YouTuber presents 3D-printed mini wind generator

In a new video, YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith has presented a self-developed mini wind generator consisting of 3D-printed parts. The corresponding model is available for free on Thingiverse. The generator is based on a simple cylindrical design with internal blades and magnets, making it an exciting playground for experimentation.

The basic idea comes from the observation that air currents can be amplified by small modifications to a cylinder, such as curvatures. Murray-Smith has developed this concept further by integrating Archimedes screws and magnets inside the cylinder. The generator uses a rotating magnetic flux to generate electrical energy with a coil.

The components of the design comprise four main parts: the cylinder with integrated Archimedes screw, a base, a top part and brackets for the bearings. Additional components such as neodymium magnets (1 cm x 3 mm) and ball bearings provide the necessary stability and functionality. The magnets are mounted in a north-south arrangement to optimize the rotating magnetic flux.

A special feature of the design is the aerodynamic inlet opening in the form of a truncated parabolic cone. This directs the airflow efficiently into the cylinder. The ball bearings ensure that the cylinder rotates evenly, while an axial bearing compensates for the thrust generated by the rotation.

In tests, the mini-generator produced around 4 volts and up to 30 mA of current at a wind speed of 4.5 m/s. According to Murray-Smith, the design is not yet final, but offers great potential for further development. The possibility of scaling the generator modularly, for example by integrating it into a larger wall structure, opens up numerous application possibilities.

Interested parties can download the files directly and rebuild or adapt the design. The video offers detailed insights into the structure and functionality of the generator.