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Using magnets we already have for a larger rotor | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial)
Re: Using magnets we already have for a larger rot (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by cslarson on Mon Nov 5th, 2007 at 05:56:34 AM MST
(User Info)

Hi Flux, thanks for the response.  Those values are calculated at a tip speed ratio of 6.5.  Here is a chart for wind speed vs rpm:


I certainly can tell you about how I hope to load this up.  I'm hoping to connect it through a controller to a 3-phase water pump.  As described in the following publication, the controller will switch the pump on and off based on a cut-in/cut-out low frequency and cut-in/cut-out high frequency, and only on as long as the voltage/frequency ratio stays in a predetermined range:
http://www.cprl.ars.usda.gov/REMM%20Pubs/1996%20A%20Smart%20Controller%20for%20Wind%20Electric%20Wat er%20Pumping%20Systems.pdf

It looks like an off-the-shelf 240v ac pump will operate at different voltages and frequencies, and even efficiently, as long as V/f stays at a certain preset ratio.  Let me know if anyone has already designed a controller like this that might share the schematics!

With a high-voltage ac alternator it should be straightforward to use a normal water heating element as a dump load.  Secondarily, it should charge batteries, though for the moment I am more interested in seeing how viable a solution we can make for pumping water.

You said it looks like a powerful alternator.  Which configuration?  One of the things I am having trouble with is sizing the alternator.  I care more about producing power at the lower wind speeds.  If a smaller alternator would do this (maxing out at 3kw or so), then that is fine as it would be cheaper and I can furl earlier to protect it (if that even makes sense).

Thanks,
Carl

[ Parent ]



Re: Using magnets we already have for a larger rot (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by Flux on Mon Nov 5th, 2007 at 07:54:22 AM MST
(User Info)

A pumping load should work ok over a modest speed range. The volts/cycle should remain constant and the power absorbed by the pump should follow speed cubed I think.

I haven't had time to look in depth at your article. If you are interested in lower winds then you should not need a monster alternator.

When properly matched 16 pole with single magnets should manage that with reasonable efficiency up to near 2kW perhaps even more. The more magnets and copper you through at it the higher the efficiency and the lower the stator heating, so the higher wind speed you can go to before furling.

I would have been tempted to try 20 poles of single magnets rather than double up on the magnets. You make better use of the magnets by increasing the pole number with decent spacing rather than using very long thin magnets that are too widely spaced at the outside and crowded at the centre.

You will need to choose your voltage to match the volts/cycle of the motor ( aim for 60 Hz at 240v if it is N.America).

It is unlikely that you will manage to start the motor in low winds, I just have no idea what the starting requirements will be at low volts -low frequency. You may need to let the blades have a run for it and bring the motor on line to use the inertia of the blades to start it. Once started it may run down to speeds where the pump can no longer manage the lift. You will have to do a fair bit of experimenting, which you may be able to do with a conventional alternator driven at the same volts/cycle from a variable speed source rather than build the pmg first.

Once you have sorted the pump characteristics then you have a far better idea what the alternator needs to do.

You will have to limit the motor to full load determined by the pump, beyond that you will need to bring in a dump load or furl. Choice of pump characteristic and motor size may be quite critical. I think with careful choices you can produce a perfectly satisfactory scheme but expect a lot of unforeseen things, this is probably new ground.

Flux

[ Parent ]



Using magnets we already have for a larger rotor | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial)

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