The Whirler

Joe Daniels-MulhollandCurtis Herd

John LockabyJoseph Carboni

Design

• Plexiglas supported generator with 30 gauge, 24 gauge and 20 gauge wire wrapped in a coil

• A metal screwdriver through a whole in the center supporting the magnet and the blades

• Styrofoam support for the blades attached to the screwdriver

• Pepsi cans cut and glued into wind blades• Base support for proper height to catch wind

Mechanics and Electrics

• The wire around the Plexiglas creates a coil which conducts electric current when a magnet is spun at a high velocity.

• The wind acts as a catalyst to spin the blades which spins the magnet

• The base support places the blades at the ideal height so that they spin with with the greatest possible velocity.

Estimated Efficiency Calculations

Power = .5 × ρ × a × v3

P = .5 × 1.225 kg/m3 × π(.174 m)2 × (8.94 m/s) 3

KE = 41.6 wattsActual Power

Watts = Volts × Amps.85 volts × .021 amps = .0179 watts

Efficiency.0179 / 41.6 volts × 100 = 0.043 %

Issues

• First generator failed miserably• Had major issues getting wire from the store• Hot glue ran out many times• Hot glue melted the Styrofoam support• Sharp edges on the cans

Conclusions

• This project demonstrated how wind energy works in the real world.

• Could have created a more efficient device with more time and materials (gear system, fly-wheel, better blades, bigger coil, etc.)

• A successful windmill that generates electric current.