Tilt Control Design for an Archimedes Turbine Shaft Using an Arduino Uno-Based Linear Actuator

Abstract

The Archimedes screw turbine has become a widely adopted solution for micro-hydro power generation due to its structural simplicity and resilience in low-head environments. Extensive studies have demonstrated that the power efficiency of these turbines is critically influenced by the shaft’s inclination angle. However, conventional manual adjustment methods are often impractical, labor-intensive, and lack the responsiveness required for frequent, repetitive modifications. The research addresses these challenges by developing an electrical control system integrated with an Arduino Uno microcontroller and a linear actuator. The system architecture is designed synergistically uitilizing a potentiometer for angle input, a dual-channel relay module for directional control, and 12V DC linear actuator for mechanical execution. Operationally, the Arduino processes analog signals from the potentiometer and compares them against a designated setpoint. Any deviation from this target automatically triggers the actuator to move forward or backward until the desired screw position is achieved. Through this system, operators can precisely adjust the turbine’s tilt simply by rotating the potentiometer knob. Experimental results indicate that the system executes commands with rapid response times. The implementation of this technology successfuly transforms a labor-intensive mechanical task into a streamlined and efficient process, effectively eliminating the need for direct physical intervention by operators at the turbine site.