Paddle Wheel Design Project

Damn. That explains a lot. Do you have a link for that so I can send it to my wife?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMB7aAt_m4A

 

RONFL means ?

 

If you stick it butt on towards the prevailing wind you could probably generate power from it. Running three phases are we? You could install a brake from a commercial 50# washing machine. Special contactor that shorts phases together to cause a braking action. You want some kind of brake. A worm drive could be designed to be self braking. Windage is your biggest issue. A programmable VFD could save the owner a lot of money by slowing it down at night or during bad weather.

And do think about what you are bolting the gearbox to. The potential for 30,000+ ftlbs can do some damage. A 90:1 box and a 10:1 chain might make more sense.

At first blush, I'd look at a 1 stage worm reduction (which won't free spin) to a final chain drive powered by a VFD. Shoot for 600 or 700:1 total and let the VFD do the rest. If it ended up at .94RPM are you going to not get paid???

If you don't like the VFD, you should go with a six or eight pole motor. The savings in the gear box should make up for the difference, especially if it means the difference between a two stage and a three stage reduction.

 

It's a casino. Make the whole thing hollow and light weight with an LED surface that makes it look like it is spinning.

 

Yeah just make some light bulbs flash on an off real quick till you get nauseous and head for the bar.

Thats what I would do, Yeah-- lets get in there and make some money instead of staring at this flashing wheel thing.

 

That is an excellent question.

I meant to write ROTFL.

Typo, sorry.

 

Rot Florida? Whatcha got ag'in' Florida?

 

Rolling On The Floor Laughing!

Hoyt, you're even more of a dinosaur than me!

 

R O F L M A O!

 

Why do this --saving ink?

 

W H Y

 

Communication has now completely broken down. Which is what happens when you print only the one letter at the front of the word.

American technology leading the world in communication and language skills.

 

Here is the "test your values" scenario.

The paddle wheel is balanced so the weight has little bearing as the wheel is mounted on its axis. (Americans think of the price is right wheel) What amount of weight when placed on the blades of one side of the wheel would make the paddle wheel rotate would be the static answer and what amount of weight required to turn it in the water would be the dynamic answer.

So merely get 5 guys to stand on the paddle wheel and see if it moves. If so then their weight by the fulcrum is the answer. After all the area of water is the resistance not the actual wheel and this is just like dynamically balancing a large propeller but with the water resistance being actually accounted for with the weight required to move the wheel.

Math or no math this is the acid test. Funny though, no one has mentioned the effect that the diameter of the driven cog on all this as this will affect the torque required. A small cog will have a lot larger draw on the electric motor than a large diameter cog would. (once again Americans look at the placement of the handles on the "Price is Right" wheel)

 

"once again Americans look at the placement of the handles on the "Price is Right" wheel"

Always looked at Vanna , never noticed a wheel or handles!