Wind Generator Blades That Change Shape?
I got quite a surprise earlier when I was checking my email. Apparently there is some work being done on wind generator blades that can dynamically change their shape. The implications of such a design are staggering.
Currently there is some work being done on improving wind generator blade design, but it mostly involves finding new more efficient shapes. These blades would still be most efficient at one wind speed. These new blades could change their shape depending on the wind speed meaning that the efficiency would go way up.
The picture above shows a couple different angles of this prototype design. What I find really interesting is that it looks like a couple layers connected to the edge of the blade. By tensioning these layers the blades shape could change.
Here we've got some words of one of the scientists working on this revolutionary new design:
"The idea was born from a simple observation of a fish in an aquarium," said researcher Asfaw Beyene, a mechanical engineer at San Diego State University. "Many flying and swimming animals have superior efficiencies than manmade devices. The primary difference between natural motion and motion of manmade devices is lack of geometric adaptability to varying flow conditions.
"In flying and swimming creatures, the geometries morph to fit to a flow condition," Beyene added. "In man-made devices, typically the geometry remains rigid in spite of widely varying flow conditions."
Beyene is leading one team exploring morphing blades for wind turbines. Another team is working at the University of Bristol in England.
"The wind can be very harsh on blades — turbines turn off if the wind gets too much, or else the blades will break fighting the wind," explained researcher Paul Weaver, an aerospace engineer at the University of Bristol.
"A morphing blade uses the wind to its advantage rather than fighting it, adapting its shape to get greater performance," Weaver added. "This has the potential to significantly relieve unwanted stresses in the blades, increasing their efficiency and helping to prolong their life."
It seems that once again we are taking lessons from nature who has had millions of years to improve animals designs. Although I doubt we'll see these blades for a couple years the thought of another jump in efficiency in wind turbines is just awesome.
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Comments
It would be pretty cool if
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