Abstract: A shaft retention mechanism of the present invention includes: a casing forming a housing space containing a lubricant; an input shaft penetrating a through-hole formed in the casing, the input shaft extending through the casing; a sealing ring encircling the input shaft in the through-hole, the sealing ring sealing between the input shaft and the casing; and a bearing disposed on an opposite side of the sealing ring to the housing space, the bearing rotatably supporting the input shaft in the through-hole.

Abstract: An unducted single fan engine includes a housing having one or more fan blades coupled to the housing and configured to rotate circumferentially. The engine has one or more outlet guide vanes coupled to the housing. Each of the one or more guide vanes has a leading edge portion having a variable leading edge. The engine has one or more actuation devices coupled to each of the one or more outlet guide vanes. The one or more actuation devices are configured to control the variable leading edge of the respective outlet guide vane. The variable leading edge is controllable to vary the pitch, camber, lean angle, or sweep of the respective outlet guide vane.

Abstract: There is provided a blade angle feedback assembly for a propeller of an aircraft engine. The propeller is rotatable about an axis and has propeller blades rotatable about respective spanwise axes to adjust a blade angle thereof. The blade angle feedback assembly comprises a feedback ring having a plurality of position markers disposed thereon, at least one sensor configured to provide feedback on the blade angle of the propeller blades by detecting a relative movement between the feedback ring and the at least one sensor, and at least one shielding element provided between the feedback ring and the propeller, the at least one shielding element configured to shield the feedback ring from electromagnetism.

Abstract: The invention describes a system for controlling the cyclic setting of blades (1) of a turbine engine propeller, the blades (1) being arranged in a plane normal to the axis of rotation (r) of the propeller, the system comprising: —a plate assembly (40) that can be tilted relative to the normal plane (P), —an articulation system (50) articulating the plate assembly (40) relative to the blades (1) such that tilting the plate assembly (40) modifies the setting of the blades (1), —a force sensor (5) designed to measure a force applied in the normal plane (P) by an air flow at the inlet of the propeller blades (1), —a cylinder (60) suitable for tilting the plate assembly (40) in response to a force measured by the force sensor (5).

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Abstract: A propeller assembly of an aircraft includes a hub, a plurality of propeller blades extending from the hub and secured thereto and a propeller blade pitch change system located at at least one propeller blade of the plurality of propeller blades. The propeller blade pitch change system includes a pitch change actuator located in the propeller blade, and a drive mechanism operably connected to the pitch change actuator and to the propeller blade to urge rotation of the propeller blade about a propeller blade axis.

Abstract: One object is to promptly and accurately sense an abnormal state of a wind turbine driving device. The wind turbine driving device includes a driving device body and a sensor. The driving device body is installed in one structure at a movable section of a wind turbine. The driving device body includes a meshing portion meshing with a ring gear installed in the other structure at the movable section of the wind turbine. The sensor measures a change in installation state of the driving device body with respect to the one structure.

Abstract: A nacelle for a wind turbine and a method for erecting a wind turbine are disclosed. The nacelle comprises a main unit arranged to be connected to a wind turbine tower, via a yawing arrangement, and at least one side unit mounted along a side of the main unit in such a manner that direct access is allowed between the main unit and the side unit(s), each side unit accommodating at least one wind turbine component, and at least one side unit being capable of carrying the wind turbine component(s) accommodated therein. The main unit and at least one of the side unit(s) are distributed side by side along a substantially horizontal direction which is substantially transverse to a rotational axis of a rotor of the wind turbine. A sufficient interior space of the nacelle is obtained while allowing the nacelle to be transported due to the modular construction. The weight of the wind turbine components is arranged close to the tower due to the transversal arrangement of the side unit(s) relative to the main unit.

Abstract: A fan assembly for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a hub having a fan blade extending therefrom. The fan assembly includes a fan pitch adjuster configured to engage the fan blade and to adjust a pitch of the fan blade relative to the hub in response to movement of the fan pitch adjuster relative to the hub. The fan assembly also includes a motor shaft coupled to the fan pitch adjuster and to the hub, where the motor shaft is configured to drive rotation of the fan pitch adjuster and the hub. The fan assembly further includes an actuator coupled to the fan pitch adjuster and configured to axially move the fan pitch adjuster along the motor shaft and relative to the hub to adjust the pitch of the fan blade.

Abstract: A wind turbine with at least one rotor blade and at least one pith drive for turning the at least one rotor blade, the wind turbine comprising a controller which analyses the wind turbine if a first error situation or a second error situation occurs and wherein the controller is adapted to react to the first error situation in absence of a second error situation with a first error procedure, to a second error situation in absence of the first error situation with a second error procedure, and to an error situation where the first error and the second error occur at the same time with a third error procedure that is different to the first error procedure and to the second error procedure.

Abstract: A propeller system including a propeller including a central attachment member and a plurality of blade apparatuses, each including a blade body attached to the central attachment member and a magnetic coupling member attached to a radially outward end of the blade body. The propeller system further comprises a propeller frame configured to at least partially circumscribe the magnetic coupling member of each blade apparatus and a plurality of electromagnets positioned on the propeller frame and operable to generate magnetic fields to suspend the magnetic coupling members, laterally translate the magnetic coupling members, rotate the magnetic coupling members along the radial axis of the propeller system, thereby rotating the blade bodies.

Abstract: A blade angle feedback ring assembly for an aircraft propeller rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having an adjustable blade angle is provided. A feedback ring is coupled to the propeller to rotate therewith and to move along a longitudinal axis with adjustment of the blade angle. A plurality of rods are coupled to the feedback ring and extending along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rods configured to support the feedback ring for longitudinal sliding movement along the longitudinal axis with adjustment of the blade angle. At least one shielding element is provided between the feedback ring and the propeller for shielding the feedback ring from electromagnetism.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an engine axis and method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The gas turbine engine may comprise a fan configured to drive air, a low pressure compressor section having a core flow path and configured to draw in and compress air flowing along the core flow path, a spool configured to drive the fan, and geared architecture configured to adjust the fan speed. The gas turbine engine may also include a housing defining a compartment that encloses the geared architecture. The housing is disposed between the core flow path and the axis, and includes a shielded mid-section that is in thermal communication with the core flow path of the low pressure compressor section. The shielded mid-section includes an outer layer and an insulator adjacent to the outer layer.

Abstract: A propulsion engine for an aircraft comprises an enclosure having a longitudinal axis oriented in a direction of travel of an aircraft, the enclosure including a series of walls and a plurality of ducts arranged along the longitudinal axis. Each of the ducts including a number of walls that are either dynamic or static in movement. Each of the ducts includes a central axis that is angled at, or can be adjusted to, an angle toward the front wall of the enclosure such that a top end of each duct is toward the front wall of the enclosure. A fan is disposed in each of the ducts configured to generate airflow along the respective central axes from the top end to the bottom end to provide lift and thrust to the aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control rod for the adjusting of a helicopter rotor blade, wherein the control rod can be adjusted in longitudinal direction, comprising: at least one contact area element, at least one limit stop element, which is designed to limit the adjustability of the control rod in longitudinal direction to a specifiable adjusting range in interrelation with the at least one contact area element, wherein the limit stop element can be transferred from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one stop element limits the adjustability of the control rod in the first position and enables the adjustability of the control rod beyond the specifiable adjusting range in the second position.

Abstract: A propeller assembly that includes a hub having an outer radial surface and a plurality of wedge retaining members removably coupled to the hub. The plurality of wedge retaining members are spaced circumferentially about the outer radial surface such that a dovetail slot is defined between adjacent wedge retaining members. The assembly also includes at least one propeller blade including a root portion having a dovetail profile. The root portion is coupled to the hub and positioned within the dovetail slot. The plurality of wedge retaining members are configured to restrict radial movement of the root portion within the dovetail slot.

Abstract: A wind turbine hub having both blades mounted thereon by means of blade bearings adjustable about the longitudinal axes thereof. The turbine includes means for effecting multi-axes adjustments of a plurality of elements relative to one another. The elements are rotatable about bearings having selectively oriented axes of rotation, each bearing comprising two parts rotatable relative to each other.

Abstract: Rotary actuator assemblies, wind tunnels including the same, and associated methods are disclosed. A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary element and a rotary actuator with a shape memory alloy element. The rotary actuator is configured to generate a first torque and a second torque in opposing rotary directions to rotate the rotary element. A rotary actuator assembly further includes an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element configured to generate a magnetic force therebetween. Wind tunnels include an aerodynamic model with a rotary actuator assembly to rotate a portion of the aerodynamic model with respect to an airstream in a chamber. A method of rotating a rotary element includes modulating a temperature of a shape memory alloy element and applying a supplemental torque to the rotary element with an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement related to a rotator, especially for a work tool supported by an arm, whereby the rotator (10) comprises a stator (20) and a rotor (30). A fastening ring (50) for the attaching of a work tool is separately journalled (D) relative to the stator (20) independently of a bearing (B, C) between the stator (20) and the rotor (30). A driver (80; 180; 280) is used to transfer the rotational movement of the rotor (30) to the fastening ring (50).

Abstract: Shape memory alloy-actuated propeller blades and shape memory alloy-actuated propeller assemblies are disclosed. An example propeller blade includes a propeller body, a plate coupled to the propeller body, a torque transfer member, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The torque transfer member has a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member. The SMA actuator has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the SMA actuator is attached to the torque transfer member. The proximal end of the SMA actuator is coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body. The SMA actuator is configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the SMA actuator.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism includes a planet gear, a set of sun gear teeth and a set of ring gear teeth. The planet gear is configured to be mounted to a synchronization ring for rotation relative to the synchronization ring about a planet gear axis. The set of sun gear teeth are meshed with teeth of the planet gear. The set of sun gear teeth is configured to rotate and drive motion of the planet gear in a circumferential direction about an axis of the set of sun gear teeth. The set of ring gear teeth are meshed with the teeth of the planet gear. The set of sun gear teeth and the set of ring gear teeth are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for coordinating a propeller with a controller module including a machine having a controller module and a propeller mounted to a propeller shaft at a hub. The shaft is arranged to be received in the machine, and a sensor is mounted to the machine, connected to the electronic controller module, and configured to sense the propeller when the propeller shaft is received in the machine.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a nacelle and a rotor hub is disclosed. The nacelle may extend between a hub end and an aft end and may define a nacelle shaft opening and a nacelle access port at the hub end. The rotor hub may extend between a first end and a second end, with the second end being disposed adjacent to the hub end of the nacelle. The rotor hub may also define a hub shaft opening at the second end and a hub access port generally adjacent to the hub shaft opening. In addition, the wind turbine may include an access bridge configured to extend between the nacelle and the rotor hub so as to provide access between the nacelle access port and the hub access port.

Abstract: A wind power generator having a nacelle, which is mounted to an upper end of a support tower, supports in rotary manner a rotor, and is oriented around a rotation axis by an orienting device provided with at least one gearmotor. The gearmotor presents an output gear coupled with a crown gear fixed to the support tower and is hinged to the nacelle so as to rotate around a fulcrum axis, which is substantially parallel to the rotation axis under the thrust of an actuation device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a wind turbine, comprising an electrical device that is arranged for being used during normal operation of a wind turbine and a power source that is arranged to be used as an emergency power supply to a blade pitch motor, wherein the blade pitch motor is arranged to test at least one property of said power source. The invention also relates to a method for testing a power source.

Abstract: A self-adjustable pitch marine vessel propeller attached to a shaft is driven by an engine of a marine vessel, and includes a substantially cylindrical hollow hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the hub and being capable of rotating around an axis being in a radial direction relative to the hub. The propeller comprises an actuator movable linearly along the axis of the hub and at least one motion transmission means communicating with the actuator and each blade for converting the linear motion of the actuator into the rotational motion of each blade in a radial direction relative to the axis of the hub and a resilient member communicating with the actuator.

Abstract: A system for varying an angle of attack of blades of an aircraft turbine engine propeller, including an axial flow brushless motor including a stator including coils, and a rotor including permanent magnets. The rotor is mounted axially movable between a locked position in which it is secured in rotation with a rotary hub of the propeller, and an unlocked position in which its rotation relative to the hub along the axis of rotation of the propeller causes a variation of the angle of attack of the blades via a mechanical connecting mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanically-adjustable pitch marine vessel propeller attached to a shaft driven by an engine of a marine vessel, comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the hub and being capable of rotating around an axis being in a radial direction relative to the hub. The propeller according to the present invention comprises an actuator movable linearly along the axis of the hub and at least one motion transmission means communicating with the actuator and each blade for converting the linear motion of the actuator into the rotational motion of each blade in a radial direction relative to the axis of the hub.

Abstract: Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades and at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis. The pitch system comprises a bearing, a gear and a pitch drive. The pitch drive is arranged on a flange and has a motor and a pinion which meshes with the gear. The flange is provided with a hole and an intermediate support is concentrically arranged with respect to the hole. The intermediate support comprises an off-center opening with respect to a central axis of the hole and the pitch drive is mounted through said off-center opening. The position of the off-center opening is such that the intermediate support can be arranged in a first and a second position in which the drive pinion meshes with a first and second section of the gear respectively.

Abstract: Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades and at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis, the pitch system comprising a bearing, a motor and a gear system, said gear system comprising a driving pinion operationally connected with the motor, an annular gear arranged to mesh with the driving pinion, and additional gear teeth, the additional gear teeth being arranged to mesh with other parts of the gear system at least in a predefined blade position for wind speeds at or below nominal wind speed, and arranged such that upon movement from said predefined blade position, the additional gear teeth come into contact with said other parts of the gear system before the driving pinion comes into contact with the annular gear.

Abstract: Pitch drive system for a wind turbine comprising a motor, a drive pinion operationally connected with the motor and a gear arranged to mesh with the drive pinion, wherein a first plate is provided on one side of the drive pinion, the first plate comprising one or more channels adapted to provide a lubricant to a tooth of the drive pinion that is in meshing engagement with teeth of the gear. The disclosure further relates to a wind turbine rotor.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade pitch control system includes a blade pitch drive mechanism coupled to a wind turbine blade and an electric power source coupled to the blade pitch drive mechanism. The system also includes switch devices coupled to portions of the electric power source, and the switch devices are coupled to the blade pitch drive mechanism. The system further includes a controller coupled to the blade pitch drive mechanism and the switch devices. The controller is configured to store a plurality of operational measurements of the blade pitch drive mechanism and the switch devices. The controller is programmed to change an angular rate of change of a pitch angle of the wind turbine blade by opening and closing the switch devices in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a blade pitch control ring mounted coaxially with and rotatable with the wind turbine, and an angle control arm connected between the blade pitch control ring and each of the turbine blades for simultaneously changing the pitch of all of the turbine blades.

Abstract: A horizontal-axis wind turbine using airfoil blades with uniform in width and thickness, comprising a tower installed vertically from ground surface, a nacelle rotatable connected to center of a vertical axis on top of the tower, a rotating body axially bonded to the nacelle, and one or more blades connecting and forming a pitch angle on the outer periphery of the rotating body, and the blade having an airfoil shape and having uniform in width and thickness in a longitudinal direction and generating torque from lift about a tip of the blade is provided.

Abstract: A method and arrangement of controlling blade pitch angle of a set of rotor blades. The method comprises providing a target blade pitch angle to a controller mounted on the rotor; measuring the speed of rotation of the rotor using a rate gyro mounted on the rotor; calculating the blade pitch angle required to match the target blade pitch angle by summing the target blade pitch angle and the measured rotational speed; and actuating the blades to the calculated blade pitch angle.

Abstract: Wind turbine auxiliary drive system comprising a motor, a drive pinion, a bearing and a lubrication system, the bearing comprising an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring and, between these two bearing rings, one or more rows of rolling elements which allow both bearing rings to rotate relative to each other, the inner bearing ring having an inner side comprising a gear which meshes with the drive pinion, wherein a height of the gear in an axial direction is smaller than the height of the inner bearing ring such that a gearless portion is defined, and wherein at least one lubricant inlet and/or at least one lubricant outlet is arranged on said gearless portion.

Abstract: A windmill pitch driving apparatus is provided, which is capable of achieving improved durability as well as improved output torque and reduced size. The apparatus includes a fixing mechanism for fixing the output pinion to the output shaft. The fixing mechanism includes a positioning portion and a pressure-applying fixing portion. The positioning portion positions the other end side of the pinion with respect to the output shaft side. The pressure-applying fixing portion biases the pinion toward the output shaft in the direction of the axis P of the output shaft from the one end side and is fixed to the output shaft while applying pressure to the pinion.

Abstract: A feathering device for the fan blades of a turboprop engine that includes at least one set of fan blades with adjustable orientation is provided. The assembly is attached in rotation to a rotating cowling connected to a turbine rotor. Each blade is coupled, for the adjustment of its orientation, to a control ring that is movable between two extreme positions, one of which corresponds to feathering of the blades. Mechanical parts are able to extend elastically as a result of a rise in their temperature, these mechanical parts being positioned facing the control ring so as to be able to exert a thrust force on the ring in order to put it in a position to feather the blades when they expand. A device to cause a rise in the temperature of the mechanical parts so as to expand them is also provided.

Abstract: Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades and at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis, the pitch system comprising a motor, a drive pinion, a gear arranged to mesh with the drive pinion and a pitch bearing, the pitch bearing comprising an outer bearing ring connected to the hub, an inner bearing ring connected to a blade and, between these two bearing rings, one or more rows of rolling elements which allow both bearing rings to rotate relative to each other, wherein the inner bearing ring has an inner side, and wherein a reinforcement disc is radially fixed to the inner side of the inner bearing ring.

Abstract: A rotor blade is used in combination with a submersible electrical generator for generating electricity to be put into the grid, where the pitch of the rotor blade is controlled by a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls a radio frequency transmitter which emits signals to a receiver which controls a hydraulic value. The hydraulic valve controls a push-pull arrangement which through a right angle gear and pitch adjustment axial adjust the rotor pitch according to pre-programmed conditions stored in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower and a nacelle which is rotatably mounted on the tower and whose alignment is adjustable by way of a yaw system, wherein the yaw system has at least one adjusting drive, a rotatable yaw bearing, at least one brake disk and at least two brake units which can exert a braking torque on the brake disk, wherein the at least one of the brake units has a first brake pad with a first coefficient of friction, and at least one of the brake units has a second brake pad with a second coefficient of friction, wherein the first and the second coefficient of friction are different from each other.

Abstract: Provided is a wind turbine generator including an electric pitch-control device that efficiently utilizes the entire circumferential teeth of a ring gear of a wind turbine blade so as to eliminate the need for work at high elevation using a crane or the like even when the teeth of the ring gear are partly broken. A wind turbine generator having an electric pitch-control device that performs pitch-angle control by using a motor to drive a pinion gear that meshes with a ring gear of a wind turbine blade includes a plurality of pinion-driving-mechanism securing supporters or a fixing/releasing switching part as a meshing-region changing mechanism that changes a pitch-angle-control meshing region of the ring gear that meshes with the pinion gear during the pitch-angle control.

Abstract: A pitch drive device of a wind turbine generator and a wind turbine generator that have simple and inexpensive structures and that are capable of preventing a decrease in the reliability of the pitch drive device are provided. There is provided a cylinder (12) configured to change a pitch angle by driving a wind-turbine rotary blade (6) to turn around an axis with respect to a rotor head (4); and a cylinder bearing (14) configured to support, in a turnable manner, a trunnion (16) extending from the cylinder (12) substantially parallel the axis of the wind-turbine rotary blade (6), wherein anti-vibration rubber (21) configured to elastically support the trunnion (16) is provided on a support section configured to support the trunnion (16) of the cylinder bearing (14).

Abstract: A variable-diameter rotor comprises a hub with a shaft and rotor blades, wherein each of the rotor blades comprises a radially internal blade part and a radially external blade part. In each of the rotor blades, a jackscrew mechanism is arranged therein and includes a jackscrew arranged in the radially internal blade part and a nut connected with the radially external blade part, the nut cooperating with the jackscrew for radially moving the radially external blade part with respect to the radially internal blade part. The rotor further comprises an energy storage system, including a compressed-gas accumulator. The compressed-gas accumulator comprises a volume of gas and a piston for compressing and expanding the volume of pressurized gas. The energy storage system also includes a means for converting a radial motion of the radially external blade part into a motion of the piston of the compressed-gas accumulator and vice-versa.

Abstract: Proposed is a redundant hydraulically controlled variable pitch propeller for an air, land or water craft, comprising at least two propeller blades (14) mounted in a propeller hub (12) for variable pitch control by means of a hydraulically powered piston assembly (18). In accordance with the invention the piston assembly (18) comprises two mechanically interconnected servo pistons (20, 22) each assigned an independent hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power from wind energy includes a blade unit, a wind-collecting unit, and a control unit. The blade unit includes an upright shaft mounted rotatably on a base, and a plurality of blades connected fixedly around the shaft and driven by wind to rotate. A generator is connected to the shaft for converting rotational kinetic energy into electric power. The wind-collecting unit includes upright plates mounted pivotally on the base and disposed around the blades. The control unit detects rotational speed of the shaft and accordingly moves at least a portion of each upright plate between first and second positions, where the amount of wind flowing toward the blades is increased and reduced, respectively.