Prototype proposal: Difference between revisions
(Created page with '===Experimental Incubator (ei) - Project Proposal 20/5/2012=== '''Abstract''' Experimental incubator is a device designated to control it’s internal conditions. The proto…') |
No edit summary |
||
Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
dimensions - cube a= 610-710 mm; thickness = | dimensions - cube a= 610-710 mm; thickness = 7-13 mm | ||
material - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard MDF board] | material - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard MDF board] | ||
Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
silicon or glue - cost = | silicon or glue - cost = $2-4 | ||
brackets (to connect the MDF boards) - cost = | brackets (to connect the MDF boards) - cost = $3-5 | ||
doors - door hinge - cost = | doors - door hinge - cost = $2-3; door bolt (magnetic) - cost = $5-6 | ||
ventilation duct - cost = | ventilation duct - cost = $??? | ||
brackets for the ventilation duct - cost = | brackets for the ventilation duct - cost = ??? | ||
Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
dimensions - cuboid a= 400 mm; b = 400 mm; c = 300 mm; layer thickness = | dimensions - cuboid a= 400 mm; b = 400 mm; c = 300 mm; layer thickness = 7-13 mm | ||
material - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard MDF board] | material - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard MDF board] | ||
Line 114: | Line 114: | ||
display: LCD display; power requirements - ??? W; cost = $10-15 | display: LCD display; power requirements - ??? W; cost = $10-15 | ||
manual control - numeric keyboard ???; power requirements - ???; cost = | manual control - numeric keyboard ???; power requirements - ???; cost = $??? | ||
temperature sensor: thermistor - type ???; power requirements; cost - $1-2 | temperature sensor: thermistor - type ???; power requirements; cost - $1-2 |
Revision as of 19:55, 19 May 2012
Experimental Incubator (ei) - Project Proposal 20/5/2012
Abstract
Experimental incubator is a device designated to control it’s internal conditions. The prototype is going to allow for a temperature regulation both at constant level and more importantly for controlled temperature oscillation. Another factor included is monitoring of it’s electricity consumption. The temperature is a crucial factor in food&beverage fermentations therefore device which is optimized for these purposes is needed. The novelty temperature oscillation function allows to optimize the growing conditions for cultures comprised from multiple microorganisms with wide range of temperature optimas. Next generations will be more sophisticated aiming for measurement and control of CO2, oxygen levels, stirring, humidity etc. The device will be build to comply with principles of low energy consumption, easy to repair and upgradeable structures, sturdiness in accordance with concept of environmentally friendliness. This project is based on an open source aiming to bring this tool to as many brewers and fermenters being as affordable as possible.
Key Words: experimental incubator; temperature regulation; temperature oscillation; measurement of electricity consumption; upgradable; environmentally friendly; open source; brewing; fermentations.
First prototype of ei. presented at Maker Fair 2-3/6/2012
- Functions
- temperature monitoring
- temperature control - setting up a constant level and allowing for controlled temperature oscillations
- electricity power consumption
The design
The incubator will consist of two separable parts,
- the box - respective incubator chamber composed from three layers - outer protective, middle insulational and internal protective and insulated doors
- central unit - arduino clone based microcontroller with display and manual control, peltier heating and cooling element with adjacent heat sinks and ventilation system
The Box Construction
Dimensions and materials
- External Protective Layer
dimensions - cube a= 610-710 mm; thickness = 7-13 mm
material - MDF board
cost - $30-40
- Middle Insulation Layer
dimensions - thickness a = 50-70 mm
material - polyurethane foam or extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) high density
cost - $20 - 30
- Internal Protective Layer
dimensions - cube - a=500 mm; material thickness = 5-10 mm
material - high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheets.
cost - $50-60
- Additional materials for the box construction
silicon or glue - cost = $2-4
brackets (to connect the MDF boards) - cost = $3-5
doors - door hinge - cost = $2-3; door bolt (magnetic) - cost = $5-6
ventilation duct - cost = $???
brackets for the ventilation duct - cost = ???
The Central Unit Construction
This is a part which is not clearly designed and any help is highly appreciated!
Dimensions and materials
- External Protective Layer
dimensions - cuboid a= 400 mm; b = 400 mm; c = 300 mm; layer thickness = 7-13 mm
material - MDF board
cost - $15-20
- Internal layer
There is probably no need to have internal insulation because of the ventilation system requirements and no need for insulation. Or should be the internal cooling and heating unit with the fan system insulated??? If so how and how much???
- Electronic components
microcontroller: ATMEL 90USB1286-AU; power requirements - ??? W; cost = donated; otherwise = ???
display: LCD display; power requirements - ??? W; cost = $10-15
manual control - numeric keyboard ???; power requirements - ???; cost = $???
temperature sensor: thermistor - type ???; power requirements; cost - $1-2
combined heating and cooling unit: peltier module (12 V 60 W); power requirements - 60 W; cost = $10-20
heatsink: aluminum alloy or copper based; dimensions - cooling smaller (3x4cm), heating bigger (7x10cm), details ???; cost = $10-15 (hot) and $5-10 (cold)
fans: 2 x 60 mm; power requirements - up to 2-4 W; cost = $2-3 (price and power consumption per each fan)
power source: 120-150 W; cost = $10-15
another electronic components:breadboard; relays; resistors; diodes etc. cost = $15-30
- Things to discuss concerning the design of the control unit and it's heating/cooling system controlled by microcontroller.
How to “close up” the ventilation duct to the chamber so the insulation is complete???
How to “switch” the warm or cold air circulation to the incubator and out???
- NOTES
Materials, literature and Interesting links
Peltier element
commercial cooler hacking - this is a video from Dave Jones where he is checking closely and hacking commercial version of peltier based incubator for reptile eggs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0Q6-h3EGU
cooler kit test- short youtube video about how to test a cooling kit ordered from ebay based on peltier device, heatsink and fan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-noP1nthdE
Links to share and collaborate
Pirate Pad http://piratepad.ca/