Update on Spring Semester

Since last semester, our team made a lot of changes to the design due to budgeting issues. Instead of using aluminum, our team decided to use in-house materials to fabricate the frame for the solar panels as well as the adjustable mounting assembly. This semester, the team worked together to redesign the whole assembly with Allan on Solidworks. We had a few designs for the adjustable mounting assembly as shown below in Figure 1.


Figure 1: Two designs for adjustable mounting assembly created this spring semester.

Once the designs were finalized, I was in charge of fabricating the frame with a slight curve (Radius = 3ft) for the solar panels to fit inside. A prototype was made first in order to work out anything that could potentially be an issue. Afterwards, adjustments were made to the rails to allow for more room for the panels to slide in. The fiberboard that was intended to be screwed onto the curved ribs were taken out because it was decided that it was not necessarily needed after the prototype was made. One of the reasons why fabrication did not start earlier was due to the tools that needed to be acquired before starting. Figure 2 shows a few of the tools needed for the project.


Figure 2: Tools needed for the project (on the left: bandsaw, on the right: tablesaw)

Since the tools have been acquired. All components have been fabricated and assembled. Figure 3 shows the components being completed in bulk. The prototype allowed for all the measurements to be finalized before fabricating them all at once. As of today, the framing assembly has been completed and painted, waiting for further assembly at the Superway design center.


Figure 3: Components were tested before all being fabricated simultaneously.

Project Update 09OCT2015

In last week's meeting, we saw presentations from the different subgroups within the Spartan Superway. After the presentation, I talked to Ivan and Allan about new updates with the small scale team. We realized that modeling the track and powering the track should be two separate things. Small scale solar panels will be mounted on at least one straight track and one station. Much of the power will be provided from the solar panels given from Miasole. Our goal will still be to get the track to be completely solarized but we will need an additional external power source.

I also talked to Professor Mokri about any additional resources that he may know of that pertains to solar panels and interfacing with them. He directed me to a few searches such as National Renewable Energy and PG&E Solar.

Project Progress Update

      Since last posting, groups have been organized and our small-scale solar team has finalized our proposal. We have decided with a partially solarized system within the 1/12th scale model. This would entitle a fully operational solar panels alongside external batteries to help fuel the track. In the small scale solar team, one of my responsibilities includes being a lead researcher. One of the research articles was on a "solar battery". This "solar battery" is a combination of a solar cell and a battery, allowing extra power to be stored all within one unit. The design enables light and oxygen to react to different chemicals allowing the battery to charge. This design could be feasible with more research down the road for energy storage.
      From last year's report, each bogie on the small scale model required around 3-4 amps to operate.  This year, our group’s goal is to increase the amount of bogies on the track. This method, however, would require more amps to run. Much of the smaller solar panels offered by Adafruit or Sparkfun supply less than 1 amp. Figure 1 shows a monocrystalline solar panel that outputs up to 930 mA. These solar panels could serve as a preliminary prototype for our group to practice with, but would require extra batteries to run.

Figure 1: 6V Monocrystalline Solar Panel from Adafruit.

      Another issue that I looked into was how to provide power to the bogies from the track. One of the articles I came across was "Light Rail Without Wires" by John Swanson. This article provides an in depth explanation and design of the "INNORAIL" system. The system provides electricity to the bogies via the track rather than using overhead power wires. Figure 2 shows an image taken from the article of the fundamental principle behind this unique system. A design like this could solve our power problem.

Figure 2: INNORAIL power system diagram.

References

[1] https://news.osu.edu/news/2014/10/03/batteries-included-a-solar-cell-that-stores-its-own-power/
[2] http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec058/15_02_Swanson.pdf

Wind Turbine/Solar Panels

One of the issues with adding mechatronic components to solar panels for maximum light exposure are the difficulties in installation. Since there will be miles of solar panels to install, we want to create and design with simplicity in mind. One way to save space could be choosing a cylindrical solar panel instead of a flat planar panel. After speaking to the Solar team, I found some sources online that turns solar panels into working wind turbines as well. Not only would our design be able to gather energy from the sun, but also double up with wind energy. The figure shown below are two concept drawings of how the turbine might look like. The second concept drawing might have a higher efficiency due to a larger surface area. An article from Alternative Energy Info (http://www.alt-energy.info/wind-power/best-of-both-worlds-the-bluenergy-solar-wind-turbine/) provided the idea of turning solar panels into wind turbine as well.

Two concept drawings of a wind turbine solar panel.

Spartan Superway Post

One of the issues we talked about last meeting was miles and miles of solar panels that need to be installed. Since there will be a large number of solar panels installed, passive solar panels will probably be the best option.  After doing a bit of research, I came across an article talking about a possible solution for maximum power absorption. The article titled "Maximum power point tracking for low power photovoltaic solar panels", has researchers testing the circuit with an impressive 40 mW to operate. Applications as low as 50W to power can still benefit from this. The computational unit within the circuit requires 20 mA from a 5V source in busy times, while only 4 mA in sleep mode. This system can be a possible solution to our needs in power. If we can get this circuit to work, the Spartan Superway can change to higher quality solar panels if need be. Monocrystalline silicon solar panels can be used since the thin-film solar cells are the only ones that can bend.

Monocrystalline silicon solar panels

References

Bodur, M., & Ermiş, M. (1994, April). Maximum power point tracking for low power photovoltaic solar panels. In Electrotechnical Conference, 1994. Proceedings., 7th Mediterranean (pp. 758-761). IEEE.

Spartan Superway Meeting September 2, 2015

In our meeting last Wednesday, I decided to join the small scale model Solar and Controls team. We spent the remainder of the meeting talking about new improvements that must be made. This year the small scale team aims to construct a fully functional track with the solar panels fully operational. The team also wants to create a visual tracking system that will be able to track and estimate time of arrival. The small scale tracks are a step-up from the acrylic track from long ago, but the steel tracks need to be leveled and smoothed out. There are a lot of kinks and bumps around the track that causes the cart to shake unnecessarily.

Introduction

Brian To is currently a senior attending San Jose State University. As a BSME major, Brian’s concentration is focused on Mechatronics. Brian enjoys working with home automation and incorporating his skills in home renovation. Brian is a member of the Solar and Controls team and also one of the event planners for the SMSSV team. As a San Jose native, Brian is excited to help the city flourish and grow into one of the leading cities in green technology. Outside of school, Brian enjoys finding old furniture and refurbishing it. Brian is very passionate about woodworking and spends his free time building furniture for his family and friends. When he is not busy with school and projects, Brian loves spending time and playing with his six dogs.