This document discusses using the Magnus effect to generate electricity from wind power. It proposes mounting a Flettner rotor atop a pole such that the rotor spins in the wind. As the rotor spins, it produces both lift and drag forces. These forces cause the pole to rotate, which drives gears connected to an electric generator. The design aims to more efficiently capture wind energy compared to traditional wind turbines or sails. Potential applications include generating electricity for tall buildings or trains.

1. International conference and workshop on design, manufacturing & automation 2016,TCET
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ISBN : 978-0-9972393-2
Electricity Generation using Magnus Effect
KritharthChaturvedi Tanmay.A.Dhuri
S.E. Mechanical Engineering S.E Mechanical Engineering
Thakur College Of Engineering Thakur College Of Engineering
& Technology & Technology
iamkritharth@gmail.comdhuritanmayanand@gmail.com
Abstract— The invention comprises a wind
energy conversion device. It is able to convert a far
greater percentage of the pressure energy of the
wind into electricity than by using an airfoil or
even a sail. A Flettner Rotor is mounted atop
special support structure which is far enough away
from the Rotor to minimize turbulence around the
Rotor. Thus the performance of the Rotor is
enhanced. Energy conversion occurs as the Rotor
is made to operate gears attached to an electric
generator.
KEYWORDS
Flettner Rotor, Magnus Effect, Electricity
Generation , Skyscrapers.
I.INTRODUCTION
The Magnus effect is the commonly observed effect
in which a spinning ball (or cylinder) curves away
from its principal flight path. It is important in many
ball sports. It affects spinningmissiles, and has some
engineering uses, for instance in the design of rotor
ships and Flettner aeroplanes.In terms of ball games,
topspin is defined as spin about an axis
perpendicular to the direction of travel, where the top
surface of the ball is moving forward with the spin.
Under the Magnus effect, topspin produces a
downward swerve of a moving ball, greater than
would be produced by gravity alone, and backspin
has the opposite effect. Likewise side-spin causes
swerve to either side as seen during some baseball
pitches, e.g. slider. The overall behavior is similar to
that around an aero foil with a circulation which is
generated by the mechanical rotation, rather than by
airfoil action.[2]
Fig 1.1: Representation of Magnus Effect ona
Spinning Ball
II.DESCRIPTION
Air pressure at the earth's surface is 14.7
lbs./square inch. This is about a metric
ton/square foot. So a cubic foot of air weighs
about a metric ton. If this cubic foot of air is
made to move 10 miles/hour then the power
developed is over 56 horse-power. So
theoretically wind energy can supply all of
man's energy needs. There has been some
progress towards extracting this energy. In
order to do so at 100% efficiency a perfect
vacuum must somehow be contrasted with
normal air pressure. Airfoils are used to cause a
mild pressure difference which is enough to lift
aircraft, and in the form of a propeller to spin
wind turbines to produce electricity.
Wind turbine efficiency is severely limited
since a great deal of the wind energy blows
through the propeller arc without affecting
performance. Sails have been tried and this is a
step forward since all the kinetic energy of the
wind may be processed by the device. Mooring
points out the wind is forever changing its
velocity.[1] He mounts a square rig sail on a

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pole which serves as a long lever. As the sail is
made to swing back and forth by the wind the
lever is made to operate gears and springs to
operate an electric generator.[3]
But the problem remains to increase as much as
possible the coefficient of drag and/or lift so
more power can be produced over the same
frontal area of whatever shaped energy
collector is atop the pole. Accordingly, it is the
object of this invention to efficiently convert
the absolute pressure energy of the wind into
electricity.
III.HISTORY
FRs were first installed on a ship named the
Buckau in the 1920’s by a German scientist
named Anton Flettner [2], who realized their
potential for ship propulsion. This installation
was the proof of concept that allowed the
Buckau to sail across the Atlantic in 1926, and
prompted the construction of the Barbara, a
ship which had FRs installed from original fit
in order to supplement rather than replace
conventional propulsion. [3]
IV. WORKING
A Flettner Rotor is mounted atop a pole, with
attendant motor. The pole serves as a lever
which is made to operate a mechanical
transmission on the ground, which in turn is
made to operate a generator.. With the use of a
Flettner Rotor the coefficient of lift is greatly
increased and therefor leads to an increase in
power output compared to using a propeller or
sail.
Power is only produced by this invention when
the force on the lever is made to vary. There
may be times when the wind is not gusting. But
by varying the speed of the motor the lift force
will be varied. The Rotor should have only a
minimum mass so it is easier to accelerate and
decelerate its spin. The attainment of the
foregoing and related objects, advantages and
features of the invention should be more
readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant
arts indicated, after review of the following
more detailed description of the invention,
taken together with the drawings in which:
Fig 3.1 Diagrammatic Representation
Of Mechanism to be used for Electricity Generation
[1].
FIG.3.1 we see a pole 1 which is made to operate as
a lever with a Flettner Rotor 2 and aerodynamic
fences 5,6 mounted so pole 1 serves as the axis of
the rotor. Thrust bearings 3 a,b secure the rotor to the
pole so the rotor may be revolved by motor 11 which
is fixedly attached to pole 1 by bracket 19 through
the agency of belt 9 and pulleys 7,8. The pole is
made to be rotatable about fulcrum rod 4. This rod is
supported by brackets 20, 20 a which rest on
turntable 18. Gear rack 13 is attached to the bottom
of pole 1 by pin 12 on one end and on the other end
by sleeve 21 attached to turntable 18 by tension
spring 22. Pinion gear 15 is located to mesh with the
teeth of rack 13. Through shaft 16 pinion gear 15 is
operatively connected to electrical generator 17.
Also mounted on turntable 18 is tension spring 23
with holder 24. This tension spring is operatively
connected to the bottom end of pole 1 opposite pin
12.
we see within the hollow body of the Flettner Rotor a
solenoid 25 attached fixedly to pole 1 and a metal
stop fixedly attached to the bottom plate of the Rotor
2.
In operation, referring to motor 11 is made to revolve
Flettner Rotor 2 when wind is blowing. A lift force is
developed according to the Magnus effect on the
surface of the Flettner Rotor 2 perpendicular to the
direction of the wind. The usual drag force is
developed on the Rotor 2 in the direction of the

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ISBN : 978-0-9972393-2
wind. Turntable 18 is revolved in the direction of the
resultant force of the lift and drag forces on the rotor
2.[1] As pole 1 is made to swing by the action of the
wind, gear rack 13 is made to travel linearly and
cause pinion gear 15 to revolve and thereby operate
electrical generator 17.
Wind velocity varies and as this velocity decreases
the action of tension spring 23 tends to restore pole 1
to a vertical position causing electrical generator 17
to produce further power.[1]
If this wind velocity variation is not sufficient
to produce maximum power output the solenoid
may be energized alternately with motor 11 to
vary the speed of the Flettner Rotor 2.
POWER GENERTION
Initial requirements are as follows: 
Sufficient clear deck space; No immediately
adjacent structure; suitably strong mounting
points. [1]
V.INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
The Magnus power generator can be connected
in any desired fashion to an electric generator
which may be an isolated generator or may be
connected to a multistate grid to furnish public
utility power. If a constant torque is required
under varying wind velocities, this can be
accomplished by varying the speed of rotation
of the cylinders by control of the motors . The
output can be electrical or mechanical,
depending upon the need. This method can be
utilized to generate electricity for tall buildings
and trains as well as in wind farms.
VI.ACRONYMS
FR’s – Flettner Rotor.
Pbearing :Power to overcome bearing (W)
Pcyl :Power for cylinder
(W) Pdisk : Power for
disk (W)
CD : Coefficient of Drag
CL : Coefficient of Lift
Cm : Coefficient of moment
VII.CONCLUSION
The above paper highlights the application of the
Magnus
Effect to generate electricity using wind forces;
Like it’s future applications to generate
electricity for Skyscrapers in order to make
them self sufficient and Independent Of other
Conventional Resources.
Mounting FR’s on Top of Trains; The motion
of wind above the Train can be converted into
Electrical energy Which can be Stored
(Recharging) in Batteries, Thus reducing the
load on the Generator Van and High
transmission power lines.
Thus this Technology would Prove to be a Step
towards Clean and Green Energy .
VIII.REFERENCES
[1] Edwin Newman , Patent Application Publication
(10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0121484 A1,Wind
energy
conversion using the Magnus Effect
[2] www.wikipedia.com/Flettner _Rotor
[3] International Maritime Organisation (IMO),
‘Technical and Operational Measures’, Available
online at:
http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Environment/Poll
utionPrevention/AirPollution/Pages/Technicalan
d-Oper ational-Measures.aspx, Accessed 1 st
July 2014.
[4] Influence of EEDI on Ship Design, by David
Pearson
24-25 September, London,
UKhttp://www.bmtdsl.co.uk/media/5045823/BM
TDSL