The Challenge

Windjoule’s designer Bob Morris, approached PE Composites to build the composite wind vane elements of his revolutionary micro wind power machine. This device is a compact low speed wind device which has been specifically designed to produce its rated power output at the UK average mean wind speed. The vanes hold a rigid membrane in place and are attached to the main rotor.

Our Solution

As the wind energy is captured by the vanes, they transmit the power to the rotor and are therefore carrying considerable loads and moments for their size. This meant that they are constructed from carbon pre-preg to a structural design completed by Plysim Analysis services, to ensure the required structural strength and stiffness is achieved for the minimum weight. The selection of pre-preg also allowed highly consistent weights for each frame to be achieved, essential in a rotating device. The frames were then precision drilled to ensure bolt holes exactly matched those of the membrane.

The Outcome

The frames are currently being installed on the full-scale device and results will be analysed over the coming months.

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