Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
Kang Zheng
Aaron Peterson
Mohd Ramjis
Presentation Outline
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Project Objective
Background/Design Description
Structural Analysis
Fabrication Process
Future Work
Conclusion
Questions
Project Objective
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To design, build, and test composite airfoil blades for a
wind turbine.
Background
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A wind turbine is a rotating machine which converts
kinetic energy in wind to electrical energy.
The use of wind turbine is important as it is the
alternative to other main energy generators.
There are two major types of wind turbine determined
based on the axis in which the turbine rotates.
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Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT)
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)
Design Description
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Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
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The main rotor shaft arranged vertically
Consists of three vertical airfoil blades
made of composite with each blade has
a helical twist of 120 degrees
Blades mounted on aluminum flat plate
Design Description
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Why we chose this design?
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Tolerates higher wind speed
Airfoil constantly in the direction of wind; reduce noise and
cyclic loading
Higher airfoil pitch angle (improves aerodynamics, decreases
drag)
Be located nearer to ground
Structural Analysis
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The aluminum plate were designed in a circular fashion
with arcs cut out (120 deg) to reduce weight while
maintaining stability
Analysis performed on the aluminum plate by applying
centrifugal force on the axis of rotation
Blades were designed for a twisted angle of 120 degrees
Simplified air pressure as pressure force on inner surface
of the blade
Structural Analysis
1200 rpm
Displacement
100 psi stress
0.355’’ disp.
Structural Analysis
300 rpm
Displacement
2.231e-6’’ disp.
17.38 psi stress
Scale Model
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Graphite/Epoxy composite with a foam core blade
  0 /  45 / 90 
2
1
1 s
 Length: 35 in.
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1/16” Aluminum sheets
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24 in. diameter circle
Shaft
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Height of capture area: 27.5 in.
3 in. chord foam core
60 in. long, 1 in. diameter Aluminum shaft
Support structure
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4x4 in. wood cross sections
Fabrication Process
We started by cutting out small templates of the airfoil out of wood
Using these, we cut out foam cores of the airfoils for us to wrap the fibers around.
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After each ply was laid, and epoxy was applied, we wrapped the mold with release
film and added the vacuum tube.
Fabrication Process
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After the composites cured, we took the plastic off to make sure that each blade
cured correctly.
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We trimmed the excess fibers and epoxy off of the blade, and then sanded it to
make the airfoil create more drag.
Fabrication Process
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The bolts were fixed into the ends of the blades.
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After the blades were completed, we constructed the aluminum plates for the top
and bottom supports
Final Product
Results
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What did we want?
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Rotational speed vs. wind speed
Drag on the assembly
Why were we unable?
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Time constraints
Limited access to AABL wind tunnel
Lack of funding
Tool limitations
Future Work
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Future work:
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Add an alternator, voltmeter, pulley, and v-belt for power
generation calculation
Add electrical system for the wind turbine
Wind tunnel testing
Optimize:
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Weight
Airfoil shape
Angle of attack
Conclusion
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Wind turbines are going to be in high demand as the
switch to renewable energy is in progress
The blades made out of composite materials have greatly
reduced the weight of the entire assembly
The composite blades also allow the structure of the
support be manufactured out of lighter, and more cost
effective materials
References
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Special thanks to:
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Nathan Knop (T.A)
Tom Elloitt (Technician)
Bill Rickard (Technician)
Vinay Dayal (Project advisor)
Questions