vertical axis wind turbine

[Rick]

Canid - You failed to properly align the cellulose bodies along the linear plane. The dryer output will can be controlled simply by the alignment. If used as they are you'll enounter vortexes that will impede uniform flow.

[canid]

you're right, i'll try to fix the alignment so i can achieve a laminar flow.

[canid]

i'm looking into the merits of a more complicated rectifier which is basically a wye and delta wiring for each set of 3 coils, with a full wave diode bridge wired in parallel. it should produce 6 pulses per set, offset by 30 degrees, giving 12 pulses per rotation. i'm having trouble with the soldering iron [which might be on it's way out], but i'll have it wired up soon enough. i still don't have the diodes i need yet anyway.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

[canid]

the benefit of doubling the pulses per rotation is a smaller ripple in voltage of the output current.

[your_comforting_company]

Smaller ripple = more streamlined output?
sorry.. still trying to follow along.. this is a little over my head.

I would think a steady output would be better on the batteries. Just guessing that you are trying to increase output without "shocking" the batteries into oblivion. Somewhat the same function as a capacitor, but internally rather than external and having to be seperately regulated? Hopefully I'm on the right track.. might not have said it right tho..

[canid]

yes, it means a smaller difference between the voltage at the peak and the trough of the output.

this is good for batteries, and it is also crucial for digital devices.

[your_comforting_company]

thank you very much for clearing that up! I'm an electronics dummy, but I'm learning and really enjoying this thread!

[canid]

for illustration:

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

where the number phases are essentially independent waves which overlap, which means that the current is the top of the wave.

as i have it; the wye configuration maintains the amperage of the induced current, raising the voltage, and the delta does the reverse, so this 2 way wiring would basically combine the two, for balanced current output.

both are rectified by the diode bridges, which is what smoothes the output current. that is the part that serves the same purpose as a reservior capacitor.

i'm sort of an electronics dummy too, but i love to read and tinker.

[Rick]

But your going to achieve that anyway with the rectifier, aren't you? The output will be a DC voltage with a uniform sine wave, a constant frequency and amplitude. I guess you would have an issue with slow rotation, on no wind days, but once you get up to something like 1 rotation per second it becomes a mute point I would think. Blade length will be a determining factor on rotation speed as well and I don't know the actual size so I'm kinda commenting hypothetically.

EDIT: I was typing when you posted but your graph sort of illustrates my point.

[canid]

the doubling of the pulses [first from the rectification, then again from the offset between coils] increases the frequency of the fluctuation, and the straddled configuration of the two sets of windings [i think] is supposed to produce the maxima of both voltage and amperage.

[Rick]

I get what you're trying to achieve I just thought as long as your output was 12VDC or greater you'd be okay. I assume you'll also have a voltage regulator on the outboard side?

[canid]

if i get this finished and have a suitable output current, i'd like to try using it to supply a microcontroller [there are some on the market in the $10 range that can operate on 1.8v] and to charge a 1.2v Ni-MH battery.

until then, i have a good miltimeter, so i'll be able to get the basic output specs.

this mini version is going to generate a very low current. i have no clear idea how low yet, but we'll see before long. it was a 5v motor, so i don't expect much.

[Rick]

Okay, I'm with you. Sorry. I thought this was a bit larger version. Maybe I missed something posted above.

Still, it's a cool project.

[canid]

i had expected to be able to source larger motors is all.

[canid]

speaking of larger design: i was able to source 10 cylindrical NdFeB (neodymium) grade N42 magnets about 3/4"dia. by 1/4" high. when i can, i'll be ordering a second set, giving me enough for 2 or 3 alternators, so i'll be able to build larger turbines after all.

i have some larger copper wire which may be too large for efficient coils for use with these, but otherwise, i'll strip the smaller stuff off of one of my burnt motors.

i should also be able to buy the diodes for the rectifier circuitry soon.

the disc motor turbines i've stated on will also continu once i can replace my soldering iron and get some fresh solder.

everything went back on hold for a few, but i'm still on the job.

[canid]

made a couple more bucks on my mTurk account and was able to order the solder. couple more days i should be able to get my new iron and the diodes. they aren't expensive, but would probably be cheaper if i waited til i had at least $25 and ordered a couple things at once to get the free shipping.

what i can't scavenge, i'm buying with amazon money, since it's easy to earn a couple bucks here and there with them and doesn't take any of my in-hand cash. sort of the way i did the garden the year before last with my recycled junk and bottle/can recycling money.

[your_comforting_company]

Have you looked into junkyards and scrap iron places? Magnets are in lots of things we use, like microwaves, speakers.. Not sure if that is a viable source or not, just a suggestion. speakers have a lot of fine wire in them too, for voice coils.

I may have missed in an earlier post, but are you thinking of using 55gallon drums for the larger scale? Sometimes you can run up on a barrel around machine shops (I got a couple from local industries).

I don't want anyone getting the idea that I know anything about this stuff, but I'm really interested and I want to help. If I lived in your neighborhood, I'd be at your house every day... We'd never get bored!

[canid]

ceramic magnets are in lots of things we use. NdFeB magnets are far less common in manufactured items.

i am happy to scavenge whatever i may, but in magnet selection, quality [in terms of maximum gaus per volume] is key. it means being able to get several times the inductance in a given winding of coils.

i have considered steel drums, because of their availability as a waste item and low cost, but i am also open to other options if i can find a suitable alternative.

with a heavy rotor - as such a drum would yield - you would have a higher starting wind speed, meaning that it would require higher winds to run at all. with suitable alternator design, this would allow you to target your system to the higher end of your area's wind speeds [and be a little less prone to generating overcurrents in high wind conditions and gusts], but your system would be running less often. with a lower starting speed you would have the inverse problem, producing your target current range in lower winds, but needing overcurrent/overspeed protection in high winds.

it's just about finding the balance that meets your power needs most of the time, and does not exceed the limits of your system.

[crashdive123]

Canid - not sure if it helps or not, but as promised here are some pics of turbines used at a local business. Even did a Youtube for ya.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UtXwhu8iyA

[Rick]

I was looking at some similar designs this morning. Each of the vertical "fins" is little more than an air foil. However, a convex surface on the exterior with a concave surface on the interior should work as well. You could use something like PVC pipe cut in half length wise and placed vertically to do the same thing and reduce the overall weight.

Good pics and good vid, Crash!!