Different Wind Turbine Blade Designs

Posted by seolink on April 8th, 2010 filed in Global Warming

One of the oldest existing methods of energy generation is the use of wind turbines . Over time , designs for wind generators have steadily improved, particularly when it comes to the way the blades that are responsible for turning the turbines’ rotors have been constructed . The central benefit of modern blade design is that it allows wind turbines to generate power more efficiently now than ever before, which in turn has allowed for smaller and quieter turbines .

The blades for early wind turbines were often based on mats made of reeds . This style of turbine blade, for all its usefulness, wasn’t very durable . If the winds were too strong , these blades would almost always be broken .

Reed blades came to be replaced by lighter and more reliable cloth sails . This kind of blade was used in combination with a vertical axis design to create some of the early windmills, which were used to process grain with the help of wind power .

The next major kind of blade to be introduced was the wood blade, which was often combined with a horizontal axis configuration . This development reflected those seen in the world of aeronautics , as improving rotors often shared similar characteristics . Wooden blades were sturdier yet lighter than previous models , and therefore they could rotate at a higher speed and provide more power to the connected machinery .

Electricity was produced from wind turbines for the first time thanks to these designs . The first wind turbines of this type were relatively small in size, but it wasn’t long before they were enlarged and used in commerical settings .

At this point , the difference between horizontal axis turbine blades and vertical axis blades became even more distinct . Generally , the shape and materials of the blades as well as the number of blades used per rotor would be the primary way in which subsequent horizontal axis blade designs would differ .

Thanks to their strong balance of stability and rotor speed, 3-blade designs are the standard for horizontal axis wind turbines . Composite blades, which provide superior strength and flexibility in addition to lightweight construction , are used for many modern turbines . Unlike previous generations of turbines, these new turbines can both spin faster and pick up winds of lower velocity .

Also , vertical axis wind turbines have undergone a number of advancements which have opened them up to a wide variety of applications . These types of wind turbines tend to take advantage of either wind drag or wind lift in previously unthinkable ways in order to produce surprising amounts of rotation .

The main advantage of vertical axis wind turbine designs is their ability to provide power regardless of wind direction . In this respect , they afford a more constant supply of power than most horizontal axis turbines . Residential users will find vertical axis turbines especially appealing , as they usually don’t require a tower or an open landscape in order to work their best .

For info about the benefits and drawbacks of wind power, go to Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power.

For the best guide to building your own wind turbines complete with step-by-step videos, For a step-by-step guide on building your wind turbines, check out  Best DIY Solar and Wind Guides.

For another guide to building a diy wind turbine, visit  Homemade Wind Turbine.

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