The Generator Componentry

The generator consists of two major components, the rotor and the stator. The rotor is the oscillating moving part while the stator is the static section. The rotor and the stator are separated by a small air gap to allow the oscillating movement between the rotor and stator to take place.

Figure - 1: Generator componentry

The permanent magnet is fixed to the linkage rod and acts as a rotor. Meanwhile the coil windings and the steel plate play the role of a stator. In order to make the magnetic circuit as efficient as possible, the magnetic field passing through the coil must be maximized. To allow for this the coil windings were selected from a  material type with a low permeability.

Figure - 2: The generator schematic diagram

At the heart of the generator is the accumulator, which filters the generated output voltage through a rectifier and  a capacitor. The battery would be connected in parallel with the capacitor.

The Generator Circuit

Figure - 1: Generator charging circuit wiring diagram

Figure - 2: Generator schematic

Charging Circuit Requirements

A charging system must meet the following criteria while the engine is still running:

- Supply the current demands made up by all loads

- Supply whatever charge current the battery demands

- Operate at idle speed

- Supply constant voltage under all conditions

- Have an efficient power to weight ratio

- Be reliable, quiet, and have resistance to contamination

- Require low maintenance

- Provide an indication of correct operation

Researching Charging Circuits

A charging system performs several functions. These include:

1. It recharges the battery after engine cranking or after the use of electrical accessories with the engine turned off.

2. It supplies all of the vehicles electricity when the engine is running.

3. It must alter its output to meet varying electrical loads.

4. It provides a voltage output slightly higher than battery voltage.

Components:

1. Generator- Utilizes kinetic energy to generate electricity.

2. Voltage regulator- An electrical device which is used to control the current and output voltage of a generator.

3. Charge Indicator- A warning lamp, ammeter or voltmeter to inform the driver of the charging system condition.

4. Wiring Harness- Charging system wiring that connects system components.

5. Battery- Provides current

Final Contract Signed

We met with our lecturers today to present our final contract for approval. We have been working towards this moment for quite sometime now, and we began to realise that any rejection would be a step backwards for us. It would also mean that we would fall behind schedule, which would make it a more difficult task for us to meet our deadlines. 

Luckily, we were met with positive feedback and our project contract was finally approved. This meant that we were now able to progress to the next stages of our project and begin the time consuming task of in-depth research of our topic.

The Final Contract

Contract of Technology Project APPT6112

Project Name:
Harnessing the Wasted Energy in a Vehicle
Project brief:
Problem: Wasted kinetic energy through suspension movement in motor vehicles. Energy used up to drive the alternator contributes to engine inefficiency. The fact that modern gasoline engines have an average efficiency of about 18% to 20% when used to propel a vehicle, due to wasted energy. Solution: The project is to harness the wasted kinetic energy on vehicle suspension systems with the use of a ferromagnetic generator for power regeneration. At the same time it will reduce the existing engine work to turn the alternator, as well as energy loses through alternator heat dissipation. The generator will be attached to the shock absorber as a bolt on kit. To complement this system we will also design and construct a charging and battery management control circuit as a control module for the system. The generator will be constructed using copper wound on PVC pipe as a stator, and a permanent magnet as a rotor. The module will consist of several electronic components and Ic’s.
Agreed Outcomes:
To design, construct and analyze a supplementary charging system using a ferromagnetic generator. To design and construct a control module to manage the supplementary power generator system. To identify the overall charging rate produced by the ferromagnetic generator. To study the engine efficiency gained when incorporating the new system.
Names and ID	Gmail and blogger address		Signature	Date
Azizi Abdullah	Gmail	Azizi.abd@gmail.com
ID: 1375797	Blogger	http://azizi-abdullah.blogspot.com/
Fiva Faaofo	Gmail	Fiva.faaofo@gmail.com
ID:1352640	Blogger	http://fivasblog.blogspot.com
Technical Advisor/s	Prabhat Chand
	Lixin Zeng
Course Co-ordinator	Jone Tawaketini

Refining the Project

After presenting our proposed contract to Prabhat, we dicussed and came to an agreement that maybe our topic and objectives were a bit minded as our focus was solely on charging electric vehicle batteries. Prabhat then suggested that we go mainstream and to put the focus on today's vehicles which still incorporate the traditional internal combustion engine. Not only that but he challenged us to rethink our objectives and to come to a realisation about what we really would like to achieve from doing this project. 


We currently back to the board with this as we try to revise our contract to allow the topic to be broadened rather than a closed concept. We hope to get this contract approved and sign as soon as possible so that we may progress to the next stage.