tesla turbine

[Ron Nieuwsma]

Is this a viable potential technology or does this fall more appropriately under toy & science experiment?

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-make-hydro-electric-power-with-a-tesla-cd-turbine-192540/

He gets speeds of 10K rpm out of a faucet. That's what, maybe 60psi.

If nothing, it's interesting.

Ron

[Dan Lenox]

Ron,

I've always been facinated by the Tesla Turbine, and years ago bought the plans on how to make one. And they are in fact fairly easy to make, even one using CD's stacked 12 deep worked.

Tesla did much work in this area, even making a very large one about 15' diameter if I recall.

They used fluid dynamics so any liquid, even air would power them.

Unfortunately since the rotors/discs tend to spin very fast they appear to be the weak link, and as such are destined to the 'toy realm'.

Dan Lenox

[Brian McGowan]

OK I just had to throw in here since I've been told I was missed in an email. Truth is I've been busy, I have nothing new to report on my activities and I have had no knowledge or ideas to add to current threads. I do check in all the time.

A while back a coworker sent me this and it sort of applies.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Tesla-turbine-from-old-hard-drives-and-minimal-too/

My guess is with a couple of LEDs and some hose and a few check valves like PCV valves from cars one could construct a device that would allow several small children to blow into it to spin the turbine to light the LED thus keeping them quiet until they passed out from blowing. Adding a bladder sort of like a bagpipe could make it a steadier flow or it could be left as it is to teach coordination and cooperation and timing. I have wondered if a solar chimney could be contructed that would "suck" air through the "exhaust" of such a device would ever work. My guess is there would not be enough flow and I'm not sure how I'd seal the top disk so air doesn't just blow right around it without creating too much drag.
Brian

[Dave Turpin]

Tesla happens to be my #1 role model.

However the reason you don't see these around is because they require a lot of head and a pelton wheel is much more efficient in that application.