Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Top View

Notice how the the sails capture the wind similar to a sail boat.

Top view




This is looking down at the sails from above and noticing how they can capture the wind just like a sail boat.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Improved portable VAWT

Placing the VAWT on the corner of the home is more optimal for capturing the wind.

The VAWT rotates faster with the horizontal sticks taped in the center of the sails.

This is because the flapping is reduced.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Esther by the VAWT

Here is a vertical axis windmill that is inexpensive to build and portable!
The sails are sewn from ripstop nylon fabric and the frame of the windmill is built from stuff that you can buy from your local hardware store. Due to the way that the sails move back and forth it can capture the wind more effectively than the traditional firm VAWT designs. It works more like the sails used by wind surfers and sail boats. The sails can flap in higher winds and so I am working on ways to minimize that noise. When perfected it could be a great way to capture wind energy.