XIV. Small scale (solar power)

XIV. Small scale (solar power)

Objectives

• Effective design of a solar panel array assembly in order to properly represent full-scale superway
• Implement solar panels on the design
• Find an efficient way to provide power to drive the bogies

Design Requirements and Specifications

• Solar panel assembly must be designed with lightweight components
• Provide at least 11-18V and 1A of usable power to the track
• Adjustable mount for various angles must be able to reach important angles determined by location as well as 0-90 degrees

State-of-the-Art/Literature Review for the Subteam’ s Sphere of Work

• Different types of solar panels (already discussed)
• System advisor model (SAM) creates performance prediction

Design

• Adjustable mounting display was used (allows for potential calculations from SAM )
• Mounting mechanism can be adjusted through availability of pre-existing holes and nuts
• Base mount

i. Base of mounting system houses three-bar mechanisms

ii. Rigidly attaches whole assembly to one of the avaible one-inch steel posts

iii. Made of five components

1. Three lightweight aluminum plates
2. Sturdy steel base welded onto a piece of rectangular tubing

iv. Aluminum base was formed by TIG welding the three aluminum plates into an “H” design

v. Once base was made, ¼ inch holes were drilled in order to attach steel base and three bar mechanisms

vi. Before securing both plates together, 1.2 x 1.2 inch steel rectangular tubing was MIG welded on to the steel plate

vii. Two ⅜ inch holes were drilled on either side of tubing to ensure stability upon attaching mounting assembly to steel posts

viii. Tubing can be easily fitted on to the one-inch steel track posts using bolts

• Solar panel frames

i. Lightweight custom design was needed to be attached to top of mounting display

ii. Frame was made from two five feet long once inch by one inch wooden rectangular beams

iii. Rabbet joints cut on both ends of the one inch wooden beams

iv. Purpose of ribs were to provide a steady curved base for the panels to form on

v. Top piece of the detachable rail was glued on

• Electrical schematic

i. Battery chargers were used to power bogies

ii. Voltage to power was dropped down to 11-18V

Analysis/Validation/Testing

• A model of the three-bar mounting assembly was created and estimate angles were created

Outcomes

• Fully functional and on-track solar panel system that will power the 1/12 model was successfully designed
• Adjustable mount (AM) allows angle of solar panels to be adjusted at any time to best suit time/location of 1/12th scale model
• AMs provide simpler/more cost effective design compared to Solar mounts, and offer similar advantages of solar trackers in comparison to solar mounts
• Enough power was generated

Discussion

• All initial design specs but one was accomplished (Providing full power to 1/12th scale model)
• Removal of wayside on 1/12 scale track signalled that bogies could no longer be powered on track
• Total expense was $272.86
• Design improvements to be made

i. Implement on-track charging

ii. panels might need to be replaced/added or an external DC power source must be added

iii. Design of 1/12th solar frames could be slightly altered