Team Awesome Team was formed in January of 2007 to examine and address possible solutions for an RPM feedback control system for the Lister type 6/1 CS engine. The Lister engine, used throughout Africa and the Indian sub-continent as a means for power generation, has notoriously unstable RPM/load characteristics and is usually governed by a wide band mechanical flyball-type system. A more precise feedback control system is needed for the type 6/1 CS in order to maintain a constant RPM over changing engine loads and ultimately running constant RPM AC generators. By utilizing AC generators, the Lister power generation package will be simplified and experience significant efficiency gains.

As part of the capstone Senior Design project in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Columbia University, Team Awesome Team was tasked with designing, building, and testing the RPM feedback control system over the course of one semester. This project was performed under the supervision of Profs. Fred Stolfi and Vijay Modi of the Mechanical Engineering Department and The Earth Institute at Columbia University.