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Blast12345
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[I have been searching for an answer to this puzzling question for the past two hours. (To no avail.) A few search results lead me hear, but nobody had raised the question that is in my mind]
Would building a funnel/cone improve the power output of a given windmill?
Let us say, for example, that we have a windmill with a 3 meter diameter. The windmill would only capture the energy from the wind within the area [approx. 7 square meters] of its rotation (give or take), correct?
So, if you were to build a cone (or a pyramidal funnel) with an area of 28 square meters, wouldn't the energy from the entire area (the 28 square meters) be exerted on the windmill?
(I understand the increase wouldn't be perfect, as there are many variables to consider.)
Also, does the change in angle (thus altering the length) have any effect on the efficiency of the process? (More efficient compression?)
I do apologize if my terminology (and general understanding of fluid dynamics) is not up to snuff. I am only in 12th grade physics - no college craziness :P
Would building a funnel/cone improve the power output of a given windmill?
Let us say, for example, that we have a windmill with a 3 meter diameter. The windmill would only capture the energy from the wind within the area [approx. 7 square meters] of its rotation (give or take), correct?
So, if you were to build a cone (or a pyramidal funnel) with an area of 28 square meters, wouldn't the energy from the entire area (the 28 square meters) be exerted on the windmill?
(I understand the increase wouldn't be perfect, as there are many variables to consider.)
Also, does the change in angle (thus altering the length) have any effect on the efficiency of the process? (More efficient compression?)
I do apologize if my terminology (and general understanding of fluid dynamics) is not up to snuff. I am only in 12th grade physics - no college craziness :P