A New use for Windpower.

[neptune]

I have recently retired due to having lost the sight of my left eye . Although legally allowed to drive , I am not happy doing so .Therefore I cycle at least 10 miles a day . There are no hills around here , so my biggest problem is headwinds . since I usually cycle just for exercise , I choose my destination so I get headwind out , backwind home . My crazy idea is a small [70cms dia] windmill mounted on my bike in front of the handlebars , driving the front wheel . It purpose is to help me fight the headwind . I know vehicles have been built [and raced] to go headwind on this principle . I don't want total propulsion , just some help . I am working on a "Mark 1" prototype .Ultimately , the wind rotor needs to be foldable when not in use . I amusing an 8 blade rotor with a tip speed ratio of about one .Am I mad ? all views welcome .

[TechStuf]

Are you mad?  No.  A bit 'bumbly'*?  Why not!  It sounds like you have already seen the Velomobile of Stuttgart University, which can do over 60% of wind speed, directly upwind.  A feat that many "professors" would have claimed impossible, virtually moments ago.  Go for it, and show us what you have!


TS


*'bumbly' is a tongue in cheek reference to Bumble bees which, at one time, were not supposed to fly according to scientific miscalculation.

[iquant]

http://www.greentechgazette.com/index.php/transportation/ventomobile-wind-powered-vehicle/

I have recently retired due to having lost the sight of my left eye . Although legally allowed to drive , I am not happy doing so .Therefore I cycle at least 10 miles a day . There are no hills around here , so my biggest problem is headwinds . since I usually cycle just for exercise , I choose my destination so I get headwind out , backwind home . My crazy idea is a small [70cms dia] windmill mounted on my bike in front of the handlebars , driving the front wheel . It purpose is to help me fight the headwind . I know vehicles have been built [and raced] to go headwind on this principle . I don't want total propulsion , just some help . I am working on a "Mark 1" prototype .Ultimately , the wind rotor needs to be foldable when not in use . I amusing an 8 blade rotor with a tip speed ratio of about one .Am I mad ? all views welcome .

[neptune]

Many thanks for replies . I know that this works in principle , because I built a model from Mechano ,when I was 12 , 53 years ago . The limiting factor here is the rotor size , which has to be smallish to avoid gouging passing cars ! I am working on building the rotor , but it is the drive mechanism that will take the time . Also I am looking for a spare bike to fit it to . My rotor is made of wood , but ultimately , plastic would be lighter . Another idea is to use a small wheel [20 inch] bike so you could have 2 small rotors one above another .
         Usually , when one builds a wind turbine , one hopes in vain for the wind to blow . But if it does not , then I am happy ,easy cycling!