Slide 1

A Summary Overview of the Blackhawk Wind Turbine 3/4/10 B. Boatner,EE Lead Engineer/Partner The Blackhawk Project, LLC Boise, ID Slide 2 The Blackhawk Wind Turbine Slide 3 What is the VAWT/AR*? (*Vertical Axis Wind Turbine w/ Articulating Rotor) A new sub-class of VAWT Uses rotor tilt to control AOA (Angle of Attack) The first major technological breakthrough since the Darrieus patent (1931), complying with the Betz Equations. Combination of helicopter rotor head and wind turbine design Result of 7 years of research No directly related prior art in USPTO U.S. Patent #7,677,862 Slide 4 The Betz Theorem 1929 The Bible of wind turbine design Maximum theoretical efficiency = 59.6% Slow incoming air mass by no more than 1/3 Minimize solidity quotient Maximize Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) Bottom Line: Least number of blades traveling at a maximum possible speed Slide 5 From Patent Application: 2-Bladed and 3-Bladed variations shown Slide 6 How does the VAWT/AR work? 1.Wind causes Rotor Tilt 2.Rotor Tilt sets Airfoil Angle of Attack (AOA) 3.Airfoil AOA creates Aerodynamic Lift 4.Aerodynamic Lift creates Rotation/Torque 5.Self-corrects for gyroscopic precession. Slide 7 Action of wind (403,404) against the side of the airfoils (405, 406) causes tilting force (409) on the rotor arm (401). Slide 8 When the rotor (18) tilts, the stationary pushrods (41, 42) cause the airfoils (11, 12) to change angles due to different radii. Slide 9 Slide 10 Power is produced cyclically in 2 main quadrants Slide 11 Slide 12 Main Rotor Tilt controls Pitch of Airfoils Slide 13 Elastomeric dampeners limit rotor tilt Slide 14 Operating characteristics Very high torque due to long moment arms Large working areas for more power Dynamic response to wind and load conditions Self-limiting to prevent run-aways No external wind alignment mechanics Self-starting at low wind speeds Very quiet compared to most turbines Slide 15 Blackhawk AFPMG* (*Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator) 12, 24 or 48 Volts Full charging voltage at very low speed Operating range 40 120 RPM 1.5 KW potential output Non-cogging design allows easy start-up Self cooling No brushes or slip rings In-house design Slide 16 Generator Design: Expertise and Experience Gained Unable to identify OEM source for low-speed transmission-less design: it cant be done. Design analysis of multiple generators and mathematical performance modeling produced initial successful design 40 RPM cut-in. With field-verified results, we are now able to easily produce any size/configuration/speed variation needed. That makes us a leader in the field. Slide 17 AFPMG Design/Test Station Slide 18 AFPMG Components (L) Magnet Wheel (1 of 2), and (R) Stator Slide 19 Electronics 20+ years Silicon Valley Electrical Engineering microcontroller hardware/software design experience The Limiter allows user to set RPM limit and time- out period for very high wind conditions (currently in field use). The Governor: upgrade of The Limiter that will use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to intelligently control loads (designed - not yet implemented) MPPT: proprietary Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm will dynamically match loads to varying wind conditions for optimal efficiency (designed not yet implemented) Slide 20 Blackhawk Electronics Limiter PCB Limiter Control Unit Power Control Cabinet Precision Test Loads Slide 21 Blackhawk System Wiring Slide 22 Clockwise from top left: Grand View, ID; Wells Fargo Bldg, Boise; Clarkston, WA; CAES Idaho Falls; Emmett Slide 23 Proof-of-Concept: Critical Design Targets Achieved System is reliably self-starting System is stable under varying wind conditions System is quiet & aesthetically pleasing System has survived 100+ MPH winds System is easy to manufacture & assemble System is easy to transport and erect System is reliably producing power Slide 24 Design Variations: The Rapid Deployment Concept Configuration possible with VAWT/AR design Folds up like an umbrella Less than 5 minute deployment/furling Can be combined with extensive emergency battery backup power on a trailer Military and emergency potential usage Slide 25 Blackhawk RD-10 Rapid Deployment Device Slide 26 Blackhawk RD-10 and Trailer Slide 27 Blackhawk RD-10 Rapid Deployment Sequence Slide 28 Quiet operation Endless aesthetic possibilities Slide 29 Status of Intellectual Property U.S. Utility Patent application 12/7/06 Patent pending Australia/New Zealand No prior art found representing tilt vs. AOA control methods I.P. owned by The Blackhawk Project, LLC: 50% Bruce Boatner, 50% Pat Large U.S. Patent #7,677,862 issuance notification 3/2/10 Slide 30 Our current staff Bruce Boatner, EE: Inventor, Partner, Lead Engineer Dawn Cardwell: Project Manager Pat Large: Business Partner Randy Peterson: Technician Slide 31 Project Requirements For Production Product engineering Design engineering support Manufacturing engineering Materials analysis Manufacturing logistics & capital Testing & Certification Marketing strategy Accounting & other overhead Slide 32 Inter-Disciplinary Research Efforts at INL/CAES* (* Idaho Natl Laboratory, Center for Advanced Energy Studies) Slide 33 BoatnerConsulting@earthlink.netBoatnerConsulting@earthlink.net (925) 695-5469