ME 491 Mini Competition Solar Water Irrigation Project Rev B 10/6/2008
Objective To displace as much water as possible from a reservoir tank to a destination tank located 12” above the top of the reservoir tank water level in a 2 minute time frame. Two solar panels would be provided to each team.
The Set Up Destination 24” Tank Apparatus area 12” Tank Support Reservoir Garden Spigot Table
Top View Allowable Space 24” Destination Tank 24” Reservoir
The Rules Each team will use the same light fixture and source (Provided by Tyco) 2 minutes assembly-set up time Reservoir tank is fixed Zero potential energy to be stored at the start of 2 minutes (capacitor, batteries, weights, compressed air, etc) Apparatus must not exceed the 24” x 24” footprint, and not to exceed 24” above table surface. Apparatus must fit on the table top, no other supporting features allowed. Destination tank can move about the table, but must touch the edge of the footprint area (as shown in figure), tank must be in full contact with table. No pre-siphoning
Rules (con’t) Solar panels can not be modified (except soldering) and must NOT be permanently attached to the device, supporting fixtures are recommended. The device is to operate automatically by flipping a contact switch and uncovering of the panels within 5 seconds. No interference is allowed during the operation. No high pressure building vessels (>100 psi). No part of your device can touch the source or the destination containers at any time with exception to the spigot of the source tank. The device can touch the water in either of the containers. Any water transferred up to but not inside the destination tank does not count.
The Light Source 200 watt incandescent bulb Distance will between panel and bulb can not be any less than 6 inches. Light source is mounted to 14” flexible stand and must remain within the 24” square area of the table. Team must contain excessive light with shades or other means. Light source must not leave Capstone lab.
Light source will be available to move along the edges of the table if needed. Destination tank can move about work space as long as one edged overlaps Destination Tank Reservoir