Maintaining Constant Angular Velocity for Electricity Generation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a hand-cranked electricity generator and the challenges associated with maintaining a constant angular velocity for consistent emf and current output. Participants explore various methods and considerations for achieving this stability in the generator's operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the current and emf produced by the generator would vary with the rotation velocity and proposes a method to maintain constant angular velocity while allowing the handle to be turned at varying speeds.
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of the proposed method, indicating that a system would require a mechanism to analyze input speed and adjust output speed accordingly, which they describe as potentially very difficult or impossible.
  • A later reply references wind farms, questioning how they manage to produce electricity and whether they rely on complex gearboxes that require continuous adjustment.
  • Another participant clarifies that wind farms do not produce a constant voltage output and that they utilize a mechanical gearbox with a high transmission ratio to convert small movements of blades into significant rpm for the generator.
  • It is noted that wind turbines are variable generators, which contributes to their classification as non-primary sources of power.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of maintaining constant angular velocity in a hand-cranked generator. While some propose methods to achieve this, others challenge the practicality of such solutions, leading to an unresolved discussion regarding the effectiveness of these ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for electronically controlled systems and variable torque gearboxes, highlighting the complexity and potential limitations of the proposed designs. There is also an emphasis on the variability of output in existing systems like wind farms.

Magma828
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I'm thinking of making an electricity generator which is rotated by hand, or possibly something like wind, or gerbils on a treadmill etc etc..

Anyway, the current and emf produced would vary depending on the velocity at which the generator is turned, correct?

I therefore need a way of keeping the angular velocity constant. My idea was to somehow set a maximum velocity for the rotation of the generator, but not affect the velocity of the turning handle. I could rotate the handle at a velocity higher than the required velocity, and any extra energy could be dissipated as heat or something.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to accomplish this?

Or any other method which would keep the emf+current at a set value.
 
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Magma828 said:
I'm thinking of making an electricity generator which is rotated by hand, or possibly something like wind, or gerbils on a treadmill etc etc..

Anyway, the current and emf produced would vary depending on the velocity at which the generator is turned, correct?

I therefore need a way of keeping the angular velocity constant. My idea was to somehow set a maximum velocity for the rotation of the generator, but not affect the velocity of the turning handle. I could rotate the handle at a velocity higher than the required velocity, and any extra energy could be dissipated as heat or something.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to accomplish this?

Or any other method which would keep the emf+current at a set value.

this would have been thought first by the electricity invnetor and that is why we are dependent on resources to produce electricity. In other word almost impossible
 
What exactly do you mean by 'dependent on resources'?
 
Magma828 said:
I'm thinking of making an electricity generator which is rotated by hand, or possibly something like wind, or gerbils on a treadmill etc etc..

Anyway, the current and emf produced would vary depending on the velocity at which the generator is turned, correct?

I therefore need a way of keeping the angular velocity constant. My idea was to somehow set a maximum velocity for the rotation of the generator, but not affect the velocity of the turning handle. I could rotate the handle at a velocity higher than the required velocity, and any extra energy could be dissipated as heat or something.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to accomplish this?

Or any other method which would keep the emf+current at a set value.

see the system you are talking to BUILD/DESIGN will need a brain to analyze that the input speed is reducing/increasing and send the data to the output speed controller to keep the output speed constant.

this is very difficult (if not impossible) as you will need an electronically controlled variable torque gearbox to link your generator to the source of input
 
How on Earth do wind farms work then? Do they just have a complex gearbox that has to be continuously adjusted?
 
no but don't forget that wind farms DO NOT produce a constant voltage output. the gear box inside is mechanical with a very high transmission ratio i.e. small movement of blade results in significant rpm of the generator.
and it is a variable generator and that is the only reason wind turbines are not considered primary sources of power.
 

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