Name: Roger F.
Status: Other
Grade: Other
Location: IA
Country: United States
Date: August 2007
Question:
Do the old farm type water pumping windmills such as an Aermotor
Brand Model 702 turn out of the wind based on a gyroscope effect?
Replies:
Roger -
If I understand your question, the answer is no.
Gyroscopic precession (what I think you are asking about) operates at a
90 degree angle to the applied force on a turning mass (a wheel, an aircraft
propeller, or a windmill). If a windmill is turning and the wind changes
direction causing the windmill to change the plane in which it is rotating,
gyroscopic precession would cause the windmill to be pushed up or down
(depending on the direction of rotation and the direction of the change).
It is likely that the windmill would be constructed in such a way that the
force would not cause motion.
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