MEEN 442/632 Gravity

Battery Project
Angela Olinger, Hanumanth Reddy
Palle, Sarah Rohmer, Phillip Wagner
Motivation

Usage of fossil fuels - harmful to

environment

Solar energy - not as consistent as

fossil fuels

Conventional chemical batteries -

contain chemicals harmful to the
environment
Background
Objectives

Store mechanical potential energy

Provide 100 W for 1 hour

Charge using external energy

 Solar Panel Selection
E = A * r * H * PR

Global Irradiation Levels

Symbol Meaning Value

A Area 1.65 square meters

r Efficiency/yield 18.5%

H Irradiation 450 Watts/m2 (average

during daylight hours.)

PR Performance Ratio .75 (Ranges from .5-.9)

Counterweight Design

Assumed efficiency of 85%

Required energy: 118 Watt - hours

Required weight: 1500 kg at 29 m height

Discharge over 1 hour requires velocity

of .008 m/s
Shaft Design FOS = 5
Gearbox
3-step gear reduction-Spur gears
Rated
- Power: 122.9 Watts
- Torque: 0.67 Nm
- Speed: 1750 rpm v=r

Gear Ratio is 1331:1

Required
spool
/ =1331/1=motor/spool
motor
- Torque: 854 Nm
- Speed: 1.31 rpm C34-L80 W20 DC motor
Supporting Structure Design
Complete Design
Battery Operation

Discharge Operation

The moving block will have a power of 117 Watts ideally

With an 85% system efficiency, this produce 100 Watts of power

Charge Operation

Solar panel: 102 Watts under average conditions

Battery charges in 1.33 hrs with 85% system efficiency

Conclusions

Although the design is possible it is not practical

Cost - Not cost effective

Space - Not energy dense

Efficiency - Energy loss due to friction

References
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https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/work-and- energy/work-and- energy-tutorial/a/what-is-
gravitational-potential- energy
[2] E. s. Association. (2017). Energy storage. Available:
http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/technologies/pumped-hydroelectric- storage
[3] WIRED. (2016). Forget Elons Batteries-Fix The Grid With a rock-filled train on a hill.Available:
https://www.wired.com/2016/05/forget-elons- batteries-fix- grid-rock- filled-train-hill/
[4] Photovoltaic-software. (2016). PHOTOVOLTAIC & SOLAR ELECTRICITY DESIGNTOOLS.
Available: http://www.photovoltaic-software.com/
[5] GoGreenSolar, "GigaWatt 300W Solar Panel," 2017.
[6] T. E. Toolbox, "Metals and Alloys - Densities," 2017.
[7] A. A. C. Corporation. (2017). Wire Rope. Available: http://www.chain-cable.com/wirerope.htm
[8] NSK Americas, "Self-Lube Bearings," 2017.
[9] moog, "Permanent Magnet DC Motors," 2017.