#1239 wind power
TRANSCRIPT
Creative Ability
can be Learned
Gigo Learning Lab’s complete series includes 20 individual packages, as well as five school sets. The special features of Gigo’s Learning Lab are as follows:
1. Using GIGO’s “building block” construction-based curriculum, every class has a ready-to-assemble model, and includes time designed to promote individual creativity.
2. Promotes thinking outside-the-box of the traditional educational framework by learning innovation through play!
3. We are all innately good at something, so we should take into account both individual development and the ability to work as part of a team effort.
4. Course levels are designed from elementary to difficult, combining a life sciences-based curriculum with applications from daily life.
5. Experiment using Gigo’s “building blocks”, which can be used over and over again, saving both time and effort.
6. Comes with Gigo’s newly developed 3D Smart Manual, which makes learning how to intelligently assemble each model easier than ever before.
7. Learning Lab’s Cloud Platform allows systematic recording of learning progress.
We hope that kids can enthusiastically learn scientific knowledge through fun hands-on experience, developing their problem-solving abilities, as well as a positive attitude towards science. Our mission is to help children apply their newfound knowledge to daily life, furthering their innovational skills and abilities.
For any questions or inquires. please email to [email protected]
01
(v1.0)
02
01 39
03 45
09 53
17 59
23 67
31 75
02 41
05 49
13 57
21 63
27 71
35 77
Index
07. Blades
08. Output Efficiency
10. Monograph (2)
11. Wind Power Generation
Appendix: Learning Lab Packages
20. Monograph (4)
19. Early Warning of Wind Disaster
18. Wind-powered Carrier
17. Wind Energy Transmission
16. Horizontal Wind Turbine
15. Monograph (3)
14. Vertical Wind Powered Generator
13. Transfer Efficiency
12. Start-up Wind Speed
09. Wind Powered Mechanism
04. Application of Wind Power
05. Monograph (1)
06. Wind Resources
03. Wind Speed Measurement
02. Wind Direction
01.Source of Wind Power
Parts List
Index
Education Philosophy
03
1
x5
2
x4
4 6
x4
9
x4
10
16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
43 44 45 46 47
11
x2 x1
12
x1 x1 x1 x3 x3
x6 x1 x1 x1 x1 x2 x2
x2 x2 x1 x1 x1 x2 x2 x2
x2 x1 x4 x1 x1 x2 x4 x4 x2 x15 x14
x6 x1 x1x2 x2
13 14 15
3
x4
x4 x8
5
8
x3
7
x7
01
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Long Frame
Short Frame
Square Frame
Dual Rod
11-hole Rod
5-hole Rod
5-hole Dual Rod-III
3-hole Rod
3-hole Dual Rod
Bended Rod
Motor Axle
Cross Axle 6CM
Cross Axle 7CM
Cross Axle 10CM
Cross Axle 15CM
L Blade
S Blade
Battery Holder (AA Cell)
Reverse Generator
Wire (Red)
Wire (Black)
Multi Direction Axle Connector
20T Gear
40T Gear
60T Gear
10T Sprocket
Worm Gear
80T Gear
M Pulley
L Pulley
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
M Ring
L Ring
LED Bulb
Cross Axle Fixer
Washer
Cross Axle Connector
90 Degree Adaptor-II
Axle
Loose Axle
Pin
L Connecting Peg
S Connecting Peg
S Button Fixer
Crank
Base Grid Connector
Base Grid
Spanner
P a r t s L i s t
04
Wind is a displacement of air in relation to an object. It is a concept of relative motion. Outdoors, the
wind blows from a high pressure area to a low pressure area. Air flow is the source of the wind. In a windless day or indoors, we often create artificial wind by utilizing devices that generate air flow. For instance, people use electric fans to cool themselves during the hot summer. People in the past discovered the power of air in moving objects. Thus, they invented sailboats that conquered the ocean using wind force. Wind can be transformed into energy by controlling the wind source.
Grandpa Rudolph took Tony to the park so he could f ly a kite. Grandpa Rudolph looked up at the trees and saw that there was no wind. He said, “How can we fly a kite on such a windless day!”
Tony also knew that a kite could not f ly without the wind. Out of frustration, both of them just decided to go back home. But then, Tony saw someone running at the park and suddenly had an idea.
He held the kite high and tried to generate wind by running. Naturally, he was able to fly the kite and didn’t stop running until he reached the end of the park.
Tony was physically tired, but deep down he was happy. It was his first time to fly a kite and he was proud of himself for solving the wind problem on his own.
S e s s i o n 01Source of Wind Power
Daily
Application
05
1 2 17
x2
x1
x3
x2
x3
x1
x2 x1
x1
x322
34
43
44
4615
7
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingBes ides f l y ing a k i te , wh ich activities will be held in a windy day?
Artificial
Wind
06
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
07
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How do you change the wind velocity of your model?
What size of paper can your model blow away?
08
A wind vane is basically an instrument consisting of a large arrow with an increased tail
area and a balance point on the arrow shaft connected to a rotator. The arrow head determines the wind direction. When the
wind blows, the tail may be pushed back due to the larger windage given the large tail area. The wind continues to move the instrument until the indicator is parallel to the wind direction. The direction of the arrow head determines the wind direction. If this principle is hard to understand, Have a try action. Bend over backwards and turn your head 90 degrees. Observe the wind vane as it rotates around the center and when you see an image of a see-saw then that’s it! A wind vane is basically a vivid application of the lever principle.
With regard to the Earth’s natural wind, heat makes air volume expand. Thus, the density decreases when there is a larger volume of air but the mass remains unchanged. Moreover, since air is fluid, a smaller density of warm air may rise upward and form a low pressure area, during which the cooler air would often move in to replace it and cause air to flow. This is how wind is formed.
Wind direction refers to the direction where the wind originates. Wind originating from the north is called the north wind and that from the south
is called the south wind. The simplest way to measure wind direction is to wet a finger and hold it in the air. The side of the finger that gets cold is where the wind is coming from. With the development of human civilization, numerous too ls fo r m e a s u r i n g w i n d direction have been invented, such as windsock and wind vane.
S e s s i o n 02Wind Direction
Daily
Application
09
1 4
x2
x1 x2 x5 x1
x1x1
x1 x4
x1
x2
x26
10
17
39
41
42
43
463
7
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingWhat methods can be used to determine wind direction?
Wind Vane
10
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
11
1 2 3
How can you change t he counte rweight to
improve the sensitivity of the wind vane?
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How will you design a wind vane?
12
An anemometer is a device used for measuring air velocity. According to the
working principle, there are many types of anemometers; namely, mechanical, optical, pressure,
hot-wire, sonic, etc. In addition, the design of anemometers is constantly improving. In fact, inventors have already utilized smart phones as anemometers for convenience. An APP is actually used as a microphone to detect the sound of the wind and estimate its speed. This is the application of a sonic anemometer. For beginners, one can design a simple anemometer by combining the knowledge of hydromechanics and simple pendulum or by calculating the rotating speed of a propeller.
Tony’s father took a flight and his plane would land after a couple of hours. However, the city was struck by a strong typhoon. Tony was anxious and asked his grandpa, “Will it be dangerous for the plane to travel when there is typhoon?”
After assuring Tony, Grandpa Rudolph asked him, “Is it the rain or the wind first that affects the plane’s safety?” Tony answered with uncertainly: “Perhaps the wind”.
Grandpa replied, “All airports are equipped with Doppler radars which measure the wind speed using a non-contact method; fur thermore, the wind speed and direction are determined when
p lanes take of f o r land. So there is no problem in terms of safety. The only problem would be the arr ival t ime which may be delayed due to weather conditions.”
S e s s i o n 03Wind Speed Measurement
Daily
Application
13
1 3 8
x3
x2 x6 x1 x2 x1 x2 x2
x2x15x1x1x2
x4
x3
x6 x2 x4 x6
x2
x1
x42
6
9
10
17
22
23
25
28
34
38
41
42
43
45
4615
5
7
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingHow do you determine the size of the wind?
Anemometer
14
05
09
11 12
06
10
0807
15
1 2 3
Please observe the operation of the anemometer
by using an electric fan set at different speed.
Then, try to blow into the anemometer to see
how fast it rotates.
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
In addition to wind speed, what else can an anemometer measure?
16
This kind of sailing car with one wheel in front and two at the rear is easier to control
since it travels on land unlike the sail boat. The sailing car is designed with directions controlled by feet and
a sail maneuvered by hand. The car would speed up when the rope is tightly held. Conversely, the car may slow down when the rope is loosened to lessen the wind on the sail. Since the sailing car is light, it can travel on different surfaces like (beach) sand, parking lots, sports arena and even ice.
In the early 1600s, Dutchman Simon Stevin invented a two-masted sailing car. He integrated two-masted sails with a car body, axle and wheels to make a sailing car a possible mode of transport. However, the vehicle could not move against the wind or without the wind. Moreover, the air flow and wind strength were unstable on the streets, so driving the vehicle wasn’t practical. Consequently, given these factors; namely, wrong market position, high cost, weight (i.e. heavy) and poor efficiency, the sailing car had no practical value and was forgotten by the people.
By the 20th century, leisure sports have become popular. A New Zealander named Paul Beckett improved the invention. Beckett initially intended to create a portable wind-driven sport equipment applicable to people of different ages and body conditions. Because of its reasonable price and easy operation, the lightweight and newly invented three-wheel
sailing car became widely popular around the world with the rise of leisure activities. The broad leisure arena has enhanced its value.
S e s s i o n 04Application of Wind Power
Daily
Application
17
BrainstormingPe o p l e o f t e n m a ke l i f e m o r e convenient with the help and power of nature. What facilities around you are applications derived from natural sources?
1 4
x2
x1
x3
x4
x4
x2
x4
x2 x2 x14
x1x2x2
x2 x2 x4 x4
6 9
29
30
31
32
34
39
41
42
153
5
8
7
01
03
02
04
Parts List
Sail Car
18
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
19
2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
What could be dif ferent in the sail car’s operat ion when dif ferent mater ials are used in the sail, in addition to common A4 paper.
Change the angle of t he sail bu t keep the
directions of the car and wind. What are the
force changes on the sail car?
1
20
21
Using the models and principles that you have learned, try to design a mechanism that is able to measure both wind direction and speed.
S e s s i o n
Monograph
03. Anemometer
02. Wind Vane
04. Sail Car
051
ModelReview
01. Artificial Wind
22
1
2
3
ModelDesign
ModelCreation
Winner!
DesignConcept
EvaluationMy Artwork
People in the past already knew how to use wooden windmills to irrigate and
grind cereal. The wind mill is characterized by its strength, hence it is also called a wind mill. The
main function of a windmill is to transform wind into power through the rotation of a paddle wheel. People use this wind energy to grind cereal. With the rapid development of modern technologies, the ancient windmill has almost been forgotten; nevertheless, it is still considered a unique landscape in the world given its advantages of natural energy, pollution-free and inexhaustible energy.
Wind resource also called wind energy resource, refers to kinetic energy generated when air flows above the Earth’s surface.
Wind resource is derived from nature, which is renewable energy that is sustainable to use. Although wind resource can’t be exhausted, it is unstable since wind often changes like day and night. Moreover, only when wind speed reaches a certain degree, can it be used for power generation. This means that not all wind resources can be converted into electricity. Accordingly, a wind field refers to a place or area that can be utilized or used as a wind resource.
However, wind power generation creates elevated sound levels, so a wind field should be constructed on a wide-open area away from people. This
would result in regional restrictions on wind resources and consideration for appropriate geographical environments; for example, an offshore wind field would be located along coastal areas or an on-land wind field would be situated in wide-open areas.
S e s s i o n 06Wind Resources
Daily
Application
23
1 93
x1 x6 x2
x6x3x2x1
x1
x2
x4
x1
x1
x1
x6
x2
x6
x1
x2
x2 x1 x2 x2
2
6
22
25
28
30
34
36
38
41
42
43
45
46
15
8
717
23
01
03
02
04
24
Parts List
BrainstormingWhat tools will you use to grind food?
Wind Mill
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
25
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
What are the changes in design when rep lac ing gear sets that a re used to represent millstone with other parts?
Adjust the output speed of the windmill by
collocating different gear sets.
26
Tony joined an off-campus activity that involved visiting a power plant. When the tour bus reached the mountain, Tony saw windmills that had three blades and were different from the electric fans at home that had four blades.
Tony was curious and asked the teacher why windmills for power generation only have three blades. And the teacher replied that windmills with more blades are normally called low-speed windmills, which have higher rotor power coefficient and larger torque during operation, and are more suitable for water lifts given their low start-up wind speed.
In contrast, windmills with fewer blades are cal led h igh -speed windmi l ls . Experimental tests on strong windmills showed that windmills with three blades could produce optimum economic efficiency, since they could produce higher rotor power coefficient during high-speed operation. Moreover, fewer blades made them lighter than those with more blades, so they are ideal for power generation.
A strong windmill generator is usually installed on a high tower, since the air velocity aboveground is greater than that on the earth.
Generally, a larger blade can improve the generating efficiency, but may break due to increased thrust when the blade is increased. In order to avoid risk and considering the economic efficiency under weak wind conditions, researchers found that with the area remaining the same, a valid wind area can be achieved by designing longer blades that can still produce equal generating efficiency. Moreover, longer blades can generate enough torque to drive the power generator even under weak wind conditions.
S e s s i o n 07Blades
Daily
Application
27
1 6 16
x4
x4 x1
x1
x1
x2 x3
x1
x1
x1
x6
x1
x2
x1 x2
2
22
23
25
34
41
44
45
46
15
8
14
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingWhat shapes of blades have you seen?
Long-blade
Windmill
28
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
29
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
See the dif ference in the rotation of the windmil l af ter adjust ing the number of blades.
Record how much strong wind is required to
blow your windmill? How many spins can it do
after being blown?
30
Since windmil l generators cannot convert al l the wind energy, their design may affect the amount of electricity
derived from kinetic energy, which is called output efficiency. The output efficiency is greatly affected by the blade design and
rotat ion speed. Since blade design was previously discussed, we now focus on the influence of the rotation speed on output efficiency. It is a universal fact that wind flow on the Earth’s surface is unstable, so the rotation speed of a windmill may vary with the strength of the wind. Generally, an increased rotation speed may produce higher output efficiency. Most large scale windmill generators may adjust rotation speed through a variable-speed motor or blade adjustment mechanism, to maintain normal operation.
Dur ing Tony ’s v is i t to the wind power p lant , the tour guide mentioned that the windmill generators were the latest products. Later on, when Tony climbed up the high tower, he observed that the area was spacious and there was relatively low noise in the machine room.
The guide explained that the generators were driven directly by the wind with no variable-speed motor. These machines were called direct-driven windmill generators. With the high failure rate of variable-speed motors, direct-driven windmill generators have
become popular because of their high ef f ic iency, low noise, long service life, smaller set volume and reduced maintenance costs.
S e s s i o n 08Output Efficiency
Daily
Application
31
1 6 17
x2
x3 x2 x2
x1 x2
x3
x3
x6
x6
x5
x1
x2
x2
x2
x3 x1
2
22
23
25
34
41
42
43
44
45
46
15
8
7
01
03
02
04
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingWhen do we need to adjust the rotation speed of a windmill?
Variable-speed
Windmill
32
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
33
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
ArtAttack
Evaluation
Design an output power with di f ferent rotat ion speeds by using the ex ist ing materials.
Compare two windmills with different output
power. What is the difference in their rotation
speed?
Experiment
Time
34
Since ancient times, people already knew how to utilize wind power. In the application of
wind, different functions and environments are considered to build a suitable mechanism. There should be a space for the equipment
for wind operation and a solid structure that can protect the mechanism and support normal operation. For instance, people design a wind powered mechanism to drive away birds that feed on crops; this is called a wind powered scarecrow, which is a primitive and simple wind energy mechanism. In terms of manufacturing, people use local materials like straws to create a shape of a man and set this up among the crops. The scarecrow moves and waves when the wind blows, and scares the birds away.
A wind energy mechanism is used to maintain the normal operation of a windmill and protects it from being destroyed by strong wind, which makes it a challenge to protect the blades.
When a blade rotates quickly because of strong wind, the conventional mechanism changes the windward side of the blade into leeward and blocks the blades to protect them. However, this may shut off the power generator and greatly decrease its utilization rate.
The new mechanism has a variable angle design. When the blades come in contact with strong wind, a rotating torsion centered on the axial blade may adjust the blade gear and change the blade angle accordingly based
on the automatic detection system, through which it can reduce the wind thrust under strong wind conditions. This he lps prevent damage and generate power as well.
S e s s i o n 09Wind Powered Mechanism
Daily
Application
35
1 3 7
x4
x3
x1
x1
x4 x1
x2
x1
x3x1
x1 x2 x1 x9 x2
x3x1x1x1
x1x3 x2 x8 x2x1
2
4
6
9
1017
22
23
25
28
34
38
39
41
42
43
45
46
13
15
5
8
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingWhich objects are powered by the wind?
Wind Powered
Scarecrow
36
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
37
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How do you adjust the amplitude of the scarecrow’s swing and its frequency?
Observe the amplitude of the scarecrow’s swing
and design the appropriate parts.
38
Please design a power-driven tool using the models or principles that you’ve learned.
S e s s i o n
Monograph
08. Variable-speed Windmill
07. Long-blade Windmill
09. Wind Powered Scarecrow
102
ModelReview
06. Wind Mill
39
40
1
2
3
ModelDesign
ModelCreation
Winner!
DesignConcept
EvaluationMy Artwork
Tony felt hot inside the room after flying a kite in the park, so he turned on the electric fan and played with the kite at the same time.
Seeing the kite swing as the cool air blows, Tony suddenly thought of the electric fans in school that were used to drive the electric generator, so he got curious and asked his Grandpa whether a kite could be used to generate power.
Grandpa replied: “You are really creative that you could come up with such ideas using that analogy. Recently, some researchers have invented a new kite wind generator that enabled a kite to drive
a merry-go-round with the help of wind energy, which generated electr ic ity caused by a rotation in the magnetic field.”
Wind power generation makes the blade on a windmill rotate with the wind and further
drive the magnet inside a generator to rotate, so that electricity is generated as the magnetic line of force is
cut off by the relative movement of coils, followed by the output from the output pin. Specifically, wind power generation is an energy conversion method that transforms wind energy into mechanical energy and then into electricity. Although wind power generation is natural, clean, pollution-free and common, the unstable wind force and direction may affect power generation. In addition, wind power generation has a negative impact (e.g. noise) on bird habitats. The current global trend is focused on developing wind fields in offshore areas in order to keep away from places where animals live. This also provides opportunities to utilize the ocean wind and save land resources.
S e s s i o n 11Wind Power Generation
Daily
Application
41
01
03
02
04
191 3
17
20
21
22
33
42
43
45
4615
7
x2
x2
x3 x1
x1
x1
x1
x3
x1
x1 x2
x2x4
x3x2
2
Parts List
BrainstormingHave you ever seen a la rge windmi l l by the sea? Do you know its function?
Windmill
Generator
42
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
43
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
Try to design your own generator.
Record how much strong wind is required to light a bulb.
44
A wind turbine should overcome the maximum static friction force in order to start rotating from a
static state. This is called a start-up wind speed, i.e. the minimum wind speed required to start a wind turbine. The start-
up speed of a common windmill is about 3m/s, but it is unable to generate electricity at a wind speed lower than 4m/s. To ensure that communities with a lower average wind speed in the wind field, can generate electricity through the wind, it is necessary to minimize the scale of the windmill to reduce the maximum static friction force. Therefore, the so-called air-breeze wind generator can start to operate at half the start-up speed of a common generator, which can produce electricity even with a gentle breeze. Nevertheless, its generated power is relatively low. For instance, some people have invented an air-breeze wind generator installed on bicycles.
In order to encourage most cities to effectively use wind energy, researchers have developed a new air-breeze wind generator technology.
The air-breeze wind generator consists of several special ly designed light plastic wind turbines with gears, as well as a tail vane for finding wind. With the support of a small generator, the plastic turbines are blown by the wind, making them rotate and generate electricity. This kind of wind power generation system
is able to work under a wind speed of 2m/s. Although the generated power is not high, i t can serve as a small independent auxi l iary power system that conserves energy.
S e s s i o n 12Start-up Wind Speed
Daily
Application
45
01
03
02
04
151 3
x2
6 17
19
20
21
22
23
25
33
34
41
42
43
45
46
14
7x2
x1
x2 x1 x1
x1
x6
x1
x1 x1 x2 x2
x4x1 x1
x1 x1 x6
x7
x1
2
Parts List
BrainstormingW h e r e d o e s s t r o n g w i n d normally appear?
46
Air-breeze Wind
Generator
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
47
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How do you modify the air-breeze wind generator if it is installed on the bicycle?
Generate wind by using different methods and
see which method can successfully d rive a
generator.
48
The turbine of a hor izontal wind power generation can transfer wind power into mechanical
energy. However, if the turbines do not operate against the wind, the transfer efficiency may reduce. To ensure that the change in wind
direction can also facilitate wind energy, it is necessary to install an automatic wind sensing equipment. A large-scale wind powered generator can first detect wind direction and signal through a wind direction sensor and then control the direction of rotation. As for the small-sized wind powered generator, a tail vane is added, which works as the tail on an anemoscope. Since it has a larger wind resistance due to its larger area, it may be pushed behind to automatically adjust the direction of the generator, making the turbine run against the wind to improve transfer efficiency.
Grandpa Rudolph took Tony on a holiday to visit a green chicken farm to help expand Tony’s knowledge about green energy.
When he arrived in the farm, Tony felt odd because of the strange street lights that he saw. There was a wind powered generator with a vane installed on a pole for detecting the wind. There was also an integrated wind energy and solar energy panel for lighting applications.
Grandpa Rudolph explained that although the individual transfer efficiency of both wind powered generator and solar panel were not high, the energy output can be increased if they are integrated just like these lighting facilities. It is only when we exert some effort
in environmental protection and energy conversation, can the future generation live in a better environment.
S e s s i o n 13Transfer Efficiency
Daily
Application
49
01
03
02
04
81 3
x5
x4
x3 x1
x2 x1
x1
x1 x11 x2
x2x1
x1x2
x2 x1
x3 x1 x1 x1 x2
x6x1
x2
6
16
17
19
20
21
22
33
34
35
37
41
42
43
45
46
12
15
5
7
2
Parts List
BrainstormingHow do you determine the wind d i rec t ion and s t rength in an area?
Wind Sensing
Generator
50
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
51
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
H ow do you make t he w ind sens ing function of a model more sensitive?
Make a model that is facing the electric fan at different angles and test whether it can change directions successfully in line with the wind’s direction.
52
A wind powered generator is categorized according to its installation direction. In other words,
a generator parallel to the ground is called a horizontal wind powered generator while a generator vertical to the earth is called a vertical wind powered generator. Since the rotating axle in a vertical generator is perpendicular to the wind direction, and a vertical plate or a cambered bending plate is used as a turbine, there are several advantages which include receiving wind from any direction, a simple structural design and a small rotation range of blades. However, given the small turbine size and (heavy) weight, the generated transfer efficiency is lower than that of a horizontal generator. Moreover, it requires a larger start-up torque, and at times, a motor to get it started.
The world’s first wind-powered electric vehicle charging station was installed successfully in Barcelona, Spain in 2012. It was an electric vehicle charging station that used wind for power generation and energy storage. It perfectly incorporated a pollution-free wind power generation and electric vehicle charging mechanism. It did not only expand the practical application of an infinite wind energy, but it also brought electric vehicles a fresh new energy experience, which was helpful in popularize
the said vehicles.
The wind-powered electric vehicle charging station consists of a 12 meters high tower, in which a vertical axis wind powered generator is installed to transmit electricity to the charging station. A vertical axis wind powered generator only requires a small space for operat ion. Thus, i t is small in terms of volume and is easily installed.
S e s s i o n 14Vertical Wind Powered Generator
Daily
Application
53
01
03
02
04
1 4 8
x2
x4
x2
x6 x1
x1
x1
x6x1 x1 x8 x2
x2x14x1x1
x1 x1 x1 x6
x2
x3
6 17
19
20
21
22
23
25
33
35
41
42
43
45
46
15
3
5
7
Parts List
BrainstormingWhere does the w ind b low ? What is the wind’s direction?
54
Vertical Axis Wind
Powered Generator
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
55
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How do you improve the generated power of a vertical axis wind powered generator?
Please use a model fo r blowing wind from
different angles and observe the difference in
the model’s action.
56
Please design a variable speed wind sensing power generator using the models and principles that you have learned.
S e s s i o n
Monograph
13. Wind Sensing Generator
12. Air-breeze Wind Generator
14. Vertical Axis Wind Powered Generator
153
ModelReview
11. Windmill Generator
57
58
1
2
3
ModelDesign
ModelCreation
Winner!
DesignConcept
EvaluationMy Artwork
Generally, the angle of an electric fan blade is designed to blow air forward, thus a lower pressure may form behind
the fan during its rotation, which makes air flow towards a higher pressure area. This is why people feel a suction-like
force working behind the fan. When the blades run, the bevel angle of blades may produce friction with the air, which is then pushed forward.
The pushed air also exerts pressure on the blades, according to Newton’s principle of action and reaction. As for the pushed air, it is released from the electric fan, which produces wind.
When Tony let the electr ic fan blow the kite, he associated this action to power generation. Since a kite could be used to generate power, he assumed that an electr ic fan can also generate power. So he got curious and asked Grandpa Rudolph.
Grandpa Rudolph answered: “Generally, an electric fan powered by an alternating current has a horizontal rotating axle. Although it can be treated as a horizontal wind turbine, it cannot generate
power. Since it adopts an AC Induction Motor, its coils are f ixed on a stator w h i l e i t s r o t o r w o r k s t h r o u g h a n e l e c t r o - magne t i c i nduc t i o n . I t i s formed by an iron core coated with a luminum. S ince the motor has no magnet, the coils are unable to cut the magnetic field for power generation.”
S e s s i o n
Horizontal Wind Turbine
Daily
Application
5959
16
81 3
x3
6
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
27
28
34
35
39
40
41
42
43
45
46
11
12
13
15
5
7
x3
x1
x4x1
x1x1
x1 x1 x1
x3 x1 x1x1
x7 x2
x2x2
x3
x1
x1x1 x1 x1
x1 x1 x2x4 x1
2
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingWhat kinds of electric fans have you seen?
Electric
Fan
60
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
61
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How can you change the oscillating angle of your electric fan?
What is the oscillating angle of your electric
fan?
62
There is a type of electric stand fan, which is a wind deflector that can send
wind to different directions. This fan has a base that can be placed on the ground or on the desk. It has an additional deflector installed on the external area of the blades in which there is a wind board with parallel spacing. Wind from an electric fan is sent to a fixed direction while the deflector is not working. In contrast, if the deflector is running, the wind is circulated to enhance air convection results.
Generally, a cooling fan is installed in the mother board of a desktop computer’s CPU to avoid a system crash due to overheating of the CPU.
However, when processing a complicated high-speed computation using a multicore CPU, there would be an increased generated heat, so the system may crash even when a common cooling fan is installed. This is because the heated air extracted from the CPU via the cooling fan has not been discharged from the computer case and still keeps accumulating, making the overall temperature inside the case rise rather than decrease. This could cause the CPU to crash.
The new design of the heat deflector for the CPU can improve the situation, since it extracts heated air through a wind deflector and connects
the computer case with a duct, which can effectively transmit wind energy and discharge the CPU-generated heat out of the computer case.
S e s s i o n 17Wind Energy Transmission
Daily
Application
63
01
03
02
04
1 6 16
x4
x4 x3
x3
x2x1 x2
x3x1
x2
x1
x3 x1 x10
x4
x4
2 9
17
22
23
25
26
41
43
45
4615
7
Parts List
BrainstormingWhat will you do to allow air to circulate inside your house?
Wind Deflector
64
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
65
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
Change the model to increase the air deflector’s transmission direction.
Try to observe whether the two sets of blades in
an air deflector have the same rate of rotation.
66
The wind-powered beast is one of the bionic beasts. It can drive the propeller to
rotate with the help of the wind. It makes one set of gears rotate to drive the bent axle and connecting
rod, so that the double swinging motions of various connecting rods are enabled. This helps achieve a walking motion of the leg, which is restrained and similar to the leg movements of insects. If we make a larger beast with more solid materials, the wind-powered beast can serve as a manned vehicle controlled by a strong wind. It is a veritable but slow wind-powered vehicle. Although it does not have significant practical application and value, it can be used in teaching because of its concept.
When Tony went home after seeing the bionic beast exhibit, he asked Grandpa Rudolph why nobody knew about the early bionic beast in the wind-powered carrier shown in the exhibit.
Grandpa Rudolph answered that some early inventions had no means to undergo research. But as far as he was concerned, it was Otto Lilienthal, a German who invented the bat-like wind-powered manned glider. Lilienthal was known worldwide as the father of the glider.
Grandpa Rudolph added that the design of the glider wing was similar to the blade of a wind powered generator. It had the same wing area and a larger ratio of length (from left to right) to the width (from front to rear)
which significantly helped its flight capability. It was similar to the design of windmill blades.
S e s s i o n 18Wind-powered Carrier
Daily
Application
67
01
03
02
04
1 3 9
x2
x1
2
x1
x8
x3
x2
x4
x1 x1 x2 x10
x2x1x2
x1 x2 x4 x2
x4x2
x4
617
22
23
24
25
34
35
37
39
40
41
42
43
155
7
Parts List
BrainstormingWhich vehicles are powered by the wind?
Strandbeest
68
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
69
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How will you design your strandbeest to make it move on water?
Record the distance per minute that your model
can move.
70
With modern technologies, weather forecasts can be confirmed in the news.
For instance, warnings are given if there is a typhoon coming. It is necessary to increase
meteorological detection to prevent damage to equipment due to strong wind. Consequently, we can detect strong wind through the
changes in rotation speed of propellers. A mechanical or electrical facility can be used to trigger early warning indicators. The simplest weather vane can also be used as a strong wind warning indicator. Nowadays, a weather vane is often used in small-sized airports or parachute training grounds when funds are limited. This weather vane swings aggressively to warn people when a strong wind is coming.
After hearing about the typhoon in the news, Tony Grandpa Rudolph to the supermarket to buy food.
While approaching a construction site, Tony noticed from a distance that the long arm of a crane had been broken by the wind. Tony was curious and asked his grandpa about it. “Why is the crane’s long-arm so weak that it couldn’t withstand the strong wind? The typhoon hasn’t even arrived yet.”
Grandpa Rudolph did not reply immediately but asked Tony this question, “Why are large wind powered generators installed on high towers?” Tony recalled that it was because the wind speed aboveground is higher than on the ground. He then understood why the long arm broke, it was due to the high wind speed.
S e s s i o n 19Early Warning of Wind Disaster
Daily
Application
71
1 3 15
x4
x4
2
x2x1
x3x1
x1
x1 x4
x8 x2
x1 x2
x1
x1x1
16
22
23
25
34
36
39
41
42
45
46
14
x2
x3
6
5
01
03
02
04
Parts List
BrainstormingWhat disasters may be caused by typhoon?
Strong Wind
Warning Indicator
72
05
09
07
11
06
10
08
12
73
1 2 3
ModelAssembled
ExperimentComplete
Model Creation
Experiment
Time
ArtAttack
Evaluation
How do you design a warning indicator t ha t i s ab l e t o ad jus t t h e wa r n in g ’s sensitivity?
Dete rmine how s t rong the wind is when a
warning model device sends warnings.
74
Please design a self-propelled electric fan using the models and principles that you have learned.
S e s s i o n
Monograph
18. Strandbeest
17. Wind Deflector
19. Strong Wind Warning Indicator
204
ModelReview
16. Electric Fan
75
76
1
2
3
ModelDesign
ModelCreation
Winner!
DesignConcept
EvaluationMy Artwork
7777
Learning Lab- Individual Packages
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