Brief Explanation “How it Works”
Our design for the hand-crank water heater is built around the principle of electromagnetic induction, using a mechanical crank to generate heat and produce hot water. Here’s how it works:
When you rotate the hand-crank, it powers a gear train that spins a plate embedded with magnets. As the magnets rotate, they create fluctuations in the magnetic field. This movement induces an electrical charge in a nearby aluminium plate, thanks to the process of electromagnetic induction. The induced charge then generates heat in the aluminium plate, which is transferred to the water sitting above it, effectively heating the water.
What is Induction?
Induction is the process of generating electrical currents through electromagnetic fields. It’s a principle widely used in devices like induction cookers, where an electromagnetic field generates heat directly in a metal cooking pot. While our design uses a similar concept, we approach it differently. Instead of relying on a fixed electromagnetic coil, we use spinning magnets to create the fluctuating magnetic field needed to induce charges in the aluminium plate.
Mechanics Behind Our Design
At the core of our water heater is a circular plate with evenly spaced holes along its outer edge. In each hole, we place an N52 circular magnet, arranged with opposing polarities. As the plate spins, the changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the aluminium plate placed above it. This current creates heat, which is transferred to the water above, warming it in the process.
By using this innovative approach, we’re able to generate hot water without relying on electricity, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional water heaters.
