• 한국유체기계학회 논문집
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.7-12
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• 2006

This study is to develop a system of electric power generation utilizing the wind resources available in the domestic wind environment. We tested drag-type vortical wind turbine models, which have two different types of blades: a flat plate and circular arc shape. Through a performance test, conditions of maximum rotational speed were found by measuring the rpm of wind turbine. The rotational speed was measured by a tachometer in a wind tunnel and the tunnel wind speed was by using a pilot-static tube and a micro manometer. The performance test for a prototype was accomplished by calculating power, power coefficient, torque coefficient from the measurement of torque and rpm by a dynamometer controller From the measurements for miniature turbine models with two different blades, the circular arc shape was found to Produce a maximum rotational speed for the same wind velocity condition. Based on this result, the prototype with the circular arc blade was made and tested. We found that it produces 500W at the wind velocity of 10.8 m/s and the power coefficient was 20%.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.493-503
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• 2006

The demand for energy in the world increases everyday. Blade energy which is wind turbine is a significant resource which must be appreciated in this field. Especially, in places where wind potential is high, the usage of wind energy is a beneficial factor for every country's economy. In this study, first, 6 different miniature rotor were produced by using 6 different NACA profiles. Rotors were produced with three blades. The electrical performance and the speed of start of action values that are provided from each rotor form were established by measuring them in the wind tunnel. The calculation of area and volumetric values of each profile and wind surfaces were made with AutoCad technical drawing program. As a result, it was searched whether there is any relation between electrical performance values and speed of start of motion that rotors produced and volumetric values of rotors. The aim of this study is to find out whether rotor blade volume is one of factors that influences rotor performance. The general tendency observed here is that the increase in the volume of rotor blade leads to an increase in the speed of start of motion and to a decrease in the rotor performance.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.261-273
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• 2020

This paper deals with the design, wind tunnel testing, and performance analysis of small wind turbines targeting low-power applications. Three different small-size blade designs in terms of size, shape, and twisting angle are considered and tested. We conduct wind tunnel tests while measuring the angular speed of the rotating blades, the generated voltage, and the current under varying resistive loading and air flow conditions. An electromechanical model is also used to predict the measured voltage and power and verify their consistency and repeatability. The measurements are found in qualitative agreement with those reported in previously-published experimental works. We present a novel methodology to estimate the mechanical torque applied to the wind turbine without the deployment of a torque measuring device. This method can be used to determine the power coefficient at a given air speed, which constitutes an important performance indicator of wind turbines. The wind tunnel tests revealed the capability of the developed wind turbines to deliver more than 1225 mW when subject to an air flow with a speed of 7 m/s. The power coefficient is found ranging between 26% and 32%. This demonstrates the aerodynamic capability of the designed blades to extract power from the wind.

• 대한기계학회논문집B
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.278-286
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• 2006

Experiments were conducted to estimate the performance of drag force type vertical axis wind turbine with an opening-shutting rotor. It was operated by the difference in drag force generated on both sides of the blades. The rotational speed was measured by a tachometer in a wind tunnel and the tunnel wind speed was measured by using a pilot-static tube and a micro manometer. The performance test for a prototype was accomplished by calculating power, power coefficient, torque coefficient from the measurement of torque and rpm by a dynamometer controller. Various design parameters, such as the number of blades(B), blade aspect ratio(W/R), angle of blades$(\alpha)$ and drag coefficient acting on a blade, were considered for optimal conditions. At the experiment of miniature model, maximum efficiency was found at N=15, $\alpha=60^{\circ}$ and W/R=0.32. The measured test variables were power, torque, rotational speed, and wind speeds. The data presented are in the form of power and torque coefficients as a function of tip-speed ratio V/U. Maximum power was found in case of $\Omega=0.33$, when the power and torque coefficient were 0.14 and 0.37 respectively. Comparing model test with prototype test, similarity law by advance ratio for vertical axis wind turbine was confirmed.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제7권5호
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• pp.365-378
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• 2011

Piezo-based active structural health monitoring (SHM) requires amplifiers specifically designed for capacitive loads. Moreover, with the increase in number of applications of wireless SHM systems, energy efficiency and cost reduction for this type of amplifiers is becoming a requirement. General lab grade amplifiers are big and costly, and not built for outdoor environments. Although some piezoceramic power amplifiers are available in the market, none of them are specifically targeting the wireless constraints and low power requirements. In this paper, a piezoceramic transducer amplifier for wireless active SHM systems has been designed. Power requirements are met by two digital On/Off switches that set the amplifier in a standby state when not in use. It provides a stable ${\pm}180$ Volts output with a bandwidth of 7k Hz using a single 12 V battery. Additionally, both voltage and current outputs are provided for feedback control, impedance check, or actuator damage verification. Vibration control tests of an aluminum beam were conducted in the University of Houston lab, while wireless active SHM tests of a wind turbine blade were performed in the Harbin Institute of Technology wind tunnel. The results showed that the developed amplifier provided equivalent results to commercial solutions in suppressing structural vibrations, and that it allows researchers to perform active wireless SHM on moving objects with no power wires from the grid.