The Class's (Re)Inventions
In our STEM class, there were 8 other groups that had to present their own (re)inventions to Granville T. Woods's other inventions. He has over 60 patents, so there was a lot to choose from.
The first group had a steam boiler furnace. Woods's was gaudy and took up a lot of space. This group decided to make it more eco-friendly. They used recycled water to create steam and filtered the water before it was used to heat homes. In addition, they made it a bit more compact so it fit a bit better in basements.
The second group had a telegraph/telephone transmitter. Granville Woods's model was relatively big. The sounds transmitted often had feedback and were not always clear. This group wanted to scale down the transmitter so it could fit inside telephones and cellphones. They also made the sound clearer.
The third group (re)invented the electromechanical battery. This battery was supposed to power large machines. The group wanted to make it a better conductor of electricity and at the same time make it lighter. To simultaneously do this, they rebuilt the same battery, they just replaced the steel parts with graphite.
The fourth group was working with the automatic air brake. Mr. Woods's model was extremely similar to George Westinghouse's model. They both stopped trains using a system of air chambers and pressure when sensors went off. This group wanted to add an extra air chamber in case of emergencies. If the brakes malfunctioned and the air would not go in the braking chambers, this chamber would stop the train on its own. They also installed a custom alarm system in case of brake failure.
The fifth group had to (re)invent the galvanic battery. Granville T. Woods's original invention was a system of two large vats of electricity conducting water. There would be wires running from each vat, energy coursing through them. This whole apparatus was quite large, so this team decided to consolidate each component and make it smaller. They made the battery fit into your palm. Additionally, they developed it in a way as to make the charge last up to 2 weeks.
The sixth group was working on the electric railway. The original model was supposed to supply trolleys and trains with electric power. The wires were not covered, and suffered damage in changing weather conditions. This team decided to cover the wires with rubber casings. They also chose to build walls parallel to the tracks so passers-by would not accidentally-- or purposefully-- go on to the tracks. This was a precautionary feature.
The seventh group was improving GT Woods's incubator. The original one had actual water steaming up to warm the eggs. It was built in one side. This group decided to replace the steam with coils that would heat up and warm the eggs. They also wanted the eggs to heat evenly, so they installed rotating plates. To create choice for consumers, they offered different sizes of incubators.
The eighth, and last, group worked on the overhead conducting system. The original version had either single or z-shaped support bars. These were not always stable. They were important to trolleys because these supports held up the electric lines that powered the trolley car. This group decided to make double support bars to make it sturdier.
Each group did a great job and I really learned a lot about what goes into inventing during this assignment.
The first group had a steam boiler furnace. Woods's was gaudy and took up a lot of space. This group decided to make it more eco-friendly. They used recycled water to create steam and filtered the water before it was used to heat homes. In addition, they made it a bit more compact so it fit a bit better in basements.
The second group had a telegraph/telephone transmitter. Granville Woods's model was relatively big. The sounds transmitted often had feedback and were not always clear. This group wanted to scale down the transmitter so it could fit inside telephones and cellphones. They also made the sound clearer.
The third group (re)invented the electromechanical battery. This battery was supposed to power large machines. The group wanted to make it a better conductor of electricity and at the same time make it lighter. To simultaneously do this, they rebuilt the same battery, they just replaced the steel parts with graphite.
The fourth group was working with the automatic air brake. Mr. Woods's model was extremely similar to George Westinghouse's model. They both stopped trains using a system of air chambers and pressure when sensors went off. This group wanted to add an extra air chamber in case of emergencies. If the brakes malfunctioned and the air would not go in the braking chambers, this chamber would stop the train on its own. They also installed a custom alarm system in case of brake failure.
The fifth group had to (re)invent the galvanic battery. Granville T. Woods's original invention was a system of two large vats of electricity conducting water. There would be wires running from each vat, energy coursing through them. This whole apparatus was quite large, so this team decided to consolidate each component and make it smaller. They made the battery fit into your palm. Additionally, they developed it in a way as to make the charge last up to 2 weeks.
The sixth group was working on the electric railway. The original model was supposed to supply trolleys and trains with electric power. The wires were not covered, and suffered damage in changing weather conditions. This team decided to cover the wires with rubber casings. They also chose to build walls parallel to the tracks so passers-by would not accidentally-- or purposefully-- go on to the tracks. This was a precautionary feature.
The seventh group was improving GT Woods's incubator. The original one had actual water steaming up to warm the eggs. It was built in one side. This group decided to replace the steam with coils that would heat up and warm the eggs. They also wanted the eggs to heat evenly, so they installed rotating plates. To create choice for consumers, they offered different sizes of incubators.
The eighth, and last, group worked on the overhead conducting system. The original version had either single or z-shaped support bars. These were not always stable. They were important to trolleys because these supports held up the electric lines that powered the trolley car. This group decided to make double support bars to make it sturdier.
Each group did a great job and I really learned a lot about what goes into inventing during this assignment.