Is it possible to go DDW faster than windspeed?

[Guest Rocket]

I note that on the treadmill test they don't put the machine on thestationary tread mill and then start the treadmill. It would just roll backwards off. So this is not quite the same as the Bluebird example.

 

I reckon the Bluebird example relies upon apparent wind at some point - i.e. it doesn't just trundle along ad "break through "steady state. Either there is a decrease in wind whereby the prop gets to pull harder and break through to start pulling or the angle of the wind changes allowing the same. The blades are an interesting shape. There is in every case a flywheel of some description - might be to allow kinetic energy to transfer from the wheel/axle/flywheel to the blades and begin to pull the cart forward - during a lull or momentary direction change. The ratchet is really interesting - they claim it is to make manoeuvring easier - take it off and see what happens.

 

Pretty coool mind game.

[Guest]

I think they can control the propellor pitch as well.