- #1
Mastermime
- 3
- 0
Hello, I'm working on a project for my college class where we need to build a windmill that will be able to lift a 5lb mass 3ft above the ground. The energy of the wind is produced by two 20 inch box fans. We are allowed to use several materials- pine wood, ice cream pails, floss, nuts, bolts, washers, screws, plywood, needles (not sure what these would be used for). The goal is to lift the 5 lbs the fastest 3 ft above the ground.
So I have the base modeled in CAD, which you can see below. My first question is about blade design? The blades will bolted to the circular hub in the image. Based on a bit of research, I figured I would use three. Is this a wise choice?
What shape would you recommend for the blade? Once again, I modeled a blade based on my findings, which you can see below. I'm a bit skeptical about this because I feel this type of blade is too skinny for the blades to 'catch' the wind' and produce rotational motion. Perhaps I could utilize the ice cream pails for this? I just need a bit of advice for this part as we haven't learned about areodynamics up to this point.
For the reduction system, I figured I'd use a system of single movable pulleys. Does this sound like a practical approach?
Thanks
John
So I have the base modeled in CAD, which you can see below. My first question is about blade design? The blades will bolted to the circular hub in the image. Based on a bit of research, I figured I would use three. Is this a wise choice?
What shape would you recommend for the blade? Once again, I modeled a blade based on my findings, which you can see below. I'm a bit skeptical about this because I feel this type of blade is too skinny for the blades to 'catch' the wind' and produce rotational motion. Perhaps I could utilize the ice cream pails for this? I just need a bit of advice for this part as we haven't learned about areodynamics up to this point.
For the reduction system, I figured I'd use a system of single movable pulleys. Does this sound like a practical approach?
Thanks
John