Power Technology
Course Overview
Power Technology is the study of energy and power control systems. This course is divided into the study of energy and energy sources, electoral systems, fluid power systems, mechanical systems, and other industrial power-related systems. Each of these areas will be investigated through theoretical study, experimentation, and practical projects. No prior knowledge is assumed.
Lego Drag Car |
For our first project we used Lego bricks to build a Lego drag Car. Our first objective was to create a chassis for the wheel and axles, and gears to operate inside of the car. Once the chassis was created the challenging part pf the building process was to utilize the best gear ratio in order to make the car travel the fastest down the track given to us. After the best gear ratio was set in place., the final step was making sure our battery pack and motor would fit on the car in a way weight would be distributed evenly.
Slow Car
For this project we were supposed to create a car with provided kit, build a vehicle that will travel 3” in the longest possible time. The vehicle must travel the entire 3” distance to be eligible to receive a grade. The goal of this car was instead of speed the goal was to increase torque. After a few trial and error me and partner utilized the worm gear with accounts for torque while only being one tooth. We aimed to make this car as heavy as possible while also trying to maintain functionality.
Overall Thoughts
I really enjoyed working on this project with my partner. This project was more challenging than the drag car we did make a crucial mistake at the last-minute adjustments to the car we incorrectly reassembled the car placing the motor on the wrong end thus making the gears useless( the correct ratio would have been 115:1). Because of this mistake, This project did not end up as I had hoped, and we ended up getting 4.70 seconds to pass the 3 inch line. Overall though this project was a fun and challenging project.
KOTH Challenge
For this project I needed to create a car that would travel up an inclined plane in the fastest time. Me and my partner's car made it up the B track in 0:1:18.
Building Process
For building this car we aimed to design a car capable of quickly ascending the track while generating enough force for traction. To achieve this, we used a 24-tooth gear as the driver gear, connected to a 40-tooth gear. This arrangement provided enough torque and a respectable speed transfer from the motor to the first axle. Adding a compound gear arrangement, we added a 12-tooth gear to the same axle as the 40-tooth gear. This setup, with a 2:1 ratio, was intended to enhance torque output. Finally, we added a 1:1 ratio with another 24-tooth gear to balance speed and torque. With the gear system optimized, we positioned the battery pack and counterweight to align closely with the floor, reducing excess weight that could negatively impact the car's performance. Throughout the project, we drew ideas from both drag car and slow car elements, contributing to a more comprehensive approach and increasing our chances of success."
Thoughts
Overall I really enjoyed this project it was a pretty challenging project and it was a great way to finally wrap up the Lego Car Unit.
Small Gas Engine
For this Project me and my partner were tasked with taking apart a 3.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine and then reconstructing it back together. The main goal of this project was improving the compression of the engine.
HowBefore taking the engine apart when first checked for spark and compression which our engine had, but your engine's compression was real low coming at a low 46 Psi, but our engine still started. After checking for all of those we started to take the engine apart. Which took us about 3 days. After disassembling the engine we measured the pieces, Then we were quizzed on the engine parts. After all of that we started to put the engine back together which took us until the very last day to complete. We checked for our spark and compression again after reassembling the engine which interesting the compression was significantly lower than before we disassembled coming in at a super low 42 Psi, even tho our psi was low our engine still started which was a success and a fail.
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We did this to gain a better understanding on small gas engines and how all the parts of the engine work together to make it run.
Reflection
We definitely worked pretty slow and finished late but overall I really enjoyed taking and putting the engine back together, It's definitely a useful Skill to know.
The AC Electrical System Unit is a unit focusing deeper on the aspects of electricity and circuits. This unit were tasked to wire up 8 different circuits progressively getting more and more difficult. Me and My partner managed to get 4 out of the 8 different circuits.
Circuit #1
Circuit 2
Circuit 4
Circuit #4
I did finish circuit 4 but I forgot to get a picture of it