Research
Ocean Drone Wind Power
A compact VAWT for long-duration autonomous sailboats
Theoretical & Applied Fluid Dynamics Lab · 2025 · 99 words · 1 min read
What
Project scope
End-to-end mechanical development of a compact vertical-axis wind turbine targeting reliable low-wind energy generation in marine environments.
How
Technical approach
Onshape · 3D printing · Hand calculations · Power testing · Marine prototyping
Why
Outcome
A compact wind-harvesting system could extend the operating life of autonomous ocean platforms when solar input is limited.
Key evidence
Process 01
Rotor and generator design
I modeled several rotor geometries around the low wind speeds common to coastal operation, turning aerodynamic considerations into blade, hub, shaft, and enclosure designs that could be printed, assembled, and maintained.
Rotor geometry and compact generator packaging iterations.
Process 02
Prototype testing
Full prototypes were 3D printed and post-processed, then tested with an industrial fan, generator, and RPM/power measurement circuit. Tolerance, material, and rotor-interface changes from each test informed the next build before marina deployment.
Fabricated turbine hardware during bench validation.
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