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Aerospace engineer Robert Yost has developed and patented a micro wind
turbine device that is capable of generating power in wind speeds as low as
1 mph, and as fast as 80 mph. In order to demonstrate how his 3D printed
MicroCubes could revolutionize the way we generate renewable energy, Yost,
the founder of American Wind, will drive across the United States in an
electric vehicle powered by four MicroCubes without stopping even once to
plug in the battery for a recharge.
Each individual MicroCube stands at only 9x9x9 inches and weighs 3 lbs, but
is capable of generating 3-phase AC power, which can either be converted to
DC power for backup storage, or directly connected to power grids. For
increased power, MicroCubes can be stacked behind one another in what Yost
calls a ‘wind wall’ to capture each other’s output. A single MicroCube can
generate more power than a standard solar panel for a fraction of the size,
and stacking several Cubes together in the same space it takes for one solar
panel can produce 18x as much energy. While engineers have previously worked
with miniature turbines and combining multiple turbines together, Yost’s
patented design stands apart due to its truly impressive efficiency. This
deciding factor comes from his unique, multiple airfoil design, which
captures a high level of windflow. "Other options don't work because they
don't produce the amount of electricity that our unit generates," said Yost.
"A U.S. patent examiner told us there has never been a generator created
with the characteristics of the MicroCube. That type of efficiency makes all
the difference."
3D printing technology, provided with the support of 3D Systems’ cloud-based
manufacturing service Quickparts, played a major role in helping Yost
realize this project. Rapid prototyping processes and the ability to explore
many different materials with specific qualities allowed him to work one
more than 20 different iterations of the MicroCube, each improving on the
last. In fact, Yost was able to manufacture flexible, durable 3D printed
plastic parts and assembles that are indistinguishable from injection
molded-product parts in all aspects except for time and money: his work was
done at a fraction of the cost and in a quarter of the time. “Quickparts
enables us to use 3D printing to explore what works and what doesn’t work on
a production part,” said Yost. “We can make multiple changes and print those
changes without investing thousands of dollars in molds or machining parts
out of expensive materials.” Quickparts utilized 3D System’s SLS printing
technology and three different materials: DuraForm polyamide (PA), DuraForm
glass-filled (GF), and DuraForm HST Composite.
Yost is acutely aware of his many critics and nonbeleivers, and so he has
come up with a bold adventure to prove his concept works. He has installed
four MicroCubes on the roof of a Ford C-Max Energi electric car, generating
what he estimates will be 2,800 watts per hour to keep its lithium-ion
battery charged. While electric vehicles have been on the market for some
time, promising to help us reduce our deadly carbon footprints and reliance
on non-renewable fuels, the reality is that most electric cars can only
drive short distances—anywhere from 25-312 miles—before they need to be
recharged. If Yost’s plan to drive the thousands of miles across America
without stopping to recharge his vehicle works, he will have created a
cost-effective and Earth-friendly power alternative, and accomplished what
other said could never be done.
Additional applications for the MicroCube include stacking them by the
thousands in populated cities, where, unlike traditional turbines, they can
efficiently deal with the turbulent air conditions. They can also be placed
into cellular towers to produce power during disaster periods, or to
increase power on busy days.
His inspiration came from watching an Alabama tornado in 2011 and observing
how the wind was harnessed by a pedestal fan. As an engineer with a
backround working for major aerospace companies such as Boeing and GE
Aircraft Engines, Yost founded American Wind and quickly put his skills to
work. "Yes, I've heard all the critics state that this is perpetual motion,
which can't be done," he said. "We also hear that wind turbines cannot
produce enough energy in such a small form factor as the MicroCube. We are
not breaking any physics laws with the MicroCube, but we are pushing the
limits of what is known today. And we have the test results to prove it
works."
3ders.org - American Wind turns wind-generated electricity on its head with 3D printed MicroCube | 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News
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