Power Generating Wind Turbine
Power Generating Wind Turbine
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TEAM
OVERVIEW
Our E26 project team consisted of three members focused on 3D modeling, design, and testing of a wind turbine. Together, we worked to create a functional model that emphasized power efficiency and structural integrity.
MY ROLE
As the team lead, I played a pivotal role in overseeing the project while designing the turbine structure myself. I guided the team through the propeller design process, ensuring collaboration and effective task delegation while managing key technical decisions to achieve success.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project aimed to design and build a model wind turbine that maximized both power efficiency and structural integrity. Our team focused on creating an optimized blade and tower design. The blades were developed with an emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency, incorporating elements such as angle of attack, pitch, and airfoil profile to capture the wind's kinetic energy effectively.
The tower, designed for strength and aesthetics, utilized a spiraling structure with an internal reinforcing lattice to withstand significant forces while minimizing material mass. The design process involved iterative modeling in SolidWorks and thorough testing to evaluate both power generation and structural stiffness.
BLADE DESIGN
BLADE DESIGN
The blade design was based on the NACA 4412 airfoil, which provides a good lift-to-drag ratio at moderate wind speeds, making it suitable for the project’s testing conditions. A three-blade configuration was chosen to optimize rotational stability while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
The blade chord length tapered from approximately 1.2 inches at the root to 0.75 inches at the tip to minimize drag at higher tip speeds. A twist of 15 degrees was applied along the blade's length to maintain an optimal angle of attack across the span, ensuring efficiency at varying speeds. The angle of attack was set to around 10 degrees providing high lift while avoiding inefficient conditions. These design choices ensured the turbine could generate power effectively while minimizing energy losses due to drag.
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
During testing, the wind turbine achieved a maximum power output of 2.37 watts at a wind speed of 27.7 miles per hour. This exceeded the threshold for "excellent" performance described by the project rubric. A feat which only 5 groups out of 30 achieved.
In terms of structural stiffness, the tower performed exceptionally well, with a measured stiffness of >7 N/mm. Under a load of 9 kilograms, the tower deflected only 10 mm, showcasing its ability to withstand significant forces while maintaining stability
FEA conducted before manufacturing and assembly proved to be ~25% stiffer. This is due to a 70% infill which was not accounted for in the CAD, and weakness in connection points, which were modeled as "ideally" joined.
Stiffness testing with applied force along rotor axis.
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