Q: What type of current will the generator produce?
A: The generator that will be used in this project produce an alternating current (AC). However, this is not idea for charging a smart phone. Most electrical devices require a direct current (DC) in order to charge. To accommodate for this, a rectifier chip has been wired into the circuit. This converts the AC into the usable form of DC for the cell phone.
Q: What is the most efficient blade placement for the turbine?
A: It has been found through external research (see The Effect of Blade Angle and Size on Wind Turbine Performance on Background page) that the most efficient angle to have the blades of the wind turbine is 30 degrees. The question of how many blades is somewhat trickier. Each turbine has its own optimal amount of blades. How Many Blades Should a HAWT Have? (Background) gives information of the number of ideal number of blades. For the turbine in this project, a three bladed fan will be used. Test with a three bladed and a five bladed fan were done, which led to the use of the three bladed fan. It was determined that the fan of three blades has the greatest energy output to weight ratio in this case.
Q: What are the charging requirements for the test phone (iPhone 5)?
A: An iPhone 5 charger has an output of 5 volts at 1 amp. This gives an energy output of 5 watts.
Q: From what material will the turbine be made?
A: Fan blades, along with the central hub they are connected to, will be 3D printed with plastic. These pieces were designed in Creo Parametric, and the 3D models were then printed in the lab facilities.
Q: Where will it all be mounted?
A: The system will be designed so that there is an easy application/removal process. This will allow users to transfer the system to different bicycles whenever they so choose. The fan blade and generator combination will be mounted with brackets to the front of the bicycle under the handle bars. The circuit and port will be contained in a box located behind the axle of the steering wheel. A pocket will be available to hold the device while it is being charged.
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