Date of Award

Spring 6-8-2018

Document Type

Honors Project

University Scholars Director

Christine Chaney

First Advisor/Committee Member

John Lindberg

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Kevin Bolding

Keywords

Alternative Energy, Alternator, Wind Turbine

Abstract

This article explores the alternator designs for small scale wind turbines and the aspects that affect the performance of these alternators. It explores the design and testing process used to quantify, visualize, and understand the relationship between the wind turbine stator design and the performance. Additionally, the paper analyzes the data collection method using a test jig powered by a hydraulic motor set up by previous groups of students and the data intended to be collected using actual field tests on Whidbey Island located at Camp Casey. These tests were intended to identify favorable combinations of alternators and blades. However, due to a lack of wind, only a small amount of data was collected. In addition to this test, it also discusses another experimental test designed to analyze the importance of minimizing the spacing between the magnetic rotors and the stators in maximizing the performance of the alternator.

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