Progress+Report+Log

__**Date Activity**__
 * Wed June 1st**

Assigned project WIND TUNNEL PROJECT

Project Supervisor: John Kilcoyne

An engineering team consisting of members George Kavanagh, Robert Bowen and Ciaran Ennis were assigned to work together on certain aspects of the wind tunnel project while also taking ownership of individual areas. In order to complete the project successfully it was required that full commitment from all members of the team is mandatory. The wind tunnel was designed to test the performance of the wind turbine over a range of speeds, on completion of the project the engineering team will document their finding, highlighting problems the team have found with the wind tunnel design, and also recommending improvements to the overall design. In addition to the wind turbine current and wind speed a number of other signals will be interrogated and displayed using labview. While working on the project Health and Safety requirements will need to be adhered to at all times.

The team was presented with the brief of the wind tunnel project by supervisor John Kilcoyne. The team was also given the opportunity to observe the wind tunnel itself.


 * Thurs June 2nd**

An introductory meeting was held between the team and the project supervisor John Kilcoyne. During this meeting the supervisor gave a brief overview of the project specifications done in conjunction with the brief. It was advised by he supervisor that the team should undertake task 1 immediately.

//Task 1 //
 * //On receiving the project scope document create a Gantt chart to ensure that the project is completed within the allocated time frame. //


 * Fri June 3rd**

Project Launch Meeting Held - Preliminary Plan (Gantt Chart) drawn up. The team met in the college library to devise a gantt chart on MS Project which will ensure that the project is completed within the allocated time frame.


 * Tues June 7th**

A meeting was held between the team and the project supervisor in which the Gantt Chart was presented in hard copy. Discussion about the possible direction the team will take also went ahead.

At this meeting the supervisor presented the team with the 'Graduate PowerEd Manual' ( the main manual with details on the wind turbine / solar panel set-up) along with data sheets for the axial fan.


 * Wed June 8th**

Having studied the 'Graduate PowerEd Manual' the team decided to begin researching topics deemed relevent to the project. The topics of research included wind energy, calculations of wind speed.

Theoretical calculations were made for wind power using notes and formulae from previous modules and information gathered from research on the internet. THe calculations made were drawn up and uploaded in the Wind Power Calculations page on the wiki.


 * Thurs June 9th**

Following discussions in reference to the on-line progress report, it was agreed to document the progression of the project on a Wiki page. A wiki was set up by John Kilcoyne on the website Wikispaces.com, each team member enrolled in the site in which to edit and document the report.

With the wiki now set up, the team was able to compile tables and graphs for wind power and turbine power output using calculations and performance data gathered from manuals.


 * Mon June 13th**

Researched Solar PV using course notes and internet.


 * Tues June 14th**

Established the optimum tilt angle for solar PV panel for mid-summer collection (30deg. from horizontal) and the time of maximum solar inclination (solar noon = 1:25 PM for dublin). Set up BP 365 Solar panel outside lab and carried out preliminary tests to establish the correct measurement procedures. Identified the main factors influencing the collection of solar radiation, such as cloud conditions, shading by nearby building and the tilt angle of the panel.


 * Wed June 15th**

Preliminary PV panel test experiment written up and uploaded to progress log. It was found that although standard test conditions were met through the experiment, little change in weather led to limited difference in results. Shading across the PV panel was also problematic due to the external wall of the college workshop. As a relult of this it was decided to continue the experiment on another day.


 * Thurs June 16th**

Continued Preliminary PV panel test experiment was carried out. This time around the solar PV was place outside on a clearer, warmer day. The time of day was also taken into account to achieve better results. The experiment was undertaken and written up as per page of 16th June.


 * Tues June 21st**

Meeting held with project supervisor in relation to progress of project. Preliminary tests were carried out on the wind tunnel to establish the correct measurement procedures required to complete the next stage of the project. These preliminary tests were established individually, integrating the use of an oscilloscope to determine multiple variables. Picoscope software was used to visualise the frequency / voltage square wave of the anemometer.


 * Thurs June 23rd**

Arrangement was made by team to meet with a contact within Tech Refridgeration in blanchardstown to assist with test procedures on Fan/Wind Charateristics. Preliminary setup was made in relation to gathering data output which will proceed the following week. It was decided to observe the variables to collect raw data which could be processed and accounted in MS Excel. The team also made the decision to collect data within 10hz increments of fan speed. The signals on the 25-way D-Connector will be tested will a multi-meter while also observing and comparing the meters on the front panel display. The Battery voltage on the distribution panel will also be observed and a clip-on ammeter will be used to test the wind charging current.


 * Tues June 28th**

Procedure to test data in relation to wind charge current, battery voltage, temperature and room light level was made. As discussed and decided from the previous week, the team set about collecting the raw data taken within 5 incriments of 10Hz fan speed i.e. (0Hz - 50Hz) (achieved via control of the variable speed drive). Responsibilities for each team member included - George, collecting data on the 25-way D-Connector with a multi-meter- Robert, Changing the speed on the fan, observing and comparing the meters on the front panel display while observing the Battery voltage on the distribution panel and the wind charging current on a clip-on ammeter - Ciaran, Creating the spreadsheets in which to document the data collected, efficiently entering the data as they are collected in real time by the team.

This experiment was to be completed in the next lab.

Following a discussion on output signals on the 25-way D-connector, the team found that the 0 - 2.5v reference voltages will need to be converted to the actual parameters, ranges and units of each signal. This information was not provided with the experiment and a meeting with the project supervisor was arranged to retrieve the information from MARLEC.


 * Wed June 29th**

A meeting was held with the project supervisor to which the team was presented with the data sheet acquired from MARLEC which stated the formulae used to assess the ranges of each of the signals to be obtained.


 * Thurs June 30th**

The procedure planned to collect raw data was carried out using the calibrated instruments to measure variables in wind charge current, battery voltage, temperature and room light level. The terminals on wiring panel for battery voltage, PV voltage, wind charge were tested and the data was stored on the excel spreadsheets. Data to be analysed and lab reports to be drawn up. The data will be used to calculate ranges for each variable and campare to ranges as given by supervisor.


 * Monday July 4th**

Team met in Library to discuss the data sheet obtained from MARLEC. The data sheet provided information in which to convert the 0-2.5v reference voltage of each terminal on the D-connector to the actual ranges in units of each variable. The data sheet also provided the team with equations in which to convert the Wind speed, temperature and light level signals to their required units. It was decided to create a spreadsheet in MS Excel in which to enter estimated calculated results to be compared to measured results the following day in the Lab. The team found that the equations and ranges seemed legitimate but deduced that the equation for converting the light level was unusual and a voltage signal may be left as reference in the upcoming experiments.


 * Tuesday July 5th**

Measurements were obtained from various variables within the same number of hertz increments using a number of instruments including a clip-on ammeter for the battery current as digital multimeters were being affected by noise from the fan. All data was recorded into an excell spreadsheet for future reports to be drawn up.


 * Wednesday July 6th**

After meeting with supervisor, Mr. John Kilcoyne, it was agreed to go to the Lab and adjust the anemometer from its fixed position to one more mobility in order to acquire numerous results from various positions within the wind tunnel. This was done by removing the anemometer, installing it on the end of metal conduit and connecting extra cabling for better mobility. As the Labs are closed to-morrow thursday 7th july, anemometer speed tests will be carried out tuesday 12th july by the team.


 * Tuesday July 12th**

A comprehensive airflow profile of the wind tunnel and the area immediately downwind of the turbine was carried out using the newly modified portable anemometer. This was done for two fan speeds (at 30Hz and at 50Hz supply). See the uploaded file named "Wind Tunnel Airflow And Profile Report"


 * Thursday July**

14th Measurements for PV panel and windturbine in unison were obtained, It was found that the battery charged to 13volts. To deduce results a 40Watt lightbulb load was plugged in to the inverter. Results could not be deduced due to the combined PV panel and windtubine not producine sufficient power to power the 40Watt bulb. The team decided that a lower Wattage 6Watt bulb which was built to perform the experiment will be used in the next lab.


 * Tuesday July 19th**

A VI using Labview was created implimenting the use of a usb DAQ card configured into the pin connecter. Verification of voltage on each signal was observed in order for future readings to be taken.


 * Thursday July 21st**

Started doing up reports on experiments and preparing for Labview data analysis.


 * Tuesday July 26th**

Started up fan and PV panel and connected power monitor to Labview using a Daq card to capture signals for reports. Screen shots taken of signals for battery voltage and wind charge current.


 * Thursday July 28th**

Continued capturing and displaying signals in Labview. Screenshots were taken for variables required.


 * Tuesday August 2nd**

Constructed a Labview program to capture square wave voltage signals in order to obtain wind speed results and graph them accordingly for report purposes.


 * Thursday August 4th**

The team spent the day constructing an overall Labview program to capture all seven required variables. This final program would be used in both the individual and final interview reports and relevant screen shots were also taken.


 * Monday August 8th-Friday August 12th**

The team spent the final week on indivual reports which had to be handed in by that friday's deadline. Each member would concentrate on their individual contribution as well as an overview of the wind tunnel project itself.