Complete System Operation

 

 

This video demonstrates the entire assembled being operated. The human pedaling input drives the shaft of the generator by means of a two chain power train system. The electrical power produced by the generator is dissipated as heat by a resistive wire heating element within an insulated boiling chamber. When the water in this chamber boils, the steam flows through insulated PVC tubing through a condenser apparatus and the distilled liquid condensate flows downward into a collection vessel.

Power Train System

 

 

This video shows the dual-chain power train system in operation. The first chain connects the largest gear of the pedal hub to the smallest gear of the rear wheel hub. The second chain connects the largest gear of the rear wheel hub to a smaller gear on the generator hub. This creates an overall gear ratio of 7:1.

Second Chain - Bicycle to Generator

 

 

This video shows the second chain of the power train system. The pivoting action of bicycle deraileur as it maintains tension in the second chain can clearly be observed.

Bicycle Driving Generator Shaft

 

 

This video shows the generator being driven by the power train system. The generator shaft assembly can be seen, and again the pivoting action of the deraileur to maintain tension can be observed.

Generator Assembly Operation

 

 

This video provides a close up view of the operation of the generator shaft assembly. It shows the coupler which connects the secondary shaft to the generator shaft, the pillow blocks and roller bearings which support the secondary shaft, the generator sprocket, and the custom machined metal hub which attaches the generator sprocket to the shaft.

Return Flow Valve Operation

 

 

This video demonstrates the operation of the water return flow system. The user simply shifts the standard bicycle cable shifting mechanism attached to the bicycle handle bars, and this in turn opens and closes the valve controlling the flow of "pre-heated" water from the condenser reservoir to the boiling chamber. The volume of return flow water allowed into the boiler is measured using the graduated cylinder mounted to the top of the condenser apparatus.

Distilled Water Collection

 

This video shows purified distilled water dripping from the end of the condenser tubing into the collection vessel. During testing, salt water with an initial specific gravity of 1.035 (ocean water) was successfully purified to a specific gravity of 1.000.