Speed Breaker Energy Harvesting System – Micro-Generator & Capacitor Storage Demonstration Kit

Description

Project Overview

The Speed Breaker Energy Harvesting System is a practical demonstration of harvesting ambient kinetic energy produced by vehicles passing over a speed breaker. Instead of dissipating this mechanical energy as heat, the prototype converts it into electrical energy using a small DC alternator (or a geared DC motor used as a generator), conditions that energy, and stores it briefly in a capacitor. The stored charge is then used to power visual indicators (LEDs) or other low-power devices, illustrating possibilities for sensor power, road-side indicators, or micro-power applications.

This model is intended as an educational kit to teach concepts of energy conversion, rectification, storage, and low-power electronics. It is designed to be robust enough for lab demonstrations and safe for classroom use.

Working Principle

When a vehicle or weight moves over the speed breaker surface, the mechanical displacement drives the shaft of a small DC generator mounted under the breaker. The generator produces electrical pulses proportional to the mechanical input. If the machine produces AC, a simple rectifier converts it to DC; otherwise, the DC output is conditioned directly.

The conditioned output charges an energy-storage capacitor through a current-limiting resistor (to control inrush and protect the LED). Once the capacitor reaches a usable voltage threshold, it powers an LED or small load for a short duration. Repeated vehicle passages accumulate energy pulses and demonstrate intermittent practical output.

Key Features

• Converts mechanical motion from a speed breaker into electrical energy.

• Uses a small DC alternator (or motor-as-generator) and energy-storage capacitor.

• Simple rectification/conditioning and current-limiting resistor protect the storage and load.

• LED indicator demonstrates harvested energy visually.

• Compact, low-cost and safe prototype suitable for lab demonstrations.

• Ideal for B.Tech, Diploma and Polytechnic final-year projects and exhibitions.

Technical Specifications (Prototype)

• Energy transducer: Small DC alternator / DC motor (used as generator)

• Storage: Electrolytic capacitor (value depends on desired hold-time)

• Protection & conditioning: Rectifier diodes (if needed), current-limiting resistor

• Output load: LED indicator (or small low-power load)

• Mechanical: Speed breaker mockup and mount for generator shaft

• Typical output behavior: Short pulses; usable for low-power intermittent loads

Educational Outcomes

Students working with this kit will:

• Understand the principles of mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion.

• Learn rectification, capacitor charging/discharging and basic power conditioning.

• Evaluate the tradeoffs between storage size, load, and usable run time.

• Design simple sensing or indicator circuits powered by harvested energy.

• Explore scalability and real-world deployment constraints for micro-energy systems.

Applications & Use Cases

• Powering roadside indicator LEDs where mains supply is unavailable.

• Energy harvesting demonstrations in laboratories and classroom settings.

• Charging very low-power sensors or IoT nodes in smart road infrastructure (prototype stage).

• Student projects exploring renewable energy, low-power electronics and sustainable design.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages: low cost, simple construction, safe for student use, and clearly demonstrates core principles of energy harvesting.
Limitations: energy pulses are small and intermittent — the system is best suited for low-power loads or as a demonstrator rather than primary power source. Performance depends strongly on vehicle weight, speed, alternator efficiency and capacitor sizing.

Package Includes

• Small DC alternator / DC motor (used as generator)

• Rectifier diodes and current-limiting resistor assembled on PCB or proto board

• Energy storage capacitor (assembled)

• LED indicator and wiring harness

• Speed breaker mockup with generator mount

• Basic documentation (circuit diagram + block diagram + operation notes)