Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Gaffers on 18 March 2010, 09:51:11
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Being a bit of a sailing fanatic I have taken an interest in this project that is undergoing it's maiden test soon. The idea is travelling downwind faster than the wind using wind energy.
http://www.fasterthanthewind.org/
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That'll never float. :o
Kevin
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Not sure how they hope to exceed the wind speed though. Surely they need the wind to be moving relative to them in order for the turbine to work?
So, as their speed tends towards the wind speed their motive power tends towards zero. :-/
Or have I missed something?
Kevin
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Not sure how they hope to exceed the wind speed though. Surely they need the wind to be moving relative to them in order for the turbine to work?
So, as their speed tends towards the wind speed their motive power tends towards zero. :-/
Or have I missed something?
Kevin
Thats what the general feeling the boating world is although it has been proven to be possible with models. For it to work there need to be more energy produced by the wings, geared up and delivered to the wheels than the drag of the vehicle. It seems possible in theory, but I think it will come down to the loss of energy in the gearing, wheels and the wind resistance of the frame.
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Thats what the general feeling the boating world is although it has been proven to be possible with models. For it to work there need to be more energy produced by the wings, geared up and delivered to the wheels than the drag of the vehicle. It seems possible in theory, but I think it will come down to the loss of energy in the gearing, wheels and the wind resistance of the frame.
But regardless of how efficient the whole setup is, you can't get around the fact that a wind turbine in calm conditions collects no energy, and that's exactly what you'll have once the vehicle has accelerated to match the wind speed. :-/
Kevin
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Hmmm, i'd like to built one, but I don't think swmbo has enough black cotton ::)