Revolutionary Technologies

Group C1Nicholas Arch, Nicholas Fraser, Robert Huth, Patrick Noble, Michael Toomey

Preliminary Design ReviewFebruary 21, 2008

Last Week’s Action Items ITEM 1: Perform Research for Trade Studies

Arch – Matlab code examines generator-gearbox features

Frasier – Designing base “tower” and guy wires Huth – Modeling loads on shaft to determine diameter

and material properties needed Toomey – Calculated area required to extract necessary

power from wind and number of blades in helix Noble – Research methods for analyzing fluid flow

through blade overlap

Item 1: Trade Studies in Progress

T=(D1-D2)r=ρdV2(A1Cd1-A2Cd2)/16

d

D1

D2

A1

A2

Item 1: Trade Studies (Cont’d)

• For a hollow shaft, deflection is more dependent on outer diameter.

• Plot will allow material selection (Elastic modulus) for a maximum deflection.

Elastic Modulus [Gpa]

Max

. Def

lect

ion

[m]

Last Week’s Action Items (Cont’d) ITEM 2: Develop Intelligent Systems Concepts

for Turbine As group, brainstormed concepts:

Monitor rpm of turbine and generator shafts with tachometers

Anemometer to measure wind speed Discussed electronic components with Mr. Brownell

Battery type (Lithium-Ion, Carbon-Zinc, Capacitor, Lead Acid) Charging issues (Diode, Voltage Regulator, DC-to-DC

Converter) Safety concerns (Temperature Sensor – Relay Control

System)

Lead Acid Battery Chosen – simple charging scheme and produces fairly constant 12.6 V

Current Regulator Required (i.e. diode, automotive V-regulator, DC-to-DC converter)

Safety Concerns Cutout charging if charging current or temperature is too

great Cutout generator or brake turbine if outside operating zone

Item 2: Electronics

light

relayReg. Reg.

Gen.

1.8 A3.6 A

Current Status of Concept

Status of Design- Trade Studies to assist in critical decision-making- Show-stopper: Simple, quick to assemble

Next Week’s Action Items Major Component Selection and Ordering

Huth will present shaft study results and group will determine shaft to order (Tues. 2/26)

Investigate bearings to fit shaft (Tues. 2/26) Arch will search for gears (Tues. 2/26) Noble will check back with Mr. Brownell to ensure

generator procurement (Tues. 2/26) Select and locate blade material (Huth will visit Physics

machine shop) (Thurs. 2/28)

Next Week’s Action Items Cont’d Complete Trade Studies

Group members will present results from trade studies (Thurs. 2/26)

Critical design variables selected (Thurs. 2/26): Blade Diameter and Height Overlap Gap Number of Blades Total Prototype Height Base Diameter and Support System Gear Ratio

Thank You

Questions?