Wind Powered Fan

[JDCookMS]

So, I'm a burgin and I'm not exactly certain what the conditions are like there. (I know that there's usually a good breeze and all that, according to the survival guide.) Anyways, please tell me whether this idea is feasible or not: I'm planning on building a decent sized geodome, but was thinking that I could put something to catch the wind at the top, use a brake to keep it from spinning too fast, and then run a line down and use a fan to circulate the air within the dome.

I'm sure someone else has come up with this idea before, but does it work or not too well or what?

[Ugly Dougly]

Yes.

Go for it.

[JDCookMS]

Alright. ...I wasn't certain if it would kick up too much dust or anything, what with the whole being in a desert deal. I'm trying to go as green as possible for this...solar power, wind power, no generators or anything.

[theCryptofishist]

I think those don't quite work the way you said. I think they spin and suck air up and out, and that moves the air lower down.

[JDCookMS]

I think those don't quite work the way you said. I think they spin and suck air up and out, and that moves the air lower down.

Yeah, actually after I looked into it, that's not exactly what I was going for. ...I was thinking more of just a larger ceiling fan, that happens to be driven by the wind. So, the wind would catch the windmill on top, it would rotate a rod and that in turn would make the fan below work, and it would have a braking system on it so that it wouldn't create hurricane force winds inside of the dome.

[ygmir]

so, just a thought:

if, you had a window, or two, or more.........and if it's windy enough, to turn a fan,
would not opening said windows, and allowing the wind to pass through, work?

or, am I missing something?

[JDCookMS]

so, just a thought:

if, you had a window, or two, or more.........and if it's windy enough, to turn a fan,
would not opening said windows, and allowing the wind to pass through, work?

or, am I missing something?

You know what? You....shush. Maybe I want more wind in there....you don't know me!

Now then, leave me alone so that I can create my next thread wondering how to create a gigantic LED round object that I can put above my tent, that will run off a solar panel, while the sun is up...because I want more sun. haha

[illy dilly]

so, just a thought:

if, you had a window, or two, or more.........and if it's windy enough, to turn a fan,
would not opening said windows, and allowing the wind to pass through, work?

or, am I missing something?

You know what? You....shush. Maybe I want more wind in there....you don't know me!

Now then, leave me alone so that I can create my next thread wondering how to create a gigantic LED round object that I can put above my tent, that will run off a solar panel, while the sun is up...because I want more sun. haha

Damn it!!!
In my head I was thinking "Ya know this fan thing sounds like a great idea. Wouldn't be that hard either..."

[JDCookMS]

so, just a thought:

if, you had a window, or two, or more.........and if it's windy enough, to turn a fan,
would not opening said windows, and allowing the wind to pass through, work?

or, am I missing something?

You know what? You....shush. Maybe I want more wind in there....you don't know me!

Now then, leave me alone so that I can create my next thread wondering how to create a gigantic LED round object that I can put above my tent, that will run off a solar panel, while the sun is up...because I want more sun. haha

Damn it!!!
In my head I was thinking "Ya know this fan thing sounds like a great idea. Wouldn't be that hard either..."

Well....could always run one off a solar panel/gen if you had extra power, for when it's not windy. (I hear it happens sometimes......)

[Ugly Dougly]

Just do some sort of mechanical linkage:
http://www.whynot.net/ideas/4848
More efficient.

[Token]

This why we cover only 1/3 of the dome. The middle third.

[EspressoDude]

this sounds like a whole bunch of gadgetry when all you need is a roof flap like a teepee. simple, no moving parts and weighs practically nothing.

[Bob]

I think the flapping problem is between the ears.

What you need is a punkah & a punkawallah.

[MikieCGY]

solar panels are way too expensive for how little power output they have- its sad not to see these things more developed

[Ugly Dougly]

If it's not practical, it can still be an art project?