Smid-gen mini mite

[windstuffnow]

Small, mini, tiny the "Smid-gen" is just that.. measuring 3 inches in diameter and 3/4" thick it uses 8 tiny magnets to focus flux through a single coil forming an axial flux single phase alternator.

No, it's not a real work horse but it definately makes micro power a "breeze"...

It makes enough power to drive a dozen Bright white LED in a 10 mph wind with the little 8" tall by 12" diameter Lenz2.   With a set of 14" blades on it it does 14 volts at .12 amps.

Another fun project with a little "no box" thinking...

.

[gotwind2]

Great stuff Ed, as always.

Have you any more images and details on the alternator?, it looks reasonably straight forward.

I, along with others I suspect want to make one.

Thanks.

Ben.

[blueyonder]

 hi ed. looks a good fun project as you say.

  ben has asked to see the other bits  inside.

  i would also like to see how its made.

   one coil and one phase its interesting.

  how thick the wire and what size coil and magnets.

   i need sumthing fun to play with.  this looks like what i need .

    was going to try find a ready made dc motor .

   but this would be much better. and its a axial flux aswell nice.

   i think i understand how its done but pics would be great.

     and its so small. neat. cheers john.  

[GeeMac]

I looks as if there might be one coil in the middle with magnets revolving around the coil.  All in all, it a nifty unit and I like it.

[Capt Slog]

I'd like to see inside it too, it looks like it would make a great generator for powering the lights on a pushbike.

.

[windstuffnow]

Here is a layout of all the parts...

It's basically an axial version of the claw pole design.   I built several of them each with improvements to increase performance and reduce cogging.   The final version shown has only a tiny feel of the cogging and requires little force to overcome it.  

The steel used makes a big difference in it's performance as well as the cogging effect as well.  I originally machined steel rings for the coil and outer flux return and found you could shape them to create different outputs and reduce cogging.   The final version uses silicon for the inner coil core and return ring and a low carbon steel for the pole pieces and base plate.  The coil is completely enclosed in steel.  

The magnets are 3/8 x 3/8 x 1/8 blocks that are mounted to the prop hub assembly ( or base of the Lenz2 arm ) which both have their own bearing assembly.

The "smid-gen" and "Lenz2 spinner" will be offered as kits on my site in the near future.

[blueyonder]

  thank you ed. for post and the details and pic.

  but i think i must be to dumb to build this one.

  i thought maybe one coil like this () and the mags just passed it over.

  but more to this than meets the eye.

  i need sumthing in the five to six year old range.

    as a toy anyway .

 

[gotwind2]

Nice design Ed,

A bit more to it than I expected, I had to google 'silicone steel', I now understand its importance within the design.

http://www.key-to-steel.com/Articles/Art101.htm

An 'exploded  or sectional view' may also help others understand the concept, not sure how that could be done easily though..

Also of interest,

I found a company in the states that makes mini alternators for unmanned vehicle subsystems, incl coreless designs, I suspect they are hugely expensive, but worth a look imho.

http://www.sullivanuav.com/products/al_coreless.html

Ben.

[electrondady1]

i was puzzled by the layout as well

i must admit i peeked in your files

and discovered this latest image before you posted it .

there is a bit more to this one than the 6 mag single coil unit.

(which in itself was dam clever)

but this one is wicked smart!!

just curious, is the inner pole piece an off cut of the outer pole piece?

i also want to compliment you on the design of the end caps of your mill .

and the way you can secure both ends with that single threaded rod.

that is nice design at work !

[PHinker]

First rate work as always, Ed.  Looks like you're having a lot of fun with that plasma cutter.