DOI: https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2025.61102

Numerical modelling and experimental assessment of cap magnet motion in a small windbelt generator

1School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 1 Dai Co Viet, Hanoi, Viet Nam

2ENSMA, INSTITUT P', UPR 3346, 1 avenue Clément Ader, BP 40109, 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France

Received: 5 Jan 2025; Revised: 6 Mar 2025; Accepted: 15 Mar 2025; Available online: 26 Mar 2025; Published: 1 May 2025.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Wind energy shows great potential as a power source for low-energy electronics. A promising innovation in this field is a compact generator based on electromagnetic induction and oscillation, designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. Small wind-driven generators utilize membrane oscillations and electromagnetic induction to produce voltages of a few volts, offering a potential future alternative to batteries due to their portability and easy power supply. This study focuses on evaluating the parameters that affect the voltage and power output of a small belt-type generator with a maximum wire length of 350 mm, operating at low wind speeds ranging from 2.5 to 6 m/s. The influence of wire length is examined to assess power and voltage output using the shortest practical wire length. Additionally, the effects of membrane oscillation amplitude and the number of coils turns in the electromagnetic setup are also investigated. Two methods were employed in this study: two-way FSI simulations method and experimental tests measuring membrane oscillation, voltage, and power output. Key findings include a 9% error between experimental and simulated oscillation amplitude and a 12% difference between theoretical and experimental voltage results. The oscillation amplitude gradually decreased as the wire length was reduced from 350 mm to 198 mm, with corresponding slight decreases in voltage and power. For the 350 mm wire, the maximum no-load voltage reached 8V and 0.8V under a 1kΩ load; for the shortest wire of 198 mm, the no-load voltage reached 7.5V, but the power output under load was minimal.

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Keywords: Windbelt; Experiment; FSI Simulation; Aeroelasticity; Vibration Amplitude.
Funding: Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)

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Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
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