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Adaptive Maze

Adaptive Maze. Project Team: Krista Miller Sohaib Hasan John Helme. Finding a project through a changing maze of complications. Excess Thermal Energy From Solar Panels. Problem:

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Adaptive Maze

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  1. Adaptive Maze Project Team: Krista Miller Sohaib Hasan John Helme Finding a project through a changing maze of complications

  2. Excess Thermal Energy From Solar Panels • Problem: Solar panels installed in the Alternative Energy Laboratory can be damaged if heated to temperatures above 180° F.

  3. Considered Solutions • Energy Dumping System: • Dissipate excess heat by routing the solar panel output through underground coils. • Energy Conversion System: • Dissipate excess heat by converting it to other forms of energy: • Mechanical Energy – Stirling Engine • Electrical Energy – Seebeck device • Energy Blocking System: • Cover solar panels to reduce energy input.

  4. Energy Dumping System • Install valves and pipes to allow the output of the solar panels to run through underground pipes

  5. Advantages System is always on. Few components. Convection currents maybe used to allow the system to work without motors, sensors or switches. Disadvantages Excess energy is lost To simple to earn an acceptable grade. Excavation and plumbing maybe to expensive. Energy Dumping System

  6. Energy Conversion Systems • How much excess energy is available? Q = cm(T1-T2) Q= Heat = energy c= specific heat cwater = 4.186j/g°C For one kg of water T1 = 90°F= 32.2°C Q=3669kJ T2 = 180°F=90°C

  7. Energy Conversion Systems How much power is being added to the system? Solar insolation for Vermont = 400W/m2 Powernew = Quantity * Area * Efficiency * Solar insolation = 8288W

  8. Energy Conversion– Stirling Engine The stirling engine uses a temperature differential cause gases to expand and compress. This expansion and compression is used to drive one or more cylinders.

  9. Advantages High efficiency engine Direct conversion from thermal energy to mechanical energy Mechanical energy could be applied to cooling the facility Disadvantages Very complicated and experimental May require higher temperatures to work without using special gases May not dissipate enough energy to keep the panels cool Stirling Engine

  10. Energy Conversion –Seebeck Device A voltage is created when there is a temperature difference between two different metals or semiconductors. V = (SB-SA) * (T2-T1) V = Voltage generated S = Thermoelectric Power Coefficient for materials A and B T = Temperature at junctions 1 and 2

  11. Seebeck Device

  12. Advantage Thermal energy is converted to electrical energy Electrical energy can be applied to other applications in the facility Disadvantage Expensive Will not dissipate enough energy to keep solar panels cool Seebeck Device

  13. Energy Blocking System • Solar panels will be covered before the critical temperature of 180°F is reached. Covers will stop the panels from continuing to heat. Solar Panel Panel Screen

  14. Energy Blocking System • Advantages • Definitive control of solar panel heating process • Uses electro-mechanical devices and systems. • Disadvantages • Potential energy is not acquired

  15. Solution Summary

  16. Solution Statement Blinds or screens will be automatically positioned to cover a solar panel before the panel temperature reaches a critical level. Each panel will have an complete and independent blind system. The blind system for multiple panels can be controlled by a single override control.

  17. Heat Blocking System Overview Water Temperature Sensor Manual Override Panel Position Sensors Controller Battery Motor to raise/lower panel Panel Assembly Active Solar Panel

  18. Mechanical System Diagrams Below is a photo of how the gears will rotate and move the shade up and down, to cover or uncover the panels. Above is a picture of how the solar panel cover will be mounted on the existing panels.

  19. State Diagram

  20. States of Panel Covers “Cover Panel”: Too much Sun, Cover starts to slide over Panel due to Temperature exceeding limits. “Wait”: Panel finished being covered and is shielded from sun. “Start”: Sun levels OK, not Overheating. “Wait”: Temperature has decreased, cover fully removed. “Remove Cover”: Temperature has been lowered, remove cover.

  21. Plastic Fabric: Advantages: Weatherproof Commercially Available Disadvantages: Wind will get ‘caught’ without holes to escape through Will have to have a fastening system Depending on material, can get hot Metal Shading: Advantages: Holes in it will allow wind to escape Commercially Available Attaches very well onto other things Disadvantages: Depending on metal, may rust Will get hot Solar Panel Covers

  22. Temperature Sensing • Integrated Circuit • Advantages: • Most Linear • High Output • High Accuracy • Inexpensive • Disadvantages: • Power Required • Slow • Self Heating • Not meant to be used outdoors

  23. Temperature Sensing • Thermistor • Advantages: • High Output • Fast • Two Wire Ohm Measurement • Disadvantages: • Non Linear • Limited Temperature Range • Fragile • Current Source Required • Self Heating

  24. Temperature Sensing • RTD • Advantages: • Stable • Accurate • Disadvantages: • Expensive • Current Source Required • Small ∆R • Self Heating

  25. Temperature Sensing • Thermocouples • Advantages: • Self Powered • Simple • Rugged • Inexpensive • Wide Temperature Range • Disadvantages: • Non-Linear • Low Voltage • Sensitivity

  26. Switches Upper Limit Switch Lower Limit Switch

  27. Advantages: Increased Reliability & Efficiency Longer Life Elimination of Sparks from Commutator Reduced Friction Faster Rate of Voltage & Current Precision Voltage & Current Applied to Field Coils Disadvantages: Requires Complex Drive Circuitry Requires additional Sensors Higher Cost Some designs require manual labor (Hand wound Stator Coils) Brushless DC Motors:

  28. Microcontroller • Freescale HCS08 • 10bit analog to digital converter • Ease of use • Inexpensive • Available Code

  29. Personnel Assignments

  30. Expected Costs

  31. Questions?

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