Finding the space for wind turbines in urban areas is difficult—even for vertical turbines like Mariah Power’s Windspire. But a new design from Sridhar Condoor could drastically reduce the space requirements for wind turbines. Condoor’s turbine is hollow, cylindrical, and lacks a central hub. Its hollowness allows it to be placed around existing objects— so you could literally have a tree-hugging turbine.
The outside of Condoor’s turbine is fitted with inlets that catch the wind from all directions. The inlets are toothed on the inside to drive a gear that powers an internal generator.
An inner frame on the turbine lets the main cylinder rotate freely, and also provides the option for the turbine to be mounted around other objects either vertically or horizontally. In addition to minimizing space requirements, this feature could also help hide some of the turbine’s “uglier” features.
Condoor filed for a patent on December 9, 2008, so chances are that he has a long way to go before his turbine is ready for commercialization. Still, his design is something to keep an eye on.
Photo Credit: WIPO
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