Darrieus Engineering Notebook
Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine & Generator Research
Swipe across the steps to see the complete notebook roadmap →
What must a future wind-turbine controller sense, do, protect and prove?
Step 05 explores the balance between rotor driving torque and hypothetical electromagnetic braking. Step 06 sets out the design questions that must be answered before any control hardware can be relied on.
A controller concept must cover normal operation, gusts, faults and loss of electrical loading.
Measure rotor or generator RPM, AC line current, winding temperature and switching state. Detect missing, inconsistent and failed sensors.
Plan charging-path isolation, controlled AC-side loading, switching and transient suppression. A direct winding short has no inherent current regulation.
Establish an independently validated overspeed response before limits are reached. Account for rotor inertia, gust torque, detection delays and an independent stop or hold strategy.
Measure winding resistance and inductance, EMF, braking torque and current versus RPM, thermal response, repeated pulses, gust cases and component faults.
Not implemented · not a protection device. This Notebook has no installed controller, switching circuit, winding-short output or validated RPM trip threshold. The EM model in Step 05 is a steady-state exploratory estimate—not evidence of safe braking, overspeed prevention or stopping time.
Research alternatives only. No strategy is selected, recommended or installed by this page.
Investigate whether aerodynamic behaviour limits RPM as wind increases. Falling Cₚ or power does not prove safe stall or overspeed protection.
Explore wind sweeps · Step 04 →Explore controlled loading and EM braking, with measured current and thermal limits. An unregulated winding short is not a validated protection action.
Explore torque curves · Step 05 →Consider aerodynamic self-limitation with supplemental electrical protection. Analyse added complexity, failure modes and independent safe-state actions.
Review reference limits ↓Read-only figures for a documented manufacturer winding. Your Step 03 choice is shown when supported.
Checking saved Step 03 selection…
Choose a documented winding to see its evidence and qualifications.
Read matching manufacturer PDF ↗
Critical distinction: a rated speed is not a safe-speed trigger; a pulse-current specification is not a permitted short duration. AC line current is not rectified DC battery current. Missing limits remain unknown, never filled in from another generator.