Building a Tiny Wind Generator | Uwe's Design Questions

[Othello]

For demonstration purposes I m trying to assemble a generator consisting of a coil swinging thru a permanent magnetic field.
The coil should hang from a small windflap and should be able to temporarily light up an LED.

Currently I am concerning myself with the design of the windflap which can be thought of as a pendulum of certain length and a certain mass (eg. the material of the flap + the attached coil). This flap should be moved by the wind.

For the generator part I would need a short pendulum to achieve the quick flux change necessary to develop a useful voltage (Faraday's law).

For the wind to move the flap I think I would want a long flap to offer enough leverage to the wind to move the flap.

Since these two consideration, if right, are contradictory I would hope for some input to be able to build a test set-up without too much experimentation.

Thanks Uwe

 

[eljose79]

Hello Uwe,

Thank you for sharing your project with us. I can offer some input on your design for the wind-powered generator.

Firstly, your understanding of Faraday's law is correct. In order to generate a useful voltage, you will need a quick change in magnetic flux. This can be achieved by having a short pendulum with a fast swinging motion.

However, you are also right in considering the leverage of the wind on the flap. A longer flap will offer more leverage and potentially move with more force. This can be beneficial in generating a higher voltage.

To find a balance between these two factors, you may want to consider using a lightweight material for the flap, such as aluminum or carbon fiber. This will allow for a faster swinging motion while still providing enough leverage for the wind to move the flap.

Additionally, you could experiment with different lengths and masses for the pendulum to find the optimal design for your generator. Using a wind tunnel or conducting controlled experiments with varying parameters can help you determine the best design for your set-up.

I hope this helps and wish you success in your project! If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Good luck!

 

[charng]

Hello Uwe,

Thank you for sharing your project with us. It sounds like you have a very interesting and innovative idea for a tiny wind generator. I appreciate your attention to detail and your consideration of the design challenges involved.

In terms of your concerns about the design of the windflap, I believe you are on the right track. It is important to find a balance between the length and mass of the flap in order to achieve the desired movement from the wind. I would recommend experimenting with different lengths and materials to find the optimal combination. Additionally, you may want to consider adding a lightweight material, such as a thin plastic or fabric, to the flap to increase its surface area and potentially catch more wind.

As for the generator part, your idea to use a short pendulum is a good one. This will allow for a quick flux change and help generate a useful voltage. However, you may also want to consider incorporating some gears or other mechanisms to amplify the movement of the pendulum and increase its efficiency.

Overall, I think you have a solid plan for your wind generator and I am excited to see how it turns out. Just remember to keep experimenting and making adjustments as needed. Good luck with your project!