what in the world is a vane?

parkerparker@... wrote:

>Hey David...What do you think about this? Not theoritically, just as a
>project.
>
>Sorry for the format...I copy/pasted from BAP's site.
>
>
>WATER VORTEX PROJECT
>I note interest in getting power from a vortex. It's much easier
>to sketch than describe. Here is a striking example of how to do
>that...You will need a standard coffee can. Solder a few vanes
>inside the can -- say 2 to 4. Cut them from another can. Such
>vanes can be from 0.5 to 1 inch wide. Spot solder them on the
>inside, making them a little shorter then the can's depth to
>allow water to evenly distribute around the inside, during rota-
>tion.
>You will need three 3/8" hard drawn copper tubes. Cut them all
>12" long. Punch a hole on each side of the can bottom, large
>enough to solder the drive tubes to. The third tube must be
>centered on the can bottom underneath. This must be dead center
>and alignment must be absolutely axial. While this can be done
>with the can inverted, a lathe would be better, where both compo-
>nents are automatically aligned. Chuck the can on the inside and
>use a center in the tailstock which goes inside the tube. Use a
>little flux where they contact. Use a propane torch with low
>flame and heat the tube ONLY, carefully applying solder to the
>copper near the point of contact. Then simultaneously apply just
>enough solder to both the can and the tube until they both join.
>Beware overheating the can, since its tinned surface can be
>burned, prevention soldering.
>The next operation completes the rotor...Stand the can on its
>opening. This is tricky. Use a large rubber band to hold the
>two tubes, each over a hole in the can, and against each side of
>the axis tube above its end. Solder each tube to the can, then
>spot solder their other ends to the axis tube. The base can be
>metal or wood, paraffined to prevent water absorption. Cut a
>1/4" diameter steel rod long enough to hold the rotor off the
>base to allow rotation freedom. The rod's end must have a cone-
>point, so when the rotor is placed over it, becomes the bearing.
>Use a garden hose without restriction for filling, connected to a
>hose bib for adjustment. It should be held in place by a fix-
>ture. If water entry is centered, after the can is completely
>full, you will need to start rotation. Otherwise if the hose is
>angled off center, rotation will be automatic. Set the base in a
>sink, or outside on the ground. Adjust water rapidly enough to
>fill the can. As rotation increases you will need to reduce
>water, otherwise the vortex will begin throwing water over the
>rim. What makes it rotate? Radial water velocity in the can
>draining down the two tubes converts radial velocity to kinetic
>energy, increasing spin. This is what happens when a skater
>spins on ice by pulling in the arms and sometimes a leg. You
>have a gravity driven turbine, while the skater must use energy
>for his spin. This is really worth the effort since it is full of
>ideas -- and fun to watch.
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