Breaking Wind By: Team Tool Time

The Team (from left to right: Matt Hart, Micah Mcfarland, Chris Crowe, Pedi Hashemian)

Project Overview Generator 2.Windmill propeller 3.Metal rod (holds magnets) 4.Bearing 5.Wooden Frame

Design Illustration

Design Process Generator – Researched simple generators – Decided on design – Improved upon initial design – Materials: PVC pipe Copper Wire Bearings Magnets Metal Rod

Design Process (contd.) Windmill – Based our design around the generator – We aimed for the windmill to be as simple as possible (for maximum efficiency) – Materials: Metal rod Propellers Duct tape Wooden base

Analysis of Estimated Efficiency Comparison of the power we could theoretically generate (watts) to the power actually generated (watts) Using these equations: P possible =.5(ρAV 3 ) – power in an area swept by wind P actua = VA – power created by generator E = (P actual / P possible ) * 100 – efficiency Our numbers: – P possible =.5 * * (.1 2 π) * = watts – P actual = 2.6 *.0157 = watts – E = (P actual / P possible ) * 100 = 43.17% efficient Our efficiency compares favorably to that of a car alternator which is 50% efficient.

Conclusion Windmill is reliable and efficient Concepts Learned – How a generator works – How to build a generator – Teamwork Problems: – Initial PVC pipe was too large (in diameter to conduct a significant amount of electricity) – False reading from volt-meter due to bad connection from copper wire (unstripped) Costs: Met our goal with a total cost of $39.90