User:SeanShriner/ENES-100/Project 1/Conceive

CONCEIVING AND ENGINEERING SYSTEMS

Idea
The idea for this project is to propel an object along or in a track exclusively with the use of electromagnetic coils (solenoids).--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 22:09, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Problem Statement
A swift and efficient transport system that can move objects from one point to another without the use of fossil fuels. Raj Patel 7:36, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Market/Customer needs
The customer needs a system to transport objects without the objects actually being physically touched by the means of propulsion and in an Eco-friendly way.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 23:05, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

System goals and requirements
The goals of the system are to propel an object along a track. The system should also have the ability to slow the object down to a stop. The slowing down of the object should be as soon as possible but be able to stop the object as fast as possible if need be (as a safety back up). The requirements for the object are as follows. 1)The object must be able to interact with a magnetic field easily. 2)It must be small enough to be able to pass through the center of the coil. 3) Its length should not interfere will it moving through curves in the track. 4) Friction with the track should be kept low to allow easy movement. The requirement for the track are as follows. 1)The track should be lightweight and be able to bend in order to direct the track. 2)It too, should be of a size that allows it to pass through the center of the coil. 3) The track must be able to safely contain the object at high speeds so that the object will not leave the track while in motion. 4) It must be durable enough to withstand the forces exerted on it by the object. The requirements for the electromagnetic coil(s) are as follows. 1) The coil must be capable of creating a magnetic field powerful enough to propel the object forward. 2) Since electricity is involved, steps should be taken reduce any possible injuries which could include all parts having a current in them being covered in an insulator. SeanShriner 22:24, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

We are trying to incorporate a micro controller into our project to facilitate the task of engagin/disengaging the coil(s). With an arduino for example there is no need for manual engagement of the coil to propel the object. Combined with a sensor that detects when the object crosses it, there is full control over the location of the projectile. Using the sensors to disengange the following coil when the projectile passes it will eliminate the "suck-back" caused by keeping the coil on for too long. The projectile with ths impulse will reach the next coils range. Again another sensor will turn off the coil as it gets close, and allow the object to continue around the track. --Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:08, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Initial target goals (based on needs, opportunities and other influences)
The goals that must first be accomplished is the construction of a coil that is powerful enough to move the desired object, efficient power source, and adequate control (activation and braking) systems.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 23:18, 12 March 2013 (UTC) Being able to control the movement of our projectile with the use of a micro controller and some IR sensors, we can control the coils to our desired rate. --Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 21:55, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

System performance metrics
These two tables show the distances that certain objects traveled past the center of the coil. Various objects, coils, starting distances from center of coil, and two different levels of of voltage.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 22:13, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Necessary system functions
There are four necessary system functions. The first is that the coils must activate before the object enters the coil and and shut off before the object reaches the center of the coil. The second is that the energy imparted on the object must be enough to enable the object to reach the next coil. The third is that the track must safely contain the object while it is in motion. The fourth is that there must be a safety feature that allows that the user to stop the object as quickly as possible if the need arises.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 22:45, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

System concepts
Concepts for the system fall into four categories. 1) The object, 2) The track, 3)The power source, 4) The Control. For the object there are three different concepts. The first is a metallic sphere, the second a small toy car, and the third is an object that has wheels that utilizes rails. For the track there are four concepts, these are dependent on the object. The first two would be used in conjunction with the metallic sphere. These are a a plastic tube or half of a plastic tube. The third track would be used if the object was a toy car. This track would be a typical plastic track used for small toy cars. Lastly, the fourth track is a set of rails. The activation of the coils has three concepts, with the second and third being similar yet still different. For the power source three different concepts were used, batteries, capacitors, and a power supply. The batteries worked fine, however, the problem arose with their durability as they would be drained in current after every use. The capacitor was suppose to be used to control the supply of the power going to the electromagnet, however, it would completely discharge which made it an once time use. The final choice, the power supply, was the best power source because it give the flexibility to change voltages and never ran out of current making it durable for an indefinite period of time. For the control their were three concepts, The first was creating a circuit with an open switch on the track, when the object comes in contact with the two leads of the switch it completes the circuit, activating the coil. The second option is to use a photoelectric sensor, when the object is detected by the sensor the coil is activated. Raj.Patel 7:03, 12 March 2013 (UTC) The third is using a PIR sensor to detect when and where the object is in relation to the coils and activate/deactive them as instructed in the programming in the arduino. This allows for control of projectile. We can keep a coil on to stop the object if needed, this adds the ability of braking. If the time and distance between the coil and sensor is increased/decreased the projectile can be slowed down/sped up respectively, giving us even more control of the object. --Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:12, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Trade-offs among concepts
The four concepts of the electromagnetic transportation project are the object, the track, the activation of coils, and control of the object. For the object the trade off was dropping the original idea of using a car to using a 3/8th ball bearing. This was done as the ball bearing reduces friction between it's self and the track and because the entire bearing can be magnetized. Using a car would require the removal of all non-metallic parts to maximize the efficiency of the electromagnet. For the track the plan was to originally use a metal rail to contain the object moved by the electromagnet. This was changed in favor for a clear polyethylene tube, which would provide more safety and control as it would completely contain the object propelled by the electromagnet. The original plan to power the electromagnet was using batteries, however, this was discarded in favor of a power supply. This is because the power supply would never run out of current while the battery would drain after each use; reducing its efficiency. For the control the original plan was to create a circuit with an open switch on the track which would activate the electromagnet as the object would pass through completing the circuit. This was scrapped in favor of having a computer controlled circuit with the use of arduinoes as this would increase reliability. Raj.Patel 7:12, 12 March 2013 (UTC) The use of arduinos simplifies the use of manual switches or even "hands" to activate/deactivate the coils to make our object move. Simplifying this to a basic code and a few sensors we have an automatic system that can work on its own once turned on. --Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:43, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

High level architectural form and structure
Set-up 2 is the most efficient setup for testing purposes. Raj.Patel 7:13, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Project cost and schedule
The completion of the electromagnet transportation system from conception to creation would take approximately two months. The estimated cost of creation of the test setup is 20 dollars. If that is extrapolated out then the the projected cost for an entire project would be around 80 dollars.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 21:20, 14 March 2013 (UTC) Arduinos are fairly cheap, and sensors/ralays/wires are also inexpensive. The total cost for this part of the project the cost would be around $50.

Estimation and allocation of resources
The majority of resources would be allocated to concept as there is a multitude of tests that need to be completed in order to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the electromagnet transportation system. Raj.Patel 7:20, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Risks and alternatives
Using high voltages (12V+) with high gauge wires (20+) is a fire hazard as the coil cannot contain the high voltage which leads to the electromagnetic coil lighting on fire. An alternative is to use lower gauge wires (16 and under) with higher voltages to minimize this risk. Raj.Patel 7:17, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Next Steps
Next steps are to finalize a source of power four the coils. If the power source is multiple batteries in series then a better way of connecting the terminals should be found, this may include the use of alligator clips. A series of supports should be developed to insure that the track remains flat. Looking into wrapping coil around the track directly is another important step, this may be enhanced by wrapping the coil directly around a metal tube therefore increasing the "length" of the magnetic field and thus the amount of time the object is spent accelerating leading to greater speeds if that is desired.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 22:44, 14 March 2013 (UTC) On the micro controller part the next step would be to aquire the appropriate sensor and start testing out using the --Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:58, 14 March 2013 (UTC)