EL-37 [Filename: COSTUME.DOC] Dance Costume Contributor: Affiliation: Charles M.

Lovas Mechanical Engineering Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas 75275-0337 (214) 768-3207 (214) 768-1473 clovas@seas.smu.edu Design Project 3 weeks Take Home

June 24, 1997

Milt Gosney Electrical Engineering Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas 75275

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Summary

The student is tasked with designing a special costume for a dance presentation. The costume includes a blouse or shirt on which are mounted a number of small flashlight-type light bulbs. At least 25 bulbs are required to properly illuminate the costume. The student must select a power source(s), bulbs from a box containing bulbs of different voltages, currents, and powers to light the costume properly, and creatively.

ABET Descriptors Engrg. Sci. Content: Type: Elements: Features: Constraints: Effort: Electrical circuits System Establish objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, evaluation Student creativity, open-ended, design methodology, alternative solutions, detailed system descriptions Economics, aesthetics Individual

EL-37 [Filename: COSTUME.DOC] Dance Costume

June 24, 1997

Design Task: An SMU student in the Meadows School who is majoring in costume design has been asked to design a special costume for a dance presentation. The costume will include a blouse or shirt on which are mounted a number of small flashlight-type light bulbs. At least 25 bulbs will be required to properly illuminate the costume. The student has been given a box of light bulbs to be used in the project. An inventory of the bulbs disclosed the following bulb characteristics: Number of bulbs available 20 16 16 14 10 10 Voltage of bulbs (volts) 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 12.0 Current in bulbs (amps) 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 Wattage (watts)

0.48 0.48 0.72 0.96 1.2 1.2

As you can see, life is not simple. There are not enough bulbs of any one kind to do the whole job. Therefore, some combination of bulb types will be required. These bulbs will be powered by a small group of nickel-cadmium batteries mounted in a pouch and work on the belt. NiCd cells each provide 1.2 volts when fully charged. NiCds also have a known energy storage capacity. For example, the batteries to be used are rated at 18 amp-minute capacity. That is, each battery can supply 0.3 amp for 60 minutes, 0.6 amp for 30 minutes, etc. If you know the total current required, the time that the batteries will supply energy (in minutes) is given by dividing the capacity (18 amp-minutes) by the current in amps. There should be enough battery capacity for 5 minutes of light since the performance is intended to last for four minutes. By the way, one may use any number of batteries, but there is an incentive to minimize the number of batteries because of weight, size, and cost.

EL-37 [Filename: COSTUME.DOC] Dance Costume

June 24, 1997

Sketch a possible wiring schematic for the student to use. Batteries can be connected in series to add voltage, and in parallel to increase the energy capacity. Light bulbs can be connected in series or parallel as needed. However, you can not connect light bulbs in series if they have different current ratings. Likewise, you can not connect them in parallel if the have different voltage ratings. But various series and parallel combinations will work. To simplify the wiring, only a single switch will be permitted. Your schematic should clearly show the proper bulb voltages and connections. Be sure to keep track of the total current so that you can easily estimate the available time. Add additional batteries in parallel if you time is too short. EXTRA CREDIT: (points negotiable) Prepare a sketch of the costume. A simple sketch will be worth from one to five points, depending on the effort. An elaborate sketch may be worth more, again depending on the effort.

EL-37 [Filename: COSTUME.DOC] Costume Design

June 24, 1997

Engineering Notes

Objectives/Comments: The student is tasked with designing a special costume for a dance presentation. The costume includes a blouse or shirt on which are mounted a number of small flashlight-type light bulbs. At least 25 bulbs are required to properly illuminate the costume. The student must select a power source(s), bulbs from a box containing bulbs of different voltages, currents, and powers to light the costume properly, and creatively. The supplied box of bulbs does not contain sufficient bulbs of one type to do the job. This requires the student to consider combinations of bulbs with different voltage, current, and power ratings. Since similar current ratings are required for series layouts, and similar voltage ratings are required in parallel, the student is encouraged to try different seriesparallel combinations. Displaying the variety of circuits considered by the class can lead to discussions related to problem solving techniques. Discussion of the effect of the constraints on the optimum unconstrained solution can illustrate the effects on real-world situations.

Expected Outcomes: Design Process. The student must follow a logical process in accomplishing the design. This design process must be reflected in the design report submitted. Design Report. The student must develop documentation on the design. The design report will reflect the steps taken in the design process used in solving the problem. Grade evaluation of the design concept generated in the report is supplemented with extra credit for a quality sketch of the costume.

Discussion/Follow Up: