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Pink Spark (plus petrol)

Sep 12, 2014

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Automotive

Pink Spark
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How the Motors Work in PINK SPARKFour Stroke Petrol Engine and Electric MotorFOUR STROKE PETROL MOTORPetrol motors either have 2 or 4 strokes. In Spark and Madness we have 4 stroke engines. The four strokes are: INTAKE COMPRESSION POWER/IGNITION EXHAUST

The fuel source is obviously petrol, though before the petrol enters the engine the petrol is mixed with air by the Carburettor. The carburettor the air and fuel and a ratio of about 14:1 (14 parts air to 1 part petrol)Steps:1. Air comes through an air filter which purifies the air2. The Choke Valve modifies the amount of air that is mixes with the fuel3. Air enters the Venturi.4. The Venturi is a special shape that compresses air at the narrowest area where is can mix with the fuel. 5. Fuel/petrol enters the venturi at this point via a jet and mixes with the air 6. As it exits the venturi the air and fuel mixture expands again7. The fuel air mixture enters the engine by the throttle valve.

Air FilterChoke ValveVenturiJetThrottle Valve1.2.3.4.5.6.7.

Once the Carburettor has mixed the air and fuel (petrol) it enters the engine.

This is a cross section of a motor.PISTON: The piston is the part the moves and each stroke of the motor correspond to a movement of the piston. The piston moves up and down on a crankshaft.INLET VALVE: This is where the mixture of fuel and air comes into the engine. EXHAUST VALVE: Exhaust valve this is where the fuel mixture leaves the engine once used.SPARK PLUG: The spark plug lights the fuel on fire, to create movement

Four Strokes with Piston Movement

Spark Plug 2. COMPRESSIONINTAKE

Exhaust Valve Valve

Inlet Valve

Piston

Crankshaft

4. EXHAUST 3. IGNITION

1.INTAKE STROKE:In completion the intake stroke begins at the top of the engine and moves to the bottom

1. Inlet Valve 2.The intake stroke begins with the piston at the top. 2. As the piston begins to move down the inlet valve opens (whilst the exhaust valve remains shut). The fuel/air mixture then enters via the open inlet valve3. The piston continues to the bottom of the engine.

3.Fuel

1.COMPRESSION STROKE:

2.The compression stroke begins at the end of the intake stroke, so the piston is at the bottom. The aim of the compression stage is to compress the fuel/air mixture into a smaller space, in preparation for the ignition stroke.

1. As the compression stroke begins, the inlet valve closes so no fuel flows back out.

2. The piston then moves back up, compressing the fuel into a smaller space.

IGNITION STROKE:The ignition stroke is where the motor gets its overall power from. 1. The piston begins at the end of the compression stroke The spark plug is very important in this stroke.

The spark plug ignites the petrol, and a small explosion occurs, which pushes the piston back down with a powerful force.

SPARK PLUG: The spark plug is an electric component. It has a charge running through it. Though this is a small gap in the electric circuit. The electricity jumps this gap, creating a split second of exposed electricity. 2. This lights the fuel pushing the piston down.

SPARK PLUG Gap in Circuit 2.1.

EXHAUST STROKE:The exhaust stroke is the final stroke and its main purpose is to get rid of the used fuel. 1. The exhaust stroke begins at the end of the ignition stroke. 2. The exhaust valve opens, and the piston moves back up pushing all the used fuel out the exhaust valve.

Terminology: Misfiring this means the spark plug fires when the piston is not at the top of its strokeRPM Revolutions per minute. One revolution is the four strokes. 2.1.

ELECTRIC MOTOR:

In spark we also have an electric motor. The electric motor uses two 12 volt batteries; therefore the motor is a 24 volt motor.

Positive and Positive Repel Negative and Negative Repel Electric motors work through the basic principle of magnets. Magnets have both a positive and negative end.

Negative and Positive Attached

PNPNPNPN

Main Components: Basic Diagram Magnets: Two stationary magnets.Metal Rod wrapped in copper: The metal rod is able to turn.

PNNPMetal rod wrapped in copperStationary Magnets

The copper has electricity running through it, when this happens the metal rod becomes a magnet. Having a positive and negative end.

NPNNPP

Now we have new magnets, two on the side that dont move and one in the middle that does. The magnets now attract and repel each other.

3.1..PNPNNPStarting at the top, turning clockwise, negative (1) and positive (3) attract each other. 2..5..At the same time positive (2) and positive (5) repel.

Next the negative (1) will repel with the negative of the right magnet (5) At the same time the positive (2) is attracted to the negative (6) and at the same time repelled by the positive (5)

This process continues.1..6..4..5..2..PNPNNP

This is the most simplified version of an electric motor. In a real electric motor the magnets are arranged in a circle.

Metal rod wrapped in copperStationary Magnets

How does PINK SPARK work? Power sources and connectionPink spark is a hybrid meaning it has two power sources. It is powered by a petrol and an electric engine

Like a Prius

Both power sources work independently and together.

The petrol engine turns the right wheel and the electric motor turns the left wheel.

This works because Pink Spark has a split axle.AXLE: An axle is a rod that connects the power from the engine to the wheel.

Split Axle

ELECTRIC PETROL

THE PETROL MOTOR:

The petrol motor is positioned toward the back of the car (behind the seat)

KEY TERMS:SPROCKET: Is a flat circular piece of metal. It has teeth that attach to a matching chain.

CHAIN: (Bike Chain) A chain is adjustable. As one sprocket turns the chains transfers the movement to another sprocket.

AxleWheelChainSprocketsEngine

ChainSprocketTeeth

In Pink Spark:1. The engine turns a small sprocket. 2. As this sprocket turns it moves a chain that is attached to another larger sprocket3. This second sprocket is attached to the axle.4. As this larger sprocket turns, the axle turns which turns the wheel.

Car Body

2.

3.EngineEngine

4.1.

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR:

The electric motor sits further back in the engine cavity, behind the petrol engine and the fuel tank. It also has a more complex system of sprockets and chains.

1. The engine turns a small sprocket, a chain is attached to this small sprocket and then to a bigger sprocket that is suspended from the top of the engine cavity.2. This bigger sprocket is a part of a bicycle gear cluster, with several different sized sprockets. When one sprocket in the cluster is turned they all turn. 3. Attached to one of the smaller sprockets in the cluster is another chain. This is attached to a sprocket which turns the axle.4. The axle turning then turns the right wheel.

SIDE VIEW1.2.3.Motor1.2.3.4.2.

BATTERIES:

The electric engine is powered by two batteries. They are positioned in the nose of Pink Spark. Each battery is 12 volts, equalling 24 volts which power the motor

ATTACHING THE BATTERIES:

Each member of the team should know how to attach the batteries.

Each battery has two cords coming out the top with a male plug on each end. Each battery also has a positive and a negative cord, like the positive and negative end on an AA battery.

The most important thing to know and remember is that RED = NEGATIVE and BLACK GREY (or sometimes blue) = POSITIVE

KEY TERMS:Plugs are named male and female. Female plugs are the ones like in your wall at home. While male plugs are the ones on the ends of appliances. Therefore they plug in together

For each battery there is a set of two safety female plugs. The two male plugs attached to the battery are plugs into the female safety plugs to avoid the male plugs touching and shorting. The two female plugs are joined by a piece of rope. At all times one male plug must be in the safety female plugs.

BatteryMale PlugsSafety Female PlugsRope

Female PlugsCar Body The batteries sit vertically in the car.

SET UP IN CAR (Top View) There are Batteries four female plugs sitting in the car body, two painted red and two painted black. Each battery corresponds with two wall plugs. The battery on the left goes with the two on the left and vice versa.

The red cord matches with the red female plug and the black cord with the black female plug.

BatteryPlugNEGATIVE POSITIVE MaleFemale

STEPS TO CHANGE OVER BATTERIES: We have 15 batteries all together, and they last around 30 minutes each. In a pit stop we will change drivers and also swap the used batteries for a new pair. Usually two or more people will be helping to remove the batteries, during a quick pit stop. Though at Maryborough, especially at night there may be only one person awake to change over the batteries, so its important to know how to change the batteries over.

Lid opens 1. Removing Batteries:Firstly you open the bonnet to the battery cavity by unscrewing a wing nut in the middle of the car. The lid then opens forward.

2. PrepareOpened the batteries will have all leads connected. Before you unplug anything make sure you have two sets of safety female plugs.

Wing Nut1.

2.

3. Unplug and Re-plugNext unplug the male plugs one at a time. Once one is unplugged immediately plug it into one the female safety plugs.

3.

4. Unplug and Re-plugNext remove the corresponding male plug from the female plugs (the other for the same battery), and plug it into the matching female safety plug.

4.

5.5. Remove batteryThis battery may now be removed. Repeat for the other battery (or this may be done at the same time if two people are helping).

6. To attach the new batteries reverse the process. Unplugging male plugs from the female safety plugs into the female plug within the car.

6.

How to Drive PINK SPARKAcceleration and TroubleshootingLocation of power sources and brakes:

HOW TO DRIVE USING BOTH POWER SOURCESThe main aim of events like the Maroondah Grand Prix and the RACV Energy Breakthrough is to promote sustainable energy and how these can be used in vehicles. By having a hybrid we are reducing our dependence on non-renewable resources, though another key factor is knowing the best way to drive minimising power wastage.

Pink Spark is set up to be fuel economical but also fast and efficient. There are several general driving techniques and also specific techniques that can aid in this.

General techniques: Racing Lines Racing lines are the best way to take a corner. You will see this in motor racing. It aims to make a corner into a straight line. This is because you can go faster in straight line compared to taking a corner.1.2.3.4.Racing LineAverage LineROAD

STEPS IN TAKING A RACING LINE:1. Approach the corner from the outside line. ( On approach begin to decelerate or brake if needed) 2. Turn in and aim for the apex of the corner. The apex is the inner-most point of the track, basically the mid-point of the corner. (Adjust speed decelerate or brake if needed)3. As you hit the apex you should be as close as possible to the inner side of the track. (As you hit the apex you can accelerate out of the corner)4. Run out as wide as possible when exiting the corner. (Accelerate)

1.2.3.4.Apex

ApexApexApexApex

Coasting (Eco-Driving)Coasting is when you dont accelerate or brake, its letting the car roll. This saves fuel and battery power. For example, you accelerate up to a fast speed on the straight and then ease off the accelerator you then let the car roll, decelerating down to a speed at which you can take the corner.

COAST Decelerate Accelerate

THE BRAKES

There are two sets of brakes, front and back. The front brakes are drum brakes and the back brakes are disc brakes. Driving: the vast majority of the time we use the front brakes. You can use the back brakes if you need/want to brake faster. Always use both brakes in an emergency. During ordinary driving dont slam the brakes on, ease them on, just like you would on a bicycle or in a car.

Disc Drum

IMPORTANT:This may be obvious though many drivers have done it before.Do not accelerate and brake at the same time. If you need to go slower, firstly ease off the accelerators, if this doesnt slow you down enough THEN brake.

KILL SWITCHES

The kill switches are an important safety feature, they are used to turn off the different power sources. There are three in the car altogether. One is located on the outside of the car this is for other people (not the driver) to use; it turns off both the petrol and electric engines.

Drivers kill switches: The driver has two kill switches located in the middle of the steering wheel. The right switch turns on/off the petrol engine and the left the electric engine. When the switch is forward the engines are on when the switches are back the engines are off.

Petrol Motor In Pink Spark

In Spark the electric engine is always on, meaning at all times you can use it. Though the petrol motor is only engaged when the driver pull starts the motor. The pull start is located on the right of the drivers head To engage the motor you follow a number of steps.

1. Choose a point on the track when you want to engage the motor and go faster.2. Make sure the petrol motor kill switch is on (forward) 3. Reach backward with your right hand and find the pull start 4. Pull the handle forward as far as the steering wheel.5. The engine should now be on6. When you want to turn the engine off, flick the kill switch back. (Leave the switch off)Helmet Pull Start

TROUBLESHOOTING:

SPLUTTERING MOTOR: Is when you accelerate and the motor does not engage properly and comes off and on erratically. Cause: This occurs when you do not ease the accelerator or when the spark plug becomes dirty (causing the engine to misfire)What do you do? Ease the accelerator back off and leave it off for a couple of seconds. Then slowly ease the accelerator back on. When you finish your turn inform the pit crew.

ELECTRIC ENGINETROUBLESHOOTING: Electric Engine

The electric engine is the easier of the two power sources to operate. The acceleration is controlled by a foot pedal, just like in a car. EASE ON ACCERLATOR: this is the most important thing to remember when using both engines. Easing basically means not flooring it. Why? It drains the battery more than is necessary. It may cause the chain to jump off the sprocket. It puts extra strain on the engine, which may cause it to overheat.

THE CHAIN HAS FALLEN OFF: If the chain has fallen off it means the power from the engine cannot be transferred to the wheel.You will know if it has fallen off if: 1. You are not moving with the electric engine.2. You will hear a high pitched whine from the electrics. (The normal sound of the electrics are quite loud, but this will be high pitched and you will probably hear the chain spinning around)What do you do? Turn on the petrol engine, drive back to the pits with the petrol only. In the pits the chain will be re-attached and you will be sent back out.

THE ELECTRICS ARE SLOW: This means the batteries are flat; you will be warned of this if you are the 2nd or 3rd person to use the same batteries. What do you do? Come back to the pits using the batteries or the petrol (depending on how drained the batteries are), in the pits the batteries will be changed. THE ELECTRICS HAVE OVERHEATED:When the electric engine gets over heated it turns itself off. The motor may overheat just because it is a hot day. you can try and fix this by turning the engine off and on again. Firstly take you foot off the accelerator. Then switch the electric engine kill switch towards you (off) then leave it for a couple of seconds (do not hit the accelerator) then switch the kill which back on.