GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM RAILWAY TRACK

Project Title

GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM RAILWAY TRACK

Project Area of Specialization Mechanical EngineeringProject Summary

Energy crisis is one of the major problems in Pakistan. In the present time, power has become a major need for human life. Energy is needed by all the sectors of the country and has important role in economy. As, the number of vehicles passing over the track is increasing day by day so there is possibility of tapping the energy and generating power by making the railway track as a power generation unit. In this project we are generating electrical energy by non-conventional method by simply running train on the railway track. This Non-conventional energy system is proposed as the solution to solve electricity shortage problem in Pakistan. This Non-conventional energy does not need any fuel input power for the generation of electrical power, so it is the low cost method. The system carries platform, helical springs, rack and pinion, chain and sprockets, spur gears, generator and a battery. The proposed mechanism is the economical and efficient way to solve electricity problem especially in busy stations of Pakistan. This system can be installed underground under the railway tracks to lighten the bulbs, operate the fans and for other purposes at stations.

The mechanism works on the principle of conversion of mechanical work into electrical energy. Whenever the train passes through the train track, it gets pressed downwards. The helical springs attached to the setup get compressed and gain some potential energy. Rack, which is attached to the bottom of the setup, start downward reciprocating motion. As the rack teeth are connected to pinion so there is conversion of reciprocating motion of rack in to rotary motion of pinion. A spring suspension system converts the kinetic energy to potential energy and stores in it, and transfers that energy to rack and pinion. The rotational force from Rack and Pinion mechanism is propagated into the chain drive mechanism. Then this mechanical energy is supplied to spur gear assembly and then DC generator converts this mechanical energy into electrical power.

Project Objectives

•To design and fabricate a working model using mechanical engineering design concepts that provides electrical energy economically.

•3D CAD Modeling of Mechanism and software simulation to perform Structural analysis

•To develop a system as a solution for the shortage of electricity in Pakistan

Project Implementation Method Literature Review:

Throughout both the semesters, we will study literature including research papers, journals, conference papers and mechanical engineering design books. Till now, we have studied 7-8 research papers and studied a designing book of Shigley.

Theoretical Designing:

Theoretical design calculations of mechanical components will be done. Spur gear calculations will be done considering parameters of pressure angle, pitch diameter, addendum and dedendum etc. Helical spring would be designed considering the parameter required i.e no. of active coils. Rack and pinion mechanism would be studied theoretically and necessary calculations will be done. The number of teeth, pitch and strength of sprocket would be analyzed and also chain will be calculated for its load-bearing capacity.

Computer Aided Designing:

3D Model of the complete mechanism will be designed in Creo software. After designing all the parts with proper dimensions, it will be assembled and the mechanism will be made to run for proper working.

Software Analysis:

All the mechanical components and mechanism needs to be mechanically analyzed to evaluate its structural parameters. Structural analysis will be done using ANSYS software to check stresses, pressure, and evaluate strength parameters of mechanical parts. Deflection in the spring and track will also be considered.

Fabrication and Testing:

The Prototype will be fabricated by assembling all the parts of the mechanism. After complete fabrication, the Prototype will be tested for proper working to ensure its proper working and whether it produces the desired output power. All the fabrication and testing would be done at the university.

Thesis:

The thesis will be submitted as a final year project report in which we will conclude our findings and results of the project. All the work about the project and calculations will be presented in an efficient manner in the report.

Benefits of the Project

•The system is proposed as one of the solutions to power the villages of Pakistan.

•No need for fuel input, so economical method.

•Power generation is carried out by simply running the vehicle on this arrangement.

•The generated power can be stored in the battery for later use.

•It is eco friendly to the environment.

The number of trains passing over the system on the track will produce the electricity which is charging the battery which can be used for street lights, signal lights etc.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Prototype	CAD Designing
Software Simulation results	Comparative Study
Theoretical Design	Thesis

Prototype

Software Simulation results

Theoretical Design

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry ManufacturingOther IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Elapsed time in (days or weeks or month or quarter) since start of the project	Milestone	Deliverable
Month 1	Literature review	Theoretical Overview of mechanism design and construction
Month 2	Literature review	Theoretical Overview of mechanism design and construction
Month 3	Compilation of findings	soft copy
Month 4	Materials and Components of the Mechanism	Materials and Components of the Mechanism
Month 5	Materials and Components of the Mechanism	Report
Month 6	Fabrication	Model
Month 7	Fabrication	Model
Month 8	Testing	Working Model
Month 9	Refined Model	Complete Prototype with thesis