Erfan Ahmad Andrew Bauer Derek Forehand
1.Design Goals 2.Design Possibilities 3.Pros/Cons
Long Battery Life Speed Control Cut Quality
Battery Life Improves Marketability Improves Buyer Range Speed Control Improves Mowing Times Measure of Power Transmission Cut Quality Ultimate Selling Point Measure of Power Transmission
Gas vs Electric Engines 1.Gas Driven/Electric Blades 2.Electric Driven/Gas Blades 3.Gas Generator/Electric Engine/Electric Blade
Gas motor drives the wheels. Electric blade spindle motors. Pros Eliminate Deck Belt Drivable after Battery Life Larger Decks Cons Can’t use blades to recharge Load on blades is variable
Electric motor drives the wheels. Typical deck design off gas engine. Pros High efficiency gas engine Power generation Better run-time Cons Deck belt Dead battery = Dead in the water Cost
Gas motor drives a generator. Electric blade spindle motors and drive motor. Pros Less Maintenance Efficient gas engine Smaller gas engine than typical mower Cons More expensive Battery Weight Initial Battery Life
Other Factors Total System Weight Component Costs Run Time Final Thoughts Gas Driven Electric Driven Generator