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.