Abstract
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a prototype of a mini wind turbine that is capable of charging small electronic devices and powering remote sensor networks. The prototype that is fabricated consists of three subsystems that includes the rotor assembly involving the hub, hub cap and blades, the nacelle assembly, which consists the drive-train and generator and the turbine base that is considered as a subsystem. The most important component of the rotor assembly is the blade rotor that is responsible for capturing the wind energy and transferring it to the drive train through rotational inertia. The nacelle forms the support structure on which the rotor and base assemblies are attached. The rotor assembly is attached through a shaft that connects the rotor hub to the gearing components inside the nacelle. The power-generating motor, gearing components, battery and power management circuitry are contained within the aerodynamically designed nacelle. The prototype is operated in discontinuous mode and features low-power components.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages | 34-40 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Volume | 89 |
| No | 8 |
| Specialist publication | American Ceramic Society Bulletin |
| State | Published - Oct 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
