-We met for the first time forming our groups and were giving an introductory lecture. We then proceeded to decide on our Freshman Design Project. We ended up deciding on constructing a portable water powered generator for outdoor activity use.
Week 2: April 9, 2013
-In an effort to research various home methods for creating a micro-hydro turbine generator we found this page which details how to create a relatively simple hydro turbine. The materials used are inexpensive and it step by step intructs how to create the separate pieces of the turbine. This webpage is a good resource to draw upon while we create a design for our own turbine. Using this page, a group of students made their very own turbine as shown below.
Week 3: April 16, 2013
- We have started to compile a list of needed materials. In order to build a first model of the generator we are going to need:
-10-15 magnets
-Roughly 315ft of 30gauge copper wire
- The casing of the generator will most likely be built out of a plastic casing.
As for the blades of the wheel, we are hoping to use PVC piping as it is affordable and relatively light. Using PVC elbows is cheap and there is an example of a homemade wheel here
When trying to come up with an idea of what to build the casing for the wheel out of, we decided that for a first design to use a small plastic trash can as a starting place. There are still many calculations to be done, such as what strength of magnet to use is best, and what distance is optimum between the wire and battery. Also, we determined that roughly 5 Volts of power is necessary to charge a phone as that is the amount of power needed for a USB. A USB being the method we are using to connect to the phone.
April 18, 2013
- Using various online resources we have begun to compile formula's needed, and measurements important for the project.
The below sites are very useful for understanding magnetics and eventually buying the magnets we need.
April 23, 2013
- For the USB portion of our project we are going to be building it very similarly to this video. Except that instead of using solar power we are going to wire it to the generator we are building. The magnet that we hope to use is around an N48 strength and around 1 inch in diameter and about 1/8th or 1/16th in thickness. This type of magnet was chosen because it is strong for its size, and the stronger the magnet the more electricity can be made in a shorter amount of time.
This website shows the differences between an overshot flow and undershot flow pelton wheel. Our group is going to make an undershot pelton wheel.
April 25, 2013
-Using this website, we were able to calculate the wire requirements to be 630 feet (192.024 meters) with a 24 gauge. Next week in Lab we plan to start building, assembling materials over the weekend.
May 3, 2013
-Today we started to assemble the rotor of the turbine, which is the magnetic wheel that in conjunction with the stator generates an electrical charge. Masking tape was used to secure the magnets to the plate, and each was placed roughly 36 degrees apart (because there were ten magnets). This can be seen below.
Example of Rotor
Example of Rotor Schematic
We still have to build the stator of the turbine, the stator is the wheel of the turbine with the coiled wire. An AutoCAD drawing can be seen below.
Example of Stator
May 16, 2013
-We found a nice video which helps to explain some of the electrical components involved with the phone charging.
May 28, 2013
- The stator of the turbine is being built, currently the wires have just finished being soldered. The next step naturally is to attach them to the plate. For a stable fit, the group has decided to use superglue and duck tape. They will be placed in a fashion similar to the magnets. That being roughly 36 degrees apart around the plate. Originally we were using a plate identical to the Rotor plate, we realized that if we did it would have been too small, and not sturdy enough. We obtained a larger and heavier plate which will work quite well.
New plate with axle hole drilled
As for the Rotor, we scrapped the original plate due to a crack in the drill hole, and replaced the plate and magnets. The magnets are now secured with duct tape in place of the weaker masking tape.
Remodeled Rotor
In order to keep the rotor and stator dry, we needed a casing. Luckily we found a microwave cover which fits the bill exactly.
We kept having this problem where the Rotor magnets were moving under the tape. They were reattached to the plate using superglue to prevent this from happening.
Generator Casing
May 30, 2013
-Now all that is left is building the machine. The Stator was built today, attaching the coils was relatively simple. The superglue holds the wires in well. and the duct tape is used to keep excess wires taped down. This is needed because otherwise the wires would scrape against the Rotor.
Completed Stator
Rotor and Stator side by side
In addition to completing the stator, the blades of the turbine were attached to the cork we are using. When trying to figure out how we were going to physically attach the blades in a convenient manner, a cork was decided on. A cork is a household item, which we will be able to put the spoons into. Also it the axle is able to fit into the cork.
Completed turbine blades
For the axle of the turbine, a pencil will be used. Suiting our needs of being a household item and also being long and sturdy enough to have the Rotor and Stator attached.
May 31, 2013
-Today we put the various pieces together in order to collect data. In order to compile the separate pieces we have to use a small PVC pipe and skateboard bearings. These will allow the axle to remain relatively unscathed by friction when going through the Stator, and will also serve to align the axle in a straight path.
Completed Turbine Mechanism
June 1, 2013
-After attaching all of the pieces together, the turbine is finally complete.
-After attaching all of the pieces together, the turbine is finally complete.
Completed Turbine with Shroud
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