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Author Topic: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor  (Read 3416 times)

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Epower

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Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« on: November 12, 2006, 05:07:59 AM »
This is an experimental mechanical device in which I have designed for genny`s that uses centrifugal force to control the speed of the rotor. If the wind speed exceeds the preset adjustments, the generator`s rotor will stop turning and will only engage when it slows down. The one in the drawing was designed for a small stepping motor genny, but can be scaled up to fit your needs ( no furling required ). One thing in the drawing is missing, this is the compression springs which releases the brake when the wind speed drops to desired levels. Please check it out and let me know what you think...Epower

« Last Edit: November 12, 2006, 05:07:59 AM by (unknown) »
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disaray1

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Re: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2006, 05:48:58 AM »
Looks interesting MrE, couple of question....How does it know when the wind speed drops back to an OK level if the prop is stopped?  I'm not sure I comprehend the mechanical workings of your weights..obviously the weights pull on the links, but what forces the links closest to the gen to make hard contact with the braking surface? Looks like (to me) the set up would end load your gen bearings and create a bunch of heat in high wind.


  disaray

« Last Edit: November 12, 2006, 05:48:58 AM by (unknown) »
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stephent

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Re: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2006, 09:15:14 AM »
Looks like it will just set at the point of engagement where it is trying to brake and simply burn up the metal or other "brake" pads.

At the "set" braking point of course at whatever wind speed you set.

When the wind speed gets close--this will happen--slow--let go--slow--let go for a few minutes--then the rotor/blades will go whatever speeds they will get to in that wind--the brake will burn out.

Simple mechanical furling can't hardly be beat--it's proven--it lasts and lasts.

Is a stepper motor worth the extra effort for the added mechanical complexity?

(watts out vs cost)
« Last Edit: November 12, 2006, 09:15:14 AM by (unknown) »
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Epower

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Re: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2006, 06:16:40 PM »
The reason here was to design something different. I am sure the mechanical furling has worked faithfully and at times have failed, but sometimes we got to try something new. I don`t think the brake pads would burn up as you say. ABS braking on cars ( pulsating braking ) last a long time and this is similar. To improve the design will only make it better.. Helicopters use a similiar system to control against wind gust. The pitch of the blades are controlled by using a similar mechanical governor along with control paddles.  I thought that you people would be up to the challenge because of your expertise..I have always like the challenge of trying something new, that what makes the world a great place. Experimenting is what its all about...new and improved. Anyway thanks for the input..If you build it they will come....Epower
« Last Edit: November 12, 2006, 06:16:40 PM by (unknown) »
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DanB

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Re: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2006, 09:06:28 AM »
I do tend to think it'd burn up real fast.  There's a great deal of power provided by the blades and the brakes would frequently be on.  There would be a lot of heat...


  I'm sure it could work, but I expect it would be high maintenance and catastrophic if the it wore out before you maintained it.  


a basic furling system has much better odds, and I think if you're going to the trouble of flyball weights and springs etc...  then variable pitch makes a lot more sense.  


Neat drawings though and good discussion - if folks didn't throw this stuff out every now and then it'd never get discussed.  There are surely reasons you don't see folks using this system though.

« Last Edit: November 13, 2006, 09:06:28 AM by (unknown) »
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If I ever figure out what's in the box then maybe I can think outside of it.

alancorey

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Re: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2006, 04:19:25 PM »
I've thought of doing something like this for a Savonius, which hopefully wouldn't need it very often.  The wear on brake shoes is something I hadn't thought of though.  Maybe you could use regular automotive drums and shoes and buy "lifetime warranty" shoes?  Or maybe disk brakes, but the centrifugal weights really look like they should use shoes.


Then again, look back a few posts to the one about "my darned mechanical brakes" or something similar.  There's a lot to be said for furling and shorting the alternator output.  Can't furl a Savonius though.


  Alan

« Last Edit: November 13, 2006, 04:19:25 PM by (unknown) »
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lohearth

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Re: Mechanical Brake & Speed Governor
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2006, 07:52:13 AM »


  There is a way to furl a savonious but it requires a fair amount of work and material. This is the current system I am trying to design.

  I wanted to  use deflectors to increase output and thought that if they were made curved, I could also set it up so that I could pivot them closed to form a cylinder.

  Hopefully, this would give me the best of bolth features. I would then have power boosting and furling in one design. Hope ths is of some help to you.


                             Lohearth

« Last Edit: November 14, 2006, 07:52:13 AM by (unknown) »
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