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| More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | Views: 1093 |
| Nov 14, 2009 12:23 am | | More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Ron Sam | |
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Tannis
Toohey/Toronto Star
Using "a million years of field tests" to their
advantage, Toronto-based WhalePower
Corp.
is using the fins of humpback whales to help design a better fan (and,
hopefully, wind turbine). After US scientists discovered that the
tubercles -- the little bumps on humpback fins -- result in 32 percent
less drag and an 8 percent rise in lift when compared to a smooth fin.
That means a fan blade that "makes the fan quieter, more efficient, and
better at pushing down the air," according Monica Bowden, chief
executive officer of Envira-North, the company that has licensed the
WhalePower design.
She estimates fans incorporating WhalePower's design use 20 percent
less energy and are better at moving the air around, and now that fans
are incorporating the design, WhalePower will continue to work to apply
the idea to wind turbines; it's a slower process because of the
certification and testing required with the clean power generators.
Still, Stephen Dewar, WhalePower's co-founder, is confident it'll come
to fruition: "When it comes down to it, we've got the best blades ever
made." ::The
Star
Now I'm wondering how to use the more efficent blade for a prop in a
pedal powered Kayak.
Ron |
Private Reply to Ron Sam |
| Nov 14, 2009 2:23 am | | re: More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Thomas Holford | | > After US scientists discovered that the tubercles -- the little bumps on humpback fins -- result in 32 percent less drag and an 8 percent rise in lift when compared to a smooth fin. That means a fan blade that "makes the fan quieter, more efficient, and better at pushing down the air,"
Interesting.
When I was in the Navy, the aircraft that my squadron operated (C2A's) had horrendously noisy four blade propellers.
The Navy spent a big chunk of money for engineering updates to replace the props with a different design that was quieter (although still pretty noisy).
If these "tubercles" could make an aircraft propeller quieter and more efficient, the Navy and a lot of commercial airlines would be interested.
T. HolfordPrivate Reply to Thomas Holford |
| Nov 14, 2009 7:57 pm | | re: re: More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Ken Hilving | | It would be interesting to know how this compares with the props on nuclear submarines. Silent operation has always been a big feature in the game of submarine hide and seek.
The idea of a pedal powered kayak is intriguing. I would think even a recumbent pedal position counter to the low draft profile of a kayak. Private Reply to Ken Hilving |
| Nov 14, 2009 10:46 pm | | re: re: re: More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Ron Sam | | Ken,
Hobie makes a kayak that you pedal to propel and it is fast! I have a hard time keeping up with those kayakers in Hobies.
Hobie invented a two blade propelling device that is on their site
http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/miragedrive.html
I have seen something else that uses a regular prop like the stem on an outboard motor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMw8q5g4DsE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R83c_gKTGY4
Private Reply to Ron Sam |
| Nov 14, 2009 11:05 pm | | re: re: More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Raymond Tautuhi | | Well that makes sense when someone finally demonstrates it.
We have seen Windblades used on racing yachts instead of sails, as they are able to increase speed/knots with less wind used.
Oracle Racing are using one of the biggest blades on their Trimaran in a race against their advesary from Switzerland. Apparantly it took two cranes 9 hours to install last time on their trimaran for testing, and still testing.Private Reply to Raymond Tautuhi |
| Nov 14, 2009 11:10 pm | | re: re: re: More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Ron Sam | | Ray,
Got any pictures?
RonPrivate Reply to Ron Sam |
| Nov 15, 2009 1:05 pm | | re: re: re: re: More Efficient Fan Blades Mimic Humpback Fins | # |
Ken Hilving | | Interesting "kayak", Ron.
The wind turbine might take these blades a step further by adopting a linear electric motor/generator approach instead of the rotary electric motor/generator design we commonly think of. Having done this, the next step would be to consider other propulsion designs in nature. The marlin is the fastest swimmer in the ocean, using a single blade design. Perhaps it holds an advantage even over the humpback fin?
The flap as an alternative to rotary motion might be beneficial in regard to wind turbines posing a threat to birds, and might also offer aesthetic alternatives to those who don't like fields of fans. Private Reply to Ken Hilving |
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