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13/04/2006
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Tom Shelley reports on a novel low cost turbine looking for technical assistance and support to further its development
Matthias Luethi, who lives in Rochester has developed and prototyped a novel vertical axis wind turbine with six blades instead of the more usual two associated with this class of devices.
As wind speed increases, centrifugal forces act on a weighted pulley at the axis of the turbine, driving it down and rotating the inner edges of the blades outwards until they almost form a continuous cylinder. In this position, they present little or no effective catchment area to the wind. The device is thus self-regulating and protects itself against damage. Tests with prototypes show that it runs completely silent, and also offers no gaps between blades that might be hazardous to bird life. Because the blades are supported at both ends, the design is inherently robust. It has been tested on a local hill side and on a roof top and was shown at the 2005 Betfair British Invention Show at Alexandra Palace. As well as roof top mounting, it might be attached to the tops of street lights or used for powering outdoor advertising signs.
The device works well whether made large or small, but has now reached the point where it needs to be wind tunnel tested in order that the exact shapes of the blades and the design generally can be fully evaluated and optimised. A local university has offered assistance, but lacks the necessary facilities.
Luethi Enterprises
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Author
Tom Shelley
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