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We are very pleased to introduce our new "Syntrefoil" multi-stage vertical-axis wind turbine design (U.S. Patent No. D569,490*), shown and described below! This sophisticated residential wind turbine (assembled in a neat "kit" format) maximizes certain advantages inherent in the well-known two-vaned Savonius rotor (e.g., its low tip speed & high torque). And although its input profile comprises only half the total swept area, the performance obtained should be comparable to that of most prop-style turbines of similar size because of the special shape of its impeller vanes and the fact that it will start and run at very low wind speeds! Moreover, the Syntrefoil's input profile is omnidirectional, so its performance is relatively unaffected by air-stream turbulence!
Rather than employ a single impeller stage, as in the typical Savonius turbine, the unique Syntrefoil Aeroturbine assembly uses five (5) 3-vane impeller sections stacked vertically on a common shaft (and numbered 1 through 5 from top to bottom). Impellers #1 and #5 are equal in size and shape, as are #2 and #4 – to achieve a roughly circular side silhouette.
The radial trailing-edge length of each of the vanes for impellers #1 and #5 is 60% that of the vanes in the center (largest) impeller #3, which is equal to the turbine's nominal radius Rd (either 6 or 8 feet). The length of the vanes for impellers #2 and #4 is 80% of Rd. The height of each impeller vane is simply equal to half its length.
The curved shape of each impeller vane's leading plane is designed to always present as perpendicular a driven surface as possible (on average) to the input wind's vector during rotation, yet be simple and easy to fabricate. Jointly, these simple design parameters are illustrated in the graphics below.
*NOTE: Inventor Mark R. Tomion, president of Archer Energy Systems, Inc., was granted Design Patent #309465 in Australia for the Syntrefoil Aeroturbine as of September 4, 2006, a corresponding Design Patent #205383 in India as of March 7, 2008, and (finally) U.S. Design Patent No. D569,490 on May 20, 2008. AESI has already had some excellent feedback and strong indications of interest regarding this exciting novel approach to an age-old technology!
The Syntrefoil's rather avant garde shape is sure to be controversial: beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder! We described it this way for the Australian patent office's required "Statement of Newness and Distinctiveness", during the application process: "... the Aeroturbine assembly as a whole resembles an abstract geometric sculpture, and the top and bottom plan views of the Aeroturbine resemble a flower."
The Syntrefoil multi-impeller VAWT is specifically designed for residential and light-commercial use, and thus AESI has elected to take an affordable and sensible "micro-distributed generation" approach in the development of its novel wind power systems!
In this way, we feel that AESI can best take immediate advantage of the public's current almost universal interest and support of advanced wind power technology yet general opposition to the huge HAWT plants that are actually less cost-effective and reliable the larger they get!
Some of the many substantial advantages of our Syntrefoil Aeroturbine over typical prop-type (HAWT) turbines are cited below:
- VAWTs are self-starting at very low wind speeds (i.e. in this case, well under 5 mph);
- The Syntrefoil design acts as its own flywheel, efficiently storing much of the limited energy available at low wind speeds for later generator system recapture;
- It produces very high torque with high rotational inertia, for a smoother power output curve;
- This turbine accepts omni-directional input, and is relatively unaffected by turbulent airflow;
- VAWTS such as this rotate at far lower RPMs than prop-style turbines even in high winds, for very low vibration, nearly silent operation, and a very long service lifetime;
- They are visually opaque solid objects to birds, at all operating wind speeds; and
- Syntrefoil Aeroturbines are designed in "kit" form, so that many customers could feasibly save on certain assembly and installation costs.
Weber Racing Equipment, Inc. (WRE) in Ohio is nearing completion in the fabrication of our initial 12’-dia. Syntrefoil turbine in addition to having covered half the equipment and material costs, while Pneu-Hydro Energy, Inc. (PHE) Maine is preparing to construct an initial 16’ Syntrefoil turbine assembly under a similar agreement.
WRE has used CNC laser equipment and a dedicated manual 3-roll bender to cut, bend, and fabricate each of the five impeller vanes’ constituent side and back panels and all of their associated tubular framework parts to ensure that they have respectively identical size, shape, and weight, for optimal static and dynamic balancing.
Meanwhile, PHE will be using CNC water-jet cutting equipment and a customized hydraulic bending machine for the same purpose in fabrication of the larger Syntrefoil turbine assembly, so that optimal materials sourcing and production methods for both size turbines can be determined.
Five different simple tower structures have been developed, from 20 to 60 feet in height, the taller of which are hinged and “self-erecting” by an electric winch or simple hydraulic system for ease of turbine installation. Our premium “utility” tower structure built by PHE requires no guy wires and provides an inherent weather-tight enclosure for mounting of the larger 16’ turbines which will accommodate all of the system’s hydraulic drive and generator equipment at ground level, as well as one of our own Magnetic Induction Dynamos (3.5kW; ~1.75vdc at 1,750 rpm, 2,000 A) if the on-site production of hydrogen by direct electrolysis of water is desired! More information is provided in the performance analyses below regarding the drive train and generator portions of the various Syntrefoil systems.
The 16-ft.-dia. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine, as mounted on a simple 60´ hinged jack-spar mast of our own practical design, will be offered with two high-output generator options, delivering up to 6,400 watts of electrical power! And this level of output is well beyond that of most residential prop-style turbines. Aside from optimizing integrated system performance (which in many case studies is rather poor), through superior design and operating parameters, the primary objective of the Syntrefoil Aeroturbine system is to provide the two most important and expensive components – the turbine itself and its mounting tower – in a form that many end-users could conceivably assemble and erect themselves!
But before the performance of this (or any) wind power plant can be accurately verified analytically (independent of empirical testing), it is essential to know the efficiency of the generator to be employed as well as that of the transmission which will couple the generator to the turbine. In a vertical-axis wind system, the transmission must be able to handle some very-high input torque values and provide high speed-increaser ratios.
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Concept schematic for the Syntrefoil Aeroturbine's 12-ft.-diameter design model.
The drive transmission is often problematic in windmills, but our 12´ residential wind power kit will employ a simple and very compact 3-stage planetary speed increaser of about 92% efficiency, which is driven from the turbine main shaft with dual link belts, in a rectangular enclosure to which the turbine is mounted (at the top of the tower). This planetary differential will in turn belt-drive a parallel 4:1 jackshaft that's direct-coupled to a single ZENA SR-series 200-amp generator which will produce the output power, a conventional off-the-shelf "alternator" of 80% efficiency and ostensibly one of the only modular (fully parallelable) 12- and 24-volt commercial-duty DC generators on the market today.
perspective view and top view of Syntrefoil Aeroturbine, from the design patent.
The 12-ft.-dia. Syntrefoil, for which we have a full set of blueprints and specifications, is intended only for flat-roof mounting or ground-pedestal mounting (at from 10´ to 30´ in elevation). In the concise performance analysis below, its mechanical transmission's overall estimated throughput efficiency = [0.986 (shaft bearings & drive belts) × 0.922 (3-stage planetary differential) × 0.986 (jackshaft)] = 89.6%, and the 12´ Syntrefoil Aeroturbine system's design specs are:
> nominal rating = 2.1 kW at 29 mph, with 2.8 kW peak output at 32 mph.
The analysis will confirm the validity of the system's 2.8 kW peak output rating at or within an operating windspeed of 32 mph, given that a ZENA SR200A will serve as the turbine's generator unit.
12-ft. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine system performance analysis
A) A "drag"-style turbine's tip speed ordinarily may not be greater than the air-stream's real physical speed, so we first define a wind speed (Vw ) range and find the corresponding turbine speeds in RPM:
(i) Syntrefoil turbine diameter = 12 ft. (3.658 m)
radius = 6 ft. (1.829 m); circumference = π (12´) = 37.70´ (11.49 m)
(ii) projecting a max. generator performance wind speed of 32.0 mph = max. Vw, the turbine's
corresponding tip travel rate will be (32)(5,280) = 168,960 ft/hr. = 2,816 ft/min. = 74.69 rpm.
The equivalent angular speed equals (rps × 2π ) = ω = 7.822 rad/sec.
(iii) given that the generator will engage at ~ 6 mph, then 6.0 mph = min. Vw, and the turbine's
corresponding tip travel rate will be (6)(5,280) = 31,680 ft/hr. = 528.0 ft/min. = 14.01 rpm.
The equivalent angular speed equals (rps × 2π ) = ω = 1.467 rad/sec.
(iv) This Syntrefoil turbine's specific rotation-to-wind-speed ratio is: turbine rpm = 2.334 × mph.
B) We must next compute the turbine's total swept area and, in this case, the net "input profile" area (equal to one-half of the swept area for most drag-style turbines), before the available air-stream power in the swept area or input profile may be calculated. Metric units must be used in Method 1 below, and so the wind speed will be in meters/second and the air-stream flow area will be in meters-squared.
(i) max. Vw = 32.0 mph = 14.305 m/sec . . . . . . . . . . [note: mph ÷ 2.237 = m/sec]
input profile = 54.00 ft2 = 5.017 m2 . . . . . . . . . . . [note: 1 m = 3.281 ft., 1 m2 = 10.764 ft2]
(ii) Method 1: the input profile power available at max. Vw equals Pprofile = ρ AV 3/ 2 ,
where air density ρ = 1.225 at sea level (60o F), and A = profile area in m2.
So, turbine shaft power at max. Vw = (1.225)(5.017)(14.305)3/ 2 = Pprofile = 8,995 watts.
Method 2: the input profile power density at max. Vw equals Pprofile/A = 0.05472 × V 3 per m2,
where V = wind speed in mph.
So, Pprofile/A = (0.05472)(32)3 = 1,793 W/m2, and 1,793 (5.017) = Pprofile = 8,995 watts.
This figure is the same as that derived by the first method, of course, and will be used below.
(iii) It has become universally accepted that an absolute maximum of only 59.6% of the swept input profile power available may be extracted by any wind turbine regardless of type (the "Betz limit"), so we must assign the 12´ Syntrefoil turbine a projected "design efficiency rating" from the table below prior to deriving an actual rating from extensive wind-tunnel or on-site testing.
Ideal 59% (0.59) . . . . . . this is 99% of the Betz limit (59 / 59.6)
Exceptional 47% (0.47) . . . . . . this is 79% of the Betz limit (47 / 59.6)
Excellent 44% (0.44) . . . . . . this is 75% of the Betz limit (44 / 59.6)
Very Good 41% (0.41) . . . . . . this is 69% of the Betz limit (41 / 59.6)
Good 35% (0.35) . . . . . . this is 59% of the Betz limit (35 / 59.6)
Average 26% (0.26) . . . . . . this is 43% of the Betz limit (26 / 59.6)
Fair 23% (0.23) . . . . . . this is 39% of the Betz limit (23 / 59.6)
Poor 11% (0.11) . . . . . . this is 19% of the Betz limit (11 / 59.6)
In this regime, it must be understood that nearly all horizontal-axis (prop-type) turbines have an input profile comprising 100% of the swept area, but a typical (mean) 3-blade design efficiency rating of only "Average" (or 26%), and that a design rating of "Very Good" (or 41%) should be considered an almost unattainable upper limit given a rating of "Poor" as the lower bound.
Obversely, vertical-axis 'drag'-style wind turbines generally have an input profile comprising only 50% of the swept area but a mean design efficiency rating of "Good" (35%), and a rating of "Exceptional" (or 47%) should be considered their virtual upper limit given a rating of "Fair" as the lower bound.
> The "Syntrefoil" (or multiple three-vaned impeller) design is expected to exhibit superior performance due to compound torque radius overdriving, slipstream back-drafting, and vortexing action!
(iv) Therefore, we will assign the Syntrefoil Aeroturbine a reasonable design efficiency rating of "Excellent" (0.44), and we find that the turbine's 32-mph Betz limit equals (0.596)(8,995) = 5,361 W, while its projected shaft output power is equal to (0.44) (8,995) = Pshaft = 3,958 watts = 5.305 Hp.
C) We can now calculate the estimated rotor shaft and transmission torque values, and thereby obtain an accurate estimate of the generator's net power output (using the given known or projected nominal efficiencies), according to the classical formula T = Hp × 5252 / rpm.
(i) The turbine's raw shaft torque at max. Vw equals Tshaft = (5.305 × 5252) / 74.69 = 373.0 ft-lb.
(ii) given the mechanical transmission's total speed increaser ratio of 192:1 (fixed), the generator drive speed at max. Vw equals 192 × 74.69 = 14,340 rpm [Note: The Zena SR-series generator used is rated for up to 16,000 rpm extended-duty operation!]
(iii) given a transmission efficiency of 89.6%*, the net transmitted shaft torque Ttrans = 0.896 (373.0)
= 334.2 ft-lb., and the generator's input power = 0.896 (5.305 Hp) = Ptrans = 4.753 Hp. [It should be noted that the generator input torque Tgen = (4.753 × 5252) / 14,340* = 1.74 ft-lb. at max. Vw = 32 mph, and that this figure may be checked by multiplying the net shaft torque by the turbine-to-generator-rpm speed ratio: Tgen = (74.69 ÷ 14,340)(334.2) = 1.74 ft-lb.] < ck >
* using a fixed-ratio mechanical transmission comprising a 3-stage planetary differential and high-speed jackshaft.
(iv) given a net DC induction efficiency of 80%** at rotation above 6,667 rpm, net generator output power
at max. Vw = Poutput = 0.80 × 4.753 = 3.802 Hp, and, since 1 Hp = 746 W, Poutput = 2,836 watts.
** using a Zena SR200A generator.
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Wind Power Project
update.021609:
Fabrication of our prototype 12-ft.-dia. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine is now moving forward nicely, and all of the 5-impeller assembly's tubular and flat stock pieces have been cut and matched. Once we get the requisite jigging and welding done, we'll be ready to begin erecting our pilot plant in the spring!
Since there is presently a virtual explosion of interest and support occuring for the implementation of advanced wind power systems, it's good to see that we are
"in the right place at the right time" with just such a product line in active development!
As can be seen in the photos above, even with the multipass bending technique required using our initial manual bending table, the edges of the pre-cut flat vane side panels conform beautifully to the as-bent tubular frame members. This will provide for neat stitch welding work down the impeller vanes' tubular frame centerlines, and a nice clean finished assembly.
We will of course be working with Weber Racing Equip., Inc. (in OH) to establish an initial OEM production facility for the various possible Syntrefoil turbine systems, and with Pneu-Hydro Energy, Inc. (in ME) particularly with respect to higher-output hydraulic-drive installations. We may in fact be negotiating soon with a certain established wind energy group on the West Coast
with regard to Syntrefoil sub-manufacturing and distribution rights both there and in India, under our international design patents, as well as with another interested potential licensee group in Australia!
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Wind Power Project
update.121408:
We are very happy to report that our Syntrefoil Aeroturbine project is finally moving forward again – with project sponsor Bryan Weber of Weber Racing Equip., Inc. (in Ohio) having now set up a dedicated facility for bending the curved frame members of the 12'-dia. (2.8kW) prototype wind turbine, which other shops in the Great Lakes region were unable or unwilling to produce for us at a reasonable subcontractor cost... We anticipate no further difficulties or delays in getting this turbine built and installed in the Syntrefoil pilot plant early this spring, here at our New York office!
Meanwhile, our wind power project co-sponsor in Maine, Pneu-Hydro Energy, Inc., is also preparing a similar v-axis turbine fabrication shop at their facility in Loring Development Center (at Limestone), for the 16-foot-dia. (6.4kW) Syntrefoil systems. Assuming they meet certain sponsorship criteria as expected, Pneu-Hydro Energy will also be serving as OEM subcontractor and distributor of AESI's wind power systems in the six-state New England region. Shown on the right is a 1/12th-scale mock-up of a 16' Syntrefoil turbine, which when tested seemed to confirm that a turbine of this exotic design will tend to rotate at faster than parity with its largest impeller's "normal" tip speed (due to the compound torque radius)...
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Wind Power Project
update.070108:
Fabrication of our 12-ft. prototype Syntrefoil turbine assembly is running several months behind schedule, due to some circumstances beyond the control of either AESI or Weber Racing (our Project Sponsor) which for once have nothing to due with funding constraints! However, we do now have all the necessary aluminum pipe and sheet materials on hand, as can be seen in the photo on the left.
The side panels of the individual impeller vanes are all cut to size, with their distinctive troposkein leading-edge shape, as are the vanes' rectangular back panels. For this 'small' turbine, the specification sheet thickness is 0.050", with 1-1/4" Sch. 40 pipe for the curved and straight frame members. This will yield a total turbine weight of about 577 lbs., including the center shaft and impeller sleeving.
While this high weight would be a bit excessive in a prop-style rotor of similar diameter, in this case it is actually desirable (given a vertical-axis turbine's low rotation speeds) to lend a flywheel effect which will "smooth out" the Syntrefoil's output shaft speed under dynamically shifting wind-speed conditions.
a simplified Beaufort wind speed scale for aeroturbine systems:
wind vel. wind vel.
mean W/m2
type of observed
in mph in m/sec in range wind land effects
0 – 3 0 – 1.7 1.5 calm, "light air" rising smoke begins drifting
4 – 12 1.8 – 5.7 58.5 light breeze foliage rustles, flags move
13 – 18 5.8 – 8.4 241 moderate breeze raises dust, small branches move
19 – 24 8.5 – 11.1 607 fresh breeze smaller trees begin swaying
25 – 38 11.2 – 17.3 2,016 strong, near-gale wires 'sing', larger trees sway
39 – 54 17.4 – 24.5 6,117 mod./strong gale light damage to trees & buildings
55 – 72 24.6 – 32.2 14,784 mod./severe storm heavy damage to trees & buildings
> 72 > 32.2 – – hurricane widespread destruction
An exclusive PHE two-speed fluid drive transmission will enable each 16´-dia. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine system to deliver continuously increasing power almost to the top of the "strong winds" range! Both the 12´ and 16´ models will be disk-braked above their peak rated generator speed(s), with no shrouding or furling required, and warrantied against self-damage from "gale force" winds (up to 55 mph)!
Just as novel as our Aeroturbine design itself is the windmill fluid drive transmission concept developed by Pneu-Hydro Energy, Inc. (PHE), our business affiliate in Maine. Typically, a wind turbine transmission is the most problematic part of the whole system. In the PHE concept prototype designed specially for the tower-mount 16´-dia. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine, a high-ratio planetary speed increaser is coupled to a special "two-speed automatic" hydraulic pump and driven from the turbine main shaft, with dual link belts, in a rectangular enclosure to which the turbine is mounted (at the top of the tower).
Then, we simply run two hydraulic lines down the tower so that the fluid drive output motor and the generators themselves are in the battery bunker on the ground! By carefully designing the planetary differential and hydraulic pump/motor combo so that all of the equipment stays "in spec" (within the rated wind speed operating range), we can get warranty coverage from the respective OEMs and provide a system that should almost never need to have the tower mast lowered once the turbine is installed and winched up!
While the planetary fluid drive transmission system provides for excellent equipment compactness and reliability, as well as unprecedented ease of servicing, we do sacrifice a bit of efficiency in return! Thus, in the performance analysis below, the overall estimated transmission throughput efficiency = [0.986 (shaft bearings & drive belts) × 0.922 (3-stage planetary differential) × 0.880 (hydraulics)] = 80%.†
† Until we generate a computer software model of the hydraulic system and corresponding precise estimate of its overall subsystem efficiency, a figure of 88% has been assigned according to the following valid empirically-derived table:
75% – fair; 80% – average; 85% – good; 88% – very good; 91% – excellent; 95% – ideal.
We've now developed a full set of blueprints and specifications for a 16-ft.-dia. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine, whose output will be more than 77% higher than that of the 12-ft. model described above! Two generator options will be offered, and the 16-ft. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine system's design specs are as follows:
(a) for a 2-generator "Standard Output" Syntrefoil wind system, the nominal rating = 3.0 kW at 28 mph, with 4.3 kW peak output at 31.5 mph; and
(b) for a 3-generator "Peak Output" Syntrefoil wind system, the nominal rating = 4.3 kW at 31.5 mph, with 6.4 kW peak at 36 mph.
The following analysis will confirm the validity of the 16-ft. Aeroturbine's 6.4 kW peak output rating within a maximum normal operating windspeed of 36 mph, given that three (3) Zena SR150A Generators will serve as the turbine's generating system.
16-ft. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine system performance analysis
A) A "drag"-style turbine's tip speed ordinarily may not be greater than the air-stream's real physical speed, so we first define a wind speed (Vw ) range and find the corresponding turbine speeds in RPM:
(i) Syntrefoil turbine diameter = 16 ft. (4.877 m)
radius = 8 ft. (2.438 m); circumference = π (16´) = 50.27´ (15.32 m)
(ii) projecting a max. generator performance wind speed of 36.0 mph = max. Vw, the turbine's
corresponding tip travel rate will be (36)(5,280) = 190,080 ft/hr. = 3,168 ft/min. = 63.02 rpm.
The equivalent angular speed equals (rps × 2π ) = ω = 6.599 rad/sec.
(iii) given that the generator will engage at ~ 6 mph, then 6.0 mph = min. Vw, and the turbine's
corresponding tip travel rate will be (6)(5,280) = 31,680 ft/hr. = 528.0 ft/min. = 10.50 rpm.
The equivalent angular speed equals (rps x 2π ) = ω = 1.100 rad/sec.
(iv) This Syntrefoil turbine's specific rotation-to-wind-speed ratio is: turbine rpm = 1.750 × mph.
B) We must next compute the turbine's total swept area and, in this case, the net "input profile" area (equal to one-half of the swept area for most drag-style turbines), before the available air-stream power in the swept area or input profile may be calculated. Metric units must be used in Method 1 below, and so the wind speed will be in meters/second and the air-stream flow area will be in meters-squared.
(i) max. Vw = 36.0 mph = 16.093 m/sec . . . . . . . . . . [note: mph ÷ 2.237 = m/sec]
input profile = 96.00 ft2 = 8.919 m2 . . . . . . . . . . . [note: 1 m = 3.281 ft., 1 m2 = 10.764 ft2]
(ii) Method 1: the input profile power available at max. Vw equals Pprofile = ρ AV 3/ 2 ,
where air density ρ = 1.225 at sea level (60o F), and A = profile area in m2.
So, max. turbine shaft power equals (1.225)(8.919)(16.093)3/ 2 = Pprofile = 22,768 watts.
Method 2: the input profile power density at max. Vw equals Pprofile/A = 0.05472 × V 3 per m2,
where V = wind speed in mph.
So, Pprofile/A = (0.05472)(36)3 = 2,553 W/m2, and 2,553 (8.919) = Pprofile = 22,770 watts.
This figure is essentially the same as that derived by the first method, and will be used below.
(iii) As before, we shall assign the 16-ft.-dia. Syntrefoil Aeroturbine a design efficiency rating of "Excellent" (0.44), and we find that the turbine's 32-mph Betz limit equals (0.596)(22,770) = 13,571 W, while its projected shaft output power is equal to (0.44) (22,770) = Pshaft = 10,019 watts = 13.43 Hp.
C) We can now calculate the estimated rotor shaft and transmission torque values, and thereby obtain an accurate estimate of the generator's net power output (using the given known or projected nominal efficiencies), according to the classical formula T = Hp × 5252 / rpm.
(i) The turbine's raw shaft torque at max. Vw equals Tshaft = (13.43 × 5252) / 63.02 = 1,119 ft-lb.
(ii) given a transmission efficiency of 80%*, the net transmitted shaft torque Ttrans = 0.80 (1,119)
= 895.2 ft-lb., and the generator's input power = 0.80 (13.43 Hp) = Ptrans = 10.74 Hp. [It should be noted that the generator input torque Tgen = (10.74 × 5252) / 6,667* = 8.461 ft-lb. at max. Vw = 36 mph, and that this figure may be checked by multiplying
the net shaft torque by the turbine-to-generator-rpm speed ratio: Tgen = (63.02 ÷ 6,667)(895.2) = 8.462 ft-lb.] < ck >
* using the Pneu-Hydro Energy 2-speed planetary hydrostatic drive.
(iii) given a net DC induction efficiency of 80%** at rotation above 6,667 rpm, net generator output power
equals Poutput = 0.80 (10.74) = 8.592 Hp, and, since 1 Hp = 746 W, Poutput = 6,410 watts.
** using three (3) Zena SR150A Generators, in synchronous parallel.
4/02/08 - 'Notice of Allowance' for Syntrefoil U.S. patent!: I am very pleased and proud to announce that I've finally received a Notice of Allowance from the USPTO for my Syntrefoil Aeroturbine design patent application [# 29/257,591; filed on 04/06/2006] and, given that we have already paid the issuance fee, a corresponding patent should be granted by the end of May! This is very good news indeed, since Weber Racing Equipment is already building a 12-ft.-dia. prototype turbine assembly for AESI (as our official project sponsor) which will be installed, tested, and demonstrated in a complete residential wind power system right here on the grounds of our office property, later this year.
This is all especially gratifying for me, in that I actually conceived and designed the Syntrefoil Aeroturbine as an AP Physics project in my senior year of high school (a long, long time ago...)! We've had strong indications of interest in our 12' and 16' wind systems from all over the world and, as many of you know, we already have a similar patent in Australia and expect to obtain one soon in India as well (surely a huge potential market)... MRT
1/28/08 - Our New Wind Power Project Sponsor!: Archer Energy Systems, Inc. (AESI) would like to announce that we have now entered into an exciting new "Business Development Agreement" with Weber Racing Equipment Inc., a well-known builder of high-performance racing engines in N. Ridgeville, OH, who will not only serve as our exclusive Syntrefoil Aeroturbine Project Sponsor but will also be fabricating a 12-ft.-dia. prototype wind turbine assembly for us this winter!
As it turns out, we will be building this smaller Syntrefoil turbine first for our pilot plant, rather than the big 16-ft. model, so that data can be obtained and accurately scaled (due to the simple mechanical transmission employed) to verify the output capability of that full-scale turbine prior to coupling it as planned to a hydraulic drive train of as-yet-undetermined efficiency. We will thereby also be able to make the most accurate calculation of the Syntrefoil design's own inherent efficiency (as a percentage of the Betz limit) – which should be much higher than that of any typical horizontal-axis wind turbine!
AESI will make the necessary arrangements (if permissible) to implement a "net metering" grid-tie connection for the pilot project system, once it's completed and installed at our new office property, thus facilitating the development of valuable integrated system performance data for use in sales and marketing. Siting the project system at AESI's business office should also prove advantageous given the heavy vehicle traffic past our new location, and the resultant considerable product exposure.
Archer Energy Systems, Inc. is looking forward to a long and rewarding working relationship with Weber Racing Equipment Inc., and to market introduction of the Syntrefoil Aeroturbine residential wind power system in the coming year!
We are also pleased to announce that Mr. James D. Van Hala and Lakeshore Industrial Sales Inc. (Lakewood, OH) will be serving as AESI's exclusive OEM Representative for distribution and sales of our patented Syntrefoil Aeroturbine, both in the U.S. and abroad, and we are looking forward to an exciting and rewarding cooperative effort in making quality over-unity power generation equipment – which even wind power systems properly are! – available and affordable to customers everywhere.
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Your serious comments and questions are welcome: office@stardrivedevice.com
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