Savonius Wind Turbines
Savonius Wind Turbines are Vertical
Axis Wind Turbines, or VAWT, and are used for wind force conversion
into torque through the rotation of the main shaft. Savonius Wind
Turbines mainly operate on the drag of the aerofoils by their
opposing directions, and their interaction with the wind movement.
The Savonius wind turbine was invented by Engineer Sigurd Johannes
Savonius in the year of 1922.
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A Savonius Wind Turbine in action. |
The two or three aerofoils of the Savonius wind turbine create
the shape of an S if observed from an aerial perspective, and
possess one of the simplest wind turbine designs ever designed.
Basically they take advantage of their curvaceous shape in order
to suffer less friction in movement and thus increase rotating
speed with the powering force of the wind.
The blade design also leads to a curious conservation of wind
power, due to their major usage of drag powered movement. This
is caused by the curving shape of the shaft design which is built
to absorb a minimal amount of wind power in order to function;
although, this conservation of wind power happens at the cost
of losing speed.
The traditional lower setting positioning of the shaft of Savonius
wind turbines causes them to be significantly less effective than
wind turbines set up on higher posts. The higher mounting allows
them to take advantage of the increase in wind speed with height.
The turbines are self starting and have been widely used as deep-water
buoys in order to generate electric power, due to their low speed,
simple design, and requiring minimal maintenance. In addition
they move independently and change direction in order to adapt
that of the speed and direction of the water.
Savonius wind turbines have also been used as anemometers in
order to evaluate and measure the speed and the direction of the
wind.
In addition, Savonius wind turbines also make up the foundation
design for the Flettner Ventilator, most often used in car and
van ceilings to ensure air circulation and refreshment. This particular
form of using the Savonius wind turbine as ventilators was first
thought of by Anton Flettner, a German aircraft engineer, in the
1920's.
The Flettner Ventilator is most often used as an internal vehicle
cooling device. The ventilator is still presently manufactured
and marketed, especially in the U.K., where Flettner Ventilator
Limited has its base.
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Another inventive use of Savonius wind
turbines have been as advertisements signs. They are meant
to help bring attention to the marketed product via pointing
or rotating in its direction. Naturally, the wind turbines
used of advertising purposes are often quite small and charming.
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Savonius wind turbines can also function or rotate in both a
vertical direction and a horizontal one. When the rotation of
the wind turbines is horizontal, the turbine has the ability to
use the extracted energy in order to create noise, heat or electricity.
This particular version of the Savonius wind turbine has been
inserted and put to into effect by a large number of products
and companies. Basically, in order for the horizontal rotation
of the Savonius wind turbine to function at its fullest potential,
it needs to be tethered in order to produce kiting results. The
energy that is created through kiting refers to a general net
lift and a horizontal rotation combination of the wind's power.
The Savonius wind turbine is here to stay as it appeals to those
who want to create energy, those who want to create attention
(advertisers), those who want to cool your car and those who just
plane like their fanciful designs.
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