Week 2

On Thursday, the group met for our scheduled Week 2 Lab. We researched both blade designs and gear systems to potentially use in the prototype. Using some pieces from the robot sets used in some sections of the ENGR 102 lab during the Winter Term, Troy and Samuel V. began working on building a 3-speed gear system by experimenting with different sized gears and the spacing separating them in the system. The group considered purchasing pieces of a similar set to use in the model. At the same time, Kory, Sam C. and Stephanie used Creo Parametric to make a rough design of the turbine blades. We developed a better idea of how the blades should be shaped to create the maximum possible torque and therefore energy production. The group will meet this week to discuss progress and make some decisions on the design of the different pieces of the prototype.

Design Proposal

Today the group met to discuss our turbine design plans further, and to work on filling out the Design Proposal with our current plan of action. Each member worked on different sections of the Proposal, which we uploaded to the group's Google Drive for the project. All members were added as administrators on the blog, and Kory and Steph worked to start adding pages and tracking our progress. Sam V. will begin work on a fan blade design this week. All group members spent time researching and discussing how to account for multiple gears for different test wind speeds. The group will meet again on Wednesday to go over the Design Proposal and submit it before our lab section meets on Thursday.