Zero Emissions Lawn Mower
Background:
Based on outside interest, a zero point source emissions lawn mower was developed by a team of mechanical engineering students in 2005-06. This was a major achievement because the lawnmower was able to cover a much larger area and effectively cut grass that was much deeper. The project is far from finished though. While it looks good and works the charging system was never fully developed and the ability to produce a mower like this one requires improved charging system and additional tweaking of the system.
However, tweaking is not the goal of the 2006 clean mower team. In 2006, the clean mower team will be responsible for taking the 2005 mower off of the grid. While the 2006 mower eliminated point source emissions, the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity still means that many gallons of oil are burned in the interest of a green surrounding the house. This years' project will be the design, construction and testing of a solar charging shed. The criteria include the ability to ship the shed parts via UPS ground and the ability to be assembled by an non-specialist homeowner. This will not only be a goal, it must be demonstrated.
Milestones
- Proposal for modified milestones and initial deliverables: September 15, 2006
- CAD drawings completed for lawnmowers and batteries, including bill of materials and part numbers for key aftermarket components. 9/29/06
- Determine battery charging requirements, voltage, current and length of time for charging. Order completed for conventional charging system: 10/1/06
- First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
- Specify photovoltaic panels for use in charging lawnmower with optional capacity for additional powered devices 10/15/06
- Complete specificatioins for charging shed including able to be shipped UPS and set up time.
- Complete set of drawings for shed including bill; of materials and drawingf of all specializefd coimpoients as well as assembly drawings. Must meet appropriate design codes.
- Milestone review: November 7, 2006
- Order materials for shed
- Draft Midterm Report: December 5, 2006
- Write instruction sheet for assembly of shed
- Test shed assembly time with two non-specii8last volunteers.
- Shed design tool completed and tested with two non-specialist volunteers.
- Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2, 2007
- Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3, 2007
Draft, not approved:
| Milestones | 9/15/2006 |
| Dimension Lawnmower and Batteries | 9/22/2006 |
| Determine Battery Loads/Charging Requirements | 9/29/2006 |
| Size PV Panels | 10/6/2006 |
| Specify Panels | 10/31/2006 |
| CAD Shed | 11/24/2006 |
| Shed Materials Analysis | 12/1/2006 |
| Specify Shed Materials | 12/8/2006 |
| Order all necessary equipment | 12/15/2006 |
| Shed Design Tool | 5/1/2007 |