Technicalities of windmills

The wind found in all parts of world has its own wind energy; and in a bit to not let this source of energy go to waste, people have been using windmills to harness this energy.
In fact, it is because traditionally wind energy was used to grind grain into flour that it the word ‘windmill’ had come to mind.
The windmill is machine that converts wind into energy with the rotation of a wheel of adjustable blades. Though skilled craftsmen design windmills, it is possible to construct windmill on site using hand tools.
It was in the 18th century that windmills attained maximum prominence in Europe. However they were largely replaced as energy producing structures with the use of steam power in the nineteenth century.
Today there is a large renaissance in windmill technology as it promises to be a feasible alternative to fossil fuels in the future. You can find two types of windmills that are used for harnessing energy; windmills with a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.
It was during the early development of the windmill that the vertical axis design grew popular. However with its inefficiency in operations, researchers came up with the horizontal axis designs in windmills. There are numerous types of horizontal axes versions of windmills that include the post mill, fan mill, tower mill and smock mill.
The post mill is the first design in horizontal axis windmills which was named so for the large and upright post where the body of the mill is found. It is possible to turn the windmill to catch maximum wind, depending on the direction of blowing wind. There is a support structure that is built to keep the post stable while it is elevated from the ground with brick or stone to prevent its rotting.
There are four blades fitted to a central post in a post mill. Its horizontal shaft is connected to a large break wheal that interacts with a gear system called the wallower. This wallower in turn rotates a central and vertical shaft which in turn is used to power water pumping or grain grinding activities.
The smock mill is similar to the post mill, with some improvements. Its body looks like a dress or smock, and so the name. in this mill, the top of the mill is moveable, and this allows the main body structure to be permanent while the rest of the body is adjusted to collect wind, no matter which direction the wind blows. As the main body does not move, it is larger and taller than the power mill.
This larger body permits more equipment to be housed in the mill, and the use of taller sails to collect more wind. Though most smock mills are eight sided, it can vary from 6 to 12.
Tower mills are more improved than smock mills which have rotating caps and have a permanent body of brick or stone. This makes it possible for towers to be rounded, which allows for taller and larger towers.
These towers also make the windmills more weather resistant. All these windmill designs service entire towns, while fan mills are meant for individuals.
March 10, 2011 | Filed Under Articles, Renewable Energy