There must be a low risk of injury to design team and other students. The project must be testable at USD; including the use of the heat source. The project must be able to be tested in a non-destructive, reliable manner. 2.4. Customer Requirements Schematic Figure 1: Customer Requirements Schematic for a M.E.G. Device Consisting of a Heat Engine and Generator. 2.5. Test/Evaluation Plan for all Requirements and Constraints Heat Engine Achieve the required mechanical work (rpm of a flywheel) to run a generator and output 50W or greater: Heat engine will be fixed to a heat source representative of a high efficiency stove and the rpm will be measured with a tachometer. The output torque will be measured by a Prony brake dynamometer. M.E.G. Device Produce at least 50W of power of the desired voltage (9V and/or 12V): The complete device will be fixed to the testing heat source and the power output will be measured by a voltmeter, ammeter, and variable load device. Operate with a output of less than 80db: While the complete device is being run the noise will be measured with a decibel meter. 3. Concept Development 3.1 Overview 3.1.1. Creative Strategies Many creative strategies were employed to develop ideas for micro-electricity generation under the constraints of appropriate technology. Initially this included brainstorming and researching prior attempts. After the goals of the project were established as a foundation, group discussion led to a multitude of questions for research. Outside-the-box, thinking was also used because there was little prior work to “wild” use for inspiration. 3.1.2. Governing Principles The function of the design is governed by principles from a wide of disciplines. These principles and their relation to the design are noted below. Heat Engine
There must be a low risk of injury to design team and other students. The project must be testable at USD; including the use of the heat source. The project must be able to be tested in a non-destructive, reliable manner. 2.4. Customer Requirements Schematic Figure 1: Customer Requirements Schematic for a M.E.G. Device Consisting of a Heat Engine and Generator. 2.5. Test/Evaluation Plan for all Requirements and Constraints Heat Engine Achieve the required mechanical work (rpm of a flywheel) to run a generator and output 50W or greater: Heat engine will be fixed to a heat source representative of a high efficiency stove and the rpm will be measured with a tachometer. The output torque will be measured by a Prony brake dynamometer. M.E.G. Device Produce at least 50W of power of the desired voltage (9V and/or 12V): The complete device will be fixed to the testing heat source and the power output will be measured by a voltmeter, ammeter, and variable load device. Operate with a output of less than 80db: While the complete device is being run the noise will be measured with a decibel meter. 3. Concept Development 3.1 Overview 3.1.1. Creative Strategies Many creative strategies were employed to develop ideas for micro-electricity generation under the constraints of appropriate technology. Initially this included brainstorming and researching prior attempts. After the goals of the project were established as a foundation, group discussion led to a multitude of questions for research. Outside-the-box, “wild” thinking was also used because there was little prior work to use for inspiration. 3.1.2. Governing Principles The function of the design is governed by principles from a wide of disciplines. These principles and their relation to the design are noted below. Heat Engine