Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Simon, Miriam R.
Language:	English
Published:	The Ohio State University / OhioLINK 2011
Subjects:	Design Engineering wind-powered machinery wind generators user-centered design humanitarian engineering
Online Access:	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1312819145

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spelling	ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu13128191452021-08-03T06:03:32Z Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries Simon, Miriam R. Design Engineering wind-powered machinery wind generators user-centered design humanitarian engineering The purpose of this study was to inquire about the uses of wind-powered technology in developing countries. Throughout the introduction of technological models in developing countries, citizens are able to acquire knowledge about these and adapt them to their specific needs. A thorough preliminary investigation of various existing texts, as well as full-scale prototype developments and interviews to citizens of Honduras have led to valuable information about the way in which design and engineering can aid citizens of developing countries. By researching what the customer wants, the local environment, and local materials and needs of the people, one can design and build models of various technological advancements which are then adapted by the locals to suit their needs. Furthermore, locals use these models as opportunities to create small businesses used to stimulate their economic development, as well as invest in the community. In comparison to commercially available products which tend to be expensive for the end user, customers are able to build their own equipment using scrap and re-usable materials.The first step to truly understanding the technology behind small-scale wind generators was to build fully functional prototypes. This experience was extremely valuable as it provided not only ideas on how to assemble the entire system, but preliminary design flaws were fixed in updated iterations of the model. Along with the prototypes, a wind-speed sensor, or anemometer, was installed at the location of the generator. Wind data is one of the most important aspects of building a wind generator, as it is important to know at what speeds the blades can begin rotating. Wind data is also part of the general assessment that should be done prior to building a wind generator, as not all areas of the world will benefit from installing a wind generator if the wind is not constantly blowing. The construction and assembly of these preliminary prototypes was useful in getting ready for the next part of the research process which included interactions and feedback from future users. A trip taken to Choluteca, Honduras in March of 2011 along with a group from ECOS (Engineers for Community Service) provided valuable information in regards to field research and observation. This information has been thoroughly analyzed in order to create a guideline for a model wind-generator to be built in the city of Choluteca, at the vocational school 'Escuela Vocacional Estados Unidos de America'. This model will be used to lower electricity costs at the school as well as introduce a model of a generator that students can learn from. Trips and experiences such as this one provide extremely valuable information for those attempting to address design and engineering issues in developing countries. Only by immersion in a culture can one truly understand the way people live. 2011-09-26 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1312819145 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1312819145 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection	NDLTD
language	English
sources	NDLTD
topic	Design Engineering wind-powered machinery wind generators user-centered design humanitarian engineering
spellingShingle	Design Engineering wind-powered machinery wind generators user-centered design humanitarian engineering Simon, Miriam R. Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries
author	Simon, Miriam R.
author_facet	Simon, Miriam R.
author_sort	Simon, Miriam R.
title	Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries
title_short	Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries
title_full	Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries
title_fullStr	Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries
title_full_unstemmed	Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries
title_sort	design and engineering of wind-powered machinery for developing countries
publisher	The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
publishDate	2011
url	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1312819145
work_keys_str_mv	AT simonmiriamr designandengineeringofwindpoweredmachineryfordevelopingcountries
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Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries

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