Publication Date
1976
Abstract
In March, 1974, a small wind generator was purchased under the Mark Swann Account for the Energy Alternatives Program of the University of Massachusetts Engineering Department. The wind generator (Reference 1) was acquired as a demonstration, teaching, and research tool, and serves as atest stand in the University of Massachusetts Open Jet Wind Tunnel Facility (Reference 2). During the time period 15 March to 15 July, 1974, the wind generator system was fully tested and calibrated i n the wind tunnel facility , and has been used since then as a valuable teaching and research aid i n the Energy Alternatives Program. An additional test hub was manufactured in April, 1974, and several model blades were run during a practical windpower course offered through the School of Continuing Education on the Amherst campus. These model blades were constructed by the class members primarily as a teaching technique, and were never intended to be rigorous wind tunnel models. However, the results of that program did amplify observations concerning small scale wind generators (see Part 8: Conclusions and Observations). During the Fa1 1 and Spring semesters, 1974-1975, two graduate engineering courses were offered in the Civil, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Departments, on Windpower Systems Engineering, as part of the Energy Alternatives Program. The wind tunnel test experience with the model rotors served as valuable background and demonstration for the courses. Since then, further blade performance research has been accomplished in the wind tunnel facility under National Science Foundation sponsorship (NSF Grant AER-00603).
Pages
70