The goal of this project was to create a microturbine capable of charging small electronic devices, constructed using materials readily available in off-grid locations, such as developing countries or areas recently affected by natural disasters. The design focused on minimizing machining by modifying off the shelf products to create turbine components. A full-scale prototype was constructed and field-tested to determine its performance characteristics under an electric load at various wind speeds. Testing showed that with a resistive load of 20 Ohms the turbine has a maximum system efficiency of 13 percent and produced a maximum power of 4 Watts in 6 m/s of wind. With the proper charging circuit the turbine could be adapted to charge small electronic devices such as cell phones.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lane, Jeremy Edward
• Rafieck, Saffiyah
• Lynn, Theodore Samuel
• Rossen, Travis Matthews

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042518-112236

Advisor

• Savilonis, Brian James

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright