Human Powered Generators free essay sample

HUMAN POWERED GENERATORS A generator can also be driven by human muscle power, for example, in field radio station equipment. Human powered direct current generators are commercially available, and have been the project of some  DIY  enthusiasts. Typically operated by means of pedal power, a converted bicycle trainer, or a foot pump, such generators can be practically used to charge batteries, and in some cases are designed with an integral inverter. The average adult could generate about 125-200 watts on a pedal powered generator, but at a power of 200 W, a typical healthy human will reach complete exhaustion and fail to produce any more power after approximately 1. 3 hours. Portable radio receivers with a crank are made to reduce battery purchase requirements Self-powered equipment  is a term used for  electrical Today we also use the term Self powered equipment for electrical appliances  which can be powered by human muscle power as an alternative to conventional sources of electricity such as  primary batteries  and the  power grid, mechanically powered flashlights. We will write a custom essay sample on Human Powered Generators or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Such devices contain  electrical generators  or an  induction  system to recharge their  batteries. Separate crank-operated  generators  are now available to recharge battery-powered portable electronic devices such as  cell phones. Others, such as  mechanically powered flashlights, have the generator integrated within the device itself. A promising alternative to rechargeable batteries for electricity storage is  super capacitors, now being used in some devices such as the mechanically powered flashlight shown here. Other devices store the energy mechanically, instead of in batteries. Clockwork radios  have a  mainspring  which is wound up by a crank, and then turns a generator to power the radio. INTRODUCTION In  electricity generation, an  electric generator  is a device that converts  mechanical energy  to  electrical energy. A generator forces  electrons  in the windings to flow through the external  electrical circuit. It is somewhat analogous to a water pump, which creates a flow of water but does not create the water inside. The  source of mechanical energy  may be a reciprocating or turbine  steam engine, water falling through a  turbine or waterwheel, an  internal combustion engine, a  wind turbine, a hand crank,  compressed air  or any other source of mechanical energy. The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by an  electric motor, and motors and generators have many similarities. In fact many motors can be mechanically driven to generate electricity, and very frequently make acceptable generators. Electric generator works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It converts the mechanical energy available in to electric energy. When a coil is rotated in a magnetic field, then there will be induced current flowing in it. The direction of the induced current flowing in it can be found using Fleming’s Right Hand Rule.