The bearings on the machine shown in the video were a problem....actually it
was not a bearing problem as much as it was an "out of round" problem for
the bottom ring that flowed over the bearing. The company decided it was
going to be a continuing critical issue so has gone back to their original
design (from 9 predecessor prototype machines), of diverting the majority of
the outer weight to a center axis point. The only outside bearings that will
be in place will not be constant weight bearing points but will be more like
"guidewires" for those occasions when high winds might be strong enough to
"flex" the upper unit.
Much of the design will remain the same and the units ability to operate
multiple generators of any type will still be in place; there just won't be
any friction points on the outside edges of the machine other than pressure
sensitive type rollers that will provide the "link" for each generator in
place, up to 400kW (or so is anticipated).
As far as "penciling out", it will, easily, but as everything else will
depend on what terms you have (or have) to make with any utility company you
might be working with; of course, if you are setting this up to replace a
"grid" system on a "retail" basis you won't care what the utility wants.
There are and will be many options for the use of this or any "Wind" system,
now or in the future. This machine won't be produced to take the place of
existing "tower" type turbines and, at this point, it would be foolish to
think that; but, it certainly could be a co-existing partner where many of
the tower turbines have been placed as this unit would cause no to very
little deflection problem in most cases.
Weight does not seem to be a big problem with this machine, however I
certainly think they need to do additional R&D on composite materials to
reduce the weight, especially if it is going to be a "free wheeling"
machine. If they can get the weight factor down to 10,000 to 15,000 pounds
it will open many new doors for them. The big catch is to do it at a
reasonable cost and comparative to what it is for steel (though who knows
where that is going to go as it has doubled in the past year). Right now the
400kW model is expected to have a price of about $300,000; but again, it
depends on material costs.
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 1:59 AM
Subject: RE: [Biofuel] Vertical axis wind turbines Another approach to wind
Elegance of design means simple. I would like to see a
tally of wear points for this design plus fab costs. I
doubt it will pencil. <
If the sealed grease bearings on my truck can be made to last 10 years I
see no problem if it's built well enough. There is no reason these days
to have short bearing life. Chris.
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