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|align="right"| 28.95 | |align="right"| 28.95 | ||
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| 1 || Mounting | | 1 || Mounting brackets || Ace Hardware Store | ||
|align="right"| 10.00 | |align="right"| 10.00 | ||
|align="right"| 10.00 | |align="right"| 10.00 | ||
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| 1 || Generator pulley wheel || McMaster.car (online) | | 1 || Generator pulley wheel || McMaster.car (online) | ||
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| 1 || Wood || Trash | | 1 || Wood || Trash | ||
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|align="right"| 00.00 | |align="right"| 00.00 | ||
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| 1 || Blocking Diode || | | 1 || Blocking Diode || RadioShack | ||
|align="right"| | |align="right"| 2.00 | ||
|align="right"| | |align="right"| 2.00 | ||
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| 1 || Power Meter || Harbor Freight | | 1 || Power Meter || Harbor Freight | ||
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|align="right"| 4.00 | |align="right"| 4.00 | ||
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| 1 || Wiring Components || | | 1 || Wiring Components || Ace Hardware | ||
|align="right"| | |align="right"| 30.00 | ||
|align="right"| | |align="right"| 30.00 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1 || Inverter || Harbor Frieght | | 1 || Inverter || Harbor Frieght | ||
|align="right"| | |align="right"| 29.99 | ||
|align="right"| | |align="right"| 29.99 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1 || Shipping and Handling | | 1 || Shipping and Handling || Carrier | ||
|align="right"| 5.00 | |align="right"| 5.00 | ||
|align="right"| 5.00 | |align="right"| 5.00 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |- | ||
|align="right"| | | 160 || Hours of Time || Made | ||
|align="right"| 8.00 | |||
|align="right"| 1,280.00 | |align="right"| 1,280.00 | ||
|-class="sortbottom" | |-class="sortbottom" | ||
|colspan="4" align="right" | '''Total Cost''' | |colspan="4" align="right" | '''Total Cost''' | ||
|align="right"| '''$ | |align="right"| '''$1428.94''' | ||
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| 10 || Assemble electrical components | | 10 || Assemble electrical components | ||
|align="center"| | |align="center"| X | ||
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| 11 || Test Device | | 11 || Test Device | ||
|align="center"| | |align="center"| X | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 12 || Project due | | 12 || Project due |
Revision as of 07:33, 6 May 2011
Abstract
The Treadmill-a-volt is a device that converts human kinetic energy into electric potential energy. The energy exerted to turn the belt is transferred via an electric dynamo into a simple circuit that charges a small battery. The battery can then be used to charge small electrical devices. This "give a volt-take a volt" system demonstrates that human power converted to energy and then back into power is not cheap, it takes work, whether it's from burning coal or from running on the treadmill. So please check out our design and try making one yourself. You may never need to go to the gym again.
Background
The Engineers:
Our goal is to harness human kinetic energy through common gym equipment and convert it into useful applications. Our human powered electric generator will be used to charge a battery which can then be used to charge small electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, cameras, or laptops.
The project is an assignment for ENGR 305 (Appropriate Technology) at Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA. We will be in collaboration with our client, The Humboldt Bay Center for Sustainable Living who operates the new Humboldt Bay Eco-Hostel located in Manila, CA.
The plan is to have the device operational by the end of the semester so that it can be a useful and educational part of the Eco-Hostel. We hope to emphasize that energy is not cheap and that it takes work to make electricity used to power even the smallest electronic devices in our lives.
Literature Review
This is a review of the literature acquired in the beginning stages of our research on Human powered devices and a means to build them.
Human Power Basics
With the utilization of mechanical/electrical devices, human energy can be transferred from the body into almost any small or moderate sized household device. With human power, small kitchen appliances such as blenders, food processors, and juicers are simple and effective for construction, but are not limited to just those ideas. Lawnmowers, sewing machines, and even electricity generation are all possible destinations of the energy that is generated by humans. . [1]
Construction Concerns
A limited knowledge of electricity and mechanical construction is our main obstacle. We plan to build of other past accomplishments, learning from their experiences and adding our own to the base of knowledge. Research into basic wiring and electricity will be vital for a successful project.[2] . [3]Other construction concerns involve the design. We want to harness the maximum potential a person can produce. By evaluating arm and hand vs. leg and foot devices we can narrow our design possibilities.[4] Another concern will be in the cost and time to complete the project.
Types of Devices
Most devices are foot pedaled rotary mechanisms, either attached directly to a mechanical device or connected to an electrical generator, which will then operate an electrical motor, or charge a battery bank.
Mechanical Devices
The energy harnessed can be maintained as mechanical energy. This type of device uses belts, chains, or shafts to carry the energy and pulleys or gears can change speed, magnitude, and direction of a force. [5][6] Mechanical force can be applied using a hand crack with such devices as; pencil sharpener, juicer, drill, or ice cream maker. Pedal power have been applied to such devices as blenders[7], pumps, saws, sewing machines, even a dentist's drill.[8]
Electrical Devices
The device could also incorporate a generator and create electricity. The generated electricity can be used immediately power electrical appliances such as TVs[9]or radios. The energy can also be stored in batteries to power devices at another time.[10][11] Bart Orlando built the Human Energy Converter or HEC which connected 14 pedal powered bikes to a battery and generated just over a kilo-Watt to power sound stages at festivals.[12]The power stored can be used to charge small portable electronic devices such as MP3 players, cameras, cell phones, and laptops.[13][14]In a much larger project, human power was used to generate enough power for an entire facility like the one in Hong Kong [15], This is a spectacular design with an outstanding budget, one that we can learn from, but not duplicate.
Designing interpretive materials
According to our client Sean Armstrong, Director of the the Humboldt Bay Center for Sustainable Living, interpretive materials for the human powered gym should include a way of measuring the amount of energy created and stored in our electrical generating device. The energy created should be compared to energy usage for other common devices such as a computer, light bulb, or hair dryer.
Costs
Our proposed budget will itemize the cost to construct the device. At the moment this is a preliminary report as we continually update our designs.
Humboldt Bay Treadmill-a-Volt
The device will convert kinetic energy into electrical to charge a battery good for charging small electronic devices. The generator was graciously donated by Lonny Grafman. In addition a special thanks to Eco-Groovy Abundance for providing a great deal on the treadmill.
Quantity | Material | Source | Cost ($) | Total ($) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nordic Trak Walk-Fit 5000 Treadmill | Eco-Groovy Abundance | 30.00 | 30.00 |
1 | Gel Cell Battery | Interstate Battery | 28.95 | 28.95 |
1 | Mounting brackets | Ace Hardware Store | 10.00 | 10.00 |
1 | Generator pulley wheel | McMaster.car (online) | 9.00 | 9.00 |
1 | Wood | Trash | 0.00 | 0.00 |
1 | Pulley Wheel Belt (old bicycle tube) | trash | 00.00 | 00.00 |
1 | Blocking Diode | RadioShack | 2.00 | 2.00 |
1 | Power Meter | Harbor Freight | 4.00 | 4.00 |
1 | Wiring Components | Ace Hardware | 30.00 | 30.00 |
1 | Inverter | Harbor Frieght | 29.99 | 29.99 |
1 | Shipping and Handling | Carrier | 5.00 | 5.00 |
160 | Hours of Time | Made | 8.00 | 1,280.00 |
Total Cost | $1428.94 |
Criteria
To help us with the difficult task of making important decisions with our project we have developed a list of criteria that we and our client feel are important. Each criteria has its constraints and a given weight of importance ( 1 being the least important and 10 being the most). The following is for both devices.
Criteria | Constraint | Weight |
---|---|---|
Size | The device should fit within a 4' x 6' area | 3 |
Functionality | Device should be be useful to hostel guests, accommodating all ages | 10 |
Educational | Hostel guests should experience some educational value | 6 |
Maintainability | Device should not require technical maintenance | 6 |
Aesthetic | Device should look fun and inviting | 7 |
Noise | Operation should not be intolerable to Hostel guests | 3 |
Structural Integrity | 2-3 years of operation should be expected | 8 |
Time to construct | Devices should be fully constructed and operating with 1 semester and possibly some extra time | 9 |
Number of devices | Devices built should meet all criteria | 1 |
Versatility | Should be able to provide power to multiple smaller devices | 5 |
Cost | The device should not exceed $150 (cost/benefit exceeds) | 7 |
Life | Our time should not take away from our other studies and cause us to fail other classes | 10 |
Proposed time line
Week | Task | Completion |
---|---|---|
1 | Decide on project | X |
2 | Research, Start Appropedia page, and meet with Sean Armstrong | X |
3 | Search for equipment | X |
4 | Search for equipment | X |
5 | Add Criteria List to Appropedia | X |
6 | Add Proposed Time Line to Appropedia and meet with Sean Armstrong | X |
7 | Test motor output, determine belt speed and gear ratio, and test batteries | X |
8 | Search for Proper Size Pulley Wheel, and possibly look for battery | X |
9 | Build motor mount assembly, search for inverter, charge regulator | X |
10 | Assemble electrical components | X |
11 | Test Device | X |
12 | Project due |
Evolution of the Treadmill-a-volt
Follow the steps in construction of each device with this pictorial sequence of events. Click on the image to find out more details.(Currently not functioning)
-
Basic Treadmill with non-functional display console. Overall structurally sound and in decent condition.
-
Currie Technolgies Inc. 24V, 2600RPM, 22A, 350W output electric motor/dynamo.
Conclusion
What are intended project to be like, how it turned out, and the lessons learned in the process.
Next Step
What we would recommend to others inspired to continue this idea.
References
- ↑ Dean, Tamara.2008. The Human Powered Home, choosing muscle over motors. Gabriola Canada. New Society Publishers.
- ↑ Shelden, J, Linda. 1977. Basic Home Wiring, illustrated. Menlo Park California. Sunset Books and Magazines .
- ↑ Jones, Calvin. 2005. Big Blue Book of bicycle repair. Saint Paul MN. Park Tool Company .
- ↑ Dean, Tamara. The Human-Powered Home; Choosing Muscles Over Motors. New Society Publishers, 2008.
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear
- ↑ Walton, Harry. How and Why of Mechanical Movements. New York, NY: Popular Science Pub. Co., 1968.
- ↑ Public_Health_Bike_Blender
- ↑ Dean, Tamara. The Human-Powered Home; Choosing Muscles Over Motors. New Society Publishers, 2008.
- ↑ Samoa Hostel Pain in the Axle
- ↑ WaterPod Bicycle Energy Generator
- ↑ WaterPod Tour de Volts
- ↑ Dean, Tamara. The Human-Powered Home; Choosing Muscles Over Motors. New Society Publishers, 2008
- ↑ http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen.html
- ↑ Thad Starner, Joseph A. Paradiso. Human Generated Power for Mobile Electronics. Atlanta: Georgia Tech, 2 13, 2011.
- ↑ Levesque, Tylene. 2007. Human Powered Gyms in Hong Kong. http://inhabitat.com/human-powered-gyms-in-hong-kong/.