Automotive Wind-Powered Vehicle: New Idea & Input Welcome

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The discussion centers on the feasibility of using a crossflow fan mounted on the roof of a vehicle to recharge a battery pack while driving. The concept involves harnessing airflow to spin the fan blades, which would then generate electricity through a generator and alternator system. However, participants highlight the fundamental flaw in this idea, emphasizing that the energy required to push the vehicle through the air would exceed the energy recaptured, making it inefficient and akin to a perpetual motion machine. The consensus is that this approach is not viable due to the laws of thermodynamics.

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jaroadshow
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Hi : I am new here but have been thinking about this for a while. I am attaching a drawing to hopefully explain my idea. I think a crossflow fan mounted at the rear of the vehicle's roof ( Accross the width of the car's roof ) , protruding partially above it and setup to allow air flow through it and escaping out the back of the vehicle just behind the blades will recharge a battery pack. I think if setup right, as you drive the blades spinning due to the airflow past the roof will recharge a battery pack through of course a generator and alternator system. I am not an electrician or electrical engineer, so I do not know how to properly set it up properly or if it would work but with the crossflow blades spinning on precision bearings and the proper airflow setup , I believe it has a chance.

Any input is appreciated.

jaroadshow
 

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And you are geting the power to push the car through the air from where? It is scupperd because you are supplying the power that you recapure at less than 100% efficiency. This would actually be worse than running the car from a battery alone.


The whole reason wind turbines work is because the air is moving past it (whilst it is stationary). The wind is doing the work.

Do you think they would work as well if you were pushing them throuh static air? Obviously not, because you are doing the work to it.


As you can't get out what you put in due to efficiency, this is an example of a perpetual motion machine.
 
Airbus had thought to put wind turbines behind the tips of the wings to make good use of the wortex there and to get power even if the engines had stalled.
 
jaroadshow said:
Hi : I am new here but have been thinking about this for a while. I am attaching a drawing to hopefully explain my idea. I think a crossflow fan mounted at the rear of the vehicle's roof ( Accross the width of the car's roof ) , protruding partially above it and setup to allow air flow through it and escaping out the back of the vehicle just behind the blades will recharge a battery pack. I think if setup right, as you drive the blades spinning due to the airflow past the roof will recharge a battery pack through of course a generator and alternator system. I am not an electrician or electrical engineer, so I do not know how to properly set it up properly or if it would work but with the crossflow blades spinning on precision bearings and the proper airflow setup , I believe it has a chance.

Any input is appreciated.

jaroadshow

Welcome to the PF.

I think xxChrisxx has explained very well why this is not done. You can't get something for nothing. Thread is closed.
 
Had my central air system checked when it sortta wasn't working. I guess I hadn't replaced the filter. Guy suggested I might want to get a UV filter accessory. He said it would "kill bugs and particulates". I know UV can kill the former, not sure how he thinks it's gonna murder the latter. Now I'm finding out there's more than one type of UV filter: one for the air flow and one for the coil. He was suggesting we might get one for the air flow, but now we'll have to change the bulb...

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