Presentation on Wayside Power

This week we have been working on the presentation of our project. We organized the information we have been collected since day 1. References from Fall 15-Spring 16 report, and our group research are organized in preparation for the presentation on September 28. Details for the presentation include project deadlines, direct problem statements and potential solutions, designs and developments.

Material List

A material list was created and copper was ordered from a supplier to test and determine the compatibility of the supplier's resources. A revision was made in which the PVC housing would be concave as well as the matching collector. This concave design would force the shoe to remain in contact with the powerline as the bogie travels. 

Developing Potential Third Rail Systems

The third rail design was collaborated on; a potential solution was to use a PVC tube with a side cutout and a conductive plate attached to the lower portion. This would be used in conjunction with a shoe that would contact the lower plate. With the shoe having vertical contact, the design would minimize the chance of losing contact. Further discussion was made on whether the collector should be placed on a hinge with a spring system to allow for alternating incline gradients where the shoe could move according to the slope of the rail.

Beginning Stages

The first meeting for the Spartan Superway Project entailed the planning and researching of the current wayside power system. A Gantt chart was composed to ensure the project followed a specific schedule. The notes on the present third rail and Gantt chart are as shown below.