Design Computations

The following are the parameters needed for the design of the Vortex Bladeless

Wind Turbine and BOLT Lifesaver Wave Energy Turbine.

Parameter Value

Mast Smaller Radius 6.5m

Mast Bigger Radius 7.5m

Mast Length 40m

Gyroscopic Disc Thickness 0.25m

Gyroscope Hole diameter 0.25m

Gyroscope Ball Depth 0.1m

 Buoy Diameter 27m

Buoy Width 6m

Alternator type Linear (Piston Type)

To compute for the dimensions for the gyroscope clamps several parameters are

needed to be known. The thickness of the gyroscope disc must be known. The

proponents chose a value of 0.25m for the hole diameter and 0.1m for the ball depth.

Let h be the hole diameter, and x be the ball depth, the radius of the ball can be

calculated. It can be seen from the figure that the sum of x and y is the radius of the

circle, hence:

x + y=r

y=r−x

Using Pythagorean theorem, the formula for the radius of the ball is derived.
 2
y + ()
h 2 2
2
=r

()
2
( r −x )2 + h =r 2
2

2
r −2rx + x +
2
()
h 2 2
2
=r

−2 rx + x +
2
()
h 2
2
=0

()
2
2 h
2 rx=x +
2

( )
2
h
x 4
r= +
2 2x

2
x h
r= +
2 8x

If hole diameter is set to 0.25m, and depth is set to 0.1m, the radius is equal to:

2
0.1 m (0.25 m)
r= + =0.05 m+ 0.3125 m=0.3625 m
2 8(0.1 m)

To easily design the rest of the gyroscope clamp, the value of y is also computed:

y=r−x=0.3625 m−0.1m=0.2625m
This will be used for the spacing of the ball in the gyroscope clamp. Four clamps are

designed to act as the piston for the linear alternator. To calculate for the average

vertical displacement in the piston, the proponents used the maximum oscillation 2.7°

as provided by the vortex bladeless turbine on their website.

displacement
tan α=
radius

displacement =radius × tan α

 6200
displacement = tan2.7 °
2

displacement =3100 ×0.04715880287=146.19 mm

Multiplying it by 2 to get the full range of motion:

displacement =146.19 mm ×2=292.38 mm∨29.238 cm

This means that oscillating by ±2.7°C can provide a linear displacement of

29.238 cm per alternator.

Using SolidWorks Equations Tool, the proponents defined several variables for

the 3D model and solved some dimensions using basic equations.

The speed and frequency of the movement of the mast can be simulated using the

following equations:

Where “m”, “k”, “c”, and F are the mass of the vibrational parts of VBT, the structural

stiffness, and the wind force, which causes the VBT to vibrate, respectively. The general

structure vibration equation presented in the y-direction is as follows:

m ÿ+ ky +c ẏ=F wind (x . y .t )

The whole system would resonate if the oscillatory force induced by the wind has the

following frequency:

where