BE Et Baga Sa Pct it USE MEU Tate Rg bra MMe eer by eB WANNA 3 1293 10525 4803 wh SST 03 DAES BY “2 ~~ rae te 052009 PRI, POD IE | TURRET Ey Tomei romero me a eee 1. «Baer: THESIS THS WINDMILL ~ AS A FARM POWER. He Ac WILLIAMS, - 1898. Senior Thesis Work on The Windmill as a Parm Power vy H. A. Williams. Michigan Agricultural College, Agricultural College, Mich THESIS The Windmill as a Farm Power. As the farmers, dairymen, and stockmen come more in the possession of small machinery, such as grimiers, feed cutters, corn shellers, wood saws, etc., it becomes necessary for them to have some power or motor for running thety machinery. It is the odject of this "Thesis Woxk* to investigate the power windmill as to the adaption, durability, convenience, and economy for running light machinery. The motors used for running small machinery are stean engines, gas and gasoline engines, oslectrical motors, water sweep powers motors, tread or railway powers, and power windmilis. It is a well known fact that windmills have been used for motive power for years ¥, ani have done their work well, but wmtil comaratively recent time they were so rudely constructed that so much time was lost in the attempt to adjust them to the varying winds that they did not come into extensive use. If the power of a wind that passed over & farm could be harnessed and utilised it is very reasonable to assume that 1% would «o all of the work on the farm and leave a nice margin for extras. If this power could be controlled am made to do service to man in driving machiney it would make a cheap mtor, for the wind is free to alle The power winimill as a motor differs from other motors in its vorking conditions. Its source of powor is not stored oF controlled like that of other motors, but is subject to "the freaks of the wind.* By having some knowledge of the action of the wind, the windmill as a motor could be better understood,for it is the pressure of the wind arainst the sails that rotates the driving wheel. # The Windmill as a Prime Nover,by Alfred R. Wolff, contains an accowmt of the early history of windmills. The pressure of tre wind against a plane surface varies with the temperature, the barometric pressure, and the square of the ean velocity. The following table is known as Smeaton's Results, and is nearly accurate for a temper- ature of about 45°F at the sea levels— Description Miles perFest per Feet per Fores in Pounds Hour Minute Second per Square Foot Scarce Perceptible- 1 88 1.47 - 005 Just Perceptible —- 2 to( 2 176 2-93 « 020 ( 3 264 4.04 . 044 Gentle Breesze- - - 4 to( 4 352 5.87 ~079 ( 5 440 7.33 123 Pleasant Breeze - 10 to(10 880 14. 67 ~ 491 (15 13320 Bae 1.107 Brisk Gale ~ - - — 30 to(20 1760 29.03 1.988 ( 25 2200 36. 08 32075 Nigh Wind- - - - - 30 to(30 3640 44. 4.428 (386 3080 51.038 6.027 Very High Wind Storm 40 totee 3520 58. 06 7.872 45 8960 66, 9.968 Great Storm- - - — 60 to(50 4400 78.03 12. 300 (60 5280 886 17.712 (70 6160 102. 07 24-108 Hurricane- - - - = 70 to{ 80 7040 117.08 31.488 (100 8800 146.06 49.200 From the atove table, it is to be ssen that the pressure of the wind is four times as great wren the velocity of the wind is only doubled. Theoretically, the windmill will de- velope four times as much power with a 20 mile wind as with a 10 mile wind. From the above table, it is also to be seen that the power or energy of a prisk gale or hifrh wind is very great. But the windmill has not yet reached such a stare of perfection that it can utilize much of the power @r energy of the wind which comes in contact with the surface of its sails. The reason wily the windmill utilizes so small an amount of the energy of the wind my be seen from the following: Let A. B.,in the diggram, be a strip taken from the outer end of one sail of a windmill. It may be curved, but for this purpose it may ve considered direction of the wind. C represents the amount and direction of the wind; V represents the amount and direction of tre velocity of the surfece AB. Then the relative ‘Db velocity of the winde that is, its velocity with respect to the moving surface A B is v: tre diarsonal of the par- allelogram constructed on V and C as sides V’makes an angle f with tne sloping surface AB. If v= O- that is, if the wheel is held so that it cannot revolve} the angle Agt®g. As V increases § grows less and less, and finally becomes gero, in which case V’is parallel to surface A.B. In this case the surface receives no pressure from the wind- this portion of the sail is not utilizing any of tre energy of the wind. If V be still fu-ther increased, P becomes nega~ tive and the wind pressure is on the opposite side of A B. This portion of tre ssil is then doing work on the wind in- stead of the wind doing work on the sail. The effective wind area of a sail being the projection of the sail on a plain at right angles to the relative velocity of wind over it that is, to V- it is seen that as V increases the effective wind area decreases. The energy which tho sail takes from the wind is proportional to the effective wind area, Pies Calin mr Dhire’ ee cori Are preety AIL AVR “Dhig ee Coz ole oe Che x . A : ti + bY 5 ( s wr€ Cece Ty art STR Girt 5k rol +9 GEC? eh LPL LLG et eae -LQZ Ce, Pre ar Ly Crrnf Lele Ae ce cell “ge PEC aA Pr ent the retord Rhee To, aay ae ROR ce ae thea thee yee: anereK ab “ax Cerin vee ty ame. a trtated yey ote ob: EB Bee CA Ab CER GGL, ain Nag Tlie ria gh h eR Oa bl oe OF GH, He Bf beles ct. eels ver Aack pmer_mcth ee OG Pe yer ; c c o NR Ss) Ce Qg GIL (fed: Te f yt The average velocity of the wind for the day tine during 1897 at M. A. G., was Bp miles per hour; for the night time 3.59 miles per hour. The number of hours the velocity of the wind was above 9 miles per hour was 622 hours for the day time, and 348 hours for the night timee In the U. 8. Weather Bureau Report for 1896-'97, we find the average velocity of the wind ending Dec. 31,1896, as follows: Detroit Alpena Grand Marquette Port Huron Sault Ste. Haven Marie Jane 10.4 9.56 111 10.8 10.8 8.4 Foon. 13.2 llel 12.6 10.8 138.8 9.0 Mar. 11.9 11.8 11.2 12.8 13.8 9.4 Ap. 11.23 10.6 18.0 10.7 12.0 9.4 May. 11.1 10.6 10.5 9.8 11.7 10.4 June. 7.8 7.97 7.6 7.7 8.3 7.4 July. 8.8 7.5 7.7 8.3 9.8 6.7 Aug. 7.9 8.0 8.3 9.3 9.5 7.3 Sept. 8.9 Q.5 9.1 11.8 10.7 8.7 Oat. 9.9 9.0 9.8 9.9 10.8 8.2 Nove 12.8 11.6 13.8 11.4 13.7 11.2 Dec. 9.9 8.8 9.8 9.9 10.6 8.0 éar ° ° 10.4 i105 Tio 8.8 The windmill as a power is adapted to run all sorts of small machinery where constant and steady power is not re- quired, the work being in proportion to the size of the mill. It is made to run a pump, ami the pump may be at any reason- able distance; it is most largely used for grinding, cutting feed, aud shelling corn, but may also be attached to wood sawa, lathes, cmurns, elevators, or other light machinery. The cream separator cannot be run by this kind of power, because the wind is not steady; nor can it be used for fliling silos with ensilage, because the wind cannot ve depended upon. The durability of the power windmill depends largely upon the material ami the workmanship in its construction, vut the care of the mill is also an inportant factor. Being exposed to the weather three humred sixty-five days of the year, the roaring of the windmill needs to be kept well Oiled, and its wood work needs to be kept well painted. Like otter machinery, the power windmill will last longer if it is simply constructed. If a stepl power windmill is properly erected on a good foundation there is no reason to doubt but that it will last as long as any other. power. The convenience of the power windmill depends upon the use to which it is put. It is as convenient as any station- ary motor, except it can be used only when the wind dlows. Withbins and elevators the power windmill for grinding has the same advantage over other motors as the windmill for pumping h:s over otrer motors. The power windmill needs but very lit&le attention, and it generally runs on stomy days when work cannot be done out af doors. The motor that furnishes the desired amount of power for the least current expence is the most economical. The cure rent expense depemis upon the first cost, interest on the capital invested, deterioration, repairs, attemiance, oil, and fuel (when used). The last is sero in the case of the windmill, for tre wim is a free gift of nature. The ate tenance for the leading American type of windmill ree quires only the filling of o11 cups once a week, (which can be done in a few minutes), twenty-five cents a month would be extravagant waces for such service. The expense for repairs and depreciation items could be covered by five per cent per annum on the investment, and the expense for lubricants for one year would not excsed one dollar. A certain 14-ft power windmill and grinder, costing ee ——<—<— ————— eee $150.00 duivins the yoar 1897, finely ground 60 tons of hay, pesides cutting all the stalks from 6 acres of good corn, and doing other work. At eight cents per owt., it would cost $25.60 for srimting 16 tons. The expense for grinding this amount with the windmill was as follows: Interest at 7% on $150.00- - -$10.50 Repairs, etc at 5% on $150.00- 7.50 Aytendance at per month- - 3.00 011 = or oro orrere rll or woe e © 1.00 Totale= -= The difference in the cost of grinding the grain would ve $8.60, while the power for the rest of the work would pe clear gain. In this case the handling of the grain was not considered, for it would have been necessary to handle the grain if it had been ground by any other power. I should also say that this mill did not do one fourth of what it could have done. The mechanical horse power developed by the power windmill varies with the size of the wheel amd the velocity of the wind, With varying velocity of wind, several tests of dié- ferent mills were made by means of the Proney brake. The brake consisted of a piece of six inch belt laid over the top of the driving wheel A spring balance reading to quarters of a pound was made fast at one em, the other end being fastened 60 the tight end of the belt. By weighs ing the loose end of the belt, the spring balance could be made to read any desired number of pounds, and tius the load on the mill could be regulated. By mlding the speed counter on the end of the shaft, the number of revolutions of the driving-wheel per minute was found. If V equals the number of revolutians of the driving-whoeol per minute, L the load as shown by the spring balance minus the weights oe = —- oi mn - - - * on the velt, and D the diamster of the driving-wheel in fest, we have the number of foot—- pounds per minute: Feet-pounds equal LV WD. The hors-power equals pe ar During the time each mill was tested, the velocity of the wind was measured by an anemometer near tne sails. The results are is follows: Fempere- Velocity Horse A Size of mill. ature. of wind power Remarks. 12 ft steel windmill 20°F 2 e 287 3 8 e 28° 1 e 808 e 8 e e 12.7 2203 ev 26e 1 o 2178 ) ef " " 12.73 of mill stopped for a * 8 " ° 14. ~248 ) few seconds during * « e e 134 « 3212 the test. en « 30° 30 1.81 14 ft wood windmill 80 14 e 2185 e e 8 24 18 | «633 e e 20 27 1.219 14 ft steel windmill 22 37 1.068 #the seven following 13 ft steel are from the same mill 20 134 « 305 mill. " * 8 20 17 - 8805 In omer to ottain more practical information regarding motors for farm purpose, a few letters were sent to aif- ferent parties containing the following questions: l-How long have you had your power? 2-What condition is it in now? 8-What did it cost you? 4-Do you use it much?’ S-Whit machinery do you run vy it? 6-Does the powsr pay for itself? 7-Jave you paid out much for repatrs? 8-What is the expense of running it one day? 9-What can you acoomplish in one day with it? 10-If you have objections to your present power, pléase state them briefly. lie-If you did not have your present power, what kind of a power would you purchase? 12-What kind of power would you recommend for a common farmer to buy? t * ‘" "f Tne following are answers corresponding to the questions :- A144 ft. steel mill. i-Nearly three years. 2-Nearly as good as new. 3-$214.00, with rrinder. 4-Y9OSe 5—Viood saw, emery wheel, foed frinder and feed cutter. 6-It vould pry for itself in six years. TAO 8—-Nothinge 9-Grind from & to 10 bushels per hour. 10-It does not always run when I want to use it. ll-Steam en; ine. 12-Power windmill. (‘his person has a 14 ft steel mill). A 14 ft wood wheel. l-EHighteoen years. 2-Fair condition. 3-$225.00 for mili and : rinder. 4—-Ye@S,. 5-Grinder, wood saw, feed cutter, and corn sheller. 6-Yes, many times. 7eNothing only for oil. 8-Nothing. 9-Grind 15 bushel per hour. 10-I have no objections. 11i-Windmill. 12-Windmill. A 14 ft wood wheel. l-Four yearse 2-Nearly as good as new. 3~$100. 00. 4-Yes. 6-Crinder, suws, omery wheel, grindstone, corn sheller, 6-YOS. and feed cutter. ToN ONG. S-NO expense. Oo—Grind from 6 to 10 bushel per hour. 10-None. Ll-Windmill. 12-Windmill. Three forse tread power. l-Five years. 2—~C00d. 3-$120.00, and fretght. 4~Abo::t one month. ps hresher and separator, 34 inch cylinier. -Y¥ 686 7-Very little. 8-The use of three horses. poe nrosn 75 pushels. 379 Mann = 2 ami 2 9 Tread Power. 1—Sixteen years. 2AOOd e 3-$180.00. 4-Y68. 5-Threshing machine, wood saw, and ensilage cutter. 6—-Many times over. 7eRepairsa too little to consider. 8-Very little. 9- 10-No objections. 1ll—A new one like it. 12-A two horse tread power. Gasoline Engine. l-Nearly thres years. 2-—G00d as new. 3~$800. 00. 4~-Fall and winter, mostly. 6-Cormn husker, buzz saw, feed grinder, and corn sheller. 6-It will in time. ¥-75¢ cer dozen tubes, and one tube will last threo days. 8-402 to 8M per day. Q9-4iusk 5 acres of corn, cut 15 to 20 cords of wood, and grind a vag of grain in 90 seconds. 10-Fire soes out on windy days. 1l-Gasoline engine. 12-$Hor the amount of money, a gasoline engine. The amount of feed ground vy a 14 ft wood wheel windmill for three years was fifty tons. (This was done beside do- ing other work). The same mill groum 466 pounds of corn and 200 pounds of oats in 11 hours with a ten mile wind. With a 24 4/7 mile wind it ground 880 pounds of corn andi 270 pounds of oats in three hours. in both cases the frain was ground fine. At another time it ground six pushels of grain in one hour, and it furnished the power to cut 20 coms of wood in five hours, velocity of the wind not known. It may ve of interest to note that Mr. MeQuesten, of Marblehead Neck, Mass., has a 20 foot power winimill which furnishes power for a small electric light plant, consist~- ing of a 3 Kw. dynamo and a set of 46 cells of storage battery, having 140 lamp—hours capacity. nishes lights for his buiidings, montaining in all 137 lamps. From 40 to 90 lam hours per day are used. This plant fur From a letter written to Mr. McQuesten inquiring about the electric light plant, the following letter was received from his prother: "Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of January 7th, the electric light plant you refer to belongs to ny brother, who is abroad and will not raturm for several months. While I am not well enough acquainted with the plant to rive you all the information you ask for, I know the plant is, and always has been, a success. It is practical, gives a steady light, and is economical to run. ® For further information on this sudject, the following articles found in the Library at M. A. C., may be of service: The Windmill as a Prime Mover, by A. R. Wolff, (T.B.W. 83) The Power of a 16 ft Windmil1l1,Bulletin No.68 of the Whs. Ag. Exp. St@e Wind and Tread Powers, Breeders ' Gazette,yr. 1896, page 147. " 1897 Wind Power, wich, Farmer A Well Arranged Farm Mi Wind Power Steah Power Gasoline Engine Home-made Horse Power Tread Power Breeders’ Gesette Tread Power vs. Sweep Power rx ® Gas Engine " ® sees ests seaeeas 1808 1897 106. 158. Fed.27 37.Jan.16 117. Feb.13 177.Mar.6 278.ADr.10 297. * 17 337.May 1 398. * 22 438.June 8 468. * 12 407. * 86 Dec.4 282.APP. 9 91.Aug.7 374. Nov. 20 Dec.11 206, 107 " ea, . «- - we e - = a . e “ e - - ~ ~ . tt. & & = . ~ - - - - ~ ~ " > = 7 - = - ~ e e ® s The following is a list of addresses of the leading windmill manufacturing companies in the United States: United States Wind, Engine and Pump Co.,Batavia, I11l. Appleton Mfg., Co., Batavia, Ill. The Challange Windmill Co., Batavia, I11l. Faitoanks, Morse & 0Co., Chicago, Ill. Aermotor Co., Chicago, Ill. E. B. Wineger, Chicago, Ill. American ¥nsel Works, Aurora, Ill. Perkins Windmill Co., Mishawaka, Ind. Flint & Walling, Kendaliville, Ind. Mast, Foos & Co., Springfiled, 0. Althouse Wheel Co., Waupun, Wis. S. Fresman & Sons Mfg., Co., Racine, Wis. Maud~-S Windmill Co., Lansing, Mich. Phelps & Bigelow Windmill Co., Kalamazoo, Mich. Hureka Windmill °%o., Kalamazoo, Mich. e es e e ° e e &» e CF 6 e e e s e » e e @ e e ° & e / ——__lre f r,~ 4 1a 3 1 o oo ‘ b a ‘ a wg % A. - RCC MICHIGAN STATE UNIV. LIBRARIES INN OT 31293 105254803 Vn it | iM | | celta > = -—— = -___ pan . > a _ - — = ’ = on” iw oe = = a a me all ee - = ; ie ‘a0 ——— Ring ry - . . — Py x cm 7 " re | SS ees HIGAN ped UNIV. LIBRARIES | ll | In I I I! ll lil il i A ga ———.s