A Floating Axle-Based Vertical Axle Wind Turbine

Session Number

Workshop Session 1

Location

Room A129

Start Date

26-4-2018 10:20 AM

End Date

26-4-2018 11:35 AM

Abstract

Wind turbines have been a part of human energy acquisition for millennia. In recent decades, a flurry of activity in wind power has driven a rapid growth in the use of wind mills in generating electrical power. Among recent improvements are the shape of the blades, the required start-up torque, and a transition to a direct drive system. Most wind turbines are the horizontal axis, meaning that the turbine rotates around a horizontal axle.

Recently, a levitating axle was developed that enables a virtually friction free wind turbine that has a vertical axis. This axle uses magnetic repulsion to stabilize one end while the other end is mechanically stabilized. Careful balance of the weight against the magnetic repulsion can lead to very small frictional forces, enabling virtually limitless operation. Participants will apply this to the construction of a wind turbine, and will build and take home a virtually frictionless wind turbine.by recording how they perform on these tests as compared to the control flies. At the end, there will be open discussion in which all students can participate.

Comments

Workshop includes student presentation:
Elimination of Cogging Torque for a Levitating Wind Turbine.
Presenters: Noah Krouse, Shayna Provine, and Alexander Romanov
Research Mentor: Dr. Sanza Kazadi, IMSA
Abstract:
Humans have been harnessing energy from the wind for millennia. Wind turbines specifically capture the kinetic energy in wind, either using it directly or converting it again into electrical power. Conventional horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) utilize a horizontal main axle. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT), which use a vertically oriented main axle, also date back from antiquity, but are less common as electrical power generators. Recent development of a vertical axis levitating axle has allowed for design of nearly frictionless machinery, with only one point of contact. This axle has the potential to enable virtually frictionless wind generator design. A significant problem with this kind of wind turbine derives from the cogging torque in generator design. We intend to integrate a zero cogging torque generator on a floating axle wind turbine, enabling electrical power generation with very low wind speeds. Our resulting 7 wind turbine design is expected to exhibit little wear over significant duty periods, enhanced stability in high speed winds, and electrical power generation in extremely low wind conditions.

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Apr 26th, 10:20 AM Apr 26th, 11:35 AM

A Floating Axle-Based Vertical Axle Wind Turbine

Room A129

Wind turbines have been a part of human energy acquisition for millennia. In recent decades, a flurry of activity in wind power has driven a rapid growth in the use of wind mills in generating electrical power. Among recent improvements are the shape of the blades, the required start-up torque, and a transition to a direct drive system. Most wind turbines are the horizontal axis, meaning that the turbine rotates around a horizontal axle.

Recently, a levitating axle was developed that enables a virtually friction free wind turbine that has a vertical axis. This axle uses magnetic repulsion to stabilize one end while the other end is mechanically stabilized. Careful balance of the weight against the magnetic repulsion can lead to very small frictional forces, enabling virtually limitless operation. Participants will apply this to the construction of a wind turbine, and will build and take home a virtually frictionless wind turbine.by recording how they perform on these tests as compared to the control flies. At the end, there will be open discussion in which all students can participate.