Sounds alot like a Darrieus rotor.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrieus_wind_turbine

The patent on it was given out in 1931, yes indeed, 1931.

Most of us know it by its curved version, as a result of the movie waterworld.






In my opinion it is a very elegant design, even magical with its vertical axis of rotation and it being totally independent of wind direction and speed. I mean how can it actually work like that ?

The reason is pretty simple but you won't figure it out for yourself that easily.

And water world was right in its usage. It is one of the very best rotor designs for a vehicle. It points straight up and works irrespectibally of the direction the vehicle is heading; it is said to even work when travelling directly into the wind ! But I've never seen any proof of the latter.

Is that the type you mean ?

Wouter