Energy Conversion

1.

Enumerate and discuss the different forms of energy conversion. (Site 10 examples)

Energy- The ability to do work

Kinetic energy -All energy that is no longer stored, but is in use

Potential energy -All stored energy

Mechanical energy -Energy associated with motion - either the object is moving or could be

Light (radiant) energy -The energy of electromagnetic waves

Sound energy- The energy caused by an object's vibrations

Chemical energy -Energy stored in batteries, fuels, and food

Thermal (heat) energy- Energy caused by the internal motion of particles

Electrical energy -The energy of electric charges (caused by moving electrons)

Nuclear fission -The process in which a large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei

Nuclear fusion -The process in which two or more nuclei with small masses join together to form a larger,
more massive nucleus

Energy conversion- A change from one form of energy into another

Friction- A force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are touching

Law of conservation of energy- Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but it can be moved or changed
into other forms of energy
Work (mechanical energy): Energy involved in relative mass movements, e.g., a pendulum in motion.
Heat (thermal energy): Energy involved in temperature changes or heat transfers.
Heat = [Mass] [Heat Capacity] [Temperature Difference]
Heat Capacity = energy used per unit of temperature change per unit of mass

Radiation (electromagnetic energy): Energy in the form of light both visible and invisible (e.g., solar energy). All
radiation has this relationship:
Speed of light = [Wavelength] [Frequency]

Gravitational energy: Because of gravitational force, matters at different elevations possess different potential
energy.
Potential Energy = [Mass] [Acceleration (due to gravity)] [Height]

Nuclear energy: energy released from nuclear reactions by converting mass to energy, according to this Einstein
equation:
Energy = [Mass] [(Speed of light)2]

Chemical energy: energy involved in chemical reactions (e.g., fire, photosynthesis).

Electric energy: energy involved in electron movement.

2.

What are machines?

A machine is a tool containing one or more parts that uses energy to perform an intended action. Machines
are usually powered by mechanical, chemical, thermal, or electrical means, and are often motorized.
Historically, a power tool also required moving parts to classify as a machine. However, the advent of
electronics has led to the development of power tools without moving parts that are considered
machines.[1]

A simple machine is a device that simply transforms the direction or magnitude of a force, but a large
number of more complex machines exist. Examples include vehicles, electronic systems, molecular
machines, computers, television, and radio.

Machine is the devise that comprises of the stationary parts and moving parts combined together to
generate, transform or utilize the mechanical energy. All the machines are made up of elements or parts
and units. Each element is a separate part of the machine and it may have to be designed separately and in
assembly. Each element in turn can be a complete part or made up of several small pieces which are joined

Energy Conversion
together by riveting, welding etc. Several machine parts are assembled together to form what we call as
complete machine.
3.

Enumerate and discuss the different parts of a DC generator.

DC generators produce direct current, or DC. Rotating a coil of wire through a magnetic field generates an electric
current. A generator that produces current that flows in only one direction is a DC, or direct-current generator.

Magnetic Field
A permanent magnet produces a magnetic field through which the coil is rotated. Many large DC generators use a
field coil instead of a magnet to produce the magnetic field.

Armature
The armature rotates through the magnetic field, cutting the lines of magnetic force. This produces an electric current
within the armature coil.

Commutator
The commutator is attached to the coil. In a simple DC generator, this is a pair of split rings. The commutator transfers
the current from the wire coil to the brushes. In a DC generator, the commutator keeps the current at the brushes
positive.

Brushes
The brushes are in constant contact with the commutator and are attached to the wires leading from the generator.
The commutator spins while the brushes remain stationary, transferring current from the commutator.

Shaft
The shaft transfers mechanical energy to the generator and turns the coil through the magnetic field. The shaft may
be turned by a turbine that operates with water, steam or air, or by other means.

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4.

5.

What are the difference between a motor and a generator?

Motors and generators are electromagnetic devices. They have current-carrying loops that rotate in
magnetic fields. This rapidly changing magnetic field produces electromotive forces, called emfs or voltages.
Electric motors and generators are the opposite of each other. Electric motors convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy, while electric generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

A motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy and a generator converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy. Longer answer The primary difference between a motor and a generator is that one
converts electrical energy into mechanical energy (that's the motor) and the other converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy (that's the generator). In some cases of direct current (DC) machines, but not
alternating current (AC) machines, there is so little difference that a single device (it might be called a
motor-generator) can be used as either a motor or a generator. A superb example of this would be the
motor-generator that is used in electric vehicles: when the vehicle is accelerated, the batteries supply
power to the motor-generator and it acts as a motor, driving the wheels.

What are the difference between an AC machine and a DC machine?

DC Machines
Devices running off direct current are far more common than devices running off AC current. DC provides a very
smooth supply of electricity, so it is good for things such as lights or charging batteries. You may notice that many
battery chargers have AC to DC converters to convert the AC coming from your home socket into DC to charge a
battery. DC devices are usually polarized. This means that they need to have a certain connection running to ground
(negatively polarized) and one connection running to the power supply (positively polarized). AC power does not
provide polarization, as the current reverses itself many times per second.

AC Machines
The most common use for AC is transmitting electricity over long distances. Power lines and power distribution grids
use AC because it loses less voltage over long distances than DC. Some handheld devices, especially ones that utilize
speakers, need AC power. These devices, however, can also run off of DC power, such as a battery, and convert the
power to AC if they need it. The devices and components that require AC power do not need to be polarized. Devices
that require very low voltages also sometimes use AC power, because AC is good at providing very low voltages
steadily, just as it is good at carrying very high voltages across power lines.

6.

How generator works? Discuss briefly.

The working principle of DC generator

The working principle of DC generator is alternating electromotive force of induction in the armature coil by the commutator
with the brush for the role, so that leads from the brush end into the DC electromotive force of principle.
The direction of the electromotive force of the right-hand rule to determine the (magnetic induction lines point to the palm of
the hand, thumb pointing to the direction of conductor movement, the other four fingers point to the direction of the induced
electromotive force in the conductor.)
Figure 1.1 shows the moment the conductor ab, cd induced electromotive force direction from b point to a point c and d. Then
brush A was a positive polarity, brush B was negative.
Figure 1.1 DC generator principle model
When the coil counterclockwise rotation of 180 , when the conductor cd in the N pole, the conductor ab is located in the S
pole, the emf in each conductor, respectively, to change the direction.
Figure 1.2 DC generator principle model

Energy Conversion
Be seen from the diagram, the contact and brush A conductor is always located in the N pole, the same contact with the
conductor and brush B is always located in the S pole next.
Therefore, the brush A is always positive, brush B is always negative, so the brush end can lead to changes in the direction of
the same, but the size of pulsating EMF. If the number of coils on the armature increases, and connect them according to
certain rules, can the degree of pulsating decreases, you can get a DC electromotive force. This is the working principle of dc
generator.

7.

An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy obtained from an external source into
electrical energy as the output.

It is important to understand that a generator does not actually create electrical energy. Instead, it uses
the mechanical energy supplied to it to force the movement of electric charges present in the wire of its
windings through an external electric circuit. This flow of electric charges constitutes the output electric
current supplied by the generator. This mechanism can be understood by considering the generator to be
analogous to a water pump, which causes the flow of water but does not actually create the water flowing
through it.

The modern-day generator works on the principle of electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael
Faraday in 1831-32. Faraday discovered that the above flow of electric charges could be induced by moving
an electrical conductor, such as a wire that contains electric charges, in a magnetic field. This movement
creates a voltage difference between the two ends of the wire or electrical conductor, which in turn causes
the electric charges to flow, thus generating electric current.

Why the rotor does rotates in a DC generator? (Principles)

The purpose of the rotor is to provide the rotating element in a DC machine (refer to Figure 1). In a DC
generator, the rotor is the component that is rotated by an external force. In a DC motor, the rotor is the
component that turns a piece of equipment. In both types of DC machines, the rotor is the armature.

The purpose of the armature is to provide the energy conversion in a DC machine.

Energy Conversion
In a DC generator, the armature is rotated by an external mechanical force, such as a steam turbine. This
rotation induces a voltage and current flow in the armature. Thus, the armature converts mechanical
energy to electrical energy.
In a DC motor, the armature receives voltage from an outside electrical source and converts electrical
energy into mechanical energy in the form of torque.

8.

What are the factors that affect of amount of voltage generated?

9.

In simple, number of turns of armature, intensity of magnet and speed of machine are major factor
affecting induced emf in dc generator. If speed is increased, voltage will be increased simultaneously. Also
Voltage is greater if number of turns are increased. Electro-magnet in the poles of a DC Generator also play
an important role in the induced EMF. If intensity of magnet is exceeds, voltage also increased as well.

What is the purpose of laminations in the armature coil?

Armature core is built up of a stack of steel lamination because it has good magnetic qualities. It has circular
section.

Laminations are stamped out on a press. They are circular with a hole stamped out of the centre, through
which the shaft is pressed, and stamped slots around the edge where the coils will eventually sit.
Laminations are aligned and stacked together to produce the core. The thickness of laminations depend
upon the frequency at which the armature is designed to work.

In every circular lamination, slots are either die - cut or punched on the outer periphery and the key way is
located on the inner periphery as shown. Air ducts are also punched of cut on each lamination for
circulation of air through the core for providing better cooling.

Energy Conversion
10. What happens when current passes through the armature conductors?

When an electrical current passes through a wire, a small magnetic field is produced around the wire. If the
wire is wound into a coil, the magnetic fields combine to create a stronger and larger magnetic field, with a
north and a south pole, just like a permanent magnet.

Turn the current flow off and the magnetic field collapses and disappears. Therefore, by passing electrical
current through a conductor coil a magnetic field is produced, and turning it off causes the magnetic field to
collapse. This is the operational theory behind an electromagnet.

The reverse is true as well. If a conductor is passed through a magnetic field, or a magnetic field is passed
over a conductor, then a current flow is induced into that conductor. This is referred to as electromagnetic
induction.