Wind turbine design

this may also provide an alternate approach, no need to align with the wind direction

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Vertical+Wind+Turbine+Wind+Generator&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=sz3YVJHDKtWgyAS5jILAAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=2560&bih=1339

hey may even be more efficient but im not 100% sure

Peter's vertical wind turbines have been used.

I believe there are a few issues with speed regulation, since most cannot feather the blades, or turn out of the wind.

(Interstingly the old fashion windmill for pumping water with the tail ... the tail pulled it out of the wind to stop it going too fast)

From what I read windmills are designed to slow the wind, and since energy isn't lost, the resultant is transferred into the blades to turn the turbine/gearbox.

It's easy to design windmills to function in high winds, but getting them to run in the lower winds that typically are present is the big problem.

Vibrations from air being compressed between the blade and support pole are a problem, and in NZ we have a new design using only two blades to try counter that effect.

http://www.nzwindfarms.co.nz/

I applaude your choice of entering into Engineering, but the science of windmills is a really big first step to be taking.

Having said that the option for very small lightweight units for domestic application 500-1000w (rather than solar) is worthy.

There are many for nautical applications but require manual intervention in high winds, and unlike solar where they are happy to be open circuit if the battery is charged, windmills need a load to stop them overspeeding and flying apart.

Good luck

Mark

I can remember a bit from the vibrations unit I did in my degree (in the mid 80's) but this was mainly aimed at electronic/motor theory, I would have thought by having 3 blades would have resulted in less vibration on the blade bearings; I know on the Island of Eigg in Scotland, they have to regularly tighten the base bolts

It has proved to be an interesting start to a conversation that has proved some of my theories and destroyed others. I will continue the thoughts of small power generation, but also have to look into the small scale storage and at low cost

I would have thought by having 3 blades would have resulted in less vibration on the blade bearings

I think it has to do with frequency and their ability to eliminate/reduce it.

They also have a "more efficient transmission" although not sure if it is or isn't in real life.

I believe their trial unit showed some higher than expected audiable noise and a failure due to very high winds ...but that's what trials are for.

Mark

I agree, over reving is a big issue also, more surface area provides better performance in lower wind situations.

Larger wind turbines tend to create RF noise due the varying capacitance between the blades and the mast as the prop spins.

I've seen turbines with pitchable props an one other with a twistable prop to bite more or less air.

-Steve

Are now we are getting into different area of problems that I had forgotten about EMF and RF interference, I remember testing equipment against that (in an old employment) but had not even thought about the mechanical generation from the turbines and their natural potentials from ground voltage

- Mike

Wasn't aware of the RF thing ...

cheers

Mark

Yeah the RF issue is interesting. I bet they also cause all sorts of propagation or reception problems  if you are to some extent bouncing signals off the blades

Yeah the RF issue is interesting. I bet they also cause all sorts of propagation or reception problems  if you are to some extent bouncing signals off the blades

You get all sorts of interesting effects when transmitting through a

wind farm.

-Steve