Hydraulic powered windmill wheel fan

[Dave Straub]

Hi guys.. I just joined the forum and it was suggested I use this Build it Yourself thread.

I have built several windmill wheel indoor fans, one a 6' and one an 8' powered by electric motor and speed reducer. Now I'm going to build a 12' wheel fan, 9 blade unit powered by a hydraulic motor. I would like it to be direct drive if possible with small hoses running down to floor level where the hydraulic pump, control speed/reverse valve is located. The system will be protected by relief valves back to supply tank so that no sudden movement from forward/reverse or lo/high speed can be had. The hydraulic motor has to be quiet and low RPM. The 12' wheel and Hyd motor and wheel hub will weigh about 500 lbs. I'm thinking a small auto power steering pump would suffice for the pump.

Anybody ideas?

 

[oosik]

Good morning Dave - welcome to TBN and the forum. Your post, here, has me a bit confused. A windmill is used to harness wind power. Normally to drive some sort of pump to pump water from a shallow well.

What exactly is a "windmill wheel fan" and what is its intended use??

 

[mcfarmall]

Some folks have taken the wheel of a windmill and mounted them horizontally at the ceiling for a really sweet ceiling fan...much nicer than the Hunter ones you get from Menards, Lowes, or Home Depot.

 

[oosik]

Yes, mcfarmall. There is an old LARGE hay barn, down the road a piece that was recently fully restored. They added two cupola's at the peak near each end of the barn. Inside are large - probably 6' diameter - electric driven fans. When both are on full blast - a low level tornado thru the barn.

But you are talking of a unit that would replace my Hunter paddle fan. The OP is talking of a unit that has a 12 foot diameter wheel.

 

[zzvyb6]

Is this going to be a made from a 'real' windmill fan or a fake one or a hand made assembly you construct yourself ? I have quite a few (10) vintage farm windmills on the property. A few Flint & Walling Stars, a few Baker Heller-Aller Model 8s, a Red Cross and just recently acquired an Aermotor A602. These wheels are always an even number of blades for balance reasons. Yes they can spin at several revs per second under operating conditions. Because of this, they are heavy, with added rim weights to compensate for pump cycle loading.

For a ceiling fan application, I'd suggest you make up your own representative wheel and blades because the gauge of metal can be much thinner, lighter and far less rotating inertia. All you need is a slip roll, but you would need access to a 5 foot wide one for the blades of a 12' wheel. Rim sections are also made from flat stock rolled to the two radii needed. Even rusty and crusty sheet metal from ducting would be sufficient. A 'real' hub though, makes the look 'authentic'. A fake center hub is a cheezy giveaway.

This means less hanging weight, too. Some people get nervous standing or sitting under an 8' ceiling mounted wheel even at a very low speed. A 12' covers a lot of area to drop down on.

Power steering pumps usually go 2 --> 3 gallons per minute (Trucks are in the 3 range, cars are 2). A belt drive fan axle would be my suggestion because of the speed reduction capability and the best way to separate hanging weight from drive torque requirements. A 12 footer moves a lot of air. A 'real' Aermotor 12' wheel with hub, spars, rims and blades is pretty heavy all by itself.

 

[Fuddy1952]

In central Pa. The Amish stores, many don't have electricity. Instead you see hydraulic fans running, etc. by air or fluid. There's a place there, Beiler's that is a supplier.

Beiler's Manufacturing & Supply

3025 Irishtown Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
(717) 768-0174

Beiler's Manufacturing & Supply - Google Search

 

[Dave Straub]

Hi.. More info. The last 24 yrs. I have been in the farm windmill business of buying used windmills. take down, transport to shop, overhaul gearboxes, wheels, towers, selling, erecting windmills. Also install plumbing in well to pump water. The rest to spin in the wind. Also customers bring gearboxes/wheels to our shop for overhaul. My website is "Nebraska Windmills" It's a great business and I stay extremely busy.

It's not true that all windmills have an even number of blades. Dempster windmills after 1931 came out with 15 blades for 6 and 8' wheels. Monitor made by Baker Mfg Co. had a 15 blade wheel.

Also only direct stroke windmills had a wheel weight to help during the pump cycle on the up stroke. Gear reduction mills didn't use them.

I was able to buy 3 wheel sections of a 12' wheel. 9 blades. I will purchase 3 sets of wheel circles and spokes to make a complete wheel. Then will remove every other blade of what I have and install them on the new sections to make a complete wheel. The wheel will still be balanced. Every blade will have an empty next to it. The wheel will spin at about 10-15 rpm so will need a speed reducer between motor and fan.