College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
12-2019
Primary Advisor
M. Lee McFarland, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
The overarching goal of this project was to experimentally compare the bottom-bracket (BB) powermeter developed by Level Engineering, Inc., against off-the-shelf powermeters and a dynamometer. To do this, a significant amount of testing was performed. Level Engineering facilitated this testing by providing the project team with three testing apparatus – an In-Situ tester, a Stationary Tester, and a fatigue tester. The In-Situ tester was a bicycle outfitted with the BB prototype and a PowerTap powermeter. The Stationary Tester was a bicycle with a BB prototype, and the rear wheel replaced with a dynamometer. Finally, the fatigue tester made to apply a cyclic load to the BB prototype’s force sensors, with the initial goal being to test the fatigue life of the force sensors.
Testing proved the BB prototype to be a successful attempt to measure power on a bicycle. The prototype had an average error of 20%, and a complete statistical analysis of the prototype is completed within the report. In addition to proving the prototype's accuracy, the team recommended design improvements for Level Engineering.
Due to the private nature of the intellectual property contained within this report, this FDR will be embargoed for five (5) years after submission.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/510