Introduction to

Mechatronics

Portfolio : Wind
Generator

Submitted to:
Submitted by:

Chetan Sir
Kshitij Bhakoo
(ASU2012010100037)

WIND GENERATOR :
This is a wind generator that works on the principle of electromagnetic induction, it is made up of
sustainable material which can be used again by recycling.
Basic components : fan, a L.E.D. and a base to hold itself.
The fan blades are made from a plastic bottle. As the blades rotate they spin two strong neodymium
magnets in a coil made of 700-turns of insulated copper wire. The ends of the coil are attached to a LED.
As the blades spin in the breeze the magnets turn and generate a current in the coil which can light the
LED.
It has a perfect blend of mechanics and electronics involved with its whole functioning plus it is made up
of majority of waste and sustainable materials.
It is a perfect example of mechatronics, the word made up of two wordsmecha meaning mechanical and tronics taken from electronics, the wind moving the fan is the
mechanical part while the electrical current being generated out of it is the electrical part.
The project is a small scale representation of a simple phenomenon called electromagnetic induction, the
concept can be magnified on a larger scale to cater different needs.

Material Required :
1) Tea cup
2) Film roll can with lid (any plastic container).
3) Rubber pieces
4) Neodymium Magnets
5) Thin insulated copper wire
6) Ball pen refill
7) L.E.D bulbs
8) Cycle spokes with their rods
9) Straw pieces
10) Bottle cap
11) A-4 sheets
12) Glue
13) Super glue
14) Tapes

TheoryThe project shows us the basic application of electro magnetic induction,

Induction (Electromagnetic Induction) - is the production of current in a conductor
as it moves through a magnetic field. Michael Faraday, who mathematically
described Faraday's law of induction, is generally credited with its discovery in
1831.
Faraday's law of induction :
Faraday performs an experiment with a magnet and coil. During this experiment, he
found how emf is induced in the coil when flux linked with it changes. He has also
done experiments in electro-chemistry and electrolysis.
Relationship between induced EMF and flux :

In this experiment, Faraday takes a magnet and a coil and connects a galvanometer
across the coil. At starting, the magnet is at rest, so there is no deflection in the
galvanometer i.e needle of galvanometer is at the center or zero position.
When the magnet is moved towards the coil, the needle of galvanometer deflects
in one direction.

When the magnet is held stationary at that position, the needle of galvanometer
returns back to zero position.
Now when the magnet is moved away from the coil, there is some deflection in the
needle but in opposite direction and again when the magnet becomes stationary, at
that point with respect to coil, the needle of the galvanometer returns back to the
zero position.
Similarly, if magnet is held stationary and the coil is moved away and towards the
magnet, the galvanometer shows deflection in similar manner. It is also seen that,
the faster the change in the magnetic field, the greater will be the induced emf or
voltage in the coil.

Position of magnet

Deflection in galvanometer

Magnet at rest

No deflection in galvanometer

Magnet moves towards the coil

Deflection in galvanometer in one directi

Magnet is held stationary at same position

No deflection in galvanometer

(near the coil)

Magnet moves away from the coil

Deflection in galvanometer but in opposi

direction

Magnet is held stationary at same position

No deflection in galvanometer

(away from the coil)

Conclusion from the experiment :

From this experiment, Faraday concluded that whenever there is relative motion
between
conductor and a magnetic field,
the flux linkage with a coil changes and this change in flux induces a voltage across
a coil.

Faraday's Laws:

Faraday's First Law:

Any change in the magnetic field of a coil of wire will cause an emf to be induced in
the coil. This emf induced is called induced emf and if the conductor circuit is
closed, the current will also circulate through the circuit and this current is called
induced current. Method to change magnetic field:
1. By moving a magnet towards or away from the coil
2. By moving the coil into or out of the magnetic field.
3. By changing the area of a coil placed in the magnetic field
4. By rotating the coil relative to the magnet.
Faraday's Second Law :
It states that the magnitude of emf induced in the coil is equal to the rate of change
of flux that linkages with the coil. The flux linkage of the coil is the product of
number of turns in the coil and flux associated with the coil.

Faraday Law Formula :

Consider a magnet approaching towards a coil. Here we consider two instants at

time T1 and time T2.

Flux linkage with the coil at time, T1 = N1 Wb

Flux linkage with the coil at time, T2 = N2 wb
Change in flux linkage = N(2 - 1)
Let this change in flux linkage be, = 2 - 1
So, the Change in flux linkage = N
Now the rate of change of flux linkage = N / t
Take derivative on right hand side we will get
The rate of change of flux linkage = Nd/dt
But according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, the rate of change of
flux linkage is equal to induced emf.

Considering Lenz's Law.

Where flux in Wb = B.A

B = magnetic field strength

A = area of the coil

HOW TO INCREASE EMF INDUCED IN A COIL

By increasing the number of turns in the coil i.e N- From the formulae derived
above it is easily seen that if number of turns of coil is increased, the induced emf
also gets increased.

By increasing magnetic field strength i.e B surrounding the coil- Mathematically if

magnetic field increases, flux increases and if flux increases emf induced will also
get increased. Theoretically, if the coil is passed through a stronger magnetic field,
there will be more lines of force for coil to cut and hence there will be more emf
induced.

By increasing the speed of the relative motion between the coil and the magnet If the relative speed between the coil and magnet is increased from its previous
value, the coil will cut the lines of flux at a faster rate, so more induced emf would
be produced.

Procedure :
1) Make two holes opposite to each other, in the film roll container(or any plastic
container).

2) Take a piece of straw and cut it into two small pieces.

3) Insert the pieces into the holes.
4) Start winding the container and straws with insulated copper wire in a criss
cross pattern, making a cross on the body of the container(about 600 turns)
keeping two ends free.
5) Secure the turns by applying glue over them.
6) Cut blades of the turbine from a tea cup(paper).
7) Make a hole in the film can lid.
8) Stick paper cup blades on one of its sides by applying glue to them.
9) Fill cycle spoke nut into the hole made on the lid, Our rotor is ready.
For the base of the model:
10)

Take a rubber base.

11)

Make 4 thin sticks by rolling a-4 sheets.

12)

Fix these sticks into the rubber base forming a structure similar to the

skeleton of a cuboid.
13)

Take a waste CD break it into smaller pieces, take one of the piece and

stick it in the middle of the base.

14)

Cut the film roll container and fix it in between the 4 sticks with the

help of super glue such that the two pipes are vertically opposite to each
other.
15)

Fix the rotor to the spoke.

16)

Insert the rotor/spoke/fan into the pipes inserted film roll container.

17)

The spoke should be inserted such that it passes through a rubber(soft)

piece before exiting the film roll can.

18)

Now fix a refill (pen) to the spoke.

19)

Fix two magnets back to back such that south of one faces the north of

the other, dont let the magnets stick to each other, place the rubber piece
between them.
20)

Sharpen the endes of the insulated wire wound around the container.

21)

Attach L.E.D. to the wire.

Conclusions :

As we know that Faraday stated that Any change in the magnetic field of a
coil of wire will cause an emf to be induced in the coil. This emf induced is
called induced emf and if the conductor circuit is closed, the current will also
circulate through the circuit and this current is called induced current.
Following this phenomenon we are able to light the L.E.D. bulb with the
rotation of the fan.
In this project we learn to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy,
as the wind rotates the fan the two magnets attached to it also rotate in the
presence of the insulated copper wire loops, due to this a current is
generated which is able to light the L.E.D.
Wind power converts the kinetic energy in wind to generate electricity or
mechanical power.

This is done by using a large wind turbine usually consisting of propellers; the
turbine can be connected to a generator to generate electricity, or the wind
used as mechanical power to perform tasks such as pumping water or
grinding grain. As the wind passes the turbines it moves the blades, which
spins the shaft. There are currently two different kinds of wind turbines in
use, the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) or the Vertical Axis Wind
Turbines (VAWT). HAWT are the most common wind turbines, displaying the
propeller or fan-style blades, and VAWT are usually in an egg-beater style.

The generator uses the turning motion of the shaft to rotate a rotor which has
oppositely charge magnets and is surrounded by copper wire loops.
Electromagnetic induction is created by the rotor spinning around the inside
of the core, generating electricity.