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Analysis of the Madaras Rotor Power Plant: an alternate method for extracting large amounts of power from the wind. Executive summary

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5753377· OSTI ID:5753377
The purpose of the program was to analyze and up-date the design of the Madaras Rotor Power Plant concept that had been developed in the 1930's to determine the technical and economic feasibility of this system to be competitive with conventional horizontal axis wind turbines. The Madaras concept uses rotating cylinders, vertically mounted on flat cars, to react with the wind like a sail and propel an endless train of connected cars around a closed track at constant speed. Electricity is generated by alternators on each car that are geared to the wheels. Electrical power is transmitted from each car to the power house by a trolley system. A four-task program consisting of a series of wind tunnel tests, an electro-mechanical analysis, a performance analysis, and a cost analysis was conducted.
Research Organization:
Dayton Univ., OH (USA). Research Inst.
OSTI ID:
5753377
Report Number(s):
DSE-2554-78/2(Vol.1)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English