Revell, Philip Scott (1983) A sailwing vertical axis wind turbine for small scale applications. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The use of sailwing aerofoils in vertical axis wind
turbines has been investigated. It was anticipated that this
could make vertical axis turbines more suitable for water
pumping and that this might help to meet the need for a cheap
pump for irrigation existing in many parts of the world.
A numerical analysis of the theoretical performance of
such a turbine, using existing aerodynamic data for simply
constructed sailwings, has been made. This gave an improved
understanding of the operation of such turbines but showed a
need for further aerodynamic data. Some new wind tunnel tests
of sailwings are described in which the effect of pre-tension
was investigated and four different fabrics were tested.
The results are presented for angles of incidence up to 180
degrees and compared with previous data.
With the fresh data, new performance predictions were
made which led to the design of a two metre diameter prototype
turbine. This used an inclined blade configuration with a
guyed top bearing. Canvas was used for the sails. It was
predicted that the turbine performance would be significantly
affected by windspeed.
The turbine was built and later tested in the open air.
An acceleration test method was used and the tests generally
confirmed the predictions. The averaged starting torque
coefficient was about 0.07; the averaged peak power coefficient
was about 0.1 at a tip speed ratio of 1.4.
Consideration has been given to improving windpump system
efficiency by improving the gust energy utilisation. Some
tests of a diaphragm pump are described in which inertia flow
effects were used. A pair of such pumps were later connected
to the prototype turbine. A number of problems were encountered
and satisfactory operation was not achieved in the time
available. The main problem was the cyclic driving torque
produced by the three bladed turbine.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Aerofoils, Vertical axis wind turbines -- Design and construction, Wind pumps
Official Date:	March 1983
Dates:	Date Event March 1983 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Engineering
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	xv, 116 leaves
Language:	eng

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