Design and Implementation of a Generator Power Sensor and Shutdown Timer

This research is on the design and construction of a generator shutdown timer; an electronic device that automatically turns off electric generator after a specified period of duty hours. A microcontroller Atmega8 is used, which makes the entire circuitry compact, more flexible, efficient and reliable. The microcontroller program is written in C programming language using AVR studio4 and the circuit simulation using Proteus. This circuitry does not only control the timing operation of electric generators, but also possesses the ability to sense power restoration (from the utility power supply) and respond by switching off the generator. Power handling capacity of the circuit is estimated to be 1760W. Keywords: Power Sensor, Shutdown Timer, Atmega8, AVR Studio, Proteus VSM

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARDUINO-BASED OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR AN UNMANNED VEHICLE

The use of autonomous systems in the world to perform relevant and delicate task is fast growing. However, its application in various fields cannot be over emphasized. This paper presents an obstacle detection and avoidance system for an unmanned Lawnmower. The system consists of two (Infrared and Ultrasonic) sensors, an Arduino microcontroller and a gear DC motor. The ultrasonic and infrared sensors are implemented to detect obstacles on the robot’s path by sending signals to an interfaced microcontroller. The micro-controller redirects the robot to move in an alternate direction by actuating the motorsin order to avoid the detected obstacle. The performance evaluation of the system indicates an accuracy of 85% and 0.15 probability of failure respectively. In conclusion, an obstacle detection circuit was successfully implemented using infrared and ultrasonic sensors modules which were placed at the front of the robot to throw both light and sound waves at any obstacle and when a reflection is received, a low output is sent to the Arduino microcontroller which interprets the output and makes the robot to stop

TECHNOLOGY Design and Implementation of 1kva Uninterrupted Power Supply

The power conditioner designed to deliver an output of 1.0KVA basically it’s composed of a battery control circuit, the inverter and automatic voltage regulator. The inverter stage is the part that will take power from the battery and by means of switching circuits inverts the d.c to a.c and steps up from 12V to 220V at the output. The automatic voltage regulator is the part whose function is to regulate the output from the inverter and mains to the load (i.e. 220V). The third stage is the control circuit, this uses a relay to sense when there is power or not, for economic reasons the same transformer used for inversion and battery charging. When there is power the relay switches such that the transformer is in step down mode and by means of full wave diode rectification supplies d.c to charge the battery. And when there is loss of power, the relay sense loss of power and switches to inversion mode and in this mode the transformer serves as a step up i.e. stepping 12V from battery to 220V. The output of transformer was equipped with several taps, which by means of a control circuit connected to several relays that selects which of the tap is best approximated to 220V at the output. Keywords