Good, Clean, Fun
TECHNOLOGY
How Does Sani-Rides Relate to S.T.E.A.M.?
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The IR sensor senses the roller coaster, prompting the pump to turn on, forcing the disinfectant through the lines to the nozzles, which mist the disinfectant on the coaster at a high PSI. I researched Car Wash and garden hose configurations and nozzles and modeled my designs off of similar set-ups. I put together a small-scale model of my circuit using common electrical components: transistors, 3V DC pump, resistors, etc.
BREAKING DOWN EACH PART OF THE CIRCUIT:
HOW DO IR SENSORS WORK?
When an object comes near the IR sensor, the IR's transmitter transmits infrared waves, which are reflected back to the IR sensor's receiver. Once received, these waves are transmitted through the board and transferred to one of three outputs: the VCC, ground, or output.
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The IR sensor's intensity is adjusted using a Philip's Head Screwdriver. Turning clockwise or counterclockwise changes how sensitive the emitter and transmitter are.
HOW DO NOZZLES WORK?
Spray nozzles break the liquid up into smaller droplets, which sends the liquid spray longer and wider distances. Think about a Windex or other cleaning spray bottle: When you apply pressure to the trigger, there is actually a little spring in the nozzle that pushes the liquid through a tube and out of the nozzle at the top of the spray (shown in the photo). The liquid then goes through a hole (the nozzle) that is designed to spray the liquid across a certain distance (either in liquid or mist fashion). Pneumatic nozzles work similar to these spray nozzles, but instead of a spring pushing the liquid through, the liquid is pressurized.
HOW DO PUMPS WORK?
Pumps are made out of an impeller (or wheel) as the impeller begins to move, air is pushed out that way, creating a low pressure vacuum, which is used to pull whatever is in the pipe at the time out of the pipe and through the pipe.
HOW DO TRANSISTORS WORK?
A transistor allows someone to control the current through a wire from coming and going, acting as a switch. It is similar to how a valve controls and stops the flow of water through a pipe, except a transistor doesn't control water flow. A transistor controls current flowing through a circuit.
HOW DO RESISTORS WORK?
If a power source is too powerful, or electrical components in the circuit are delicate, then a resistor is added to limit the flow of current and it protects other components in the circuit.
HOW DO DIODES WORK?
A diode acts as a one-way switch for a current, allowing the current to flow in a single direction, and not both directions. The most common example of this is LED lights and light bulbs.
HOW DO BATTERIES WORK?
A battery stores chemical energy and converts that energy to electrical energy. Basically, a battery is designed so that on one side (the negative end), there is a surplus of electrons. The other end lacks electrons (the positive end). When we hook these two ends up to a circuit, the electrons from the negative end want to travel to the positive end. And it is this "traveling" of electrons that gives us current and electrical power for our circuit.