Design and implementation of magnetic levitation based vertical windmill

Abstract

This project mainly focused on the implementation of an alternate configuration of a wind turbine for power generation purposes for reduction of the manufacturing cost of traditional windmill by 60%. Using the effects of magnetic repulsion, spiral shaped wind turbine blades will be fitted on a rod for stability during rotation and suspended on magnets as a replacement for ball bearings which are normally used on conventional wind turbines. Power will then be generated with an axial flux generator, which incorporates the use of permanent magnets and a set of coils.

Brief explanation

This project focuses on the utilization of wind energy as a renewable source. The aim of this major qualifying project is to design and implement a magnetically levitated vertical axis wind turbine system that has the ability to operate in both high and low wind speed conditions. Our choice for this model is to showcase its efficiency in varying wind conditions as compared to the traditional horizontal axis wind turbine and contribute to its steady growing popularity for the purpose of mass utilization in the near future as a reliable source of power generation. Unlike the traditional horizontal axis wind turbine, this design is levitated via maglev (magnetic levitation) vertically on a rotor shaft. This maglev technology, which will be looked at in great detail, serves as an efficient replacement for ball bearings used on the conventional wind turbine and is usually implemented with permanent magnets. This levitation will be used between the rotating shaft of the turbine blades and the base of the whole wind turbine system. The conceptual design also entails the usage of spiral shaped blades and with continuing effective research into the functioning of sails in varying wind speeds and other factors, an efficient shape and size will be determined for a suitable turbine blade for the project. With the appropriate mechanisms in place, we expect to harness enough wind for power generation by way of an axial flux generator built from permanent magnets and copper coils. The arrangement of the magnets will cultivate an effective magnetic field and the copper coils will facilitate voltage capture due to the changing magnetic field.