Portable Electric Power Generator - A Process Description

 

Introduction

The portable electric power generator (figure 1) provides a convenient electrical power source.  Our generation became quite dependent on the convenience of electrical power outlets in our daily activities.  The portable electric power generator supplements our demands for electrical power sources when the main electrical power source is not available.  The portable electric power generator converts energy from an engine that operates on gasoline fuel to conventional electrical power outlets.  The portable electric power generator process consists of three parts; combusting gasoline fuel to operate the engine, using the rotation from the engine to turn the alternator; and converting the rotational power into electricity.

 

 

Figure 1

         

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source Amazon.com.  2003.  Porter-Cable BS600 – W.  22 July.  Internet:  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005AUFF/ww2links-20/002-0269740-1152024

 

 

Combusting gasoline Fuel to Operate the Engine

Gasoline fuel provides an energy source to run most of today’s engines.  Gasoline fuel combusts very easily.  Igniting gasoline fuel causes a great amount of pressure and heat.  Compressing gasoline fuel then igniting it results in an explosion, which produces pressure.  The pressure produces power to run the portable electric power generator.

 

Using the Rotation from the Engine to turn the Alternator

The engine, in the portable power generator, burns the gasoline fuel inside its combustion chambers, creating a spinning force through the engine’s drive shaft.  The engine’s drive shaft connects to the alternator unit, consequently spinning its main shaft that operates the alternator.

 

Converting the Rotational power into Electricity

The alternator resembles an electric motor (figure 2) in its operation.  The alternator creates electrical power for batteries or electrical outlets instead of using electricity from the battery or an electrical outlet to spin the motor.  The alternator converts the spinning of its armature into electricity by passing the coils around the armature through the magnetic field around the field magnets.  As the coils cross the magnetic field of each magnet, electricity runs through the coils providing an electrical source to the power outlets to charge a battery, run an air conditioner, or light a lamp.

 

 

 

Figure 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source Brain, Marshall.  2003.  How Stuff Works: How Electric Motors Work.  July 22.  Internet:  http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor1.htm

Farouk Abushaban

English 200 Technical Communication

Summer 2003