I Believe that this is a Practical Method to generate Really FREE POWER. One person in my town is in need of power of some kind and I offered him this design. Hopefully he will build it with my help. This Design is also Best Suited for Slower winds. This larger the span, increases the leverage action produced by the force of the wind.
NOTE: These are Relatively Small Proto's and just Wood Construction. I now Plan to make a practical windmill using some custom bent Aluminum, It will have a Total Span of about 16 feet across. (8 feet Either Side of Center.)
I have already had these pieces made for this.
Sorry but this construction hasn't been going well for me.
Not because of design problems, Just too many other things
going on.
On the More "Positive side", I acquired a 4" steel well casing,
which I now have cemented into the ground to make a better
tower for my experments on this.
Why This Design? In this town the wind Constantly Shifts direction. This Design picks up the wind Reguardless of Direction, Without having to turn to face it.
My Main Purpose for this Generator
Most persons with windmills use Lead Acid Batteries to Store the Power. While this is Definately needed in a lot of applications, Batteries can be very expensive.
In My Application, I am mostly interested in Reducing my Winter Heating Costs.
So what I plan to do in the winter months is connect the output of the Alternator Directly to one or two, Electric Heaters that are Independant of my House's Electrical System. Any heat generated, Day or Night, will Subsidize my main heating system and no need for an elaborate switching system on the house's Electrical system.
I may also design and build up a "Peltier, Air Cooler" for use in the Summer to Assist in some Cooling.
Possibly also for Pre-Heating Water to the Hot Water Tank.
All of these Devices can be run Directly from the Alternators DC Output. No need for 50 or 60 hz power, or even a stabalized voltage.
The Alternator
If you were to use one of the Older Style Automotive Alternataor, Without the Built in Regulators, or a newer type one but with the Regulator Removed, The Output Voltage is Proportional to the RPM. At About 3000 RPM the Alternator will Generate about 120 Volts. But No Matter What the Output Voltage is Into a Resistive load, Like an Electric Heater or a Hot water heater, There will be heat Generated.
My Opinion is: "ANY HEAT Gained is better than Nothing".
While this Isn't Practical for Charging Batteries, "It Definately is for powering a 110 Volt Heater".
First Small Prototype.
Size = 40" across, ("20 inch Span", Either side of Center.)
WORKS, But Not Enough Power for a good Evaluation.
Second, Larger Prototype,Only Half Complete.
Size = 72" Across, ("36 Inch Span", Either side of Center.)
Works MUCH BETTER, But Obviously Needs All the Panals to be put on it.
Video of it in Operation
Even with only a Few panals and a Mild Breeze, It seems to go Good.