17-01-2013, 12:59 PM
Wind Powered Car
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INTRODUCTION
A wind-powered car converts wind power into electric energy, thereby helping the car to move forward. The concept of harnessing wind energy has been derived from the fact that, whenever we put our hands out from the windows of a fast-moving car, the tremendous force of the wind can be felt. This force can as well be harnessed into electrical energy and be used as a clean source for running cars. There are several wind power pros and cons, so you should try and gather as much information as possible on that.
Vehicles powered by wind energy use wind turbines and valves which are placed in such a position that the turbines can start moving. The valves absorb wind which is needed to power the car. There's an alternator connected to the valves which in turn changes kinetic energy into electric energy. The electric energy so generated is stored in a DC battery, and it's connected to a controller. The controller is responsible for converting DC to AC voltage. The controller is assisted by power diodes in this conversion of DC to AC.
MARINE PROPULSION
Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting a motor or engine turning a propeller, or less frequently, in jet drives, an impeller. Marine engineering is the discipline concerned with the design of marine propulsion systems.
Steam engines were the first mechanical engines used in marine propulsion, but have mostly been replaced by two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engines, outboard motors, and gas turbine engines on faster ships. Nuclear reactors producing steam are used to propel warships and icebreakers, and there have been attempts to utilize them to power commercial vessels. Electric motors have been used on submarines and electric boats and have been proposed for energy-efficient propulsion. Recent development in liquified natural gas (LNG) fueled engines are gaining recognition for their low emissions and cost advantages.
THE WIND TURBINE PROPULSION SYSTEM
Imagine a windmill fixed onto a cart. We lock the wheels in place and use the wind to charge a battery. We may then use the electricity to move the cart. If there is energy available it will always be enough to move the cart, it might not go fast (jet) it will absolutely move. The windmill however doesn't become less efficient if we move it up the wind. On the contrary, moving the cart the availability of wind goes up, more units of wind pass though the mill and there is drag. The drag doesn't seem useful but it represents most of the losses, regenerating 50% of the drag would give us 150% of the "engine" power (ignoring the mass) We may overcome the (big) losses from converting the energy to electricity by using the mechanical energy straight away. Just like with the battery mechanical energy is always enough to move the vehicle. It might not go fast (jet) if there is wind it will always move. The vehicle can move in any direction we want it to move in. Driving up the wind the turbine spins backwards, it's rim goes much faster backwards than the car moves forwards. Driving it down the wind the turbine works more like a sail.
KITE BUGGY EFFECT
kite buggy is a light, purpose-built vehicle powered by a traction kite (power kite). It is single-seated and has one steerable front wheel and two fixed rear wheels. The driver sits in the seat located in the middle of the vehicle and accelerates and slows down by applying steering manoeuvres in coordination with flying manoeuvres of the kite. This activity is called kite buggying. The speed achieved in kite buggies by skilled drivers can range up to around 110 km/h (70 mph), hence protective clothing, including a safety helmet, is commonly worn.
The kite buggy was probably invented in China around the 13th century. It was promulgated by George Pocock (inventor) in the UK in 1827[1] and kite buggies were available commercially in US and UK in the late 1970s.[2] Peter Lynn is generally attributed with the modern popularization of buggies and kite buggying with his introduction of strong, lightweight, affordable buggies in the early 1990s.
BATTERY CHARGING VS ROTOR "SAILING"
We normally tend to leave a vehicle alone for say 8-14 hours then we use it for 30-60 min. Over such time a windmill designed for charging the battery would be more interesting then a mechanical contraption build for propulsion. It would require more parts but a combination of both may give us best of both worlds. From a legal perspective the wind energy doesn't exist so it isn't limited by law (jet).
HISTORY
Some would disagree on Ventomobile being the first wind car. They would say that electric sport car named Nemesis is in fact the world’s first wind-powered car. Designed by an experienced F1 vehicle team, Nemesis is an electric car powered by Ecotricity’s wind turbine located outside of the vehicle itself.
Founder of Ecotricity, Dale Vince, a renewable energy fan, said: “We call our car a wind-powered car because we think it’s important not to lose sight in the debate. We all need to switch to electric vehicles, but that energy has to come from somewhere.”
Bought on e-bay, second-hand Lotus Exige went through serious make-over to become Nemesis, the car powered by two 125 kilowatt motors that produce 330 brake horsepower. The 96 lithium polymer batteries have a 36 kWh capacity, can be recharged in less than 2 hours with optional fast charger, 8-9 hours with an overnight charger and will last for about 150-250 km before it runs out. With a max speed of 270 km/h the Nemesis can proudly join the family of sports cars.
THE BASIC CONCEPT.
Cavallaro lined up help from Google and Joby Energy and set to work with the San Jose State University aero department on an ultralight, four-wheeled vehicle with a 17-foot-tall propeller. The vehicle is made mostly of foam and mimics the aerodynamics of a Formula 1 race car. But it’s the propeller that is key to how it is possible to travel downwind faster than the wind. It’s also the source of the biggest misunderstandings about how the vehicle works.
“Skeptics think that the wind is turning the prop, and the car is turning the wheels, and that’s what makes the car go,” Cavallaro said. “That’s not the case. The wheels are turning the prop. What happens is the prop thrust pushes the vehicle.”
WIND POWER FOR CARS
Cars are becoming a primary focus in sustainable design and pollution prevention. According to scientist there were over 240 million cars registered in 2005 in the US alone and that number has continued to grow in subsequent years. While there have recently been developments in hybrid and electric cars (even solar powered cars) there has always been a fascination with adding wind power to cars.
Somehow it seems feasible to attach a wind turbine to a car and generate electricity as the car drives. I've heard my friends bring it up and I've read about it. People wonder, wouldn't the inertia from the car's accelerated mass (which is enough to power through the air) also be enough to power the wind turbine without wasting energy?