DJO-1501 ABSTRACT The goals of this project were to continue the development of the existing WPI kite- powered water pump and to design, build, and test a new concept for low-cost water pumps for underdeveloped nations. To accomplish the first goal, testing and modification of kite depowering methods of the existing system were conducted in an effort to create a consistent periodic pumping motion for the rocking arm. The second goal involved creating a new system consisting of a rotating spool constructed from a bicycle wheel connected to a rotary windmill water pump. The rotary spool system was designed to achieve sufficient torque to turn the windmill water pump. Further field testing is needed to determine which design concept is the best option for providing water to developing nations. “Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the fair use guidelines and are restricted from further use." 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank the following individuals for their help and support throughout the entirety of this project. Project Advisor Professor David J. Olinger Project Co-Advisor Professor Seongkyun Im Blue Hills Observatory Don McCasland & Science Center 2 TABLE OF AUTHORSHIP Section Author Introduction RM Background 2.1 LD 2.2 CC 2.3 AM, CC Methodology 3.1 CC, RM 3.2 LD, AM, RM 3.3 CC, RM 3.4 RM 3.5, 3.6 CC, LD, AM, RM 3.7 CC, RM Results 4.1 CC, RM 4.2 LD, AM, RM 4.3 CC 4.4 CC, LD, AM, RM Conclusions LD Recommendations LD, RM Appendix A LD Appendix B RM 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................... 2 Table of Authorship ........................................................................................................................ 3 Table of Figures .............................................................................................................................. 7 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 9 2 Background ........................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Airborne Wind Energy ................................................................................................... 10 2.1.1 Benefits of Renewable Energy................................................................................ 10 2.1.2 Benefits of Airborne Wind Energy Systems ........................................................... 10 2.1.3 Technological Challenges of Airborne Wind Energy Systems .............................. 11 2.1.4 Power Losses Associated with AWE Systems ....................................................... 12 2.1.5 Different Methods of Power Generation ................................................................. 12 2.1.6 Companies Currently Exploring AWE Options ..................................................... 14 2.2 Previous MQP Review ................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Development of the Kite Powered Water Pump ..................................................... 19 2.3 Current System ............................................................................................................... 22 2.3.1 Physical Design Components ................................................................................. 22 2.3.2 Instrumentation ....................................................................................................... 23 2.3.3 Field Testing ........................................................................................................... 24 2.3.4 Location – Blue Hills Observatory ......................................................................... 25 2.4 Project Goals .................................................................................................................. 26 3 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 27 3.1 Summer Testing ............................................................................................................. 27 3.2 Water Pump Updates ...................................................................................................... 27 3.3 Instrumentation............................................................................................................... 29 3.4 New Testing Site ............................................................................................................ 30 3.5 New Depower Methods .................................................................................................. 31 3.5.1 Pulley Method ......................................................................................................... 32 3.5.2 Falling Weight Method ........................................................................................... 33 3.5.3 Motor and Solar Panel Method ............................................................................... 34 3.6 Spool Water Pump Design ............................................................................................. 36 4 3.6.1 Spool Calculations .................................................................................................. 37 3.6.2 Spool Design ........................................................................................................... 37 3.6.3 Spool System Water Pump ..................................................................................... 38 3.6.4 Water Pump ............................................................................................................ 39 3.6.5 Chain Adapter ......................................................................................................... 39 3.7 Kite Configurations ........................................................................................................ 41 4 Results ................................................................................................................................... 43 4.1 2014 Summer Testing .................................................................................................... 43 4.1.1 Depower Line Configuration .................................................................................. 43 4.1.2 Additional Modifications ........................................................................................ 43 4.2 Water Pump Improvements ............................................................................................ 44 4.2.1 Reservoir Cover ...................................................................................................... 44 4.2.2 Lifting the Pump ..................................................................................................... 44 4.3 Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 44 4.3.1 Data Collection Utilizing New Testing Site ........................................................... 45 4.3.2 Shielded Box ........................................................................................................... 47 4.4 Windmill Pump System Manufacturing ......................................................................... 48 4.4.1 Spool Manufacturing .............................................................................................. 48 4.4.2 Actual Spool Calculations....................................................................................... 49 4.4.3 Water Pump Modification....................................................................................... 49 4.4.4 Chain Adapter Manufacturing ................................................................................ 51 4.4.5 Water Pump Failure ................................................................................................ 51 5 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 53 6 Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 54 6.1 Lever Arm Pump System ............................................................................................... 54 6.1.1 Instrumentation ....................................................................................................... 54 6.1.2 Additional De-powering methods ........................................................................... 54 6.1.3 Motor and Solar Panels ........................................................................................... 54 6.2 Windmill Water Pump System ....................................................................................... 54 6.2.1 Testing with the kite................................................................................................ 54 6.2.2 New Testing Site ..................................................................................................... 55 6.3 Kite Pocket ..................................................................................................................... 55 5 7 References ............................................................................................................................