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Abstract

Everything You Need to Know about this device

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Modern technology is focusing on newer and better sources of energy. Among the important areas are power generation methods since electricity has become part of our lives. Various researchers have conducted surveys to find out the feasibility of converting renewable kinetic energy into electricity. Some of the works done in the past emphasized the selection of suitable materials and power generation systems designs that appear complicated and expensive. To ensure there is cost efficiency and energy efficiency better power generation systems need to be embraced. 
The footstep power generator is a system that utilizes the energy from people movement and transforms this movement into electricity. The system is efficient in the conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy through placement of mechanical footstep power generator on the hind of footpaths. This project entails the conversion of the kinetic energy to electrical energy. The control mechanism carries the rack & pinion, D.C generator, battery and inverter control.  The generator provides a simple and low-cost electricity production.
The mechanical footstep generator produces 1.56 kW for one down and up cycle without causing pollution which is an added advantage over other systems. Mechanical footstep power generator produces power on small scale therefore; the power generated applies to low power consuming gadgets. For instance, it can be used in lighting and running low power consuming devices.
Keywords: <footstep power generator>, <gear>, <Power>, <energy>

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Mechanical Engineer's Sketch

Mechanical Footsteps Power Generator

Senior Project

This project seeks to establish an environmentally friendly way of generating electric power from human motion. Such a system could be highly effective for installation in places that expect frequent mobility of a large population such as in educational institutions like universities and subway station entrances and platforms.

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Motivation

This project was motivated by the need for a device that would generate electricity from human motion, specially footsteps. Electricity is a very important resource in our daily life. There are numerous sources from which we are able to generate electrical energy. The major sources of energy include but are not limited to coal, natural gas, petroleum, and nuclear energy. Most of these sources have adverse effects on the environmental inclusion such as air pollution for example from coal energy generation plants which then cumulatively leads to effects such as increase in rates of global warming.

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Function Statement

The function of this statement is to generate electrical power from human motion.

Requirements

  • 1) This device is required to have the ability and capacity to store the energy generated 6kw/h.

  • 2) The device should be able to support the weight of an average human being which is approximately 137 pounds.

  • 3) Once activated the top plate of the device must return to the initial position with displacement not lasting more than 5 seconds.

  • 4) The displacement must be compensated appropriately to prevent overshoot in the device. It must be 1 inch.

  • 5) The device should measure 50 centimeters in length, 35 centimeters wide and a thickness of 25 centimeters.

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Success Criteria

  • 1) The project must meet all the requisite safety criteria.

  • 2) The device developed should also be relatively small and lightweight without compromising its functionality.

  • 3) The device should be manufacturable with ease.

  • 4) Its construction materials need to be easily accessible and inexpensive so as to minimize the cost of production per unit.

  • 5) To be able to generate optimum functionality of the device must be installed in areas where there is a large population density.

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Analysis

  • A1: Finding the maximum permissible torque for a shaft of known dimensions, trying to calculate the max. Permissible for the shaft and knowing the whole dimensions can use for shaft.

  • A2: Measuring one force on the beam to try how the average human weight 137 lb. will be on the device.   

  • A3: Measuring the two forces on the beam for human motion, just example if two humans’ motion be on the steel beam how will be good for steel and nothing will happen for the steel such as broken.

  • A4: trying to get exact measure for top plate that will work in device, and if trying to make it bigger can change the volume to higher to be good.

  • A5: trying to get exact measure for base plate that will work in device, and if trying to make it bigger can change the volume to higher to be good. But in the base plate the length should be bigger than the top plate.

  • A6: L-bracket measure it and want to know how can bending the bracket by 90 degree to get the exact measure and be work in device to hold the Rod Support with base plate.

  • A7: Measuring the Left/right side support to know how can support the load for one force on the top side support.

  • A8: Measuring the punch hole for top plate and base plate, Shear stress and strain for punch hole to Top plate and Base plate and avoid the extra space.

  • A9: calculating the shear stress for top plate that help the device to know how it will be good for human.

  • A10: Calculating the shear force and bending moment Diagram to know if the steel of top plate will be bending for 137 lb. for human motion or not.

  • A11: Calculating the Spring’s constant and how far the stretched or compressed and using the Hooke’s Law to measure constant and compressed. F = - kx.

  • A12: Box measuring, trying to measure how can making a box for the device to be in good condition and how can use size for the box.

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Construction of MFPG

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Manufacturing Parts

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Supporting Rod

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Shaft & gears

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Rack

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Springs

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Design of the device

Construction

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The complete diagram of the power generation using footsteps. L-shapes window is inclined in certain small angle which is used to generate the power. The pushing power is converted into electrical energy by proper driving arrangement.
In additional,  the project requires drilling ,cutting, bending and welding.  So, the supporting plate is the main part of the device that holds all parts together. The top plate is first part should be in the device then will putting the rod support to handle the top plate. The rack & pinion, spring arrangement is fixed at the footsteps which is mounded bellow the L-shapes window. The spring used to return the inclined L-shapes window in same position by releasing the load. The pinion shaft is connected to the supporter by end bearings. 

Footstep Arrangement:

This is made up of mild steel. The complete set up is fixed in this model footstep. The two L-shapes frame is fixed in the above two ends of the track. Bellow this L-shapes window, the actual power generation arrangement is constructed. This L-shapes window pushes the rack when the time of train wheel moving on these arrangements.

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Testing

Footstep Power Generator

Footstep power generator is a project with three major parts; structural, gearing, and generating power. In this proposal the focus major will be on structural. Testing the functionality of the generator is important. In order to ensure that the generator setup is fully functional, various tests are done on the materials. Also, after the system is assembled, various tests will be carried to find the efficiency of the generation system and the possibilities of the system breakdown. The tests done before assembling include; verification of the materials purchased, the measurement verification, and verification that the materials ordered were supplied as instructed. After assembling the following will be tested: the power of the generator, the efficiency, reliability of the system and probability of breakdown after installation.

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•The maximum permissible torque for the shaft was 3.06 Nm
•The weight of top plate was calculated to be 77 Kg, and thickness, height and length to be 0.08, 7.87 and 15.75.
•The weight of base plate was found to be 1.57 Kg.
•The suitable spring constant for the spring was found to be 6.7 N/m.
•The shear stress in the top and bottom plate was found to be 1.13 lb./in2.

Testing the device several times to get final result: 
1) One down and up cycle for weight (136 lb) that gave 1.56 V output electricity 
2) One down and up cycle for weight (145 lb) that gave 2.01 V output electricity 
3) One down and up cycle for weight (152 lb) that gave 2.55 V output electricity. as shown in picture

Budget

$300

Total Project

The estimate total for the project will be around $300 dollars. Also, each part should be separate and each one has different price. Otherwise, some of parts are coming together such as left-side support and right-side support.

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Schedule 

Files

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Project Report

Mechanical Footstep power generator

Resume

Need to Know

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"I can't keep calm because I am a Senior Mechanical Engineer"

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Contact

400 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA

5099616252

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