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PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK 16 RAPID PROTOTYPING
For this week, since I already have all of the components except the MAX666 voltage regulator I have decided to construct the circuit on a strip board. As for the missing component, I just put a socket while I figure out where to buy the voltage regulator.
The time taken form start to finish is about an hour due to the simplicity of the circuit. I did perform some test to determine the voltage output from the piezoelectric elements and it was able to produce 1.5V and above depending on how hard the I pressed the piezo. Also I tap the piezoelectric elements couple of time and I was quite shocked to see a voltage output as large as 8.5V. The faster I tap, the higher and stable the voltage output become. I did notice that the voltage output tend to hovers around 4V to 5V.
I’m quite pleased with the result obtained today :3
Posted on February 16, 2014 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK 15 BUYING THE COMPONENTS
In this week I have decided to make a trip to Jalan Pasar and buy some if not all of the components. Jalan Pasar is situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur it is the mecca for electronic enthusiast. You can get almost every electronic and electrical components here. My favorite store is the Online Components which is situated adjacent to the big orange building. Pudu Plaza.
ONLINE COMPONENTS SDN. BHD.
NO. 38, JALAN LANDAK PUDU, 55100, KUALA LUMPUR, WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN
55100
MALAYSIA
I bought two sets of each and every components in case of the other one might be faulty or burned while testing. Sadly there are no picture of me doing the purchasing because I went there alone and I don’t like the idea of selfie :D camera shy and all that.
So here a picture of their components cabinet instead.
#nofilter
What I manage to bought is everything accept the MAX666 IC. I went through every store and the closest thing to a MAX666 is MAX664. That is a no go component because it is for producing a NEGATIVE voltage only. There can be only one way. Via internet purchase.
That’s all the main components for the circuit. More will come as the project nearing its completion.
Posted on February 8, 2014 Leave a comment
UPDATE: FINAL YEAR PROJECT 2
New semester. With only 14 weeks to go, I got a tons of work to do. Hoping to complete the project in time.
I also managed to install WordPress app for my smartphone so that I can update my progress report at anytime and anywhere I go. This app can be downloaded from Google Play Store for Android devices and App Store for iOS devices.
Now I can post my updates while sipping a cup of Asian Dolce Latte.
On the other hand, here’s a picture of a cute cat.
Posted on February 1, 2014 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK 14 CIRCUIT SIMULATION
I have finally finished designing the circuit inside the Proteus v7.5 by Labcenter Electronics software. The reason why I choose this software is because of its simplicity and I have been working with this software ever since my diploma plus it has the MAX666 integrated circuit in its component library files. So, here goes.
I took the liberty to convert the circuit from the simulation into a .pdf format such like this. It is purely for aesthetical purposes and to reduce clutter from the grid pattern in the actual simulation. Minimalist is the key word here lol.
I will only explain basic and key components inside the circuit. Further information can be obtained inside my final report which you can easily refer to at Resource Center level 8. Just remember to bring your own ID and please don’t ruin the binding :P
BAT1: Since there are no piezoelectric elements inside the ISIS Schematic Capture software (one of many system components of the Proteus), I am using battery as the representation of the source.
BR1: Bridge rectifiers that will convert AC generated form the piezoelectric elements into DC. In this circuit I will be using the 2W06 bridge rectifier.
2N3906: A common PNP bipolar junction transistor used for general purpose low-power amplifying. It is designed for low current and power and medium voltage, and can operate at moderately high speeds.
D1 Diode Zen: A Zener diode is a diode which allows current to flow in the forward direction in the same manner as an ideal diode, but also permits it to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain value known as the breakdown voltage, “Zener knee voltage”, “Zener voltage”, “avalanche point”, or “peak inverse voltage”.
MAXIM MAX666: A 5V voltage regulator. It can be programmed to produce a fixed +5V output from +1.3V to +16V input. I can use the LM7805 as a voltage regulator but it will require voltage as high as 7.5V in the input. Interestingly most of my colleague never heard of this IC before. Let us hope that it exist here in Malaysia.
Posted on December 21, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORTS: WEEK 13 REFINING THE CIRCUIT DESIGN
After an exhaustive search for more information regarding the circuit for this project, I finally have a rough interpretation of the soon to be the final circuit. The main circuit will look like this.
External Energy: External energy that is in a form of pressure or vibration is applied into the piezoelectric element where it can be converted into electrical energy.
Energy Conversion: The energy from the piezoelectric element must then being converted from Alternating Current (AC) into a stable Direct Current (DC) that the circuit can use.
Harvesting Circuit: In the harvesting circuit it may consist of a liner regulator that will regulate the output so that it can be integrated in any device that use a USB port to charge. In the harvesting circuit, it also may contain a battery that will store the energy if there’s no device connected to the output.
Load circuit: Load circuit is the device that this circuit connected to.
Posted on December 13, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORTS: WEEK 12 CHOOSING THE SUITABLE CIRCUIT
Basically this project is divided into three parts. The first part is the input, the second part is the circuit and the third part is the output. The project is fairly simple and does not require any complex lines of programming that will further increase the complexity of the project and also the chance for it to fail to function properly.
For the input of the project, I have decided to use an ordinary piezoelectric element that can be easily obtained from any electronic store. My target is an ordinary disk shaped piezoelectric element mainly because it is easy to buy in virtually any electronic store. It is usually either in that form or in a buzzer type.
As for the circuit of the project, it is further divided into two parts. The first part is to rectify the voltage that are coming from the piezoelectric elements and the other part is to regulate the voltage into an acceptable range. Due to the nature of any piezoelectric element that produce alternating current (AC) that flow in one direction when pressure is applied and reversed its current when the pressure is released, a bridge rectifier must be used in order to obtain a stable direct current (DC). The second part is to regulate the voltage from the rectifier into an output that can used by ordinary A-type Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. In order to regulate the voltage, a liner regulator needs to be used. There are many types to choose from such as the LM78XX series, the MAX66X series and the MAX756 with each having its own drawbacks and advantages.
In the output of the circuit, I am still in dilemma whether to incorporate a battery to store the energy generated or not. Below I’ve included an updated block diagram of the project.
Posted on December 6, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORTS: WEEK 11 PROPOSAL REPORT WRITING
After the proposal presentation has been successfully presented, a Project Proposal must be submitted.
The document is about this document is aimed to purpose the Development of Energy Harvesting System Based on Human Locomotion. The document must be written according to the set guidelines such as;
• Introduction
• Format
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Problem Statement
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Objectives
• Benefits/ Contributions
• Work Plan
• Budget
• Conclusion
• References
Posted on November 30, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORTS: WEEK 10 PROPOSAL PRESENTATION DAY
Date: 22/11/2013 (Friday)
Title: Presentation Day
– 2.15pm (setup table, setup laptop)
– All students of FYP 1 must register at 2.30pm
– Start 3.00pm – 5.00pm
– 2.30pm (Access Begin)
– Accessed by Sir NOR AZMAN BIN OTHMAN and Madam ROHAIDA BINTI HUSSAIN
Presentation Requirements:
• 19 Slide (Minimum 8 Slide)
• Present 10-15 minutes
• Check with the supervisor first before presentation day
Contents:
• Introduction
• Problem Statements
• Aim & Objectives
• Scope & Limitation
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Expected Outcome
• Progress work (30% Not necessary)
•
Comments & Recommendations by Assessors:
– The presentation was running smoothly but there were some questions given by the assessors.
– Both Madam RHH and Sir MANO asked about the power that the device can generate .
– Both assessors were keen to know about the final form of the device when it is finished.
Posted on November 23, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORTS: WEEK 8 PREPARING A SIMPLE GANT CHART
Posted on November 8, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPORTS: WEEK 7 BASIC CONCEPT OF THE HARVESTER.
The image above is the rough idea of how my project should look like. It is consist of 4 elements. Those elements are the inner hub, outer ring, piezo and the bender. The Inner hub will act as a holder or clamp for the piezo and it also doubles as a housing for the circuit. The bender will act as the force that will bends the piezo thus generating an electricity.
Posted on November 4, 2013 Leave a comment
PROGRESS REPOR