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Windmill Blade Design
By spphoenix, Section Wind Posted on Thu Sep 22nd, 2005 at 02:39:29 AM MST
Help

Hi, I'm an engineering student at ASU. I have been assigned a project to create a model windmill. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on the best angle, width, and thickness for the blades to create the quickest rotation. The blades are only going to be about 3.5in long if that matters for the design, and they must be able to spin in low winds and very high winds. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks for your time.
Steven

Windmill Blade Design | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Windmill Blade Design (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by cr8zy1van (salsa117@hotmail.com) on Thu Sep 22nd, 2005 at 08:25:13 AM MST
(User Info)

Here is a link that will help you a lot. It will calculate the blade dimensions for you, depending on how many blades and what TSR (Tip Speed Ratio) you are looking at. TSR of 9 for 1 bladed machines, TSR of 8-7 for 2 bladed, and 6-5 for 3 bladed if memory serves me correctly.
Alton's Wind Calculator

You may also want to pay particular attention to your tips. A little effort will go a long way according to the pro's.
This link has more info.

TSR can be used to calculate blade rpm this way..

TSR = 6 (Example, 3 bladed design)
Ave Wind = 8 mph (For Salt Lake City, UT)
Circumference or Blade = 20.724 ft (6.6ft diameter blade)

5280 ft in mile (google)
6(tsr)*8(mph) = 48mph (253440 ft/hr) or (4224 ft/minute)
4224/20.724(circumference of blade)
203.8 RPM @ 8 MPH!

If this didn't make any sense, I will try to find the original link I found it on. (its early and I have no coffee in my system)

Re: Windmill Blade Design (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by ghurd on Thu Sep 22nd, 2005 at 08:35:53 AM MST
(User Info)

Windstuffnow Ed has a $5 program available on his website that works with blades under 1 meter.

That small and low wind needs some easy turning bearings.
Old hard drives have some very nice bearings.
Maybe CD drives too.

G-

Windmill Blade Design | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 editorial)

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