Gravity Charger Luke Lindsay Santa Clara University
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Santa Clara University Scholar Commons Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses Engineering Senior Theses 6-8-2016 Gravity Charger Luke Lindsay Santa Clara University Will Gonder Santa Clara University George Montgomery Santa Clara University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/mech_senior Part of the Mechanical Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Lindsay, Luke; Gonder, Will; and Montgomery, George, "Gravity Charger" (2016). Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses. 59. https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/mech_senior/59 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Engineering Senior Theses at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Gravity Charger By Luke Lindsay, Will Gonder, George Montgomery SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT REPORT Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering of SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Santa Clara, California 2016 i Abstract According to a 2014 World Health Organization research initiative based on data collected from 14 global developing countries, “Only 28% of health facilities and 34% of hospitals had what could be called “reliable” access to electricity (without prolonged interruptions in one week)” [1]. Healthcare quality suffers because of this lack of reliable electricity. We propose that a gravity powered generator would stand as a reliable power source for small medical devices under any conditions at any location at any time of day. Our research examines how a gravity powered electric generator could best empower medical facilities in developing countries to provide improved healthcare. Our research has shown that most often, the greatest needs at these facilities are dependent upon an inadequate power supply, including lighting for emergency night-time care, refrigeration for blood and vaccines, facilities for sterilization, and electricity for simple medical devices [1]. We have chosen to focus on providing power for small devices as well as lighting. A successful charger must be lightweight, durable, and reliably provides dc power congruent with USB charging specifications. Testing has revealed a proof of concept, in that we were able to produce USB power from a mockup of the intended design, and further iterations of the charger will improve charge time per use. Initially, those seeking medical attention will be the main beneficiaries of our device; however, we expect the gravity generator project to expand if visitors see that our device could replace fossil or other solid fuel consuming device, such as kerosene lanterns, in their homes. ii Acknowledgements Team Gravity Charger would like to acknowledge the following people for their contribution: Dr. Tim Hight Dr. Hoyun Lee Dr. Teresa Ruscetti Don MacCubbin Michelle Fat Serena Chan Lucas Hill iii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................. vi Table of Tables ............................................................................................................................ viii Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 System-Level .................................................................................................................................. 3 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Customer needs ........................................................................................................................... 3 Global Medical Brigade ........................................................................................................... 3 International Medical Relief .................................................................................................... 4 Baan Dada’s Children’s Home in Rural Western Thailand .................................................... 5 System level requirements .......................................................................................................... 6 System sketch with user scenario explanation ............................................................................ 8 Functional Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 9 Benchmark results ..................................................................................................................... 11 System level issues/tradeoffs/rational of choice ....................................................................... 11 Layout of System Level Design ................................................................................................ 12 User scenario ............................................................................................................................. 12 Team and Project Management .................................................................................................... 13 Project challenges and constraints ............................................................................................. 13 Bike Wheel ............................................................................................................................ 14 Initial Disaster........................................................................................................................ 15 Budget ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Timeline .................................................................................................................................... 19 Design Process .......................................................................................................................... 19 Risks and Mitigations ................................................................................................................... 21 Manufacturing ........................................................................................................................... 21 iv Assembly ................................................................................................................................... 21 Testing and Operation ............................................................................................................... 22 Storage ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Disposal ..................................................................................................................................... 22 Team Management .................................................................................................................... 23 Engineering Standards and Realistic Constraints ......................................................................... 23 Economic ................................................................................................................................... 23 Manufacturability ...................................................................................................................... 24 Social ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Political...................................................................................................................................... 25 Subsystems .................................................................................................................................... 25 Mechanical Subsystem .............................................................................................................. 25 Summary of Options and Tradeoffs ...................................................................................... 25 Detailed Design Description .................................................................................................. 26 Supporting Analysis .............................................................................................................. 38 Electrical Subsystem ................................................................................................................ 42 Summary of Options and Tradeoffs ...................................................................................... 42 Supporting Analysis .............................................................................................................. 43 Attachments Subsystem ............................................................................................................ 44 Summary of Options and Tradeoffs .....................................................................................