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12 foot wind turbine failure | 20 comments (20 topical)

Re: 12 foot wind turbine failure (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by wdyasq on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 05:20:47 PM MST

From a long way off .... and not able to personally inspect. These folks are quite able to analyze and solve problems and will have a better grasp than someone who looks at the not-so-pretty pictures.

First, nylon lock nuts do no good if the wood shrinks or gets compressed locally as WILL happen with washers.

If a cable was used to 'tie the tail on the pivot', it could also be arranged to act as a second safety. If a proper spring and a cable is used it might be able to slow the tail before it impacts the stop. I'll sketch something up on this and mail it to DanB.

I've long thought the tail should naurally furl and a cable under tension should be used to 'activate' the machine.

But - this in not my project and I am a long ways off. As it is not in my back yard, I can just yell.

Ron
Adventure is just bad planning." -- Roald Amundsen

Re: 12 foot wind turbine failure (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by electronbaby on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 07:49:07 PM MST

I suppose the wood shrinkage depends on your climate. I live in a coastal environment, although not exactly on the ocean, you can see the Atlantic from the tower top (aprox 1.5 miles away). I have never seen substantial shrinkage on my props (made of laminated cedar) and I have been flying machines for years. Dan lives in a much dryer climate I think, so I would think it would be much less, but I may be wrong. I use pretty wide washers under my lug nuts too, maybe 1.5" or maybe 2" in diameter, so this im sure helps, rather than hurts the situation. The washers shown in Dans pic are not very wide. Split washers also, I would think, would try to loosen the nut if it was not torqued correctly in the first place, specifically in a high vibration environment such as this, and specifically if it was stainless steel. The soft wood of the prop and use of a narrow washer would allow you to torque to much less than if you were to spread the force out over the surface of the wood more evenly with a wide washer, or best yet, a steel plate.

I like your idea regarding the furling cable. It would be nice to have the machine furl automatically if either something goes wrong, of the cable breaks.

Have Fun!! RoyR KB2UHF
[ Parent ]

Re: 12 foot wind turbine failure (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by hiker on Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 08:13:34 PM MST

tail looks fine--whats it made of?
if made from wood why isnt it torn up?
does the pole have any marks on it?
just curious.................
WILD IN ALASKA
[ Parent ]

12 foot wind turbine failure | 20 comments (20 topical)

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