Team 8 – Project 2

1. Team 8 – Project 2 Eric Hayes, Joe Sherba, Qinrui Wei, Ahmad Alrukhayes

2. AC/DC Power • DC power is energy flowing which is unidirectional. The energy’s direction is constant at all times. • Though it cannot travel very far it is cheaper and more energy efficient. • Also it does not need anything else installed for better efficiency such as resistors or transformers. • This helps large companies save money on installing ceiling lights, appliances such as projectors and other useful needs for that particular room in the company.

3. AC/DC Power • AC current is an energy flow which changes the direction of flow. • It has the ability of pumping energy to very far distances and is used in major power plants. • AC current can be increased or decreased with a transformer. • AC current is usually sent to residential areas as well as other commercial buildings. • Much more dangerous to handle than DC current • Much harder to install • Lots of material used which is costly on a business and requires insulation to avoid any injuries or death.

4. Needs/RequirementsDefinition of Problem • Design a “Killer App” that will be able to run on the DC power from the Armstrong Power Grid Ceiling • OR…design a “Killer App” that will add to the already more energy efficient DC power grid ceiling

5. Building Ideas • Classroom– Projector, Speaker, Monitor, Fire Alarm • Office - Air Cleaner, Humidifier, Exit Sign, Electronic Curtains • Hospital– Ultrasound, Lights, Dentist Drills • Sports Facilities - LED Displays, Scoreboards, Stationary Bike

6. Air Purifier • Can run on DC Current • Wattage is over a range of 50-200 Watts • Basic air filter in the first chamber of the purifier • UV light in the second chamber can be turned on and off, • Release of oxidants into the air eliminates airborne bacteria and viruses • Integrated into the ceiling rather than hanging it from the cord

7. Stationary Bike • Produces up to 25 Volts of DC Current, up to 300 Watts of Electricity • Magnet generator converts mechanical energy into electricity • Wire running from the bike to the transformer in the ceiling, which will add energy to the system

8. Electric Curtains • Very Little Energy Usage • Remote Controlled • Motor controls the opening and closing of curtains • Place them near windows in an office building, with the motor having a cord running to the power grid in the ceiling • Could be used in many types of rooms. Most common room type would be a general office setting

9. Dentist’s Light • Runs on DC • Technology already in use • Hangs from the ceiling • Will have a bendable support (tubelike structure), so that it will be easy to maneuver around the room space • Will have an on/off switch • Would be used in a Dentist Office

10. Weighted Matrix

11. Stationary BikeFinal Design • Most functional • Ideal system for large gymnasiums • Saves money on electricity • Uses available technology to a better result Solidworks Model

12. Bike Specs • 130 lbs • 50x26x64 inches • Frame constructed of steel • Adjustable Seat • Resistance goes from 15-750 Watts • Electric Readout system has multiple functions (ex. Displays Heart Rate) • Estimated Cost—$1,200 Possible company to bring to market--Precor

13. How the Setup Will Work • Inside of the gym, where they have a room specified for a cycling class, they would need to either install a pillar to come down from the ceiling in which they would run the electrical energy generated from the bikes to the power supply, or run it up through the walls of the room to the power supply.

14. Why is this a Good Idea? • In a normal gym setting, members ride on the bikes in their everyday life. They generate mechanical energy, and do work to operate the stationary bike, but after that this energy is lost. • In our gym setting, with the newly installed Armstrong DC Power Grid, this mechanical energy that is lost before, will now be harnessed in the form of electrical energy (by the use of a magnet generator) and sent up into the power supply. So the energy that is produced by the gym members will be used to help power such things as the lights in the gym, thus saving the gym owner money in the long run.

15. Fun Facts! • Average Person—roughly produce 200 Watts on bike • 30 person Cycling class for 45 minutes • 200J/s x 60s/min x 45 min x 30 people =16,200,000 Joules or 16,200 kJ • That is equivalent to 4.5kWh • On average residential electricity cost 12cents/kWh • So with this particular cycling class, they save roughly 54 cents, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but imagine many cycling classes per day, with different amounts of people participating in them, and don’t forget about your basic gym members who don’t mind just doing a little bit of cardio on the bike pre or post workout. • This should show just how much money the gym will save, and not to mention just how much energy will be conserved due to the fact that the gym won’t need as much from an incoming power plant

16. References • http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cost.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page • http://www.econvergence.net/electro.htm • www.armstrong.com • www.emergealliance.org • http://www.edp.psu.edu/design_projects/edsgn100/sp10/ • http://www.precor.com/ • http://www.lifefitness.com/ • http://www.lafitness.com/Pages/default.aspx