Torus surrounding a rope-drive wind turbine

[PierreB]

@dougselsam

I’m guessing you’ve already talked to them about such a possibility.

Not yet.

@dougselsam

Probably the easiest way to get one working would be to add a helium-filled tire tube to a KiWee.

If not Kiwee alone. The helium-inflated tire tube adds protection, lift, and shroud effect, which increases flight time and reliability, but also increases cost and drag.

@dougselsam

I would say, though, that the one with the concentric rings is not impressing me as a good idea, since these larger rings do not surround each turbine closely so as to accelerate the wind through the rotors very much.

It’s just a backup idea, and more for conventional wind turbines, like the S1500 for which I would like to know the shroud effect.