ASI/Pinson 1-kW high-reliability wind system. Phase II. Prototype construction and testing

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6811456

Noll, R B; Drees, H M

The approved design is a 15-ft vertical-axis turbine with three straight 8-ft blades controlled by a tilt-cam mechanism. The tilt-cam mechanism controls blade cyclic pitch amplitudes in a manner similar to a helicopter swash plate. The turbine rotor has a calculated power coefficient of 0.4 at an optimum tip speed ratio of approx. 3.0 which results in a rotational speed of 112 RPM in a 9 m/sec wind. The electrical system provides 1-kW of 24 V DC power in a 9 m/sec wind by means of a flux-switching alternator. The electronic circuitry, designed with high-reliability components, consists of a voltage regulator and a power rectifier. A dumpload circuit is provided as an option. Two transient protection networks are included, one on the tower for the alternator and the other to protect circuitry in the control building. Three prototypes were fabricated and extensive testing was conducted on the first unit. Prototype tests showed that the SWECS operated as designed although output at 20 MPH was slightly lower than 1-kW. A system power coefficient of 0.25 was obtained in initial tests. Design changes were made as a result of tests, the most noticeable change being the replacement of the approved vertical tail vane and horizontal wing with a V-vane configuration. Poor wind conditions precluded completion of acceptance testing. As a result, Rockwell performed controlled velocity tests (CVT) of the first prototype prior to field tests. Additional effort included instrumentation for the first prototype; design, fabrication and testing of equipment for manual installation; and preparation of an assembly, operation and maintenance manual.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Golden, CO (USA). Rocky Flats Plant; Aerospace Systems, Inc., Burlington, MA (USA); Pinson Energy Corp., Marstons Mills, MA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP03533
• OSTI ID: 6811456
• Report Number(s): RFP-3301; ON: DE82021711
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
VERTICAL AXIS TURBINES
CONSTRUCTION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
ALTERNATORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COST
DESIGN
LIGHTNING
MANUFACTURING
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
RELAYS
SPECIFICATIONS
TILT MECHANISMS
TURBINE BLADES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MACHINE PARTS
MACHINERY
TESTING
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WIND TURBINES
170602* - Wind Energy Engineering- Turbine Design & Operation