Fan on a sail boat

[IronWing]

Actually one thing I always wondered, if you mounted a squirrel cage style windmill on a boat that made it control a propeller (whether it's electric, or directly), you could technically sail directly into the wind. At least in theory I think that would work. Or would the forces cancel out?

I'm pretty sure that's a free lunch. It is possible for any direction but straight into the wind and any angle nearly straight into the wind where the mechanical losses exceed the force component at the wind angle. (Yes, that was as painful to write as it is to read)

 

[IronWing]

Since sailboats are powered by the wind, how do intend to power the fan?

Burn coal.

The question is one of feasibility, not practicality. It would be much more efficient (and quieter) to just use the wind for power. Or use the power going into the fan to drive the boat directly or turn a prop.

 

[Chaotic42]

Since sailboats are powered by the wind, how do intend to power the fan?

Put the boat on wheels and put it on a treadmill so it moves and generates electricity to power the fan.

 

[John Connor]

Would it? I'd think it would be nearly still do to the fan backdraft.

Redirect the backdraft up?

 

[John Connor]

See the Boeing 737 for details.

See 1:50:

Looks like a 737-200. Those were notoriously loud. The Janet airline shuttle that fly to Area-51 used them and people in and around the base would complain of the noise. Now they use 737-600's bought from China no less. I guess the planes are registered in Layton Utah.

 

[John Connor]

Since sailboats are powered by the wind, how do intend to power the fan?

Liquid natural gas.

 

[cbrunny]

Since sailboats are powered by the wind, how do intend to power the fan?

could try one of these

 

[highland145]

They set it up wrong. They should have had the fan mounted to blow from 90 degrees to keel and then tack.

Turbosail.

 

[JTsyo]

Actually one thing I always wondered, if you mounted a squirrel cage style windmill on a boat that made it control a propeller (whether it's electric, or directly), you could technically sail directly into the wind. At least in theory I think that would work. Or would the forces cancel out?

Been done with a car. Think there was a thread here on it. I remember it was a bit confusing the logic behind it.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Looks like a 737-200. Those were notoriously loud. The Janet airline shuttle that fly to Area-51 used them and people in and around the base would complain of the noise. Now they use 737-600's bought from China no less. I guess the planes are registered in Layton Utah.

Why is Area 51 using crap like that instead of alien stealth technology?

 

[Kwatt]

Actually one thing I always wondered, if you mounted a squirrel cage style windmill on a boat that made it control a propeller (whether it's electric, or directly), you could technically sail directly into the wind. At least in theory I think that would work. Or would the forces cancel out?

Like this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windmill_ship
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/windmill-sailboat-sailing-against-the-wind.html


.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Like this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windmill_ship
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/windmill-sailboat-sailing-against-the-wind.html


.

Ha that's cool, never even figured that would work. Was just something I kinda randomly thought of.

 

[disappoint]

You are better off pointing the fan AWAY from the boat and not having the sail at all. The sail is just impeding the air flow in this case.

 

[MongGrel]

Pretty nice looking swamp buggies.

 

[renz20003]

 

[Chaotic42]