Wind generator structural considerations
While we usually associate fun things like wind rotors and generators
with building wind generators, perhaps the most important part of the
whole project is the structure which holds it all together. This structure
includes the following items:
- The tower
- Materials
- Self supporting or guyed
- Support items for the tower,
- Tower base
- Guy wires
- Base for guy points
- Tower mast
- Generator support
- Does it follow the wind (yaw)?
- Proper placement related to mast if furling
- Horizontally and Vertically
- Strong enough ?
- Furling ?
- Side furling
- Tilt back furling
- Adjustable ?
- Do the blades clear the tower, especially under load ?
- Tail support
- Rotating tail design
- Rigid tail designs
- Furling (dual tail)
- Manual furling
- Non-furling
- Power takeoff
All the main points must be dealt with when constructing a wind generator.
In the simplest designs a functional result can be achieved quickly and
without much fuss by choosing the simplest solution for earch point,
but this may leave the builder open to problems later on. Some problems could
include the following:
- Support structures failing under stress, destroying wind generator
- High winds causing overspeeding of rotor, damage to rotors, generator, electronics
- User intervention required to furl in high winds, risk of personal injury
- Hanging wires knotting up, inhibiting yaw or breaking connections
I will be updating this page from time to time with information on possible solutions
to the above mentioned issues.