Design and construction of a double actuated mechanical speed breaker electricity generator

摘要

The economy runs on energy and quest for development means that more energy is needed. Statistics show that the majority of energy comes from burning fossil fuels, and they pollute our environment. This work is aimed at producing a mechanical speed breaker electricity generator that operates on two actuating strokes. It converts the linear motion of the rack gear that is depressed by the vehicular movement to rotary motion of the pinion gear keyed on the shaft and alternator. The machine gets actuated by compression and release of the springs, thus increasing the output of the machine. It consists of a stable frame, dome-shaped top, rack and pinion mechanism, chain and sprocket mechanism, freewheels, springs, flywheel, shafts, an alternator and a deep cycle battery. The design was carried out using engineering principles with due consideration to cost, serviceability, ease of operation, durability and performance. It is designed to be actuated by vehicles weighing 1,600kg (400kg per wheel) and a prototype rated 100kg was built. Tests were performed to determine the performance of the machine and the results showed that the speed breaker could produce a rotary speed of 1500 rpm at the alternator, thereby generating 204W of electrical power per cycle. The machine conversion efficiency was about 88.7%.