"But it will never firmly plant it in the direction of the wind and refuse to move, and even follow the wind when the wind changes direction, as Flux has described. There is no way that can be described with any of the engineering math I ever learned in college and practical application."
Chris, I had reason to drop in at the larger turbines near town yesterday. I was called to look at a yaw motor (3/4Hp 14:1 reduction box and then more gearing to the head).
That was simply bearings had exploded (nearly 30 years )and the bits shot into the windings and killed it... not what this is about actually.
What took my attention, was that I had the yaw motor in my hands, but the mill was drifting in and out of cut in 1-5kw.... (panel next to me)but there was no yaw... as I had it.
I thought I was working on the next mills motor, but it was the mill above me (control room at base).
I questioned the owner, who said that provided the wind did not change direction rapidly, the mill would stay directly into the wind and follow it... producing power all the time......... weird science. I didn't believe Flux many moons ago, but have seen it with mine, and now with a biggie ... its true for sure.
...................oztules