Configuration: Axis of Rotation

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

HAWT VAWT

Wind Energy Conversion Devices

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Drag DevicesHAWT (Seldom)

VAWT (Often)First Choice of “Inventors”

• Lift DevicesHAWT (Dominant)

VAWT (Rare)

VAWT Configurations

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Persian Panemone

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWTsDrag Device (Paddles)

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Savonius or “S” Rotors

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWTMagnus Effect

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWT Nomenclature

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWTs Darrieus4 Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWTs Darrieus3 Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWTs Darrieus2 Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Tehachapi Pass, Calif.

VAWTs Darrieus2 Blades

Paul Gipe, wind-works.org

Atlantic Wind Test Site, PEI

VAWTs DarrieusBi-Blade

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

VAWTsCantilevered

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

GiromillsArticulating Straight Blade VAWT

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Giromill Articulating Straight Blade VAWT

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Giromill (McDonnell Aircraft)

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Giromill (McDonnell Aircraft)

• High Hype

• Complex

• Costly

• DOE Boondoggle

Variable Geometry VAWT (Musgrove)

Paul Gipe & Assoc. © PI Specialists

Technology PathwaysVAWTS

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

We Know What Works . . .and What Doesn’t

Eole, Cap Chat

© Vortec

Paul Gipe, wind-works.org

HAWT Configurations

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Blade NumberOne to Many

• Blade MaterialsCloth to High-Tech

• Blade ShapeSimple to “Shark Fin”

• Blade Color

Blade Number

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• 1 Blade

• 2 Blades

• 3 Blades

• MultibladeFarm Windmill

• No BladesNo, Really

One-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Lightweight

• Only One Blade

• Small Gearbox

• High RPM

• Noisy

• Complex Rotor

• Odd

One-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Small One-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Lighter than Three• Static Balance• Dynamic Imbalance in Yaw• Teetering Hub• Pitch-Coupled Teetering• Higher RPM than Three• Noisier than Three• Visual Imbalance

Two-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two-Blade Turbines

Two-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Two-Blade Turbines

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Three Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Dynamic Balance in Yaw

• Complicates Erection• Visually Balanced• Lower RPM• Bigger Gearbox• Can Use Simple Hub

Three Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Dynamic Balance in Yaw

• Complicates Erection• Visually Balance• Lower RPM• Bigger Gearbox• Can Use Simple Hub

Technology Pathways

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Blade Material

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• ClothSail Wing, Cretan, etc.

• WoodPlanksComposites

• Metal• Fiberglass

GFRPGFRECFRE

Cloth Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Wood Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Composite Wood Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Multiblade

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

Metal Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.

• Aluminum

• Steel

Fiberglass Blades

Paul Gipe & Assoc.