Rotor sails, how do they work?

Want to know how rotor sails work? The animation demonstrates the principles at play when rotor sails (advanced version of the Flettner rotor) create thrust. Learn how the pressure differences on the surface of the rotor are pushing and pulling the ship forward. Understand how Norsepower harnesses the Magnus effect to reduce the fuel consumption and cut the emissions. Please turn on the subtitles for optimum experience.

[davehasenford]

I finally figured out how a curve-ball works! Awesome!

[sybrandwoudstra]

Turn on the subtitles to see the explanation.

[havelovewilltravel]

The world should take note ...the Norwegians and FINNS are leading the way towards a greener planet, Thanks Guys.

[thomasscerri]

Why the need for the rotating cylinder instead of a small solid sail? I'm sure you've done the simulations, so your rotating cylinder likely works better, but intuitively I would think an aerofoil (as on an aeroplane, but sticking upwards instead of sideways) would work better, particularly since it's using perpendicular wind.

[mrscalp]

Question, is this more efficient than using a Vertical axis wind turbine such as the helical Darrieus turbine to directly provide power to the engine and if so. Why?

In addition to this, could ships not also tow a long, light bouyant Surface attenuator in their wake to recoup energy lost through drag, or would there be a net energy loss due to the attenuators' own drag energy costs?

[icedriver]

That is just a cool use of technology.

[MrGonzonator]

Does this mean that you can only generate forward thrust by tacking? Does this mean that when paired with a primary means of propulsion, you must choose between the most direct route and the most efficient one? Or do you only utilise the rotor when the wind happens to be in the perpendicular direction to your route?

[mykemech]

So, when the wind is not perpendicular to direction of travel, the effect is lessened to a degree, but thrust is used and maintained by force of the hull and rudder redirecting the energy forward. Same as sailing.

[robertbanks]

This is old technology and is back-the - front. If you have the towers fixed to the deck, with a section that rotates on a vertical axis shaft driving an electric motor or changing very big storage batteries, then you can have screws driving the ship, as usual. The great thing about vertical axis turbines, is they will still generate power even at low wind speeds.

[seneca]

Is a smooth surface optimal for the cylinder or would one with undulations or dimples like a golf ball work better?

[timothyirwin]

If we had a large sailing schooner similar to the ones used on the trade routes of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries could we replace all of those sails with rotor sails to create a rotor schooner with the primary propulsion being the rotors? Would that schooner still require a large keel to reduce sideways ship movement by the wind? Finally if the wind speed dies down can this potential loss in lift be compensated by increasing the rotor speed and if so could the lift force remain constant by a varying the rotor speeds automatically?

[sanjeevchetty]

if the wind direction is from aft to front or viceversa, then we should should the rotor movement?

[nasibovzaur]

Is the best drag achieved when a ship sails perpendicular to the direction of the wind?

[leifjohnson]

So a ship with these towers always has to sail perpendicular to the wind?

[goofsaddggkle]

I wonder how long before this gets incorporated into cruising sailing boats.

[joecucch]

The wind is a key to wind up the boats big rubber band.

[TechStartupGroup]

So if the wind is blowing front to back or back to front then the lift would be perpendicular to the direction of travel. So what's the point of this?

[seneca]

Does the "cap" at the top of the sail have some kind of function?

[sanderjacobs]

Why is the low pressureside on the side were the most air is redirected towards and the high pressure side were the least air is?

[anytthing_ing]

this system and battery are combined, electricity can charge and dischage when rotor in spin, right?