An automatic turning gear for windmills was invented by Meikle in about 1750 [1, 11]. The fantail gear shown in Figure P1.12 automatically turns the windmill into the wind. The fantail windmill at right angle to the mainsail is used to turn the turret. The gear ratio is of the order of 3000 to 1. Discuss the operation of the windmill, and establish the feedback operation that maintains the main sails into the wind.

Transcribed Image Text:

Main til FIGURE P1.12 Automatic turning gear for windmills. From Newton, Gould, and Kaiser, Analytical Design of ear Feedback Controls. Wiley, New York,1957, with permission)