Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

In recent times, there has been an increased interest in wind energy due to concerns about the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels and their rising prices. Most wind turbines in use today are conventional wind mills with three airfoil shaped blades arranged around a horizontal axis. The second type of turbine which is transverse to the axis of rotation or whose blades are positioned vertically. These turbines will always rotate in the same direction regardless of the fluid flow. It does not depend on the direction of the fluid flow; these turbines have found applications in tidal and surface current flows. A vertical axis helical blade wind turbine is that where in the blades of the rotor section of the wind turbine comprise sections wherein the blades have a non-linear configuration in the vertical axis. In a preferred manifestation, the blades of the rotor section have a linear trailing edge with a non-linear, and preferably helical, surface configuration. This particular design allows the blades to provide both a rotational force and a negligible lift component. Further, the blades define an open area in the center of the rotor section through which air flow can pass in order to create a vertical vortex of air. As such, a more efficient vertical axis wind turbine can be made.