MORE ABOUT THE S-ROTOR
Here the relevant problem about the S-rotor was mentioned regarding its operation and failure to operate. Involving more about its structural design and functionality. It also tells about how the S-rotor plant power delivers its capability as device of generating a power.
by MICHAEL HACKLEMAN:
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Here are a few comments and corrections pertaining to my
article "The Savonius Super Rotor!" in MOTHER NO. 26.[1] In
case you were wondering, that's not me with the shirt off
in that picture on page 78 . . . that's David House
(resident and founder of Earthmind and author of the book
Methane Systems ), as photographed late in
November. Yep, it were cold, but then we are real hardy
folk, too.
[2] My comparison of the Stuart mill and the S-rotor
omitted any mention of feathering: twisting of a
conventional windplant's propeller blades to lower the
device's rotational speed in high winds. (See the
Plowboy Interview in MOTHER VO. 24 for a discussion of the
subject—MOTHER.)
Feathering is a necessary precaution in wind-charger design
for a number of reasons. First—whenever a fixed gear
ratio is used-some such governing arrangement is needed to
prevent the alternator/generator from exceeding its maximum
rated output (current). In a propeller-driven unit,
however, the prop itself is a factor in determining at what
windspeed feathering must occur. The problems involved may
be described in terms of balance, structural design and
blade tip stresses.
[a] Balance—as I mentioned in my article—is
always more important (or critical) at higher rotational
speeds than at lower rpm's. If a propeller is allowed to
exceed its "operating range", therefore, dangerous
vibrations can be set up.
[b] The structural design of a propeller, and the materials
of which it's made, also determine the device's upper
rotational speed beyond which centrifugal force will pull
it apart.
[c] Tip stresses occur at higher windspeeds . . . but are
rather independent of whether or not the propeller is
turning. This is one reason why "braking" a fan to a stop
in a tempest won't help it very much.
All these problems of propeller-driven units are irrelevant
to the S-rotor. Since the Savonius device never achieves
high rotational speed, balancing is not critical and
centrifugal force won't pull the installation apart. In
addition, a runaway S-rotor will soon begin to spoil itself
because its own wings get in one another's way at higher
rpm's.
[3] I'd like to recommend an additional source of
information on battery maintenance: A good booklet entitled
The Storage Battery (Lead-Acid): Fundamental
Principles, Operation, and Care is available for $1.00
from Exide Power Systems, ESB Inc., Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19120.
