Introduction to Engineering and Technology

CCRI ENGR-1020

Spring 2007

 

Wind Turbine Project

 

Team Members

Peter Swanson

Matt Shea

 

Starting Wind Turbine –

(Photo)

Windmill Kit

 

Improved Wind Turbine

(Photo)

 

Turbine Construction Details

Turbine Costs

Turbine Test Procedures

Turbine Open Circuit Voltage Test Results

Turbine Power Curve

Conclusions

 

 

 

Turbine Construction Details

 

Detail description

 

Detail Photo

1st Phase:  Saw off wagon wheel and mount on a styro-foam base with the nub at the end given space to spin freely.  Fit cardboard plate stator on top of the wheel, and reinforced cardboard plate rotor on the axle.  Then fix the magnets on the rotor, and coils on the stator.  Finally, attach the juice bottle blades above the rotor and secure them at the top of the axle.   

2nd Phase:  Replace wagon wheel with a skateboard bearing and dowel, and glue the assembly to the bottom of a sheet of plywood with a hole drilled to fit the dowel through.  Fit rotor and stator on top of plywood base.  Now cut a light plastic bucket through center from top to bottom and use as new blades.  

3rd Phase:  Screw together a wooden frame and drill a hole to stabilize the axle.  Then use wood for a stronger rotor and fasten it just above the coils securely.

 

 

Turbine Costs

Materials were purchased on three occasions:  A skateboard bearing: $3.00, A bucket and dowel: $7.00, And some plywood and a clamp: $10.00.

 

Turbine Test Procedures

 

Use an anemometer to test the fan’s wind speed.  Test the voltage at controlled rpms using a drill.  Use a laser to find the number of rpms at known wind speeds.  Record readings.  

 

 

Turbine Open Circuit Voltage Test Results

Avg Wind
Speed mph
S

Avg Tach
rpm
T0

DVM volts
VL0

DVM Freq
hz
F0
 

7.0

30

0.08

240.00

8.0

57

0.19

96.00

9.0

80

0.33

7.50

10.0

102

0.42

3.20

11.0

127

0.56

3.90

12.0

132

0.58

4.37

13.0

158

0.72

5.40

14.0

169

0.72

5.20

 

 

Turbine Power Curve

Power Chart

Comparison Chart

 

 

 

Conclusions

 YOUR CONCLUSIONS

The blades and rotor are the most important part to spend money on in a cheap turbine.  We were unable to get the other set of coils and magnets to incorporate, so performance increase was due only from better blade materials and size and a smooth and stable rotational axis.

 

 

Member-1

Peter Swanson

 

29 Stockholm Street

Newport, RI 02840

 

401-742-1588

 

Section9-er@hotmail.com

Objective     A degree in computer software at the University of  Rhode Isalnd

 

Education     Ridgefield High School,  Community Collage of Rhode Island

 

Interests and activities     Computers,  Soccer, Cross Country running, Bass Guitar

 

Languages     Spanish (2years)

 

Work experience     Eckards Pharmacy,  Fifth Ward Liquer,  Currently a Dog Walker

 

Volunteer experience     Appalachian Service Project

 

Hobbies     Video games

 


 

Member-2

Matthew Shea

 

 

 

55 Samson Lane

Middletown, RI 02842

401-219-6729

 

Mshea@ccri.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

Objective

A degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island

Education

 

Middletown High School

Community College of Rhode Island

Awards received

FIRST Robotics Scholarship

Interests and activities

Football, Golf, FIRST Robotics

Languages

English(primary), Spanish(7 years), French(2 years)

Work experience

 

Part time recreation aid at Gym 109 on Naval Station Newport

Volunteer experience

Newport Hospital at the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center(3 years

Hobbies

Building things, playing football, FIRST Robotics Competition