Week 4

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • Working on completing electrical design/programming of prototype

  • Tested anemometer from Hunter at various wind speeds in the Wind Tunnel to record frequencies allowing us to calculate relative RPMs

    • Can test and program the prototype at various wind speeds more easily by coupling it to a motor set at relative RPMs rather than always needing the Wind Tunnel

    • Also found what voltages were produced at certain wind speeds (analyzing feasibility for a rechargeable battery)

  • Began CAD/development of ideas and parts for a final design

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Completed electrical layout and produced a signal readable by the microcontroller with the anemometer

  • Reviewed Design Proposal Presentation with Sponsor

  • Calibrated (in RPMs) the anemometer given to us from Hunter at various wind speeds in the Wind Tunnel

  • Refined Final Design/Bill of Materials

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • Complete Proof of Concept Presentation - All

  • Create working prototype with the anemometer given to us from Hunter/move forward with it towards Final Design

    • Isaac K. - Electronics/programming --> Develop working program

    • Anthony C. - CAD --> Design/Fabricate necessary parts

    • Eric K. - "AC motor" --> Design/Fabricate this for the housing/purchase necessary parts

    • Eric A. - Team Lead --> Complete Team Management tasks/communication with sponsor, aid in design

  • Make further progress on our Report - All

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting (1/24) and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• • Design - tear drop wind cups may be unnecessary, rethink separate housings, and make one solid piece for anemometer

    • Action = In the processor of redesigning wind vane, and designing housing

  • Investigate Anemometers given to us by Hunter

    • Action = Disassembled one, and tested the other in the Wind Tunnel to begin testing/developing the electronics design

Instructor Comments at Design Proposal Presentation (1/24) and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• • Possibly avoid using microcontroller?

    • Action = Design decision already made as a group and with sponsor to use microcontroller

  • Better fill out "Resources or Information Required but not Available" section in progress report

    • Action = This section was clarified to better fill it out

Feedback from Fellow Classmates after Design Proposal Presentation (1/24) via Comment Cards

• • Teardrop wind cup shape may not be necessary

  • Better explain what an anemometer is

  • Rechargeable battery necessary? - if so, solar panels

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Rechargeable Battery (secondary goal) - will ask sponsor about this at meeting today

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • None

Schedule

• • Develop a working prototype within the next 2 weeks, hopefully by the end of this week

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • None spent this week -- $2433.28 remaining (will see about returning unusable AC motor)

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Began writing report and splitting up particular sections for each group member to work on

  • Detail is continued to be added to webpage