GRAVITY ELECTRIC(GE)

GENERATOR

TEAM MEMBERSTAN CHIN KEAT (LEADER)

AHMED SUJITHMICHELLE TAI

CHONG JOE YIE

Now everyone can generate electricity

OBJECTIVE

➔ To produce self-generated decentralised energy by using simple mechanical principles.

➔ To provide a better and convenient environment for future generations in Malaysia.

➔ To create a power generating system that can be implemented throughout the country.

INTRODUCTION

The idea behind the concept is to generate energy through the turning of a small generator attached to a system of rotating cogs or wheels.

The action of the weight being pulled down by gravity will turn the pinion/cogs/wheel which are attached which in turn drives the generator.

This concept can allow for a clean, reliable and renewable energy for powering items in our typical homes.Gear system conceptSystem model

Reasons of choosing this idea:● Make electricity possible for everyone (includes people living in rural areas where

electricity is scarce).● Provides alternatives and renewable energy for residential, commercial and

industrial purposes.● Can function at anytime, anywhere in the world.

Where to use it?• Homes (Urban and rural areas)

• Commercial (eg. washroom)

• Industrial (Machine powering)

• Car (Smartphone charging)

How to use it?• Assemble the system after

purchasing it, all you need is just a pull to make it works!

JUSTIFICATIONS

M

Switch to unlock the locking mechanism

SpringLocking mechanism

Rack & Pinion mechanism

Mass, M

Rotatable shaft (to hit switch)

Mass, M starts falling

Rack (Gear bar) is pulled downwards

Pinion (circular gear) rotates clockwise with locking mechanism

slowing down the motion & limiting the speed of rotation

The spring is pulled downwards due to rotation of the gear

Energy in the body of falling mass,

E1 = (mass)*(gravitational acceleration)*(height)

Energy stored in spring, E2 = 0.5*(spring

constant)*(length of extension of spring)2

E1 decreases due to reducing height, while

E2 increases due to increasing length of extension of spring

M

When the gear rotated 90°,

rotatable shaft hit the switch and

unlock the locking mechanism

The locking mechanism is unlocked, and the motion of the gear is now not restricted by

the lock.

Note that the locking mechanism is unlocked

M

The gear experiences angular acceleration as the mass continues to

pull the rack downwards.

Although the energies at both sides are now

equal, the linear momentum due to the

falling motion of the mass causes the mass

to continue to fall.

At one point, the elastic potential energy stored

in the spring. E2 is equals to the potential energy possessed by

the mass, E1.

E2 continues to increase while E1 is decreased.

When the falling mass loses its linear

momentum, the spring contracts, making the

gear to rotates counter-clockwise.

M

The gear continues to rotate in counter-clockwise direction until the spring loses

most of its elastic potential energy and the mass regains its potential energy.

The switch returns to its original position and at the same time the locking

mechanism is put in place again to restrict the rotating motion of the gear.

The mass will then start to fall again and the whole process will be repeated.

-----NOTE-----The process will stop when the system loses all its

energy due to friction and air resistance. When the system stops, what you need is just a pull

to returns the mass to its original position.

FUNCTIONAL DETAILS***NOTE : Watch in slide show for animation

• Types of gearing systems used

FUNCTIONAL DETAILS

Converts linear motion to rotational motion and

vice versa

Transfer or increase rotational speed of smaller gear using

difference in number of teeth and gear radius

Change the rotational input speed to a

different output speed

• Circuit diagram

FUNCTIONAL DETAILS

High Speed Gear

Generator

Sensor (Detect direction of rotation of gear)- Output : Logic high (1) for clockwise, Logic low (0) for counter-clockwise

Transistor 1

Transistor 3

Transistor 2

Battery

Load

Output will be sent to 3 transistors

(acting as switches)

When the sensor sensed that the gear is rotating clockwise, it will send a logic high output to the transistors, the circuit at transistors 1, 2 and 3 will be closed so the current will flow from generator to the battery and load.

When the sensor sensed that the gear is rotating counter-clockwise, it will send a logic low output to the transistors, the circuit at transistors 1 and 3 will be opened and transistor 2 will be closed, so the current will flow from battery to the load.

MATERIALS & COST ESTIMATIONMaterial Properties Reason Quantity Cost

(RM)Gear system High efficiency No loss of energy 1 200

Wall Clock Cheap N/A 1 10

Copper WiresHighest electrical

conductivity rating of all non-precious metals

High efficiency and affordable 3m 4

Generator 20kw low rpm alternator Suitable for residential areas (can be modified for industrial usage ) 1 570

DC battery Able to supply 240V, 1kW of power N/A 1 190

Spring k=300N/m Refer to calculation 1 56

Steel Weight Based on specified mass Refer to calculation 5 kg 50

Hanger & Plastics Strong Able to withstand weight of system 1 50

Transistors Able to operate at

240Volts, 1 kW without overheating

N/A 3 20

Sensor High sensitivity Detect direction of rotation of pinion 1 250

TOTAL (For Home Usage 20kW Power Output) 1400

ESTIMATIONS OF MASS, SPRING CONSTANT, POWER OUTPUT & SPEED

OF ROTATION NEEDED• Taking mass, M = 5kg; Radius of pinion, R = 0.25m; Perpendicular distance of spring’s attached point on the pinion to centre of pinion, Rs = 0.23mWhen M = 5kg, weight of object, W = mg = 5kg(9.81m/s2) = 49.05NTaking moment at centre of pinion,

F1(0.25) = F2(0.23)For the mass to drop, initially F1 > F2,

(49.05)(0.25) > (kx)(0.23) ; Taking spring constant, k = 300 N/m

Length of extension of spring, x < 0.178m (initial extension)As x increases as M drops, when x > 0.178m, the force of the spring will exceed the mass, causing the gear to rotates in counter-clockwise direction.

• Taking efficiency of induction generator used, η as 70%

• Input Power needed = 20kW / 0.7 Input Power needed = 28.57 kW

• When shaft torque, T = 180 N·m, Speed of rotation needed to produce 20kW of output, N = 25.26 rev/sec = 1516 rev/min

0.25m0.23m

F1 = W

F2 = kx

Benefits Shortcomings➢ Generates green and

renewable energy. ➢ Low maintenance fee with

proper usage.➢ Save money as the system

reduces electricity consumption in the long run.

➢ People living in rural areas will be able to enjoy the electricity too.

➢ Concept is applicable in areas with gravity.

➢ Usage of plastic in the manufacturing process.

➢ A pulling force is needed to restart the system when it stops.

➢ Needs battery to supply current to load when the pinion is rotating in opposite direction.

PROS & CONS

CONCLUSION Design can be customized based on residential,

commercial and industrial purpose. Further research and development on the concept can

be done to : Promote the usage of recyclable and environment friendly materials in

the manufacturing process. Create a system that does not require a manual restart when the

system stops and at the same time maintaining the efficiency of the system.

Improve the design to make it more compact, elegant, classy. Minimize the usage of battery by creating a system that allows the

generator to rotates in a single direction (eg. using camshaft or cam and follower systems).

Power generated by the Gravity Electric Generator is green, efficient and sustainable for the entire mankind.