04-01-2011, 03:33 PM
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SYNOPSIS
This project is used for generating electrical power by simply running the train on the railway track. This project uses simple drive mechanism such as rack and pinion assembly and chain drive mechanism. The pushing power is converted into electrical energy by proper driving arrangement. A spring arrangement is provided at the top. As the train runs over the rails, the spring is compressed; rack and pinion converts the linear motion to the rotary motion. The larger sprocket is coupled to the small cycle sprocket with the help of chain. This larger sprocket is used to transfer the rotation force to the smaller sprocket. The smaller sprocket is running in the same direction for the forward and reverse direction of rotational movement of the larger sprocket. This action locks like a cycle pedaling action. The fly wheel and gear wheel is also coupled to the smaller sprocket shaft. The gear wheel is coupled to the generator shaft with the help of another gear wheel. The power produced is stored in a lead acid battery and this can be used for powering lights with the help of an inverter.
NEED FOR NON- CONVENTIONAL ENERGY
Fuel deposit will soon deplete by the end of 2020 Fuel scarcity will be maximum. Country like United Kingdom may not have the chance to use petroleum products. Keeping this dangerous situation in mind we tried to make use of non-pollutant natural resource of petrol energy.
The creation of new source of perennial environmentally acceptable, low cost electrical energy as a replacement for energy from rapidly depleting resources of fossil fuels is the fundamental need for the survival of mankind. We have only about 25 years of oil reserves and 75-100 years of coal reserves.
Solar power stations (s.p.s) provide a cost-effective solution even though work on solar photo voltaic and solar thermo electric energy sources has been extensively pursued by many countries. Earth based solar stations suffer certain basic limitations.
It is not possible to consider such systems and meeting continuous uninterrupted concentrated base load electric power requirements. Energy plays an important role in the material, social and cultural life of man kind. The energy needs are increasing day by day. This is the result of population growth and increase in the standard of living which is directly proportional to energy consumption.
It is therefore, harnessing the gigantic inexhaustible solar energy source reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. For the environmental concerned, the solar energy harnessing system offers advantages in that, it emits no pollutions in to the atmosphere as they are with the combustion of fossil fuels. Thus, as a long term option solar energy system can be considered as an alternate to all the finite fuel system.
OBJECTIVE OF OUR PROJECT
When thinking about nonconventional source of energy what usually comes to our mind are the existing and extensively used nonconventional sources of energy like solar, tidal, wind, geo thermal heat, biomass .But in countries where we have so fluctuant weather and temperature, to depend on these resources are highly unreliable .That made us want to think out of the box and find a new method of generating energy which should be highly reliable and cost effective.
After pondering over this for long we tumbled upon the idea that railways, is the busiest network that function throughout the year and is massively spread. The thought of railway tracks struck us deep and henceforth decided to foster some means to derive energy from this alternative. We knew we could succeed in our plans as it is practically possible and effective. Also it’s very efficiently functioning which makes it a constant source of energy. Hence it’s very viable to produce energy from such a resource.
The equipment will be placed a little under the railway track. The downward force produced by the running of the train will be effectively converted to electrical energy.
PARTS AND COMPONENTS
1. GEAR
A gear is a rotating machine part having cut teeth, or cogs, which mesh with another toothed part in order to transmit torque. Two or more gears working in tandem are called a transmission and can produce a mechanical advantage through a gear ratio and thus may be considered a simple machine. Geared devices can change the speed, magnitude, and direction of a power source.
MAJOR TYPES OF GEARS:
1. SPUR GEAR.
2. HELICAL GEAR
3. DOUBLE HELICAL GEAR.
4. BEVEL GEAR
1. SPUR GEAR
Spur gears or straight-cut gears are the simplest type of gear. They consist of a cylinder or disk with the teeth projecting radially, and although they are not straight-sided in form, the edge of each tooth is straight and aligned parallel to the axis of rotation. These gears can be meshed together correctly only if they are fitted to parallel axles.
2. FLYWHEEL
A flywheel is a mechanical device with a significant moment of inertia used as a storage device for rotational energy. Flywheels resist changes in their rotational speed, which helps steady the rotation of the shaft when a fluctuating torque is exerted on it by its power source such as a piston-based engine, or when an intermittent load, such as a piston pump, is placed on it. Recently, flywheels have become the subject of extensive research as power storage devices for uses in vehicles and power plants.
3. RACK AND PINION
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. The circular pinion engages teeth on a linear ‘gear’ bar, the rack. Rotational motion applied to the pinion will cause the rack to move to the side, up to the limit of its travel.
4. CHAIN DRIVE AND SPROCKET
Chain drive is a way of transmitting mechanical power from one place to another. It is often used to convey power to the wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and motorcycles. It is also used in a wide variety of machines besides vehicles.
Most often, the power is conveyed by a roller chain, known as the drive chain or transmission chain, passing over a sprocket gear, with the teeth of the gear meshing with the holes in the links of the chain. The gear is turned, and this pulls the chain putting mechanical force into the system.
5. DC GENERATORS
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by a motor, motors and generators have many similarities. A generator forces electrons in the windings to flow through the external electrical circuit. It is somewhat analogous to a water pump, which creates a flow of water but does not create the water inside. The source of mechanical energy may be a reciprocating or turbine steam engine, water falling through a turbine or waterwheel, an internal combustion engine, a wind turbine, a hand crank, compressed air or any other source of mechanical energy.
6. BATTERY
A battery cell consists of five major components, electrodes-anode and cathode, separators, terminals, electrolyte and a case or enclosure. Battery cells are grouped together into a single mechanical and electrical unit called a battery module. These modules are electrically connected to form a battery pack, which powers the electronic drive systems.
7. INVERTER CIRCUIT
An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current to alternating current, the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits. Static inverters have no moving parts and are used in a wide range of applications, from small switching power supplies in computers, to large electric utility high-voltage direct current applications that transport bulk power. Inverters are commonly used to supply AC power from DC sources such as solar panels or batteries. The inverter performs the opposite function of a rectifier.
ADVANTAGES
Power generation is simply running the train on this arrangement.
Power also generated by running or exercising on the track
By small modification, this system can be used in the speed breaker arrangement.
No need fuel input
This is a Non-conventional system
Battery is used to store the generated power
DISADVANTAGES
Slight inclination is required in the Railway Track
Mechanical moving parts is high
Initial cost of this arrangement is high.
Care should be taken for batteries
FUTURE SCOPE
This arrangement is slightly modified to construct in foot step and this arrangement is fixed in
Schools,
Cinema theatres,
Shopping complex and
Many other buildings
FINISHED WORK
The research work has been completed and the theory seems very practical. The selection of materials and the design of parts will be completed in a month’s time. I hope to complete the working model in 2 months’ time.
