Specifications for Wind Generating Device

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a wind generating device that produces 120 lbft of static torque at 15 rpm with a 4.5 ft radius paddle. Participants discuss how to calculate power output based on torque and rotational speed, emphasizing the importance of unit conversion and proper measurements. There is a suggestion to refer to engineering handbooks for guidance on windmill analysis and to measure torque and speed during operation for accurate calculations. Assumptions about mass flow and theoretical power output are shared, indicating a potential output of 2.8 kW under specific conditions. The conversation also includes inquiries about the device's specifications for competition purposes.
yamvmax
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I made a wind generating device that produces 120 lbft static torque with a 30mph wind. The paddles that interface the wind have rotational center of 4.5ft(radius). My device will be rotating at 15rpm. How do I calculate how much power is produced at any given wind speed?

Kirk
 
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P = T\omega
Make sure your units are correct. You will need to convert rpm
 
If you know (from where I don't know) that the device produces 120 ft-lb torque at 15 rpm, you can complete the power calculation that minger has shown by just making the necessary units conversion and doing the arithmetic.

The big question seems to be, how do you know the speed and torque a priori without reference to the wind speed?
 
Thank you for the reply minger & Dr.D

The 120 lbft force is what I observed without my device moving (no angular velocity). 15 rpm is the ideal rotational speed due to the mechanical nature of my prototype.

My intuition tells me to calculate the difference between wind speed and paddle speed (2216 ft/min) but I am not sure what to do after that.

I am a ME dropout from 25yrs ago. Maybe I need some refresher courses before I use this forum again?
 
Without knowing the geometry of your machine, it is difficult to advise you on how to make a power calculation. You might want to refer to Mark's Mechanical Engineers Handbook for the information in there on windmills for example to see how they are analyzed. That may help you with the analysis of your machine.

The alternative, of course, is to simply try to measure the torque and speed while the machine is rotating. If you can do that, the power output is easy to calculate using the formula that minger has given above.
 
You would need to know a fair bit more, but taking standard assumptions at 15 m/s with a dia of 4.5 you are looking:

Mass flow = 26.7 kg/s
Theo Power = 5.5 kW
Output from Gen = 2.8 kW

I have made loads of assumptions such as a gen efficiency of 0.5 and coeff of performance of 0.1 and Ro = 1.226.

Some notes http://users.aber.ac.uk/iri/WIND/TECH/WPcourse/
 
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hi Yamvmax i am also making a wind turbine
i want your help. can you tell me little specification about your wind generating device
like blade length,blade material,blade design , braking of rotor ,hub diameter, battery and generator specification ,
have you used gearbox or not ,
i am participating in a compitition
thanks in advance
 
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