Small-sized wind power generator using Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets

Today, clean or renewable energy is highly demanded for realization of the sustainable earth. The most promising methods among renewable energies are wind power, solar, water power, and biomass energies. They need to apply generators except for a solar energy case. The first study for development of generators was product dissection of eight different generators, which resulted that there seem no rule for the most suitable design approach. They include 4 wind power, two water, and 2 vehicle generators. In such dissected 8 generators there are all different coil number, magnet number, way of coil winding, phase for coil connection, and etc. Starting the study of disk-shape rotor with magnets in the outer periphery, the capability of power generator was studied, and it resulted that it is not sufficient. As a second step, an axial gap type generator was investigated using rare-earth permanent magnets and core-less coils for both face sides for coil assembly. The first objective of this research is to establish an effective wind power generator, which should be useful even under a weak wind condition like at a ground level. The idea of core-less coil (without pulling against each other between coils and magnets) is to obtain easy rotation in the area where is not so strong wind blow condition. The second objective of this research is to establish a hybrid wind and solar power energy system. The system is considered to be used in the case of disaster event such as an earthquake occurrence. Because big earthquakes are expected in the coming 30-40 years with the probability of 40-50% in the south part of Japan, the self-powered lights need in such a disaster occurrence case. Although wind power generators are effective at mountainous areas, we think we need to consider to apply a wind power generator in populated areas. Combining a wind power generator with a solar cell, a self-powered street light can be utilized. In the following, the design and development of generator and a possibility of the hybrid system by wind power and solar cell are reported.