventional barriers with one adapted to harness a previously unused source of energy.