Breaking Wind
By: Team Tool Time
The Team
(from left to right: Matt Hart, Micah Mcfarland, Chris Crowe, Pedi Hashemian)
Project Overview 13
2
4
5
1. Generator
2. Windmill propeller
3. Metal rod (holds magnets)
4. Bearing
5. Wooden Frame
Design Illustration
Design Process
• Generator– Researched simple generators– Decided on design– Improved upon initial design– Materials:• PVC pipe• Copper Wire• Bearings• Magnets• Metal Rod
Design Process (contd.)• Windmill– Based our design around the
generator– We aimed for the windmill to
be as simple as possible (for maximum efficiency)
– Materials:• Metal rod• Propellers• Duct tape• Wooden base
Analysis of Estimated Efficiency
• Comparison of the power we could theoretically generate (watts) to the power actually generated (watts)
• Using these equations:• Ppossible = .5(ρAV3) – power in an area swept by wind
• Pactua = VA – power created by generator
• E = (Pactual / Ppossible) * 100 – efficiency
• Our numbers:– Ppossible = .5 * 1.225 * (.12π) * 1.73 = .09454 watts
– Pactual = 2.6 * .0157 = .04082 watts
– E = (Pactual / Ppossible) * 100 = 43.17% efficient• Our efficiency compares favorably to that of a car alternator which is 50%
efficient.
Conclusion• Windmill is reliable and efficient• Concepts Learned– How a generator works– How to build a generator– Teamwork
• Problems:– Initial PVC pipe was too large (in diameter to conduct a
significant amount of electricity)– False reading from volt-meter due to bad connection from
copper wire (unstripped)• Costs: Met our goal with a total cost of $39.90