Wind Blade Design Challenge

Group Members______________________________

Design Challenge: ​Create a 2-3 blade horizontal axis wind blade system that produces the
most power from a stream of air. Each blade must fit in a 12”x3”x6” volume and the mass of a
single blade must not be more than 35 grams. Your designs can be constructed of but not
limited to manila folders, paper, foam, wood, cardboard, wooden dowels, tape, paper, staples,
white and hot glue. We will then determine the power output of your windblade system in both
electrical and mechanical systems.

Research: ​Come to class prepared with a minimum of two resources that will help inform your
design. Include links along with a short description of your design details.

Source:

Description:​____________________________________________________________
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Source:

Description​:​____________________________________________________________
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Initial Design: ​Include a drawing and paragraph explaining the design details of your chosen or
created blades.

Explanation of Design:​___________
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 1.) Measuring Rotational Speed:
- In order to determine our rotational speed we will be using a Tachometer. This will
measure our rotational speed in revolutions per minute.
- We can then convert this number into radians per second, so that we may calculate our
Tip-Speed ratio.
- With our tip-speed ratio, we can then calculate our
Coefficient of Performance.
- With the fan on high the average wind speed is 3
m/s.

Rotational Speed:_______________rpm
Rotational Speed:_______________rad/s
r =_________________________m
Tip-Speed Ratio:________________

C​P​:_________________________

2.) Determining Power in the Wind:

- Using the equation for Wind Power, we can determine how much power is in the wind
based on the area of your blade system.
- We must then multiply this number by your coefficient of performance in order to find the
available power in the wind.
- With the fan on high the average wind speed is 3 m/s.

1/2 x P (density of air) x A (Area) x V​3​ (Wind Speed) = Power (J/s)

0.5

C​p ​ x Power (J/s)​ ​ = Power (J/s)

 3.) Electricity Test Results:
- Include your voltage and current measurements.
- Compute the power (J/s) by multiplying voltage by current (Amps)

Voltage (Volts) x Current (Amperes) = Power (J/s)

4.) Mechanical Test Results:

- With a measured mass, distance, and time you can determine your power output in
terms of a Mechanical System.
- When testing for mechanical power, use the maximum amount of mass that your blade
system is able to lift.
 5.) Blade Modifications:
- Make at least one modification to your blade design, in order to increase your power
output.
- Document your Blade Modifications with a drawing and explanation. In your explanation,
justify why you believe this modification will increase power output.

Explanation of Modification: ​_______________________________________________

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Redesign Testing:
- Now that you have modified your blade design, repeat the tests done earlier. Measure
your angular speed and coefficient of performance as well as your Electrical and
Mechanical power output.

6.) Rotational Speed:

Rotational Speed:_______________rpm
Rotational Speed:_______________rad/s
r =_________________________m
Tip-Speed Ratio:________________
C​P​:_________________________

7.) Determining Power in the Wind:

- If the length of your radius has not changed then neither has your Area.
Therefore your calculation from earlier still applies to this section.

Power:_________________J/s
 8.) Electricity Test Results:

Voltage (Volts) x Current (Amperes) = Power (Watts)

9.) Mechanical Test Results:

10.) Power Results:

Power in the Wind:

Initial Design______________J/s Redesign_______________J/s

Electrical:

Initial Design_______________J/s Redesign_______________J/s

- You can determine the efficiency of this conversion by dividing your electrical power
output by your power in the wind. Then multiplying by 100.

Initial Efficiency___________% Redesign Efficiency___________%

Mechanical:

Initial Design_______________J/s Redesign_______________J/s

- You can determine the efficiency of this conversion by dividing your electrical power
output by your power in the wind. Then multiplying by 100.

Initial Efficiency___________% Redesign Efficiency___________%