Ancient VAWT Wind Turbine Prototype Resurrected!

http://thenerdshow.com Very crude prototype, but it shows the principle simply enough that even college educated Science types can understand it. A full-scale model would have damping actuators and actual bearings. Though not entirely free to build, I have some ideas to make them cheaper. I would build one to power our trailer, but we don't get enough wind around here is the problem.

These could have been built in ancient times, using technology they had. Actually, I have no proof of that, but wouldn't it be cool if they were!

The design is better, in my opinion, than many modern variable axis wind turbines; it's more like a universal axis wind turbine; it works with wind from any direction, even up and down-drafts. It is self-regulating to a certain, adjustable RPM; it does not need brakes so it does not wear out as fast. Today it can be built large and cheap, using old truck axles and rims, available in any back alley around Redneckville. It could run power generators, water pumps, conveyor belts or tramways. They could put one on every telephone pole powering smoke eaters to reduce smog. That last sentence was intentional irony, by the way. Like a flapping eagle, they might scare away small birds from dangerous power transformers, however. Some studies would be needed to verify that claim. If they do act as scarecrows, fields of them might bring cheap energy to remote places, while keeping crops pest and rodent-free.

A friend claims my design won't kill as many birds, because the blades could be made of fabric, don't move up and down or come at them from outside their field of view. What do you think?

This video is my own original work. I do not post content that is not my own. Copyright (C) 2009.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• wind
• power
• vawt
• uawt
• turbine
• generator
• free
• energy
• 2012

[themanyone]

I know where I saw this. Now I remember where this idea came from. In the online role playing game, World of Warcraft, there is a town called Thunder Bluff, where totemic windmills like this turn silently, only they are not articulated. They hang straight down at all times, so there is no explanation for what force might be driving them. Perhaps it is circular air currents of the type that only occur in video games.

[trailkeeper]

Looks nice. Probably also have some more possibilities with stacked sets of those blades.

[themanyone]

Definitely. I would have to bend the cross members out of the way a little bit but it would work.

[Vientoya]

ancient windturbine resurrected - for real? It does look like the topfigure of a totem, for shure! But tell, did You not invent it Yourself? Anyhow it´s beautiful and I like it !

[Vientoya]

Hi, if this is an ancient type of windmill, maybe You could be as kind to name the folks and times where it did come from? Has it been in use for some practical or spirituell purpose? I understand the tecnical function well enough and I am allways pleased to see something completely unknown or new to me. The way You present this it looks like a topfigure of a totem. It does not come from the american aborigines, does it? Maybe You made a joke on us (ancient windmill), never mind, I like it!

[Vientoya]

Hi, if this is an ancient type of windmill, maybe You could be as kind to name the folks and times where it did come from? Has it been in use for some practical or just spirituell purpose? I understand the tecnical function thrueout and I am allways pleased to see something completely unknown or new. The way You present this it looks like a Topfigure of a totem. It does not come from the american aborigines, does it? Maybe You made a joke on us, never mind!

[derman077]

Funny, the only guy who says this is a bad idea is named cars and cigars. i loled

[tubularguynine]

Or perhaps, themanyone, the air currents that come from ANY direction may be turning them. That's how a VAWT works.

[1gunson1]

which one? &:~)