Pivoted Panel Wind Turbine (PPWT) Vertical Axis (VAWT)

[TheLawlbreaker]

*Very cool* device for a hobbyist, but impractical for scaled-up application. Wind generators are kept simple intentionally - to keep service costs low.

[qcages]

awesome idea! i love this!

[ggibney0856]

Do you have any plans that I can look at... i can't really see how the blades pivot. thanks for the great design.. I believe you have a winner here

[sveasun1]

Thank you for the compliment and words of encouragement.

[Peterneuh]

Yes, this is the most logic step: close the side who returns while spinning, determined by the wing follows the airstream. Go on, you will have success, making one much more greater.

[tubularguynine]

How about explaining how it was built, the output, what batteries you use to store the energy, etc, instead of using the video to promote some jive music track? There's a category for music on YouTube also, I know, I visit it often.

[imikewillrockyou]

I really like it! Got perfect sail style drag on the closed side and wing lift coming back around. My only concern would be the closed drag would work against it in high wind when the wing lift alone would cause the turbine to exceed the wind speed. However, it has some very clear advantages in low wind. Maybe set it up so they all stay open in higher wind speeds then you have the best of both worlds Nice work!

[emmec]

it would work much better if you just leave in a pararel position with the wind stream.

of course you would like to use some NACA airfoils. By using just the drag force you will have low power production.

[IXBhangXI]

I think the 70's porno music is the best part ;)

Good job on the turbine.

[Gromitdog1]

yeah i couldn't figure out why i was getting a hard on watching this video but its classic pavlovian conditioning.

[glenisah]

I like it, I have some fiberglass kite rods and some featherweight ripstop nylon that would go well with this idea. Lower mass on the moving panels will inherently reduce noise. I agree that vertical axis turbines could be very practical. There is a Japanese company that builds self powered street lamps using a small VAWT on each.

[emmec]

i'm sorry to say that wouldn't work... try to read some books about aerodinamics!

[sjh7132]

It's a simple drag machine, of course it will work. It may not be efficient, but it will spin.

[sveasun1]

Air can be either a friend or foe. If it's a fuel efficient car or faster airplane you are designing, air might be considered a foe. On the other hand, a kite or parachute is an example of where air should be considered a friend. This is a instance where you want to catch as much wind as possible and fully use the power in it. Designing wind turbines should be the same. That's just plain logic, as simple and basic as it gets.

[DeanC993]

very nice keep up the good work

[MyWasteOfTime]

I understand this is a Prototype but using lighter material would be ideal. It looks as if you are using Balsa, which is not weather resistant unless you paint it. I have seen other designs like this that use vinyl or other flexible material. I am also assuming this prototype is not running a generator/motor? What is the purpose of the 1" balsa on the very end of each blade? I am looking to build a remote charging station with a vertical turbine technology.

[sveasun1]

The panels/blades are made out of 1/8baltic birch and the one inch piece attached to the panels is simply the method I used to piece it together. The real thing, when it is built, will have an aluminum frame and a composite or polycarbonate will be used for the panels. That should make it all-weather. The next step is to install the flywheel which will show how the generator will function.

[MyWasteOfTime]

Sounds like you have a good plan... I can't wait to see how it comes out!

[sveasun1]

Thanks for getting back to me. Say, if you are watching American Idol tomorrow night 02/17/09 and you think Casey Carlson can sing, please vote for her. She is my niece.

[sveasun1]

Thank You Trailkeeper for your comments and five star rating. Because this video is posted to demonstrate the principle only, no attempt has been made to deal with the flaws. As I see it, noise which must be dealt with, will not be an insurmountable challenge.

[bg0821]

you just have to extend out the side board a little bit on the left side where it appears to hitting there. good clearance on the right side. It looks nice. first time I am seeing this design with the multiple blades.

[sveasun1]

The noise you hear is the working panels hitting the arm that they are mounted on. As I have stated, no attempt is being made in this video to deal with the noise. The noise problem in reality will require a different solution. For that reason, I have added the music which I hope will not be a distraction.

[trailkeeper]

Nice efficient design. I guess the noise might be the only issue with that. Maby some soft rubber or sponge if used in a residential area, but if away from there, the noise wouldn't matter so much.