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Directory:Electric Pinwheels LLC
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Electric Pinwheels designs and manufactures a new type of wind turbine/generator with a semi-rigid fabric blade. Targeted at the small wind residential and portable markets, owners can customize the colors and patterns of the blades and tail. With a lightweight structure and specially designed blade that flexes upon impact, the objective is to provide an aesthetically pleasing and safe alternative to other forms of wind power.
The company is currently planning on a product launch in November 2008.
Contents |
About
Official Website
How it Works
The basic layout is a downwind Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) in a 3-blade configuration. The blades are arranged around a hub that rotates on a fixed shaft. Wind power is converted to electrical power with an axial flux permanent magnet alternator.
The patent-pending blade design consists of a fabric or vinyl blade sleeve pulled over the top of a composite rod structure. The result is a semi-rigid aerodynamic wing with camber and twist, providing the lift required to produce power. This structure has a high degree of stiffness in the direction of wind flow, yet flexes easily in the direction of rotation upon impact as the supporting rods slide within the hub. This feature allows the device to be safely stopped by hand, and is intended to address safety concerns as more wind turbines are installed close to people and buildings. High-wind protection is accomplished through flexing of the blades, which greatly reduces wind loading.
With a fabric blade covering, multiple colors and patterns are available for owners including a transparent vinyl material for a low-profile installation. This allows a new kind of personalization for something that becomes a very high-profile part of the environment. The same materials are used on the tail surface, which permits the addition of logos or graphics.
Blade pitch and curvature can be changed on an Electric Pinwheel by moving the leading edge supporting rod through a modified arc. This adjustment can be made manually or automatically with an optional variable pitch device. Residential and portable uses are expected to present less-than-ideal wind conditions, so the variable pitch feature is essential to gather the maximum amount of power in low and variable winds.
Costs
Projected Price Range:
- US$500-$800: Includes generator, blades and tail, yaw bearing
- US$650-$950: Includes base model and starter 10 ft tower
Advantages
- Wide range of colors and patterns available, including the first transparent wind generator blade.
- Semi-rigid blade structure and lightweight construction eliminates the hazard of blade impact and greatly reduces the scale of support structure
- Blade and generator designed for low wind range.
- Portability
- Low total cost to get started in wind power and renewable energy
Applications
- Residential areas where zoning and site issues prevent large-scale wind installations
- Portable needs for power such as remote work crews, concerts, festivals, disaster areas
- Marine and RV power (the blades can be removed in about 1 minute, and the generator can stay mounted without presenting a wind load)
- Urban areas (TBD)
- Anywhere power is needed close to where it is used.
Independent Testing
- Prototypes currently flying, testing to commence with first production units
- Company is committed to adhering to any published standards for testing wind turbine performance, giving consumers the best information to make good decisions.
Patents
- Provisional patents received
Profiles
Company: Electric Pinwheels LLC
- Founded 2008, Windsor NY.
Inventor: Adam R. Brown
The idea for Electric Pinwheels was developed by combining experience from sailing, kite building, aeronautics, tent construction, wind energy, and automation. The inventor began his college education in Aeronautical Engineering at Purdue University, but quickly switched to Mechanical Engineering where he received his Bachelors Degree in 1995. Specializing in robotics and electromechanical devices, the inventor began a 12-year career with a US-based manufacturer of PCB assembly equipment. He received his MBA in 2005 from Regis University while his career progressed into high-tech business management. Residential power production became an interest in 2005, and the inventor began researching various technologies as energy prices soared. Electric Pinwheels LLC was founded in 2008 with a wealth of knowledge in product design, marketing, manufacturing, business management, and customer-centric success. Future areas of interest include artful forms of wind power and long-wire generation (electret wire).
Coverage
Comments
See Discussion page
Contact
E-Mail: info@electricpinwheels.com
See also
GENERAL
- Directory:Wind
- News:Wind
- Videos:Wind
- PowerPedia:Wind power | PowerPedia:Wind Turbine
- Directory:Wind:Past Developments
- Directory:Wind:Cautions
TYPES
- Directory:Wind:Offshore | PowerPedia:Offshore Wind Power Drawbacks
- Directory:Wind Farms | PowerPedia:Windfarms
- Directory:High-Efficiency Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
- Directory:Home Generation:Wind Turbine
- Directory:Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
- Directory:High Altitude Wind Power
- Directory:Floating
- Directory:Wind Augmentation
SPECIFIC
- Directory:Humdinger Windbelt
- Directory:Wind:Plans
- Directory:Wind:Largest
- Directory:Wind Power in the United Kingdom
- Other Directory listings
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