Grid Defender

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Problem Definition
Thousands of dollars are spent fixing power line infrastructure when adverse weather strikes. Power line poles can be broken due to high winds, ice buildup, or other severe weather conditions. There needs to be a way to protect the power lines and the power poles from breaking under these conditions.

Background
The grid defender is the proposed solution to these adverse weather problems. Grid Defender (GD) is a power line support system invented and patented by Dennis Bell. This design allows cross arms of distribution poles to be lowered to the ground before or during a storm, if there is high ice or wind loading, in order to prevent damage to the power poles. When the cross arm is lowered, the flow of electricity is automatically cut within the sector. The cross arms can be manually lowered if there is predetermined danger or will lower when a set axial or transverse load is reached. Once the storm or danger has passed, a single lineman can raise the cross arms back into place utilizing a power lifting system.

Deliverables
By the end of the year we plan to build and test a full-scale 5 pole prototype on campus. This prototype will showcase the lines dropping under a specific weight limit at the desired descent rate, as well as the method of resetting the entire system.

Specifications
The system is set to release at 4000 lbs and descend at a rate of 8 ft/sec. Once the system starts dropping, a signal will be sent to the breakers on the ends of the GD sector to cut power in the lines. At the same time, a GPS node that is on each pole will send a signal to control indicating each dropped pole's location so a technician can easily locate and reset the downed poles.

Details
Mechanics

Electronics

Data Management

Team Information
{| class="wikitable"

CodeSculptor
''Engineering Major: Computer Science (Cybersecurity)

Project Responsibilities & Goals: Bio: CodeSculptor has a strong interest in data privacy. She takes care to protect her information whenever possible and is the sort of person who reads EULAs in full before agreeing to them.
 * Develop and implement Grid Defender's communications system and logic processing.
 * Organize/manage project documentation.
 * Help design Grid Defender to be robust, reliable, and secure.

Lexi Turkenburg
''Engineering Major: Electrical Engineering (Power)

After graduating from the Coeur D Alene Charter Academy in 2013, Lexi started her college career at Montana Tech of the University of Montana. She then transferred to the University of Idaho where she is currently a senior in the Electrical Engineering department. Lexi will be graduating in May with her bachelors in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in power.

Shane Doll
''Engineering Major: Mechanical Engineering

Born and raised in Post Falls Idaho. Mechanical Engineering major. Graduating in spring 2017 and wants to work in the field of engineering design with an emphasis in solid modeling. Likes sunsets and long walks on the beach.

Daniel Schlittler
''Engineering Major: Mechanical Engineering

Daniel is a Mechanical Engineering major who loves Solid Modeling and Machining. He also loves Mechanics of Materials. Outside of school Daniel loves the outdoors. He loves to hunt and fish. Daniel will graduate in May with his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and hopes to work somewhere involving cars or atvs.

Justin Puryear
''Engineering Major: Mechanical Engineering

Justin is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at the University of Idaho. He plans on graduating this May. His dream job is to start a Think Tank type of partnership with a few other engineers/business professionals and working on brainstorming  and innovating products that could be implemented  throughout society.
 * }
 * }

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