User:ZMougey/ENES100/Project2

Project Preference
1. Wind Turbine 2. Mobile Robot Hallway Navigation 3. Autonomous Power Wheel

Problem Statement
''In one or two sentences, describe the project that your group will be working on. Identify what CDIO phase (Conceive, Design, Implement, or Operate) your group will complete in this project cycle.''

Project Plan
Briefly describe your group's plan for the next 4 weeks, including major tasks that will be completed each week.

Week 1 Narrative
For week 1, my tasks were to create a diagram of the showing the shroud in its entirety as well as to assist in the printing of the shroud on the 3D printer. First, it was decided that new designs were needed for the shroud due to the previous groups printing of a shroud which was too small to be used on the turbine. Below are pictures of the previous group's shroud as well as the turbine itself. We determined that the design of the shroud was efficient just has issues with size.

I also began educating myself on the use of the 3D Makerbot printer. It is needed that I learn the basics and important ideas of using the printer because during the next work week for the project it may be necessary that I have to print a shroud design. In addition to learning about the 3D printer, I am also preparing myself to take the 3D printer quiz so that I can become certified to use the printer.

Week 2 Narrative
Below is an image that was excluded from the week 1 report. The image shows the dimensions of a cone shaped design for a possible shroud design. The image includes dimensions.

It was discovered that the fan assembly was facing the wrong direction within the testing as the braces were on the side where the wind is coming from. During testing this did not seem to make a difference in the output values of the wind turbine. After testing the time was taken to disassemble the turbine and turn the fan housing to face the opposite direction so that the bracing could be more effective.

The data received readings from the turbine speed is displayed on the data monitor within Arduino. The focus measurement for our tests were the measure of Watts. At 2,5,and 10 feet, the readings on the data monitor read .32(2ft), .09(5ft), .02(10ft). The chart below can be used to better organize the data received from the testing of the shroud. The baseline testing serves as a way to compare with the results when a shroud is placed on the turbine.

To view a video of the testing, click HERE.

After testing the wind turbine with the leaf blower, a possible problem was discovered. When a strong wind force is applied to the fan blade of the turbine it will sometimes spin off axis and the blade will hit against the Plexiglass frame. This is a problem that may need to be resolved if winds are to reach or exceed the force of the leaf blower.

Week 3 Narrative
My tasks for week 3 were to create a non-3d printed shroud, create a video of the testing process with the shroud, and to fix the fan rubbing the frame issue.

To begin, I created a shroud using the following materials:
 * A plastic pocket folder
 * Scissors
 * Duct tape

I created a shroud however on its completeion I determined that the shroud would be too weak to stand up against the wind force of the leaf blower used for testing. To solve this issue I determined covering the plastic shroud with paper mache would add to the strength and rigidity of the shroud. To create the paper mache, I mixed together flour and water to a liquid consistency. I then used strips of newspaper that were then dipped into the paper mache mixture to place on the plastic shroud form. After the shroud was completely covered with paper mache, I let the shroud dry overnight and then put a black paint of the shroud for aesthetics.

The testing with the shroud yielded the results below WITH

With the use of a shroud the fan blade spun at all test locations while without the shroud the fan blade did not spin at 160 inches the chart below shows that relationship.

For a video showing the difference between the use of a shroud and not using a shroud, click here for a video.

Week 4 Narrative
My tasks for week 4 included making a new shroud design for the wind turbine and to fix the wobbling issue that led to inaccurate data readings when the turbine was tested.

The wobbling issue occurred when the artificial wind (leaf blower) was applied to the fan blade on the same side that the fan blade was attached to the base creating a situation where the fan was being pushed away from its base and allowing it to wobble. A simple fix was determined. The turbine was spun around and the wind was applied from the opposite direction where it would force the fan blade up against its base creating less play and movement of the fan blade.

After the wobbling issue was resolved, I began working on a fan shroud that would be made of aluminum sheet metal and that featured a beveled end where the air would enter the shroud. The sheet metal was rolled into a cylinder and relief cuts were made to create the beveled end.

The first shroud to be tested was the sheet metal shroud. The results are organized in the table below:

The second shroud tested was the plastic shroud that featured a spiral inside. The results are below:

The third shroud tested was the plastic shroud with a straight groove interior. The results are below:

The fourth shroud tested was a plain plastic shroud design. The results are below:

The testing of the above shrouds are shown in a video which can be viewed HERE.

To see the printing of the 3D printed shroud click HERE