3rd Prortotype

The third prototype is developed with the objective to increase the current output. We had several discussions with Mr. Prabhat to evaluate out prototype output performance, as well as how to increase the current output. We took the advice to include an iron core in the generator. We decided to wrap the coil windings with the iron plate on the outer side, as shown in following figure.

We had also reduced the air gap by increasing the permanent magnet diameter. The magnetic strip was placed on the permanent magnet outer diameter, as shown on figure above. The improvement on third prototype has resulted a load on the rotor (magnet). Now, it required force to move the rotor up and down.

Again, the similar tests were carried out. With this prototype, we manage to charge up the capacitor faster and higher voltage. Result as the following figure.

We are satisfied with the current performance of the generator, and we believed the output will be sufficient for the generator to be installed and tested on vehicle.

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."

- Steve Jobs

2nd Prototype

Since the first prototype does not produce sufficient output for testing, we have decided to improved the prototype design. For the second prototype, we have double up the number of coil windings (N) from 300 to 600. Then the prototype was tested for the output voltage. Following figure shows the result from the second prototype.

The second prototype has shows a significant improvement in term of maximum voltage. It produced a maximum voltage up to 2.168 V. However, the current output remains same as the first prototype. The generator then tested to charge the 3900μF capacitor. Following figure shows the charge voltage on capacitor at same frequency as it was tested on the first prototype.

"The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun."- Ralph Nader

Generator Prototype

The main component in the project is the generator. At this stage, the first prototype was built to generate voltage and current for the system. The main material involved in this prototype are;
         1.   0.25mm (d) of enameled copper wire
         2.   40mm (d) x 10mm (h) Neodymium magnet
         3.   50mm (id) x 80mm (h) pvc tube
         4.   Single phase 1.0 amp Bridge Rectifiers.

In this first prototype we have the coil wounded for 300 turn (N). Both end of the copper wire were connected to the bridge rectifier. The (+) and (-) output terminal of the rectifier is connected with the wire to use as a probe for test.

The first bench test was conducted on 31 November 2011. The computer oscilloscope was used to capture the peak voltage from the generator. At this stage, the induced magnetic field generates small voltage were detected. Figure below shows the peak voltage generated by the generator (0.962v).

From the test result, we agreed that the peak voltage and current generated are too small for the project objective. We need to improve the generator design in some areas in order to amplify the output.

Busy Week

For couple of week to come, I need to pause on the Tech Project progress. Need to concentrate more on other course.  All the datelines are approaching......hope can make it on time.

Anyway, up till today, the progress of the project is on track and goes on as schedule. Me and Fiva, we had a weekly meeting to discuss the progress. We are now still working on our literature review. Almost there........

We have decided that we are going to work out on the prototype during coming summer holiday. Probably will construct and test the prototype during the holiday. We planned to finish the prototype before christmas......

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

Permanent Magnet

I have done a thorough study on permanent magnet and its material. Now, need to start looking for the magnet. I have found out several magnet supplier around Auckland. I need to identify the suitable size of magnet to use in the project.

We have decided to use the Neodymium type of magnet, because the material would have the strongest magnetic field and It is available in the market. We found out that they are not cheap!!, it cost us 40 bucks just for the disc type with diameter of 40mm and 10mm thick.

This is a massively powerful, neodymium "rare earth", disc magnet. The strength rating is N45. Most magnets sold in NZ are N35, which is significantly weaker. Neodymium 
magnets are about 10 times more powerful than normal ferrite magnets.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" 

- Arthur C. Clarke

Literature Review

Now, the project tittle and scope of study has been decided. We now have to start with the literature review. We need to do research and read.....(boring..). Literature review is important for us to gain a knowledge on how to develop our prototype. We need to understand in depth the criteria that involved in our project.

We have segregate the task of the research. Fiva,...you do the study on suspension characteristic and New zealand road profile. I will study the permanent magnet and generator design. So...what are we waiting for....read...read..

"Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill" 
- Barbara W. Tuchman

Signing the Contract

After we had reviewed the contract agreement with Mr. Prabhat for couple of times, finally we had the contract signed. Now the scope of the project pretty much has been agreed by us and our project advisor.

The title of the project is :

Harnessing the Wasted Energy in a Car

Energy Harnessing

Today, we have come out with our proposal for the project in a writing and had a discussion with Mr. Prabhat pertaining to the idea. The idea was to design and construct the regenerative energy generator with a ferromagnetic device. Our original idea was to develop the system as a supplementary power supply to electric vehicles.

After a discussion with Prabhat, he has suggested us to broaden our project idea, so that the generator could be used on normal vehicle instead of just for EV application. He also suggested us to look at the project from a difference perspective, not only as a power generator, but also as a part of energy harnessing system. We also discussed the basic idea on how to construct the generator and how to carry out the test.

Generally, we are happy with the new concept and approach that we have gained from the discussion. Now, we need to do a little bit more of research about energy harnessing and redo out contract before signing off the contract. So far, the progress is going well as we planned. We hope that we could get the contract signed by next week.

" The Important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them " 

- William Bragg Sr.

   

Latest - Gimkhana 4

Just for fun...........

Ip Session - Research

I believed it was a fruitful session today. Discussions merely about research and lots of stuff to be relate to the technology project research. Research data sourcing, data analysis as well as dos and don'ts in report writing were highlighted. I think the knowledge that we will gain in this session could be important, not only for the technology project in this semester but also for industry project on next semester.

Our progress on the project as per today, we had draft the project idea and filled up the contract form. We have decided that we will bring the proposal to a discussion with lixin within this week. Even though we are busy with few assignments that are going to due early next month, we still need to keep the project in progress.

Technology Project Idea

Several project ideas were highlighted in yesterdays session. Some good example were discussed. I understand that all the idea for the project should come from the assessed problem.

So far, me and Fiva, we had a project idea that we had been discussing since last week. The idea basically involve the ferromagnetic power generation. We intend to design a simple supplementary power generation to support power consumption in a vehicle, mainly for electric vehicle. However, we still need to work out the proper proposal as well as to fill up the contract form. We need to do more research based on the idea in order to identify the outcome of the project before we have the agreement on the contract.

Last week, we already had a small discussion with Mr. Prabhat regarding our project idea and we did ask a favour from him to become our technical advisor for the our project. He seems happy to help us with the project with a condition that we ask Mr. Lixin to be the other technical advisor the project.

Yesterday, we spoke to Lixin regarding the project idea and we did asked him to become our technical advisor as we discussed with Mr. Prabhat earlier. He want us to properly complete the contract form with a proper project proposal before having a further discussion.

We need to work out fast, the sooner we sign the contract the sooner we could start to progress with the project. At the same time we need to make sure that the project idea is feasible at our level of knowledge.

"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking." 
- Albert Einstein

Free Energy

Well, this YouTube video has inspired me the idea for my technology project. However, I still need to do more research and work out on how to incorporate the idea into the automotive project. 

(www.Fuelesspower.com, 2010)

Today, me and Fiva has agreed to work in a group for the technology project. First step, done.

" If everybody in US that had two cars had a Prius instead of an SUV, we wouldn't be in the Middle East right now." 

- Meryl Streep

Tech Project

First session of the TTEC 6112 course for Semester 2/2011. Assessment scopes and course objective were briefed to the class. The percentage distribution for all assessments and all the dateline were also briefly explained.

For me, this challenging course requires lots of individual and group commitments. It is definitely different from other courses that I’ve went through previously. Now, the first step is to find a good and dynamic group members, to ensure the progress of the project will be in the right direction.

Today, we've been shortly briefed with the project scope and ideas. The basic ideas on how to manage the project were also been highlighted. Having discussed about managing the project makes me feel the experience and knowledge to be gained in this project could be very useful for me in my future carrier.