Compact wind turbine
24 November 2010
Power Electronics / Power Management
The AirDolphin is a compact and lightweight wind turbine developed by Japanese company Zephyr to deliver over 170 kWh per month at average wind speeds of 21,6 km/h.
Weighing in at just 17,5 kg employs a patented swing rubber attitude control system inspired by a fishes' tailfin, which allows the turbine to instantly respond to subtle wind shifts for improved power generation. Intelligent power management realises consistent blade rotation speed while encountering turbulent gusts. Even during hurricanes, the AirDolphin can reportedly still deliver stable output power after reaching peak wind speed. This is a crucial attribute for small wind turbines which often face turbulence caused by tall city buildings when the wind speed exceeds 72 km/h. The turbine continues delivering output power at a reduced ratio speed with no need for cut-out, thanks to the use of software driven microprocessors. AirDolphin also has various safety features enabling it to detect adverse conditions for automatic shut down.
The rotor system seamlessly responds to various wind conditions, offering a high wind-to-power conversion factor by utilising ultra low-mass, stiff blades in a multistagger blended blade and hub system. These elements work together to constantly control the rotor speed for maximum power output. The silent disrupter blade features numerous thin grooves on its surface, which significantly reduces air flow noise.
The screwless assembly of the body is inspired by Japanese traditional block puzzle structure. This ensures precise fitting and superb resistance to adverse weather conditions, requiring minimum maintenance. When there is no wind, the AirDolphin uses previously generated power to rotate for 10 seconds every minute. This lets the rotor start up from a subtle wind and efficiently reach the cut-in point. The function also prevents freezing in cold weather.
The lightweight generator achieves high power density with tightly wound coils and powerful neodymium iron boron magnets. These two features combine to implement the optimum duty cycle by electronically damping the rotor. Every AirDolphin comes equipped with an RS485 protocol wiring harness, allowing both on-site and remote monitoring via the additional RM-1000 unit and an optional IP address.
For more information contact Dieter Dilchert, SolarCon, +27 (0)11 201 3200, dieter@solarcon.co.za, www.solarcom.co.za
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