The purpose of this experiment is to determine on a curved fan blade, which
degree of pitch is the most efficient at producing energy from a wind
generator.  This information could prove helpful, when determining the best
pitch to set  wind turbine blades, for producing maximum electrical output.
 My hypothesis is that 75 degrees will be the most efficient.
 For my project I will first assist in manufacturing a wind generator, then
I will attach it to a ammeter for measuring electric output.   To ensure the
validity of my experiment I will control all constants by using the same
wind generator, ammeter, distance the fan is from the wind generator, wind
speed, wind speed gage, point that is read from ammeter, area test
experiment is performed in, time when reading is taken, journal, and pen.
 The manipulated variable for this experiment is the pitch in which the
blades are positioned on the wind generator. There will be 7 pitches tested.
 The responding variable is the amount of amps  the wind generator will
produce.
 To measure the responding variable I will use an ammeter. The needle of the
ammeter bounces slightly so for each test I will read from the highest point
of bounce.
 The results of my experiment will be determined by graphing which degree of
pitch produces the most electrical energy.  The most significant finding
from my experiment was a 60 degree fan blade pitch produced the highest
reading on the ammeter.  From this information I rejected my hypothesis.
 If I continued my project I would approach it with a larger focus.  I would
evaluate many different variables.  For example, I would  use different wind
speeds, different distances from the wind source, use a wind tunnel for the
experiment, use a different number of blades, and different blade sizes and
shapes.  By expanding my project I would find more specific information for
producing the most efficient electric energy from a wind turbine.

 The purpose of this experiment is to find the most effective degree of
pitch for producing the most energy from a wind generator.
 I got interested in this topic for several different reasons.  I've always
been interested in machines and how they work.  Our friend has a windmill in
his pasture.  I notice how easily a gentle breeze made the blades turn.  I
began wondering if I could create a smaller version that could help power
our outside lights.  About this time California started to have rolling
blackouts and had to start finding alternative energy sources to power their
homes.  This tied in with my interest in wind powered electricity.  I began
reading about wind farms.  This made me wonder about the effectiveness of
wind powered energy.  I thought if I could determine an effective blade
pitch for producing electricity perhaps it could benefit anyone who pays an
electric bill. It could provide another way we could get energy at a more
efficient price.

 My hypothesis is that 75 degrees of fan blade pitch will produce the most
energy. I believe this fan blade pitch will give  the most energy.  If you
were using wind power as an alternate energy source, it could possibly lower
your electric bill.  I base my hypothesis on a previous experiment done by
Mike Eisele from Selah Middle School. His experiment showed  that a 75
degree fan blade was the most efficient energy producing angle.

Constants for construction of wind generator:  the same; bolts, nuts,
aluminum bar stock, set screws, grade 3 bolts, washers, slotted head bolts,
flat bar stock, rectangular tubing, crimp-on wire fasteners, electrical
wire, crescent wrench, ratchet, 220 volt wire feed welder, 1/2" high speed
drill bit, 33/64" high speed drill bit, 1 " high speed counter sink bit,
1/4" high speed drill bit, #7 high speed drill bit, #4 center drill, floor
model drill press with drill press vice, 1 horse power disc sander, 7 1/2
horse power air compressor, 1/2" air impact wrench, air operated die
grinder, 1/4-20 tap, 9/16-18 tap, hammer, tap holder, center punch, metal
lathe, 1/8" allen wrench, 8" bastard file, coolant, tapping fluid, and
electric wire buffer.

Constants for attaching the wind generator to the ammeter: the same; wind
generator, ammeter, 16 gage wire, crimp on wire fasteners, needle nose
pliers, and ratchet set.

Constants for this experiment: the same;  box fan used as wind source,
generator that produces the amps, distance the generator is from wind
source,
ammeter, point where I measure the amount of amps output, time when the
reading is taken, place where test is done, time of day, wind speed gage,
way fan blade pitches are tested, timer, ruler, rubber band, small box,
extension cord, notebook, pencil, protractor, and  weather conditions.

 The manipulated variable is the pitch in which the blades are positioned on
the wind generator. There are 7 pitches that will be tested.  I will take
one reading at each of the 7 blade pitches after five minutes.

 The responding variable is the amount of energy that will be produced from
the seven different test pitches.  To measure the responding variable I will
record the amount of amps that are generated on an ammeter. Because the
needle of the ammeter bounces slightly I will read from the highest point of
bounce to find the maximum amount of electricity.

1)    Remove Generator and assembling
2)    Using a wire wheel clean up generator and fan
3)    Using an air operated die grinder, grind off rivets holding two blades
        to the fan assembly
4)    Check blade's for bends  make sure that they are the same
5)    Using an air operated torque wrench and 3/4" (.9525cm) import sockets
        remove 9/16" (1.4287cm) bolt holding pulley to generator armature
6)    Using a piece of 3"(7.62cm) aluminum bar stock 1 3/4"(4.445cm) long
        start hub with two inside diameters of 15/16"(2.3812cm) by 5/8"(1.5875cm)
        the other 1 3/8"(3.4925cm) by 7/8"(2.2225cm)
7)    Take a piece of  2"(5.08cm) diameter by 2 1/2"(6.35cm) long aluminum
        bar stock and turn to diameters of 1 1/8"(2.9845cm) by 1/2"(.635cm), 1
        1/2"(3.81cm) by 3/4"(1.905cm), and 1 3/4"(4.445cm) by  1 1/8"(2.8575cm)
8)    Secured piece of aluminum in 3 jaw chuck of metal lathe
9)    Using in succession a #4 center drill 1/4"(.635cm) drill, a
       1/2"(1.27cm) drill and a 33/64(1.3096cm) drill bore out center of aluminum
10)  Using a 9/16(1.4287cm)-18 national fine tap, tap out center of hub
11)  Secure hub to a 9/16(1.4287cm)-18 bolt 1 1/2(3.81cm) long in the metal
        lathe
12)  Turn outside diameter of hub to 3"(7.62cm) and radius corners using
        various tools designed for lathing work
13)  Using a scribe and ruler, scribe two lines a crossed the center of the
        hub each line should be at 90o to the adjustment line and lines should be
        centered on the hub
14)  Counting lines across edge of hub set hub up in a drill press vice with
        one line directly in line with top edge of vice jaw check perpendicular line
        using an adjustable square
15)  Using a #4 center drill, drill a starting hole directly into the center
        of the scribe line on edge of the hub.
16)  Centered left+right and front to back use a 1/2"(1.27cm) drill to
        completing drill the hole through the hub.
17)  Lay hub flat in drill press vice.
18)  Center punch two holes halfway from the outside and inside edge of the
        hub one hole on each side of the center bore
19)  Using a #7 drill, drill a hole in each center punch mark until the
       drill breaks thought into the 3/8"(.9525cm) holes to be used to hold the fan
       blades
20)  Use a 1/4"(.635cm)-20 tap to tap each hole
21)  Screw in a 1/4"(.635cm)-20 by 1/4 (.635cm)set screws
22)  Take a piece of 1/2"(1.27cm) X 1 1/2" (3.81cm) flat stock and using a
       chop saw cut two pieces 2"(5.05) long
23)  Using a disk sander, sand each piece to the same length and grind down
       any sharp edges.
24)  Set one piece on end in the drill press vice using  one edge  of the
       vice to line up the edge of the drill press
25)  Using a scribe and steel ruler, find center
26)  Punch that point with a center punch
27)  Drill a 3/8"(.9525cm) hole first using a #4 center drill then a
       1/4"(.635cm) finally a 1/8"(.9625cm)
28)  Set other piece on end in the drill press vice using  one edge  of the
       vice to line up the edge of the drill press
29)  Using a scribe and steel rule, find center
30)  Punch that point with a center punch
31)  Drill a 3/8"(.9525cm) hole using a #4 center drill then a 1/4"(.635cm)
       finally a 1/8"(.9625cm)
32)  Take each block lay on edge lining up edge with edge of vice jaw and
       drill a #7 hole until the drill breaks though into the 3/8"(.9525cm) hole.
33)  Tap that hole with a 1/4"(.635cm)-20 tap
34)  Set in set screw
35)  Take a fan blade position it on the flat stock and center punch one
       hole set  up in the drill press and drill A 1/4" (.635cm) hole thought the
       piece of flat stock
36)  Take a fan blade position it on the other piece of flat stock and
       center punch one hole set  up in the drill press and drill a 1/4"(.635cm)
       hole thought the piece of flat stock
37)  Using a 1/4"(.635cm)-20 by 1 1/2"(3.81cm) bolt, nut, and washer bolt
       both pieces of flat stock together along with the fan blades
38)  Using the other holes in the fan blade center punch two of them.
39)  Drill the 1/4"(.635cm) holes in both pieces at the same tine.
40)  Check to see that they are the same.
41)  Bolt the flat stock to the fan blade using a  grade 5 1/4"(.635cm)-20
       by 3/4"(.9525cm) bolt with matching nut and washer
42)  Take a piece of 1/2"(1.27cm) diameter steel rod and cut two pieces out
       of it that are 5" (12.7cm) long
43)  Put each piece in a metal lathe face off both ends
44)  Using a cermat tool in the tool holder turn down the diameter of each
       rod to 3/8"(.9525cm) by 1"(2.54cm) long
45)  Take each piece of flat stock with fan blades attached and stick onto
       the 3/8"(.9525cm) end of the bar stock.
46)  Tighten 1/4"(.635cm) set screw
47)  Take each blade assembly and insert into 1/2"(1.27cm) holes on the hub
       until the can't slide any farther
48)  Tighten 1/4"(.635cm)set screws
49)  Screw completely assembled fan unit onto the threaded portion of the
       generator  armature
50)  Take original generator mounting bracket and drill two 1/2"(1.27cm)
       holes to match the hole pattern in the fan clutch assembly
51)  Bolt bracket onto generator  leaving back bolt loose for tail assembly
       later
52)  Take clutch fan assembly and drill on two opposing screw holes using a
       type F drill
53)  Using a 5/8"(7.055cm)-18 tap, tap each hole
54)  Take a piece of 1/8"(.3175cm) thick by 2"(5.08cm) square flat stock and
       drill two 1/4"(.635cm) opposing holes to mach the holes in the fan assembly
55)  Take two 1/4"(.635cm)-20 by 3/4"(1.905cm) bolts and using a 220 volt
       wire feed welder tack both bolts to plate
56)  Using a piece of 1/2 (1.27cm) by 3"(7.62cm) by 10"(25.4cm) long flat
       stock  drill two holes one on each end 1" from the end and centered
57)  Take a piece of 1/4"(.635cm) wall rectangular tubing cut it 5"(12.7cm)
       long
58)  Weld one end to the 1/2" (1.27cm) thick base at center
59)  Take the piece of 1/8"(.3175cm) stock and with bolt heads inside the
       tubing weld onto the top of the square tubing
60)  Using 1/4"(.635cm)-20 nuts bolt fan clutch two the 1/8"(.3175cm) plate
61)  Take generator  using two 5/16"(.3125cm) 18 by 2 1/2(6.35cm) bolts and
       bolt generator  to fan clutch.
62)  Bolt entire assembly to a 5"(12.7cm) by 10" (25.4cm) by 3"(7.62cm)
       piece of wood.
63)  Cut a piece of 1/4"(.635cm) Plexiglas into an arrow shape which
       measures 16 1/2"(41.91cm) by 6 1/2"(16.15cm)
64) Take a piece of angle iron that is 2"(1.016cm) by 2"1.016cm) by
       1/8"(.3175cm) and drill a 3/8"(.9525cm) hole in one side
65)  Take two pieces of 1 1/4" (3.175cm) by 1/4(.635cm) by 10 3/4"(27.305cm)
       flat stock and weld to angle iron
66)  Drill 3 holes 1/4"(.635cm) in diameter at 3 1/4" (8.255cm)7
       5/8"(21.9075cm) and 9 3/4"(24.765cm) (24.765cm)
67)  Slide Plexiglas tail into position
68)  Using the holes in the flat stock drill two 1/4"(.635cm) holes
69)  Bolt tail assembly to back 3/4"(1.905cm) bolt on generator

1)    Take off the two nuts holding old wire on the positive and negative
       bolts
2)    Cut wire into three lengths: one 4"(10.16cm)  and two 10"(25.4cm)
3)    Take off 1/2"(1.27cm) of insulation on the wire
4)    Attach crimp on wire fasteners
5)    Take 4"(10.16cm) wire and attach to end lead and positive lead
6)    Tighten end lead nut
7)    Take the two 10"(25.4cm) wires and attach one to positive lead the
       other to negative lead
8)    Tighten positive and negative lead nuts
9)    Take ends of the long wire and attach to ammeter
10)  Tighten ammeter bolts

1)     Set box fan 33 cm from the generator
2)     Take the prop off generator
3)     Set generator on level ground
4)     Take the rubber band and set it at 2 cm (widest point of blade)
5)     Loosen set screw
6)     Set pitch of blade with protractor to 0 degrees
7)     Tighten set screw
8)     Turn prop 180 degrees to other blade
9)     Take the rubber band and set it at 2 cm (widest point of blade)
10)   Loosen set screw
11)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 0 degrees
12)   Tighten set screw
13)   Put prop back on the generator
14)   Check to see if box fan is still at 33 cm from generator
15)   Start fan
16)   Wait two minutes
17)   Take a wind speed reading
18)   Wait three minutes
19)   Take reading from ammeter
20)   Stop fan
21)   Repeat steps 2-5
22)   Set pitch of blade with protractor to 15 degrees
23)   Repeat steps 7-10
24)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 15 degrees
25)   Repeat steps 12-20
26)   Repeat steps 2-5
27)   Set pitch of blade with protractor to 30 degrees
28)   Repeat steps 7-10
29)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 30 degrees
30)   Repeat steps 12-20
31)   Repeat steps 2-5
32)   Set pitch of blade with protractor to 45 degrees
33)   Repeat steps 7-10
34)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 45 degrees
35)   Repeat steps 12-20
36)   Repeat steps 2-5
37)   Set pitch of blade with protractor to 60 degrees
38)   Repeat steps 7-10
39)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 60 degrees
40)   Repeat steps 12-20
41)   Repeat steps 2-5
42)   Set pitch of blade with protractor to 75 degrees
43)   Repeat steps 7-10
44)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 75 degrees
45)   Repeat steps 12-20
46)   Repeat steps 2-5
47)   Set pitch of blade with protractor to 90 degrees
48)   Repeat steps 7-10
49)   Set pitch of second blade with protractor to 90 degrees
50)   Repeat steps 12-20

 The information covered in this section will include the following topics;
wind, basic aerodynamic operating principles of wind turbines, brief history
of wind power, electricity, benefits and wind turbines.

 Wind is formed by the uneven heating of the earth's surface.  A wind
turbine can harness this kinetic power of the wind and convert it into
electric power by windmills. Wind is found in all places. There are places
where the wind is faster and stronger. Hills have stronger wind at the top
because the wind condenses at the top to get over the hill.

   As the wind passes over both surfaces of the airfoil shaped blade it
passes more rapidly over the longer (upper) side of the airfoil, creating a
lower-pressure area above the airfoil. The pressure differential between top
and bottom surfaces' results in a force, called aerodynamic lift. In an
aircraft wing this force causes the airfoil to  "rise," lifting the aircraft
off the ground. Since the blades of a wind turbine are constrained to move
in a plane with the hub as its center, the lift force causes rotation around
the hub. In addition to lift force, a "drag" force perpendicular to the lift
force impedes rotor rotation. A prime objective in wind turbine design is
for the blade to have a relatively high lift-to-drag ratio. This ratio can
be varied along the length of the blade to optimize the turbine’s energy
output at various wind speeds.

 The first time wind power was used was 5000 BC. People used it to guide
their ships down the Nile River. The first time there was written
documentation of wind power being used was 1 AD. This early use of wind
power was used to pump water for crops and livestock. The Dutch refined wind
power to do many different tasks. The Dutch mainly used wind power for
pumping extra water off their land when it flooded. In the early 1390's they
began to build multi-story windmills. Each floor of the windmill provided
wind power for different needs.  An example is using the wind power to
processing grain. Five hundred years later the windmills were used for
milling wood, processing spices, cocoa, paints, and dyes.  In the 19th
century the heavy, inefficient wooden blades of the windmills were replaced
by lighter, faster steel blades.  In 1888 the United States built the first
large windmill that produced electricity. It was called an "American
multi-blade design." It produced 12 kilowatts of electricity. It was soon
superseded by the modern more efficient 70-100 kilowatt wind turbines.

Electricity is currently produced in a number of ways.  Approximately two
thirds of all electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels like coal,
oil and gas. These fuels are not only a limited resource but they also
release emissions into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to the
problems of climate change, acid rain and global warming. Nuclear power now
accounts for approximately a quarter of the United Kingdom's generation of
electricity.  Although the costs and the long term hazards associated with
the decommissioning of nuclear plants and the handling of radioactive waste
are well known many countries still rely on the use of nuclear power.

 Today wind power is one of the most promising energy sources.  Wind power
can serve as an alternative to fossil fuel. In 1999 the world produced
10,000 megawatts of electricity from wind power. This is approximately 16
billion kilowatt hours of electricity. This is enough power to provide
electricity to 5 cities the size of Miami.   With the technology of today
the United States could power 20% of all electric needs by utilizing power
generated by the wind. Nuclear power also generates approximately 20% of the
world's electric power.  By 2010 ten million homes could have their
electrical needs provided by wind power.  By utilizing wind power we could
prevent over 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted
into our atmosphere every year.  Due to cost ineffectiveness of  wind farms
at this time, the cost for providing wind produced electricity is extremely
high.  Currently world wide wind power is offered at a premium of 2 to 3
cents per kWh of power.  Future predictions of advancements in technology
should significantly lower the cost of wind power.

There are two classes of windmill turbines; horizontal-axis turbine and
vertical-axis turbine.  A horizontal-axis turbine is the most common.  The
reason for this is it is the most efficient  due to it's high lift-drag
ratio.  The high lift-drag ratio allows for maximum electric output.  An
example of a horizontal-axis windmill is the multi-bladed windmills found on
the prairies of the United States.  They are primarily used for pumping
water. The vertical-axis turbine is used less.  It has a lower lift-drag
ratio due to poorly designed aerodynamics of it's blades.  However, once
it's blades begin rotating it generates large amounts of force.  The modern
turbines that produce electricity have two or three blade lift devices like
huge airplane propellers.

 The purpose for this experiment was to see if the degree of fan blade pitch
would effect the electric output of a generator. I wanted to see if by
changing the angle of the propeller blades in 15 degree increments how fast
would the blades turn, creating the most energy and the highest reading on
the ammeter.
 The data gather from my experiments shows; at 0 degrees there was no amps
or energy produced. At 15 degrees there was also no ammeter reading for
energy  produced.  The reading at 30 degrees was the first  blade pitch to
produce a reading on the ammeter.   The 30 degree blade pitch produced 6
amps of energy. The 45 degree blade pitch produced a reading on the ammeter
of 12 amps of electric power.  The 60 degree blade pitch produced the
highest reading on the ammeter.  It  generated 15 amps of energy.   A
reading of 10 amps was produces from the 75 degree blade pitch.  At 90
degrees no energy was produced on the ammeter. From this information I have
to  reject my hypothesis.  I stated in my hypothesis I felt  75 degrees
would produce the most amount of electric energy.

 The conclusion from this experiment will show which fan blade pitch
generated the most energy recorded on an ammeter.
 My hypothesis stated a blade pitch of 75 degrees would produce the most
amps on an ammeter.
 The results of my experiment show my hypothesis should be rejected.  A 75
degree blade pitch did not produce the most amps on the ammeter. The 60
degrees blade pitch was the most effective at producing electric out put.
 The experiment made me wonder if variable  wind speed would effect the out
put of electric power. I also found it very interesting that my most
efficient angle was 60 degrees, and in Mike Eisele's experiment he found a
75 degree blade pitch to be the most affective.
  If I tested this experiment again I would test it in a wind tunnel so a
more concentrated source would be available.  I would also do longer test
time trials, and  see if variable wind speeds had an affect on the results.

No author available at for energy advocate [online]
http://www.energyadvocate.com/fw91.htm

Jeff Meade change is in the wind [online]
http://www.class.umd.edu/enes/changes.htm

Riley Works Alternative Energy Institute [online] at
http://www.altenergy.org/2/renewables/wind/wind.html

No author was available Worldwatch Institute [online] at
http://www.worldwatch.org/alerts/981229.html

Soren Krohn windpower [online] at http://www.windpower.dk/tour/

Robert Gardner, Experimenting with Energy Conservation, Franklin Watts, Inc.
New York, N.Y.  1992

Blades: Most turbines have either two or three blades. Wind blowing over the
blades causes the blades to lift and rotate.

Controller: The controller starts up the machine at wind speeds of about #
to ## kph and shuts of the machine at about ## kph. Turbines cannot operate
at wind speeds above about ## kph because their generators could overheat.

Generator: Usually an off-the-shelf induction generator that produces
60-cycle AC electricity.

Pitch: Blades are turned, or pitched, out of the wind to keep the rotor from
turning in winds that are too high or too low to produce electricity.

Rotor: The blades and the hub together are called the rotor.

Tower: Tower are made from tubular steel or steel lattice. Wind speeds
increases with height taller tower enable turbines to capture more energy
and generate more electricity.

The wind mill formula of theoretical out put of power is
P(watts) =1.0•R2(meter2)•v3([meters/second]3)

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