hoizontal axis turbine. Schematic diagrams of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis turbine
are shown in Figure 13.33. The vertical axis turbine can accept wind from any angle and
require light- weight towers and are easy to service. The main disadvantage of this type of
turbine is that because the rotors are near the ground, where the wind speeds are relatively
low, it has poor performance. Most of wind turbines in use in the U.S. are of horizontal
axis type. The wind turbines are typically classified as small (100 kW), intermediate
(250 kW), and large (250 kW to 2 MW).
Here is some terminology that you would find useful while studying the major components
of a wind turbine:- The bladesand hubare called rotors. Most horizontal axis turbines have either two or three
blades. - Gear boxconnects the low speed shaft attached to the rotor and to the high speed shaft of the
generator. - Yaw motorruns the yaw drive to keep the blades facing into the wind as the wind direction
changes.
406 Chapter 13 Energy and Power
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