Wind charger

A 3d printed wind turbine for generating electricity that could be applied to lots of scenarios due to its scale.The first idea was to create a wind energy generator which does not necessarily interfere with the existing building but rather could be sued or adapted according to different needs and requirements.

We focused on improving the design of the wind turbine towards efficiency. Understand its geometry
and to create something pleasant for the viewer.
The design of the wind turbine became the main objective because we needed to produce certain
amount of energy where aesthetics and functionality became our main objective.
Our ideas of intervention required a series of small wind turbines.

After some tests we focused in the development of the smallest and efficient Wind Turbine we could produce based on our research and the initial idea of the combination to produce energy in a series or parallel circuits.

For the initial testing and analysis there were developed series of 3D models by hand using digital
tools like laser cutters. After comes the decision to focus the research using exclusively 3D printer machine
which allows to produce the complete kit [ only electronics comes apart ] easy to assemble and
to generate something that could be printed and used anyplace in the world with basic instructions.

The design is based in 3 wings wind turbine. The wings were changed according to aerodynamic analysis, air flow calculations, and empiric test with some prototypes.
Prototypes have been made in two 3D printer machines: Makerbot and the Project 1500. Project 1500 allows to have more definition on the surface and on the edges, which makes huge improvement in aerodynamics.
The thickness of the wings came through several tests in the Project printer 1500. We decided to test the thickness in other components of the project like the fairing and structural components. There was a possibility to decrease the thickness of the wings to 1 mm which reduced the weight, wind resistance, therefore the speed of the wind turbine.

After testing the gears system conclusion is to avoid the use of those at first stage because of the huge
increase in the momentum -torque-, any benefit using gears were not reflected.

With the connection of two propellers 4 batteries with the collected energy are able to charge any
kind of electronic of 5V like MP3 music [iPod] , Smart Phones [iPhone], Tablet [iPad], Systems
based on Arduino [Smart Citizen] any kind of system based in USB charger.
Even they required 500mAh – 600mAh to get charge, there is a way for stepper or jumper systems which like mintyboost or similar.

TEAM:
Aditya Kadabi, Gustavo Adolfo Triana Martinez.
IAAC_Introductory Studio: Wind Energy Machines_2013