ARiA MK1
A portable wind turbine.
The aim of this project was to create a fully portable power generation turbine for use in remote locations. Aria was designed to be compact, efficient and easy to assemble.
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The turbine is built for hikers, rangers, and remote personnel to charge their cellphones/personal electronics.
Aria was designed with portability in mind. When its blades are folded, the turbine has a diameter of under 4". A 1-liter bottle is shown for scale.
System Design
The electrical system can be accessed by pulling the assembly from the rear of the turbine. It uses an IR sensor to determine RPM, a 12V motor as a generator, and a 4.8V 4000 mAh battery pack to store energy.
Aria's electronics contain several safety features to prevent damage. In the event of an over-speed or overvoltage, the generator is isolated from the battery pack. In low-wind conditions, the turbine's onboard microcontroller turns off nonessential functions and enters hibernate mode. It resumes operation once windspeed increases.
Prototype Development
Main turbine CAD Model. Designed in Autodesk Fusion 360
Main enclosure and blade hub components (Blades and enclosure are made using aluminum ventilation duct)
Enclosure and blade hub assembly
Electronics bay assembly
Completed electronics bay
Turbine testing and debugging