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 Engineering Requirements Movement Smooth Transitions Simultaneous in 3-D Demonstrational Easy to Carry Futuristic Appearance Special Requirements Functions by it self Tracks Light Self-Contained Self-Sustaining (Power) Engineering Requirements Movement Slow Rotation & minimal Jerk 2 Degrees of motion Demonstrational Light Weight, Compact Intriguing, Grasp Attention Special Requirements Functions Autonomously Faces most illuminating light Self-Contained Can Power itself indefinitely

Design Targets Requirement Product Target Holding Torque (N*m) ~2 Weight (lbs) 40 Cost (dollars) 300 Power Consumption (J) †Dependent on use >10000 † Rotational Freedom (degrees*degrees) 180*180 Rotational Speed (rpm) ~5 Steps to Operate (#) 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 Battery Charger 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 Product Target Product Result Goal Met Holding Torque (Nm) 2 < 2  Weight (lbs) 40 27 Cost (dollars) 300 366  Power Consumption (J) †Dependent on use >100,000 † ~3000 † Rotational Freedom (degrees*degrees) 180*180 Rotational Speed (rpm) ~5 7.5 Steps to Operate (#) 4 3

Engineering Requirements Conclusion Engineering Requirements Customer Requirements Engineering ..Targets Design Evaluation Product Design Phase The Mechanical Engineering portion of this project is complete and meets our customer’s requirements

Questions????