AerE 423 Final Project

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Jake Krohn

Background • • • Determine a project proposal. Then research the project and submit a preliminary progress review- Darrieus rotor. Submit a final design report with clearly stated objectives.

Create a manufacturing plan and once the final plan is granted approval, begin manufacturing.

Project objectives • • • • • Research existing VAWT’s and determine what could be created with the given time and experience After determining project, use modeling software to confirm design Determine sufficient amount of plies and formula to achieve a strong, lightweight and sturdy VAWT Build the VAWT and test it with given resources Create a platform for further research

Procedure • • • • Determine what to use for the core of the airfoil and cap pieces- blue foam Determine airfoil shape Cut out bass wood airfoils Cut out blue foam rectangles and glue basswood airfoils to ends

Before and after Hotwire Cutting

Procedure continued • • • • • Cut out airfoil shapes using hotwire Lay up and epoxy glass fibers over the foam core airfoils and over the cap pieces according to formula and typical bagging procedure. Cut airfoil sections/cap pieces down to size and finish Drill holes in the appropriate places to finally piece together and manufacture entire VAWT Fill in gaps with epoxy and sand.

Laying up glass fibers and Bagging

Cap piece layout and finished airfoils

Results • • • Determined that no testing was necessary All parts came out relatively well- not many wrinkles, flaws or defects. Manufactured very quickly, easily.

Improvements/Shortfalls • • • • Finishing Thinner foam core for cap pieces All edges are very rough and not very aerodynamically sound No CFD analysis

Conclusion

Most all goals were accomplished. Given more time, I would have finished the project more and made it much more aesthetically pleasing. Otherwise, I have built a great platform for further research.

Special Thanks to: • • • • Peter Hodgell Brad Smith Bill Rickert Dr. Dayal