Novel Wind Power Devices using Fluttering and Flapping Wings
Project Contacts:
Dr. Matthew Bryant mjb377@cornell.edu
Prof. Ephrahim Garcia eg84@cornell.edu
The Laboratory for Intelligent Machine Systems is developing bio-inspired alternatives to traditional rotary wind power generation by harnessing the flow power extraction capabilities of flapping and fluttering wings at both large (meter) and small (centimeter) scales.
Small scale flutter devices: have been created by using aeroelastic flutter vibration to drive a piezoelectric energy harvester. A small flutter power harvester device could be used to power resistive or capacitive sensors embedded in structures ranging from helicopter rotors to bridges, or thousands could be used in combination to provide distributed power generation for homes and buildings. Results so far have shown that these devices offer comparable efficiency to similarly sized turbines in a structure that may be better suited to miniaturization and may be able to take advantage of unsteady flow phenomena to further enhance performance.
Flutter Energy Harvesters: (top left) CAD model concept, (top right) fabricated wind tunnel experiment, and (bottom) smoke-wire flow visualization of energy harvester wake structure during wind tunnel testing.
Large scale "wingmill" devices: A prototype flapping wing turbine or "wingmill" is currently being fabricated for full scale outdoor testing. This device uses a pair of 15 ft span composite wings that oscillate in a coupled flapping-pitching motion to harvest wind power and drive a central crank shaft. On board sensors including anemometers, optical encoders, and potentiometers measure the motion and performance of the system.
Flapping Wing Wind Turbines: (left) Artist's concept of a wingmill installed on a residential building, (right) Full-scale wingmill experiment being prepared for outdoor testing.
Several positions for student researchers are available in these areas and individual student objectives will be tailored to student skills and experience, team needs, and current research goals. Skills sought include:
- Fluid mechanics, mechanical design, and vibrations backgrounds
- Basic knowledge of circuits, electronics, and data collection systems (Mechatronics experience a plus)
- Solidworks experience
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) experience
- Fabrication skills including composite layup, machining, and assembly
- Experiment development and planning
- Wind or water tunnel experience
- Still and high speed video / photography
For more information or to apply, contact:
Dr. Matthew Bryant
mjb377@cornell.edu
Prof. Ephrahim Garcia
eg84@cornell.edu