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A Summary Overview of the Blackhawk Wind Turbine. 3/4/10 B. Boatner,EE Lead Engineer/Partner The Blackhawk Project, LLC Boise, ID. The Blackhawk Wind Turbine. What is the VAWT/AR*? (*Vertical Axis Wind Turbine w/ Articulating Rotor). A new sub-class of VAWT
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A Summary Overviewof theBlackhawk Wind Turbine 3/4/10 B. Boatner,EE Lead Engineer/Partner The Blackhawk Project, LLC Boise, ID
What is the VAWT/AR*?(*Vertical Axis Wind Turbine w/ Articulating Rotor) • A new sub-class of VAWT • Uses rotor tilt to control AOA (Angle of Attack) • The first major technological breakthrough since the Darrieus patent (1931), complying with the Betz Equations. • Combination of helicopter rotor head and wind turbine design • Result of 7 years of research • No directly related prior art in USPTO • U.S. Patent #7,677,862
The Betz Theorem – 1929The “Bible” of wind turbine design • Maximum theoretical efficiency = 59.6% • Slow incoming air mass by no more than 1/3 • Minimize solidity quotient • Maximize Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) • Bottom Line: Least number of blades traveling at a maximum possible speed
From Patent Application:2-Bladed and 3-Bladed variations shown
How does the VAWT/AR work? • Wind causes Rotor Tilt • Rotor Tilt sets Airfoil Angle of Attack (AOA) • Airfoil AOA creates Aerodynamic Lift • Aerodynamic Lift creates Rotation/Torque • Self-corrects for gyroscopic precession.
Action of wind (403,404) against the side of the airfoils (405, 406)causes tilting force (409) on the rotor arm (401).
When the rotor (18) tilts, the stationary pushrods (41, 42) causethe airfoils (11, 12) to change angles due to different radii.
Operating characteristics • Very high torque due to long moment arms • Large working areas for more power • Dynamic response to wind and load conditions • Self-limiting to prevent run-aways • No external wind alignment mechanics • Self-starting at low wind speeds • Very quiet compared to most turbines
Blackhawk AFPMG*(*Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator) • 12, 24 or 48 Volts • Full charging voltage at very low speed • Operating range 40 – 120 RPM • 1.5 KW potential output • Non-cogging design allows easy start-up • Self cooling • No brushes or slip rings • In-house design
Generator Design:Expertise and Experience Gained • Unable to identify OEM source for low-speed transmission-less design: “it can’t be done”. • Design analysis of multiple generators and mathematical performance modeling produced initial successful design – 40 RPM cut-in. • With field-verified results, we are now able to easily produce any size/configuration/speed variation needed. • That makes us a leader in the field.
Electronics • 20+ years Silicon Valley Electrical Engineering microcontroller hardware/software design experience • “The Limiter” allows user to set RPM limit and time-out period for very high wind conditions (currently in field use). • “The Governor”: upgrade of “The Limiter” that will use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to intelligently control loads (designed - not yet implemented) • MPPT: proprietary Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm will dynamically match loads to varying wind conditions for optimal efficiency (designed – not yet implemented)
Blackhawk Electronics Limiter PCB Power Control Cabinet Limiter Control Unit Precision Test Loads
Clockwise from top left: Grand View, ID; Wells Fargo Bldg, Boise;Clarkston, WA; CAES Idaho Falls; Emmett
Proof-of-Concept: Critical Design Targets Achieved • System is reliably self-starting • System is stable under varying wind conditions • System is quiet & aesthetically pleasing • System has survived 100+ MPH winds • System is easy to manufacture & assemble • System is easy to transport and erect • System is reliably producing power
Design Variations:The Rapid Deployment Concept • Configuration possible with VAWT/AR design • Folds up like an umbrella • Less than 5 minute deployment/furling • Can be combined with extensive emergency battery backup power on a trailer • Military and emergency potential usage
Quiet operation… • Endless aesthetic possibilities…
Status of Intellectual Property • U.S. Utility Patent application 12/7/06 • Patent pending Australia/New Zealand • No prior art found representing tilt vs. AOA control methods • I.P. owned by The Blackhawk Project, LLC: 50% Bruce Boatner, 50% Pat Large • U.S. Patent #7,677,862 issuance notification 3/2/10
Our current staff • Bruce Boatner, EE: Inventor, Partner, Lead Engineer • Dawn Cardwell: Project Manager • Pat Large: Business Partner • Randy Peterson: Technician
Project RequirementsFor Production • Product engineering • Design engineering support • Manufacturing engineering • Materials analysis • Manufacturing logistics & capital • Testing & Certification • Marketing strategy • Accounting & other overhead
Inter-Disciplinary Research Efforts at INL/CAES* (* Idaho Nat’l Laboratory, Center for Advanced Energy Studies)