User:Patrick Thor/ENES 100/Project 1(Wind Turbine)

Write problem/project Goal
The goal of this project is to create a wind turbine that meets the following requirements:
 * Produces a power output using wind energy
 * Is efficient as possible, per time constraint
 * Accurately measures and displays vital statistics (RPM, Power Output, etc.)

My First Task
My first initial task is to setup our Team Project Page. I also will begin researching past groups who have attempted this project and will formulate the basis of our presentation and create a skeleton for our own project based off this research.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
I created and submitted the Team Wiki Page along with formatting my own user page for this project. The group and I defined our problem statement together, and settled on our requirements and goals for the next 4 weeks. I also delved into researching past groups who have attempted this project.

Week1 Narrative
I discovered 3 groups in ENES100, during the Spring Semester of 2012 had worked on this project.
 * Previous Groups Found Here

I began looking for the previous turbines these teams have built to get an idea of what we would be dealing with and our resources. I discovered and talked with the group the viability of reusing these existing turbines to supplement our own so we could focus more on the meat on the project instead of fabricating. We decided to use our own small scale motor and parts and then create a larger scale turbine.

I also began researching viable methods to achieve our requirements specifically the software sided of this project.

My Second Task
My second task is is too research and hopefully begin working on the software application side of this project. I hope to achieve this task using the existing arduino's and components we have in the classroom. I also plan to begin fabrication and testing of our small scale prototype and motor.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
I was able to locate some guides and tutorials from others who have used arduino's to measure power and monitor RPM count. I also helped fabricate the prototype turbine and test the motors we had selected.

Week2 Narrative
I researched the viability of measuring and displaying power and RPM using the arduino.

I found two ways too measure power input with the arduino:
 * 1) The first is too use what is called a shunt. The guide for using shunts in a circuit to calculate approximate current is HERE.
 * As a note this tutorial is for measuring current, however once you have the current, and voltage you can calculate the power.
 * I also began looking and toying around with the provided example code for arduino:

2. The other method of measuring this is buying a dedicated current sense induct chip and wiring it up in a circuit with the arduino. The mentioned chip can be found here:
 * http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16976

I also looked into measuring the RPM of the turbine blades. For the purpose of our project it seems the most viable solution to this problem would be using a dual infared sensor system. Where one infared LED is on one side of the turbine and one infrared sensor is directly opposite on the other side of the turbine. For reference the code for arduino integration using this system is here:
 * http://pastebin.com/embed.php?i=5AuUpf2F

As a group we tested the motors we had selected and ad found that the first choice motor didn't produce enough power efficiently be viable for our project. We found a previously used motor in an earlier project that worked effectively for our purposes. I contributed to the fabrication of our prototype by salvaging parts and building the base the prototype base.



My Third task
For this upcoming week, I will primarily be focusing on the design and system of measuring RPM's and Power; And digitally displaying them either in digital or analog format.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
I began looking and comparing our options for housing our wind turbine and systems. I'm thinking of using a wooden box to house the components (motor, breadboard etc.) with the turbine poking out the top, and the displaying on the side or the top of the box. I also toyed around with arduino and created an a sketch that will use the arduino uno's analog input pin to measure voltage.

Week3 Narrative
Below is the initial code/sketch I wrote to use an analog input pin of the arduino to measure the voltage of the wind turbine's output.

When I tested the code with the actual turbine, the reading's were somewhat erratic, so the other two members of my group decided to log and create parameters for these measurements to more accurately sum and define the output. I started writing a code that will either utilize an LED setup in series to define output or an lcd display, but have not yet finished. I need to look at the lcd display we have in the class room before can continue with that path.

I talked to lukas about aesthetics and we came to the conclusion that a simple box base would be suitable. The box base will hide any wires and components, and provide a platform for displays. I gathered some spare wood from my garage, and will hopefully fabricate the pieces soon.

My Fourth task
For this next coming week, I hope to solve the code issues with the arduino and finish programming. Due to my limited knowledge of the arduino language, I think I am ruling out the RPM counter and adjusting the team goal's a bit. I also hope to fabricate the base and aesthetic display of the turbine to package it into one clean, and portable systen.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
I fixed up a few design flaws, and smoothed the design of the turbine out. I attempted to test and use an external lcd display to output the data I wanted to show from the turbine. Helped my group test the turbine and wiring. Painted the turbine.

Week4 Narrative


I kicked off this weeks work by receiving and opening an 16x2 LCD display for arduino. I spent a good bit of the early part of this week, reading This Tutorial on how to setup and code you arduino to allow it to work with the lcd.

After spending a good 4 hours over the course of 2 days, trying to get the arduino to properly display I've come to the conclusion that with my limited knowledge of higher-leveled arduino functions will not permit me to accurately utilize the LCD display. I've talked with the group and after we presented, our instructor verified that we would be okay just using the arduino's built in serial monitor for accurate readings, and a circuit for a external prediction.

I helped test the final build of our turbine and it's motor. We found that the motor we had originally been using was beginning to fail, as we were getting sporadic readings through our testing. I however located a similar 200mm fan that we were able to replace the old one with.

I also smoothed out the design of the turbine itself. I took it apart, and painted it a matte black color, just to make it look neat and clean.

I finalized the design, arduino code, and circuitry, on friday and the project is done.

Complete Team Page

 * Wind_Turbine/Howard_Community_College/Fall2012/p1_501_LPT