magnet shape

[airfoil]

another new guy.
hi, i was wondering way you never hear (much) of people using disc magnetson their rotors. so i hope that the more (informed) guys can shed some light for me on this subject. thanx again.

Arfoil.

[alezy]

Yes true... In a way the mini energy crisis being experienced in South Africa (due to the self confessed incompetence of Eskom) is a good thing... it is increasing awareness, and making people ask questions about alternatives.

[windgat]

Hi Airfoil. Usually one designs the magnet spacing to get maximum density of the magnetic field intersecting with the copper wire coils. The ideal shape is therefore a wedge, but these are not easy to find. A rectangle is a good compromise.

Disks will work, but you will need a slightly larger rotor plate to get the same power, and it will be slightly less efficient in terms of the amount of copper wire needed.

[jameswang]

Usually arc or wedge are widely used in wind turbine. Block magnets can work out well too as all these magnets need to be assemble together to products the magnetic field.