Timeline

Table 1: Project timeline from beginning to end

          In the first week, the group was formed and a project was chosen. Also in week 1 as well as weeks 2 and 3, theoretical research was done on regenerative braking and research was done on where to gather necessary components like a bike wheel, which type of generator to use, and how to mount everything into a final deliverable, including a rough sketch of how the prototype would look. During week 4, the axle shaft was machined to accommodate the wheel and bearings by means of a lathe and a press within the machine shop. During week 5, the generator testing took place. Both a DC and AC generator were tested to see which one produced a current when rotated by an external force. In week 6, the group settled on a DC motor to use as a generator and with new information on how a motor works as a generator, the design needed to be revised. Weeks 7 and 8 consisted primarily of the circuit design and finalization of the prototype. Weeks 9 and 10 were spent testing the prototype and gathering results.