Background
As the need for renewable energy has become more aware by the concerned public, we have discovered ways to ween ourselves off our dependence of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Our team has designed an alternative way to convert kinetic energy to AC power by means of a bicycle energy generator. With this, the WaterPod as well as others can use our design to generate their own electricity.
Abstract
The Bicycle Energy Generator will use kinetic energy supplied through a mechanical system and return usable DC current by means of a direct current energy generator. Direct current will then run through an electrical circuit and eventually be stored in a bank of marine batteries. This battery bank will provide a source of usable energy for the Water Pod community. Keywords:
Problem Analysis and Criteria
| Criteria | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 10 | Must be designed to support a person up to 300lbs and allow the cyclist to ride without being harmed. |
| Functions for 5 months | 10 | Design must withstand daily use for 5 months. |
| Cost | 9 | Entire design must cost less than $300. |
| Shippability | 8 | The System must be able to be shipped through mail from California to New York, considering the size, shape, and weight of the design. |
| Compatibility with other Bicycles | 8 | Design must be to incorporate different styles and sizes of bikes to run the system. |
| Power output generated | 7 | Design must be able to produce an adequate amount of energy for the WaterPod's daily use. |
| Aesthetically Pleasing | 6 | Design must look professional. |
| Educational value | 5 | Design must provide visitors with an educational experience. |
Final Design
From the decision making process, it was decided that a prefabricated stand would best meet the specified criteria. A prefabricated stand is a very practical component to our design because it lifts the bicycle's back wheel off the ground, allowing it to spin freely, and acts as a framework for other components of the system. The prefabricated stand is designed to attach at the axle of the back wheel. The axle extends out on either side of the bike wheel so that it rests on the stand and is locked into place.
The circuitry of the system will run direct current (DC) from the generator into a bank of marine batteries. Along the way, the current will pass through an initial diode in order to prevent the current from running in reverse. The current then passes through a voltage regulator so the voltage does not exceed the determined capacity of the battery. The flow next passes through an amp meter and directly into a battery bank where usable energy will be stored for later use. In order to maintain a functioning electrical circuit, the current returns through the battery and back through a fuse. After the current passes through the voltage regulator again, the direct current passes through a final fuse and completes the circuit.
Materials
See this example of a cost table for more on tables.
Possible alternative materials
Tools
Estimated time of construction
Costs
| Material | What We Paid | Retail Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Stand | $50.00 | $299.99 |
| Shipping and Handling | $24.00 | $24.00 |
| DC Motor | $65.00 | $404.99 |
| Fuse | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Fuse holder | $2.69 | $2.69 |
| 12 gauge wire(15 ft) | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Voltmeter | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Diode | Free | $1.59 |
| Voltage Regulator | Free | $19.99 |
| Total | $157.66 | $769.22 |
D.I.Y.
To construct your own Bicycle Energy Generator you can follow these layed out steps:
- Gather Materials:
- Bicycle: A road bike with small threads is preferred
- Bicycle Stand: Look on Craigslist.com,or retail stores online
- 12V DC motoer: Most convenient place to purchaase is at Alternative Power, Inc in Arcata, Ca
- Inverter: any hardware store
- 12 V marine battery: Look online for the most convenient buy
- Two Fuses: can be purchased at RadioShack
- Diode: Use a blocking diode found at any local hardware store
- 7 amp regulator: purchase at a local hardware store
- Wiring: use a 12 gauge or smaller, 12 feet long, purchase at local hardware store
- Scrap metal: any scrap yard
- Construct motor/roller
- To connect your DC motor to your bicycle trainer you must examine the resistance roller to see if the motor shaft can be coupled with the roller
- Deconstrust your roller so that the roller shaft can be coupled with the motor shaft
- Couple the two shafts together, a rubber couple would be best if the two shafts are not in equal width
- Investigate where the motor should be placed, so that you can mount it to the bicycle stand
- Mount the motor by placing a peice of metal between the mounted roller and the spring loaded board.
- Construct a mount that will hold motor in place, preferrably two peices slightly on either side of the motor as shown below. The motor may vary in size so there are no dimensions given, but the general idea is to mount the motor so that it will not move once coupled with the roller.
- . Build electrical circuit
- Here is a diagram of what needs to included in the circuit
- Use soldering gun to connect fuses, diode, voltage, regulator, battery, and inverter. Clamps are acceptable to connect peices of circuit.
- First slip a sleeve of shrink tape over one wire and slide it out of the way of the solderng gun.
- Hold wires together(make sure you use proper protection) and solder the wire ends together.
- Once wires are connected, slide shrink tape over exposed wires and used a flame to tighten the tape.
- Repeat this step for any wires that need to be connected to complete the circuit to the diagram.
Location
References
See Help:Footnotes for more.
Categories
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