User:Medelen8/ENES100/Wind Turbine Design

Problem Statement
The goal is to build a wind turbine (or use an existing prototype), quantify and measure power generation, and demonstrate the benefit of recent technological advances (e.g. wind lens). A Conceive document is not applicable.

Requirements for each element or component derived from system level goals and requirements
The requirements for this wind turbine were generated from the previous groups work. They include:
 * 1) Quantify power generation
 * 2) Measure power generation
 * 3) Demonstrate the benefit of recent technological advances
 * 4) Show how shrouded wind turbines work better than traditional wind turbines

Alternatives in design

 * 1) Serial monitor display
 * 2) LCD monitor display

The initial design
The initial design included reading the power generation of the wind turbine through the serial monitor on the screen by connecting the Arduino to the computer. This design was inefficient and not portable since the Arduino had to always be connected to the computer as a power source and for data transmission.

Experimental prototypes and testing conducted during design
N/A

Appropriate optimization in the presence of constraints
The constraints made the circuit design to do a certain task, consume as little power as possible, and conserve as much power as possible. The circuit also had to fit onto the wind turbine itself so it would be extremely compact and easy to transport. These were all accommodated through the design that it took up less than 8 inches of space on the actual device, and could be easily mounted onto the turbine.

Iteration until convergence
N/A

The final design
The final design included an 20x4 LCD screen, and Arduino Uno, and the wind turbine. This code allows the Arduino to read a value from the output of the wind turbine and turns it into an output voltage value. To determine the amount of current generated, the output voltage is divided by a resistance value of 51, which is the amount of the resistance in the circuit. Watts is calculated by squaring the output voltage and dividing that number by the resistance. Each of these values are printed onto the LCD screen on lines 1, 2, and 3 in their respective order. There is a delay of 500 milliseconds to ensure that the reading is accurate and stable.

Utilization of Knowledge in Design
While creating the circuit and having to solder the pins into the LCD screen, we had to have prior knowledge of these skills to complete the task at hand. Breadboarding the circuit was not the hardest thing that we had done so far in the project, due to the fact that we had software design most of our circuit.

Technical and scientific knowledge
In order to determine the voltage, current, wattage, and resistance we needed to use formulas. Ohm's Law helped us calculate current since we only had the values of the voltage and resistance.
 * $$I = \frac{V}{R} \quad \text{or}\quad V = IR \quad \text{or} \quad R = \frac{V}{I}. $$
 * $$P = \frac{V^2}{R},$$

Creativity, problem solving, and group decision-making
The ability of problem solving arose when the initial Arduino sketch would not verify/compile. We had to find the specific variable that was not included in the sketch and create a variable for the Arduino to recognize it.

Prior work in the field, standardization and reuse of designs (including reverse engineering and redesign)
The previous group's wind turbine was reused for this project cycle. There was a code written for the wind turbine, but without the LCD included into the sketch. An earlier group had used a 16 by 2 display, but we decided to use 20 by 4 backlit display for easier reading.

Modeling and/or Simulation
A previous group created a CAD prototype using Solid Edge. Our design was modeled using Fritzing, which is an open source software that allows users to build virtual circuits, circuit diagrams, and schematics. The initial/final design was not simulated, but tested in the later stages of the design phase with a leaf blower.

Performance, life cycle cost and value
Future improvements may be made during the later stages of the product development.

Aesthetics and human factors
The main goal of this project was to finish writing the software for the Arduino. Aesthetics and human factors were not essential in this design phase of the project.

Implementation, verification, test and environmental sustainability
We never got around to testing any of these variables, but the point of the wind turbine project was to help sustain renewable energy to help supplement the power consumption of a house.

Robustness, evolution, product improvement and retirement
The shrouded wind turbine could be adjusted using modern wind technologies to decrease its size or could power more than just a small household device such as a lamp or an array of LEDs.