Building Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine: Testing Blade Designs without Generator

In summary, a person is interested in building a horizontal-axis wind turbine and testing different blade designs, but cannot afford a generator to measure the power output of each variation. They ask if it is possible to use equations to calculate torque instead. Another person suggests using a small DC motor coupled to the turbine and measuring voltage and current with a multimeter. The original person also shares a project they did for school using this method. However, it is mentioned that measuring torque is difficult and expensive, regardless of the method used.
  • #1
alexjesse
3
0
Good day!

I was thinking of building a horizontal-axis wind turbine and testing various blade designs but i can't afford a generator to test the power output of each variation.

Is it sensible/possible to get the output without a generator? Can equations in finding torque be used?

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
If you want this HAWT to be small, I would recommend getting a small 5-12V DC motor to couple to the prop. You can then measure voltage and current with a multimeter.

Here's a project I did for school: http://imgur.com/a/ClNBl#.
 
  • #3
It is very difficult to measure the torque of a rotating shaft. How are you proposing to load your machine? If you go down the generator path you'll still need to provide an electric load, if you are looking at some kind of dynamometer you'll find them very expensive.
 

1. What is the purpose of testing blade designs without a generator in a horizontal-axis wind turbine?

The purpose of testing blade designs without a generator is to assess the aerodynamic performance of the turbine blades. This allows for optimization of the blade design, which can improve the efficiency and power output of the wind turbine.

2. How is the aerodynamic performance of the blades measured during testing?

The aerodynamic performance of the blades is typically measured using a variety of instruments, such as anemometers, pressure sensors, and strain gauges. These instruments can provide data on factors such as wind speed, blade rotation speed, and blade deflection, which can be used to evaluate the performance of the blades.

3. Can testing blade designs without a generator accurately predict the performance of a complete wind turbine?

While testing blade designs without a generator can provide valuable information, it cannot fully predict the performance of a complete wind turbine. This is because the generator plays a crucial role in converting the rotational energy of the blades into electrical energy, and its presence can affect the aerodynamic performance of the blades.

4. How does the testing process for blade designs without a generator differ from testing with a generator?

The main difference in the testing process comes from the absence of the generator. Without the generator, the focus is solely on evaluating the aerodynamic performance of the blades. This can involve different testing setups and methods, as well as the use of specialized instruments.

5. What are some potential challenges of testing blade designs without a generator?

One potential challenge is the difficulty in accurately simulating real-world conditions without a generator. Additionally, the absence of a generator may also affect the balance and stability of the wind turbine, which can impact the results of the blade design testing. Finally, without the generator, the testing process may not accurately reflect the actual power output of the wind turbine.

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