1. A Summary Overview of the Blackhawk Wind Turbine
3/4/10
B. Boatner,EE
Lead Engineer/Partner
The Blackhawk Project, LLC
Boise, ID

2. The Blackhawk Wind Turbine

3. What is the VAWT/AR*? (*Vertical Axis Wind Turbine w/ Articulating Rotor)
A new sub-class of VAWT
Uses rotor tilt to control AOA (Angle of Attack)
The first major technological breakthrough since the Darrieus patent (1931), complying with the Betz Equations.
Combination of helicopter rotor head and wind turbine design
Result of 7 years of research
No directly related prior art in USPTO
U.S. Patent #7,677,862

4. The Betz Theorem – 1929 The “Bible” of wind turbine design
Maximum theoretical efficiency = 59.6%
Slow incoming air mass by no more than 1/3
Minimize solidity quotient
Maximize Tip Speed Ratio (TSR)
Bottom Line: Least number of blades traveling at a maximum possible speed

5. From Patent Application: 2-Bladed and 3-Bladed variations shown

6. How does the VAWT/AR work?
Wind causes Rotor Tilt
Rotor Tilt sets Airfoil Angle of Attack (AOA)
Airfoil AOA creates Aerodynamic Lift
Aerodynamic Lift creates Rotation/Torque
Self-corrects for gyroscopic precession.

7. Action of wind (403,404) against the side of the airfoils (405, 406) causes tilting force (409) on the rotor arm (401).

8. When the rotor (18) tilts, the stationary pushrods (41, 42) cause the airfoils (11, 12) to change angles due to different radii.

10. Power is produced cyclically in 2 main quadrants

12. Main Rotor Tilt controls Pitch of Airfoils

13. Elastomeric dampeners limit rotor tilt

14. Operating characteristics
Very high torque due to long moment arms
Large working areas for more power
Dynamic response to wind and load conditions
Self-limiting to prevent run-aways
No external wind alignment mechanics
Self-starting at low wind speeds
Very quiet compared to most turbines

15. Blackhawk AFPMG* (*Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator)
12, 24 or 48 Volts
Full charging voltage at very low speed
Operating range 40 – 120 RPM
1.5 KW potential output
Non-cogging design allows easy start-up
Self cooling
No brushes or slip rings
In-house design

16. Generator Design: Expertise and Experience Gained
Unable to identify OEM source for low-speed transmission-less design: “it can’t be done”.
Design analysis of multiple generators and mathematical performance modeling produced initial successful design – 40 RPM cut-in.
With field-verified results, we are now able to easily produce any size/configuration/speed variation needed.
That makes us a leader in the field.

17. AFPMG Design/Test Station

18. AFPMG Components (L) Magnet Wheel (1 of 2), and (R) Stator

19. Electronics
20+ years Silicon Valley Electrical Engineering microcontroller hardware/software design experience
“The Limiter” allows user to set RPM limit and time-out period for very high wind conditions (currently in field use).
“The Governor”: upgrade of “The Limiter” that will use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to intelligently control loads (designed - not yet implemented)
MPPT: proprietary Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm will dynamically match loads to varying wind conditions for optimal efficiency (designed – not yet implemented)

20. Blackhawk Electronics
Limiter PCB
Power Control Cabinet
Limiter Control Unit
Precision Test Loads

21. Blackhawk System Wiring

22. Clockwise from top left: Grand View, ID; Wells Fargo Bldg, Boise; Clarkston, WA; CAES Idaho Falls; Emmett

23. Proof-of-Concept: Critical Design Targets Achieved
System is reliably self-starting
System is stable under varying wind conditions
System is quiet & aesthetically pleasing
System has survived 100+ MPH winds
System is easy to manufacture & assemble
System is easy to transport and erect
System is reliably producing power

24. Design Variations: The Rapid Deployment Concept
Configuration possible with VAWT/AR design
Folds up like an umbrella
Less than 5 minute deployment/furling
Can be combined with extensive emergency battery backup power on a trailer
Military and emergency potential usage

25. Blackhawk RD-10 Rapid Deployment Device

26. Blackhawk RD-10 and Trailer

27. Blackhawk RD-10 Rapid Deployment Sequence

28. Endless aesthetic possibilities…
Quiet operation…
Endless aesthetic possibilities…

29. Status of Intellectual Property
U.S. Utility Patent application 12/7/06
Patent pending Australia/New Zealand
No prior art found representing tilt vs. AOA control methods
I.P. owned by The Blackhawk Project, LLC: 50% Bruce Boatner, 50% Pat Large
U.S. Patent #7,677,862 issuance notification 3/2/10

30. Our current staff Bruce Boatner, EE: Inventor, Partner, Lead Engineer
Dawn Cardwell: Project Manager
Pat Large: Business Partner
Randy Peterson: Technician

31. Project Requirements For Production
Product engineering
Design engineering support
Manufacturing engineering
Materials analysis
Manufacturing logistics & capital
Testing & Certification
Marketing strategy
Accounting & other overhead

32. Inter-Disciplinary Research Efforts at INL/CAES*
(* Idaho Nat’l Laboratory, Center for Advanced Energy Studies)

33. BoatnerConsulting@earthlink.net (925) 695-5469