Method of heating water using wind energy and apparatus therefor

Abstract

A vertical shaft, attached to a windmill, rotates inside a first container which has a highly viscous fluid contained in it. A first set of perforated ribs extend radially outwards from the shaft. A second set of perforated ribs extend radially inwards from the first container. The two sets of ribs are vertically staggered with respect to each other so that when the shaft rotates, the first set of ribs do not come into physical contact with the second set of ribs. As the shaft rotates, the shearing action between the two sets of ribs forces the viscous fluid through the perforations in the two sets of ribs. This results in a pressure drop between the entrance and exit end of each perforation. The pressure drop results in heat dissipation in the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid is thereby heated. A second vessel containing water surrounds the first vessel. Heat transfer occurs across the first vessel to the water, thereby raising its temperature. A projecting arm attached to the shaft dips in the water, and, while rotating with the shaft, increases the heat transfer from the viscous fluid to water.