Energy Storage Project
Team Leader:
Chris Kratzer Team Members Fall 2015 Team Members Spring 2016
(Research Phase): (Design and Construction Phase): Nick Noble - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Ben Wilson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Liliana Benzer - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Ryan Mazur - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Gillian Valenti Nikera Taylor-Small Jake Young Jessica Cashman From left: Chris, Lily, Nick, Gillian and Jake
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Final Posters and Documents:
Energy in a Nutshell by Jess Batteries by Nick Capacitors by Nick Material Elasticity by Chris Fluid Pressure by Chris Gravity by Ben Flywheels by Ben Recycling PMMA by Nikera Special Thanks:
to Angela Gallo the MECE Machine Shop Mike Buffalin and the Construct Lab |
Description:
This project explores the potential and limitations of various mechanical energy storage systems, with an ultimate goal to communicate our findings with our peers and the general community. To this end, we constructed a mechanism that physically demonstrates ways in which mechanical energy can be stored.
This project explores the potential and limitations of various mechanical energy storage systems, with an ultimate goal to communicate our findings with our peers and the general community. To this end, we constructed a mechanism that physically demonstrates ways in which mechanical energy can be stored.
Above are excerpts from our final presentation of fall semester about the pros and cons of different energy storage methods. Each member of the team concentrated on one or two methods. Cumulatively, we researched gravitational, rotational, elastic, electrical, chemical, magnetic, vacuum and pressure systems. Our research suggests that chemical batteries are currently the most efficient way to store energy.
Here, the team considers preliminary design options. Originally the Energy Storage team planned to work with the Turbine team, but we quickly discovered that mechanical storage would not be sufficient to support a wind turbine.
Above are the final Fusion 360 models for our machine.
Most of our machine is made from PMMA acrylic plexiglass, which we bought from Lowe's. We used one of the laser cutters in the Construct lab to precisely cut each layer of our mechanism.
Here, team members punch out and sort components.
Construction of the machine's components took several weeks.
It may not be perfect, but the "Prototype" works as a proof-of-concept. For this reason, we consider its construction a success.
We presented our findings at Imagine RIT on May 7, 2016.
End-Life:
Some components of the machine were immediately disassembled and recycled, and the rest were stored in ESW's club locker. Extra materials (including unused acrylic, bolts, washers, nuts, magnets, lubricant, bands, etc.) were stored in the locker and are ready to be used in future projects. Right: One of many prize tokens that were made from the PMMA scrap. |