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A Whale of an Idea

Discussion in 'Propulsion' started by kach22i, May 16, 2007.

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kach22i Architect

Back on 2/27/07 I had an idea for a new type of fan or propeller blade (for a hovercraft), based on the posts I did in the middle of this page:

Link:
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9630&page=19&highlight=tubercles

My sketch hangs on my wall, another great idea I don't have the time, money and expertise to pursue. Today I read this story, and think maybe I'm not so crazy afterall.

TheStar.com - Business - A whale of a tale
Humpback flipper may be the key to better wind turbines.
May 14, 2007
Tyler Hamilton

A local company has designed a new type of wind-turbine blade that mimics the aerodynamic performance of a humpback whale's flipper, allowing a turbine to capture more of the wind's energy at much lower speeds.

The odd-looking blades, which have teeth-like bumps along their leading edge, are a dramatic departure from the smooth and sleek design that graces most wind turbines.

But Stephen Dewar, co-founder of Toronto-based WhalePower Corp., says the new approach could have a profound impact on wind-energy economics.

It means turbines manufactured with WhalePower blades would be capable of capturing energy where the wind is less strong, as conventional turbines tend to stall when wind speeds fall too low. Not only would this improve the business case for individual wind farms, it broadens the natural geography suitable for large-scale wind generation.

"This changes the game," says Dewar, adding that any system using a fan or turbine could also benefit from the new design. This includes everything from better turbines for hydroelectric generation to residential ceiling fans that use less electricity. "If we've got what we think we've got, then the range of applications is staggering."

The potential was enough for the Ontario Centres of Excellence and the Ontario Power Authority to contribute about $70,000 in early-stage research funding, and to encourage collaboration with the wind-engineering group at the University of Western Ontario. Independent third-party verification of the new blade's performance will be a crucial step toward commercial production.

"It's high risk, high return," says Ben Greenhouse, a manager of business development at OCE. "The business models will depend on how well this works."

Marine scientists have long marvelled at the acrobatics and agility of humpback whales, given these monster swimmers can reach 16 metres in length and weigh as much as 13 Hummer SUVs. Despite their enormous size, humpbacks are efficient hunters able to make sharp, tight turns.

It turns out the key to a humpback's agility lies in its long flippers, which feature a unique row of bumps or "tubercles" along their leading edge that give the wing-like appendages a serrated look. Researchers such as Frank Fish, a professor of biology at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, have found that the tubercles dramatically increase the whale's aerodynamic efficiency.

In one particular study conducted inside a controlled wind tunnel, Fish and research colleagues at Duke University and the U.S. Naval Academy saw 32 per cent lower drag and an 8 per cent improvement in lift from a flipper with tubercles compared to a smooth flipper found on other whales.

They also discovered that the angle of attack of the bump-lined flipper could be 40 per cent steeper than a smooth flipper before reaching stall – that is, before seeing a dramatic loss in lift and increase in drag. In an airplane scenario, that's typically when you lose control and crash.

"That stall typically occurs on most wings at 11 or 12 degrees at the angle of attack," says Fish, adding that with the humpback design "stall occurred much later, at about 17 or 18 degrees of attack. So the stall is being delayed."

The implications are potentially enormous. Delayed stall on airplane wings can improve safety and make planes much more manoeuvrable and fuel-efficient. The same benefits can also be found on ship and submarine rudders, which explains the U.S. Navy's quiet involvement.

Dewar, a former broadcast journalist and co-producer of the 1980s nature series Lorne Greene's New Wilderness, is also a self-taught student of science with a fascination for linear and non-linear physics. He'd heard about Fish's research and, after a few chats over the phone, raised the idea of using the humpback design for wind turbines.

"I saw it as a natural application of this technology," recalls Fish.

One thing led to another and the duo formed WhalePower, with Fish taking on the role of president and Dewar handling business development and R&D from a headquarters in Toronto. Laurens Howle, Fish's research partner from Duke University, is an adviser and shareholder in the company who has contributed software for designing the new blades.

"We have an international patent going through everywhere," says Dewar. "It applies to all forms of turbines, compressors, pumps and fans."

WhalePower can retrofit blades on existing turbines or build new blades from scratch. Dewar says prototype tests to date have demonstrated "outstanding performance," most importantly during light winds, with the tubercle-lined blades capable of more than doubling performance at wind speeds of 8 metres per second.

"In fact, we're getting the kind of power (regular blades) produce at 8 metres per second at 5 metres per second," says Dewar, describing the results as "spooky" because of the dramatic improvement.

Fish says the better performance at low speeds is what makes the design stand out. "Since there are probably more days when you don't have gusty winds but instead have lower wind speeds, that means you can generate electricity on those lower energy days."

The reason is because the tubercles channel the wind as it hits the front or "leading" edge of the blade. The channels cause separate wind streams to accelerate across the surface of the blade in organized, rotating flows. These energy-packed vortexes seem to increase the lift force on the blade.

As well, the channels prevent airflow from moving along the span of the blade and past its tip, a troubling situation on smooth blades that can cause noise, instability and lead to a loss of energy. By keeping the airflow channelled, more of the wind is captured and noise is greatly reduced.

Dewar says the same aerodynamic principle applies to water flow through hydroelectric turbines – in other words, more electricity can be generated at lower water speeds, making it possible, particularly in a water-rich province like Ontario, to reconsider hydroelectric or pump-storage sites previously thought uneconomic for power generation.

"I'm honestly scared of making claims at this point," says Dewar. "The results are so good that we know everybody who knows anything about aerodynamics will think we're salting the goldmine." That's why third-party verification will be essential. The research, he says, has to be "bullet proof."

But even if WhalePower can prove beyond a doubt that its blade design is better, it doesn't necessarily ensure success. Wind-turbine manufacturers can't keep up with demand for current product, so there's little incentive to dramatically alter the design of their blades – at least not yet. There's also no incentive for banks to lend money to wind-farm projects taking a risk on a new blade design.

"It's like trying to break into the semiconductor business," says Kerry Adler, chief executive of Toronto-based wind developer SkyPower Corp.

"You're going to be hard-pressed to convince Dell Computer to put a new processing chip on their motherboards, particularly if it's not proven. In the wind industry, you'll have to have a thousand turbines in the ground before anybody gives (a technology) a second look."

WhalePower's hope of retrofitting existing turbine blades – an estimated $50 billion worth around the world – could also prove a tough sell. Adler says retrofitting a blade with tubercles would void the warranty. "Who's going to take that chance?"

Fish appreciates that WhalePower's approach may be considered radical, and he understands that many wind-turbine manufacturers will operate on the premise: If it isn't broken, don't fix it. But he says any business will change its course if the economic benefits are compelling enough.

"It takes a while to get any sort of new technology into the marketplace," says Fish, at the same time convinced that the study of biomimicry – the melding of biology and engineering – will help shape the future of energy production, transportation and medicine.

"We're starting to see more and more engineers grabbing on to this."
Click to expand...

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, May 16, 2007

#1

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charmc Senior Member

Neat ideas, George!

Best,

Charlie

charmc, May 16, 2007

#2

lazeyjack Guest

does this mean that the next Hummer model will be covered in these bumps? or will we just drive land rover discos that are already agile??

lazeyjack, May 17, 2007

#3

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kach22i Architect

You know what?

My sketch is very different from what these guys ended up with.

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/213475

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:WhalePower_Corp#Company:_WhalePower_Corp.

Smooth (left) and scalloped (right) idealized humpback whale flipper models used for wind tunnel testing of lift, drag, efficiency, and stall behavior. While testing, only one of the models is mounted in the wind tunnel. These idealized, scale models, milled from clear polycarbonate sheet, use a NACA 0020 sectional profile (20% thick).

http://www.pratt.duke.edu/news/index.php?story=156

The tests were reported by biomechanicist Frank Fish of West Chester University, Pa., fluid dynamics engineer Laurens Howle of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University and David Miklosovic and Mark Murray at the U.S. Naval Academy. They reported their findings in the May 2004 issue of Physics of Fluids, published in advance online on March 15, 2004.
Click to expand...

Patent:
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2006042401

What is claimed is:

1. A turbine/compressor comprising: at least one magneto-electric device; a drive train coupled to said magneto-electric device; and at least one rotor blade coupled to said drive train, said rotor blade having a shaped leading edge configured to enhance lift and reduce drag.

2. A turbine/compressor according to claim 1 wherein said leading edge includes a series of spaced tubercles formed therealong.

3. A turbine/compressor according to claim 2 further comprising a control system to adjust the orientation of said rotor blade so that said rotor blade faces incoming fluid flow.

4. A turbine/compressor according to claim 3 further comprising a second control system to alter the shape of said rotor blade.

5. A turbine/compressor according to claim 4 wherein said second control system alters the pitch of said rotor blade.

6. A turbine/compressor according to claim 4 wherein said second control system alters the spacing and/or shape of said tubercles.

7. A turbine/compressor according to claim 1 wherein said drive train is a shaft directly coupling said rotor blade and said magneto-electric device.

8. A turbine/compressor according to claim 1 wherein said drive train includes a drive shaft and transmission arrangement acting between said rotor blade and magneto-electric device.

9. A turbine/compressor according to claim 8 further comprising a control system to adjust the orientation of said rotor blade so that said rotor blade faces incoming fluid flow.

10. A turbine/compressor according to claim 9 further comprising a second control system to alter the shape of said rotor blade.

11. A turbine/compressor according to claim 10 wherein said second control system alters the pitch of said rotor blade.

12. A turbine/compressor according to claim 11 wherein said second control system alters the spacing and/or shape of said tubercles.

13. A turbine comprising: at least one generator; a drive train coupled to said generator; and at least one rotor blade coupled to said drive train, said rotor blade having a shaped leading edge with a series of spaced tubercles formed therealong.

14. A turbine according to claim 13 further comprising a control system to adjust the orientation of said rotor blade so that said rotor blade faces incoming fluid flow.

15. A turbine according to claim 14 further comprising a second control system to alter the shape of said rotor blade.

16. A turbine according to claim 15 wherein said drive train is a shaft directly coupling said rotor blade and said generator.

17. A turbine according to claim 15 wherein said drive train includes a drive shaft and transmission arrangement acting between said rotor blade and

generator.

18. A turbine according to claim 17 further comprising a plurality of linked generators.

19. A turbine according to claim 18 wherein said linked generators are in¬ line.

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, May 17, 2007

#4

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kach22i Architect

UPDATE: From the DeJong and Lebet website, something which caught my eye.

Click link to see full sized image............
http://www.dejongandlebet.com/949_SeaFair.htm

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x295/kach22i/

Who's prop is this?

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, Jul 10, 2007

#5

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charmc Senior Member
George,

I believe firmly that the idea you explained at the beginning of this thread has potential; I read nearly all the reports through the links you shared. It should be very efficient.

These last prop photos, however, do not show props with ribbed or humped surfaces, I'm certain. What appear to be waves are grinding or polishing marks, left as the prop is finished. It's similar to the light and dark stripes that appear on golf course greens after they've been mowed. Here are some other examples.
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Best,

Charlie

charmc, Jul 10, 2007

#6

Frosty Previous Member

Yes they are gringing /polishing/buffing marks . Each shop seems to use a different pattern. Or different worker.

I see we have one there with the hub only antifouled ---I do that.

Frosty, Jul 10, 2007

#7

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kach22i Architect

charmc said: ↑

These last prop photos, however, do not show props with ribbed or humped surfaces, I'm certain. What appear to be waves are grinding or polishing marks
Click to expand...

Are you sure? What about these?

I see dimples!

http://www.sspropeller.com/products/propellers/

Similar, but not an exact match to the ones on the DeJong and Lebet website.

Kaplan propeller
http://www.australpropeller.com.au/kaplan.htm

Conventional propellers have the blade face generation at 90 degrees to centre axis whereas the raked design has blades which are tilted at an angle to the centre axis. Austral now produces Kaplan propellers with aft rake, basically the centre of the blade at the tip is approximately in line with the rear face of the propeller hub. This aft rake design normally means a larger diameter propeller can be fitted because of greater aperture available toward rear of boat.
Click to expand...

Example of burnishing finish:
http://www.olds.com.au/marine/

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, Jul 11, 2007

#8

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charmc Senior Member

George,

Your examples in the last are all buffing patterns. As Frosty said, some shops and/or workers make distinctive patterns consistently; it's a sign of good craftsmanship, a rare thing in these times.

The statement you quote refers to the blades' longditudinal angle to the hub. The link explains different blade tips and curvatures which produce maximum thrust for each application. If the thrust was the result of rippled or knobbed blades, that would be a prominent feature of their marketing.

The one case you showed that uses knobs was the red blade for fans. That one is very much like the whale fin design. I'd be interested in seeing testing results on that design. That one is good "outside the box" thinking!

Best,

Charlie

charmc, Jul 12, 2007

#9

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kach22i Architect

Helicopter blades have weights in them?
http://www.cavalrypilot.com/fm1-514/Ch3.htm

Do other types of fans or propellers have end tip or leading edge weights, and why or why not?

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, Jul 19, 2007

#10

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Location: Michigan

kach22i Architect

What do you guys think this prop is doing which other props don't?

http://www.kiwiprops.co.nz/pictures.html

http://www.kiwiprops.co.nz/power.html

What is a "folding" prop?
http://www.kiwiprops.co.nz/philosophy.html

Is the step in the blade acting like the Dogtooth in a F4 Phantom's wing?

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0228.shtml

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, Jul 20, 2007

#11

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Pericles Senior Member

Kach221,

There's an old song with the line, "It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it." That could very well apply to the Yellowfin VSD.

http://www.yellowfin.com/pr_shipnboat.pdf

The blades are able to both feather and fold in order to control the boat without bow thruster or rudders and in very shallow water.

You can see videos here. http://www.yellowfin.com/VSDTechnology.asp

Regards,

Pericles

Whilst entitled to your own opinion, you are not entitled to your own facts!

Pericles, Jul 23, 2007

#12

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kach22i Architect

Wow, great videos.

Do you think he even has a rudder under there?

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, Jul 23, 2007

#13

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Location: Heights of High Wycombe, not far from River Thames

Pericles Senior Member

No rudders, no bow thruster. Just technology.

Pericles

Whilst entitled to your own opinion, you are not entitled to your own facts!

Pericles, Jul 23, 2007

#14
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kach22i Architect

Pericles said: ↑

The blades are able to both feather and fold in order to control the boat without bow thruster or rudders and in very shallow water.
Click to expand...

Would this device still be sold, marketed or technically categorized as a Variable Pitch propeller?

George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/hovercraft-experimental-skirt-project-11973.html

kach22i, Jul 23, 2007

#15

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