Our mission is to develop a Powerful High
Torque, Low Cost/Low Maintenance Reliable turbine that operates at Lower Heights
and Lower Wind Speed conditions. Some ways of lowering the cost and increase
reliability is to use a proven reliable design as well as many off-the-shelf
items plus adapt reliable, heavy duty items from other industries such as
automotive and industrial applications. The low wind speed turbine prototype
will be based on improvements to a design principle that was first introduced in
1922 by the Finnish inventor/engineer
S J Savonius . The concept is in use today, and is known to be a reliable and
low maintenance wind turbine. Our Improvements and changes to the design will
offset negative features that have kept this turbine design from larger scale
electric power production.
The Pinnacle Wind Power Turbine prototype is a variation on a simple
vertical shaft Savonius design (like a wind speed indicator) using 30 gallon plastic drums cut in half. This turbine
assembly sits on the end of an automotive type alternator, right where the
pulley would go. The end housing of the alternator has been strengthened to
take the extra load. The 5 scoop turbine assembly weighs about 65 lb which
should not be to much side load for the alternator bearings. The main
innovative modifications to improve this design are not shown. Much more
needs to be done to complete the turbine area. See a small clip below.
You can see a better picture of the alternator here. This is an area
that additional improvements will be implemented. Randy DuBois has
experience in alternator function and design. We will be using a special
alternator designed by Randy that will produce considerably more power at
very low rpm's. Another benefit of this design is that the head with the
alternator does not rotate like horizontal axis turbines. The power wires
from the alternator can be run directly down the center of the pole without
the need to rotate when wind direction changes.
Click here for more pictures
See this project progress
Help get this important Low Wind Speed Turbine project completed, Join
team Pinnaclewindpower.com. Today.