International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

Fabric Based Wind Power Generator with

Embedded Micro Fans and Micro Turbines
C. Priyant Mark#1
#

J.B. Julin#2

Student, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Karunya University

Coimbatore, T.N., India
1
priyant.mark.c@gmail.com
2
jbjulin@gmail.com

Abstract This paper describes the wind power generation using

fabrics embedded with micro fans coupled with micro turbines.
Harvesting wind at maximum capacity depends upon the
efficiency of a generator to convert the wind energy into
electricity at the required rate. Improving the electricity
generation efficiency will make the technology more energy
efficient but this means generating more power from less wind.
To overcome this challenge, fabrics are used here to gather more
high velocity air per square unit. It involves distributed multiple
micro fans covering the whole fabric which garners wind power
in an effective method. These fans are connected to carefully
fixed gearing system which is further coupled to micro turbines
which generates electricity. The output from using this method
could reach around 100-120 MW/yr. The fabric can efficiently
gather wind and is completely mobile and compact to store or
shift. This type of generation does not involve any adverse effects
and it reduces the size and complexity of a wind turbine.

Presently, wind turbines[2] are used in large scale

harvesting of wind energy across huge areas. These are known
as wind farms (Fig. 1). It uses the blades to absorb the wind
energy and transfer it to mechanical parts.
Large wind farms[3] consist of hundreds of individual wind
turbines which are connected to the electric power
transmission network. It has been recognized as a powerful
renewable and sustainable form of energy.

Keywords Fabric, wind power, wind turbine, electricity

generation, renewable energy.

I. INTRODUCTION
Wind power is now the ultimate source of renewable
energy effectively implemented. The wind power generation
has expanded across the globe at huge scales. It is one of the
most efficient method to harvest a renewable source of energy.
This has powered millions of homes and industries as of now.
But still, improving its efficiency brings a new dimension in its
usage. This has brought in the need for smarter technologies to
act on existing infrastructure to produce more efficient power
houses. This new method of harvesting wind power using
fabrics improves its efficiency multitudinous times.
II. WIND POWER
Wind is a natural source of energy[1] packed with
tremendous power which can be tapped for effective usage.
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful
form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electrical
power, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water
pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships.
Wind power, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful,
renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse
gas emissions during operation and uses little land. The effects
on the environment are generally less problematic than those
from other power sources.

Fig. 1 Wind Turbines installed at a farm

III. FABRICS
Fabric is the most important part of this design. It can be
named as a piece of cloth or a ubiquitous part in this system. It
is available in plenty and can be utilized for any essential use.
Fabric is chosen as it has the most effective area control and
can be manufactured for any length and breadth. It can garner
wind very efficiently as it has the most surface area and can
divert it to useful regions where it can be harvested. This
purpose requires very high tensile strength fabric to resist the
wind power and to gather it. Due to the massive energy stored
in winds which can blow out anything in its path, it has to be
anchored safely to the ground at the required site.
A. Types
For the purpose of gathering wind, specific types such as
Fiber Glass or Carbon Fiber Fabric can be used. It depends
upon the wind strength and speed.
1) Fiber Glass Fabric: For lighter winds, Fiber Glass
Fabric[4] (Fig. 2) can be used. Fiberglass is a fiber reinforced
polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of

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International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

glass. Fiberglass is a lightweight, extremely strong, and robust

material. Although strength properties are somewhat lower
than carbon fiber and it is less stiff, the material is typically far
less brittle, and the raw materials are much less expensive. Its
bulk strength and weight properties are also very favorable
when compared to metals, and it can be easily formed using
molding processes. An individual structural glass fiber is both
stiff and strong in tension and compressionthat is, along its
axis.
Fiberglass is an immensely versatile material which
combines its light weight with an inherent strength to provide a
weather resistant finish, with a variety of surface textures.

IV. MICRO FANS

Micro fans (Fig. 4) are fans made of plastic or carbon fiber.
They have blades of very small size and are limited to
combination usage. They are usually arranged in clusters for a
very accurate operation. They have a good usage for absorbing
wind energy. In this system, the blades are tilted at an optimal
angle to effectively gather the full force of the wind. They are
embedded into the fabric, with a series of holes made to
accommodate these fans. The whole fabric system is faced in
the direction of the wind. This helps to absorb the wind and
convert it to mechanical energy. These fans are interconnected
through the gearing system.

Fig. 2 Fiber Glass Fabric for lighter Winds

2) Carbon Fiber Fabric: For heavier winds, Carbon

Fiber Fabric[5] (Fig. 3) can be used. Carbon fiber is a material
consisting of fibers about 510 m in diameter and composed
mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together
in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis
of the fiber. The crystal alignment gives the fiber high
strength-to-volume ratio (making it strong for its size). Several
thousand carbon fibers are bundled together to form a tow,
which may be used by itself or woven into a fabric.
The properties of carbon fibers, such as high stiffness, high
tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, high
temperature tolerance and low thermal expansion, make them
very popular in aerospace, civil engineering, military, and
motorsports. However, they are relatively expensive when
compared to similar fibers, such as glass fibers or plastic fibers.

Fig. 4 A Micro Fan

V. GEARING SYSTEM
Gears (Fig. 5) are required to control the speed and rotation
of the fans and the connected turbines. They are made up of
carbon fiber[6] and are very flexible. The micro fans are
attached at the back to the gearing system. It lies all throughout
the fabric. They collect all the rotational force delivered by the
fans and amplify and convert it to mechanical force. The
system is aligned behind the fabric at the required terminals. At
the end of every square unit, it is connected to a micro turbine.

Fig. 5 A Plastic Gearing System

Fig. 3 Carbon Fiber Fabric for heavier Winds

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International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

Fig. 6 Front view of the Fabric based Wind Power Generator with the components

VI. MICRO T URBINES

Micro turbines (See Fig. 7) are normal miniature electricity
generators. They are commercially used in toys. In this system,
an enhanced version of it with penultimate properties are used
to bring it to the standard of a wind turbine. These have very
high strength to resist the multiple forces and to reduce wear
and tear. The turbines are coupled to the gearing system at the
terminals. They convert the mechanical energy to electrical
energy. They are placed at unit square areas. They produce
around 12 Volt each. Multiple turbines combine to form a grid
of electricity generation which can be effectively connected to
the output.

Fig. 7 An Electrical Micro Turbine

VII.

Fig. 8 The side view of the Fabric based Wind Power Generator with the
components

CONSTRUCTION

A Fabric with the suitable material (i.e., Fiber Glass or

Carbon Fiber) is knit for the required area.
Holes at suitable places are made throughout the fabric
to mount the Micro Fans.
The Micro Fans are embedded into the holes (Fig. 6).
All the Fans are connected to the gearing system (Fig.
8).
The gearing system[7] is connected to the Micro
Turbines at every square unit.
The grid of Micro Turbines are connected together[8]
to form a common power output line.

VIII.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
The wind is one of the most powerful form of natures
energy. Its tapping potential gives the rate of efficiency. It is
garnered by the huge Fabric spread (See Fig. 9) deployed at the
required site. As the wind flows into the fabric, it diverts the
wind into the holes. The holes contain the embedded Micro
Fans. The airflow rotates the fans. These fans are collectively
connected to the gearing system. The rotational force is
converted to the mechanical energy in the gears. These gears
amplify the rotation and are interconnected. The Micro
Turbines are connected to the gearing system every square unit

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International Conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Developments [ICRAMID - 2014]

area at the terminals[9]. These convert the mechanical energy

to electrical energy. The collective output of all the Micro
Turbines are connected to form a grid which can be considered
as the final output of the fabric. The power output depends on
various factors such as the total area of fabric, runtime, wind
speed, etc. The predicted output power is 100-120 MW/yr[10].
The output power can be used in many ways.
IX. ADVANTAGES
Fabric based Wind Generator has plenty of advantages due
to the material used. Some of them are:
The fabric is strong and light weight.
It can be folded, compressed and stored.
It is completely mobile.
It can be deployed anywhere, anytime.
It can be aligned easily to the direction of the wind.
It has production capability at any time of the year as it
can work even in light winds.
It produces more power output per square area than
static HAWTs.
It is a very efficient form of garnering wind energy.
X. CONCLUSIONS
Wind, as a natural form of energy is now being used to its
full potential to power human needs. This has created
machines and cutting edge technologies to capture its stored
potential[11]. As of now, usage of renewable energy is making
major strides to combat global warming. Here, it is proved that
this new method of Fabric based Wind Power Generator is the
most efficient form of Wind Power Generation. It can garner
more wind and produce more power. The produced power can
either be stored or connected with the main grid. This is an
efficient technology to be utilized in the future.

Fig. 9 An artists conception of a deployed Fabric based Wind Power

Generator

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors sincerely acknowledge the Chetwood
Associates for the work on sustainable wind power generation.
REFERENCES
[1] Wind Energy Basics: American Wind Energy Association.
[2] Baker, T. Lindsay, Brief History of Windmills in the New
World, Windmillers' Gazette, 2012.
[3] Hannele Holttinen, et al., Design and Operation of Power
Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power," IEA Wind
Summary Paper. Global Wind Power Conference 1821
September 2006, Adelaide, Australia.
[4] Mayer, Rayner M., Design with reinforced plastics, Springer,
p. 7. 1993.
[5] High Performance Carbon Fibers. National Historic Chemical
Landmarks: American Chemical Society.
[6] Smith, Zan, "Plastic gears are more reliable when engineers
account for material properties and manufacturing processes
during design," Motion System Design. 2000.
[7] John Gardner, Nathaniel Haro and Todd Haynes, Active
Drivetrain Control to Improve Energy Capture of Wind
Turbines October 2011. Boise State University.
[8] Eric Hau (ed), Wind Turbines Fundamentals, Technologies,
Applications, Economics 2nd Edition: Springer, p. 121, 2006.
[9] Johnson, Scott J.; van Dam, C.P. and Berg, Dale E., "Active
Load Control Techniques for Wind Turbines," Sandia National
Laboratory. 2008.
[10] Mukund R. Patel., "Wind and Solar Power Systems Design,
analysis and Operation", p. 303 2nd ed., 2006.
[11] Jamieson, Peter, Innovation in Wind Turbine Design: John
Wiley
&
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Section
9-1,
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2011.

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