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Design of a Solar Tracker

Capstone Design, Fall 06 ME 462, Prof. Dr. Jie Chen


By: ME Team-Michael Reed, Michael Hay EE Team- Joel Phelps, Carrie Scott Sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hsu

Project Background
Why should the solar panel face the most illuminating source of light?
Increase Solar Panel Output Maximize Power per unit Area Provide Educational Demonstration of Renewable Energy

Project Background
Solar Panel Output

Design Requirements
Customer Requirements
Movement
Smooth Transitions Simultaneous in 3-D

Engineering Requirements
Movement
Slow Rotation & minimal Jerk 2 Degrees of motion

Demonstrational
Easy to Carry Futuristic Appearance

Demonstrational
Light Weight, Compact Intriguing, Grasp Attention

Special Requirements
Functions by it self

Special Requirements
Functions Autonomously

Tracks Light
Self-Contained Self-Sustaining (Power)

Faces most illuminating light


Self-Contained Can Power itself indefinitely

Design Targets
Requirement Product Target

Holding Torque (N*m)


Weight (lbs) Cost (dollars) Power Consumption (J) Dependent on use Rotational Freedom (degrees*degrees) Rotational Speed (rpm) Steps to Operate (#)

~2
40 300 >10000 180*180 ~5 4

Concept Design

Pro-E Design

Design Evaluation
Areas of concern were analyzed using ANSYS workbench The main concern was whether the materials used in the design would be sufficient to hand the expected loads and forces on the system The loads applied were gravity and a 65 mph wind normal to the solar panel The system weight, size and functionality was also evaluated

Design Evaluation

Final Product
Added Features Lockable door
Safety Feature

Battery Charger
In case of long periods of inactivity

Clear Display Casing Water Resistant


With addition of cocking to the case

Does it work????
Stepper motors were unable to provide specified torque
The Problem
Stepper Motor Rated Torque 0.280 N*m Experimentally Observed Torque 0.019 N*m

Overall the motors are providing 7% of their rated torque and unable to turn either shaft

Product Evaluation
Requirement Holding Torque (Nm) Weight (lbs) Cost (dollars) Power Consumption (J) Dependent on use Product Target Product Result Goal Met 2 40 300 >100,000 <2 27 366 ~3000

Rotational Freedom (degrees*degrees)


Rotational Speed (rpm)

180*180
~5

180*180
7.5

Steps to Operate (#)

Conclusion
Customer Requirements Engineering Requirements Engineering ..Targets

Product

Design Evaluation

Design Phase

The Mechanical Engineering portion of this project is complete and meets our customers requirements

Questions????

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