The document describes a proposed wind-powered car. It would use a weather vane to capture wind energy and convert it to electrical energy via a dynamo. This electrical energy would then power an electric motor to propel the car forward. Key aspects discussed include minimizing frontal area to reduce air resistance, optimizing the weather vane size for maximum torque but minimum resistance, and using different fan speeds to test efficiency. Several existing wind-powered vehicles are also described briefly.

1. Wind Energy Car
Submitted By:- VIBHUTI KUMAR
B-Tech , VI Sem.
Electrical Engineering
(1109020105)

2. INTRODUCTION
Wind power is the conversion
of wind energy into a useful form of
energy, such as using wind turbines to
make electrical power, windmills for
mechanical power, wind
pumps for water pumping or drainage,
or sails to propel ships.

3.  Wind-powered mechanical vehicles
primarily use wind turbines installed at a
strategic point of the vehicle.
 The wind power, which is converted into
mechanical energy through gears, belts or
chains, causes the vehicle to propel
forward.
Wind-powered mechanical
vehicles

4.  In this problem we are supposed to
construct a car, which can be able to drive
straight into the wind. The car has to be
propelled just by wind energy, which means
that we can not use others energy sources
to move the car.
Objective :

5.  The principle of the electric car is to transform
the kinetic energy into electric energy (using
a dynamo moved by a weather vane). Then,
it would transform, with an electric engine,
this electric energy into mechanical energy
that would make the car walk.
Principle

6. Design : drawing of the prototype
(graphic project)

7.  Frontal Area: It is important to have the
smallest frontal area (not considering the
weather vane area). Air resistance force
depends on the frontal area of the car. Smaller
frontal area have smaller resistance (wind
buoyancy), which is capable to reduces the car
final speed and, consequently, the car
efficiency.
Contd…

8.  The weather vane size: The total torque on
the weather vane determines the driving
speed of the car. A bigger vane will have a
larger torque on it, and, consequently, the car
will drive faster into the wind. However, a
larger weather vane has more contact surface
area, thus it will have more resistance force,
which tends to push back the car. So, we
need to find a optimum size that delivers a
maximum torque and a minimum resistance
force.
Contd…

9.  Wheels: There are four
wheels in our car: Two are
moved, indirectly, by the
wind (motored wheels)
and two wheels (not
motored) have the
function of equilibrating
the car (this wheels are
located at the back of the
car). Below we show a
drawing of the wheel’s
arrangement.
Contd…

10.  Wind Source: In our experiment, we will use a
fan as the wind source. Our fan has three
different powers: it means that there are three
possibilities of wind power (three different
wind escape intensities). For a more complete
resolution, we will utilize all powers to
calculate the efficiency.
Contd…

11. Wind direction: The efficiency depends on the
direction that the wind blows at the car frontal
area. For a better performance, we used a
step to put the fan, so we had a better wind
utilization (picture)
Contd…

12. Efficiency:
Classically, in general problems, we
calculate efficiency as the ratio between
the effective energy used to our purpose
and the total energy available. Ratio equal
to 1, means the system has a 100%
performance.

13.  On land.
 Ventomibile.
 Spirit Of Amsterdam.
 Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero
 Green bird.
 Black bird.
Some Used Wind-powered
vehicles mechanisms :

14. On land :
 Terrestrial wind-powered mechanicals
includes Ventomobile, and Spirit of
Amsterdam. The Mercedes-Benz Formula
Zero uses solar cells, batteries, and a sail.
 The Green bird, which currently holds a world
record for fastest wind powered vehicle, is
sail powered.

15. Ventomobile
The Ventomobile is a solely wind
powered lightweight three-
wheeler designed by University of
Stuttgart students. It won the first
prize at the Racing Aeolus held
at Den Helder, Netherlands, in
August 2008. At the Aeolus race,
several universities from all over the
world participate in race to build the
best and fastest wind powered
vehicle

16. Spirit of Amsterdam
 The Wind-powered vehicle "Spirit of
Amsterdam 1" and "Spirit of Amsterdam 2"
is, just like the Ventomobile, a WPV build
by the Hogeschool van Amsterdam
(University of Applied Science Amsterdam).
In 2009 & 2010 the Spirit of Amsterdam 1
and 2 won first prize at the Racing
Aeolus held in Denmark

17. Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero
 Unlike traditional racing, which focuses
merely on the order of finish, Mercedes' new
concept introduces energy efficiency as an
integral part of the competition. The Formula
Zero Racer is loaded with technology
designed to extract the maximum thrust from
the electric hub motors, aero-efficient solar
skin and high-tech rigid sail.

18. Green bird
 Ecotricity's Green bird vehicle, designed and
piloted by Richard Jenkins, broke the land speed
world record for a wind-powered vehicle in
2009.“Green bird recorded a top speed of
126.4 mph (203.4 km/h), and sustained a speed
of 126.2 mph (203.1 km/h) for the required time
of three seconds, beating the previous,
American held, record of 116 mph (186.7 km/h),
set by Bob Schumacher in the Iron Duck in
March 1999 at the same location.

19. Blackbird
 The Blackbird is an experimental land yacht,
built to demonstrate that it is possible to sail
directly downwind faster than the wind
(DDWFTTW).

20. Advantage
 Generate energy from wind turbines and drive
an electric car.
 The wind is free and with modern technology
it can be captured efficiently.
 Once the wind turbine is built the energy it
produces does not cause green house gases
or other pollutants.
 Wind turbines have a role to play in both the
developed and third world.

21. Disadvantage
 The strength of the wind is not constant and it
varies from zero to storm force. This means
that wind turbines do not produce the same
amount of electricity all the time. There will be
times when they produce no electricity at all.
 Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can
generate the same level of noise as a family
car travelling at 70 mph.