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