Introduction
Hello fellow Engineers!!
I need your help designing and creating a working windmill.
Are you up for the challenge?
There's no doubt sometime in your life you have seen a windmill, like the one pictured above in The Netherlands we studied in Geography last term.
There are many different types of structures that are referred to as windmills. A windmill is a structure, or machine, that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy.
This week, you and your partners will be working as 'mechanical engineers' to design and construct a windmill prototype that can lift a weighted cup off the desk. At the end of the week, your designs will be tested to see which windmills could lift the cup.
There will be prizes for those groups who successfully meet the challenge!
In order to compete in the challenge, you need to develop an understanding of the structural design, and purpose, of windmills. You will investigate different types of windmills and develop a strong understanding of the forces that affect windmills, the different materials used in construction, the science behind wind energy and the associated mathematical patterns, symmetry and angles needed in the design process. Also, you will need to investigate and consider the sustainability of windmills on the environment.
This knowledge will help your team successfully build a strong windmill.
So get ready for 3G's Awesome Wind Machines Challenge!!
Task
Tasks:
1) Find out about the different types of Windmills.
2) Learn about how forces and materials create movement in Windmills.
3) Learn about the angles, rotational symmetry and patterns used in a Windmill design.
4) Find out how the kinetic energy from the wind converts into mechanical energy and electricity.
5) How sustainable are Windmill technologies?
Process
Basic Windmill Types
Windmill - If the mechanical energy is used directly by machinery, this is usually called a Windmill.
Wind Turbine - If the mechanical energy is converted to electricity, this is usually called a Wind Turbine.
STEP 1: Research three types of Windmills and chart your findings on the worksheets provided –
a) The design elements and materials used in the construction of the Windmill.
b) The purpose of the Windmill – What function was it designed to do?
c) How the Windmill operates – What do Windmills need to operate?
Watch this YouTube clip to learn more about how Windmills operate:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsZITSeQFR0 width:12cm height:7cm align:left autoplay:1]
Discuss with your team the differences, or similarities, in the structural design you notice between Windmills and Wind Turbines.
Visit this website for more details about Windmills - http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.wind/windmill-gallery/
Note: Be sure to check out the Gallery and the Background Information to help you with your investigation