Forums > Windsurfing Foiling

New airfoil technology for fins

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Created by dieseagull > 9 months ago, 3 Feb 2009
dieseagull
NSW, 225 posts
3 Feb 2009 5:29PM
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I read earlier today that there is a company that has been researching how to improve airfoil technology by studying the fins of humpback whales. They're looking at incorperating it into wind turbine blades, as "Compared to smooth surface fins, the bumpy humpback ones have 32% less drag and an 8% increased lift in their movement through air or water."

This is the website of the company.
www.whalepower.com/drupal/?q=node/1

Reckon this would be of any use on windsurfing fins? One problem I can see is that for use on our fins, the bumps would have to be so small they would turn the leading edge into a serrated knife.

EDIT: I can't find the source of that quote on the actual whalepower.com website. The quoted text comes from number 4 on this website www.brainz.org/15-coolest-cases-biomimicry/

DavMen
NSW, 1508 posts
3 Feb 2009 6:35PM
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Maybe?
I've never seen a whale spin out but than again I've never seen a whale planing either!

Mark _australia
WA, 23447 posts
3 Feb 2009 4:38PM
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Maybe Japan has a secret windpower project going on..... a pole with a car alternator on top with whale fins strapped to it???

windykid
QLD, 368 posts
3 Feb 2009 6:14PM
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DavMen said...

Maybe?
I've never seen a whale spin out but than again I've never seen a whale planing either!


but they do swim at planning speed

DL
WA, 659 posts
3 Feb 2009 5:19PM
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A sailfish can do 60 knots.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailfish

I wonder if its fins cavitate?

Mark _australia
WA, 23447 posts
3 Feb 2009 5:27PM
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DL said...

A sailfish can do 60 knots.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailfish

I wonder if its fins cavitate?


But it is still not sailing so it doesn't count towards the record

jp747
1553 posts
3 Feb 2009 6:25PM
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i seem to remember Curtis fins pattern their fins after the orca whales fin a decade ago never took off though

puffin
235 posts
3 Feb 2009 11:40PM
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DavMen said...

Maybe?
I've never seen a whale spin out but than again I've never seen a whale planing either!


Dude, whales spin out all the time! Ever wonder why you don't see them planing? 'nuff said.

greenleader
QLD, 5283 posts
4 Feb 2009 1:04AM
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i cut off a few baby whale fins in previous seasons(rest of whale great sashimi BTW!)

and rammed them into my tuttle box with self tappers on the top........but to be honest they didn't plane early and felt like my dick would feel covered in warts.

i've been considering growing oysters on my car seats for something to do when i'm bored.

NotWal
QLD, 7430 posts
4 Feb 2009 8:29PM
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jp747 said...

i seem to remember Curtis fins pattern their fins after the orca whales fin a decade ago never took off though


I kind of think that's nothing more than marketing mumbo jumbo. After all an orca fin is a flexible organic articulated thing. The only thing the Curtis fins had in common was the plan shape.

That sail fish tail might be an interesting shape for a fin. Its really quite high aspect and that pointy trailing tip might be a low drag feature.



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"New airfoil technology for fins" started by dieseagull