Conceptual Design and Prototype Development of a Solar-Powered Ground Robot for Energy-Autonomous Operation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Behjat ◽  
Leighton Collins ◽  
Andrew Hoffman ◽  
Sharat Chidambaran ◽  
Maulikkumar Dhameliya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Incident Angle ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Energy Capture ◽  
Prototype Development ◽  
Autonomous Operation ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Solar Powered

Abstract This paper presents the conceptual design and fabrication/assembly of an autonomous solar powered small unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platform for operation in outdoor environments. The contribution lies in the ability of the proposed design to offer uninterrupted operation in terms of endurance, to facilitate educational and research applications that are otherwise challenging to perform with a typical UGV (that needs significant downtime for recharging). A high incident area for solar PV panels is required to be able to support the complete energy needs of a ∼ 46 lb UGV (i.e., fully recharge the suitably sized battery powering the UGV). This makes it challenging to develop a stable platform that can carry solar panels much larger than the surface area of the platform itself (an aspect receiving minimal attention in other similar purpose platforms). To address this challenge, a novel umbrella-like folding mechanism is conceived, designed and successfully incorporated in the baseline prototype. This mechanism allows incorporating a remarkable ∼1 sq.m of incident solar PV with a net rated capacity of 200 W, one that remains folded to facilitate mobility, and can open/unfold to different extents for energy capture when needed. At the same time, the proposed design facilitates static and dynamic stability in spite of the significant solar PV incorporation. With the reference of the baseline prototype, an optimization approach is taken to develop a conceptual design of the next generation of this solar UGV. Specifically, the incident angle of the solar panels (enabled by the umbrella mechanism) at complete-open stage and the dimensions of the mechanism links and associated supports are separately optimized to respectively maximize the energy capture and the range of the UGV (assuming operation in Buffalo, NY), subject to stability and nominal velocity (of 2km/hr) constraints. The optimum design is found to provide an estimated range of 19.8 km/day.

Initial conceptual design and wing aerodynamic analysis of a solar power-based UAV

2014 ◽  
Vol 118 (1203) ◽  
pp. 540-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Harasani ◽  
M. Khalid ◽  
N. Arai ◽  
K. Fukuda ◽  
K. Hiraoka
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Weather Condition ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Solar Cell Performance ◽  
Actual Design ◽  
Solar Powered

Abstract King Abdul Aziz University of Saudi Arabia (KAU) and Tokai University in Japan have collaborated to design and manufacture a solar powered unmanned air vehicle (UAV), Sun Falcon, which has capability of continuous one day fight with intended design extension towards night flight. The project is a student-driven endeavour involving some 30 students. Both universities are equally involved in the actual design studies of the performance characteristics, aerodynamic design, propulsion and structural analysis. Tokai University is in charge of the actual on-site supervision and examination of on-going manufacturing processes and ultimate fabrication of the prototype model. The conceptual design of the Sun Falcon was meticulously worked out in consideration of the operational mission, which included such flight characteristics as the cruising velocity, flight altitude, payload, flight time, rate of climb, power requirements and so on. The weather condition patterns in Saudi Arabia, which remained fairly supportive of the solar cell performance, were also deemed crucial in the design process. However, the design of a solar plane had other challenges in terms of power unit accommodation and payload consideration in comparison to other conventional UAVs. In this paper, an outline of the design features of the Sun Falcon is presented and other notable design features particular to solar UAVs are discussed. It was learnt in this exercise that the selection of the base aerofoil is perhaps one of the most important design items, as the Reynolds number for such UAVs understandably drops notably lower than conventional aeroplanes and such features as the camber curvature and wing area must cater for the installation of solar panels whose size, strength and quantity must respect local weather conditions. For the Sun Falcon, the actual design process examined two candidate aerofoils FX74-CL5-140 (FX74) and SD7037-092-88(SD7037) both of which were abundantly suitable for furnishing the required aerodynamic characteristics. SD7037 was ultimately chosen as it provided the best geometry and camber line in terms of accommodation and placement of the solar panels. Further scrutiny demonstrated that this latter aerofoil provided better take-off performance and superior L/D behaviour under cruise conditions. In order to check out the aerodynamic performance in general and overall stability and control characteristics, a preflight test under battery power (a 2,500 mAh li-po 4-cell 14·8v) was achieved on 4 June 2013. Other solar powered based tests are currently under way at present.

Study on Water-Cooled Solar Semiconductor Air Conditioner

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-140
Author(s):  
Dong Zhi-Ming ◽  
Guo Li-Xia ◽  
Chang Ji-Bin ◽  
Zhou Xue-Bin
Keyword(s):  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Working Condition ◽  
Test System ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Experimental Room ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Cooling Unit ◽  
Battery Capacity ◽  
Solar Powered

Aiming to compare the cooling effect, two types of solar-powered semiconductor air-conditioning devices were designed in different structures. According to the cooling load in an experimental room, the solar panels and battery capacity were determined for the development of a test system. In the same working condition, a comparison test was carried out to examine the cooling performance. Experimental results showed that the design of dual water-cooled cooling unit presented a higher ratio of energy efficiency, with its maximum value of 1.08. By observing the experimental data of the prototype, its comparative economic evaluation results indicated that the annualized cost of solar semiconductor airconditioning was app. 2.7 times that of air-conditioning made from an ordinary compressor.

A novel way of parameter estimation of solar photovoltaic system

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Bisht ◽  
Afzal Sikander
Keyword(s):  
Parameter Estimation ◽  
Mean Absolute Error ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic System

Purpose This paper aims to achieve accurate maximum power from solar photovoltaic (PV), its five parameters need to be estimated. This study proposes a novel optimization technique for parameter estimation of solar PV. Design/methodology/approach To extract optimal parameters of solar PV new optimization technique based on the Jellyfish search optimizer (JSO). The objective function is defined based on two unknown variables and the proposed technique is used to estimate the two unknown variables and the rest three unknown variables are estimated analytically. Findings In this paper, JSO is used to estimate the parameters of a single diode PV model. In this study, eight different PV panels are considered. In addition, various performance indices, such as PV characteristics, such as power-voltage and current-voltage curves, relative error (RE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and normalized mean absolute error (NMAE) are determined using the proposed algorithm and existing algorithms. The results for different solar panels have been obtained under varying environmental conditions such as changing temperature and constant irradiance or changing irradiance and constant temperature. Originality/value The proposed technique is new and provides better results with minimum RE, RMSE, NMAE, MAE and converges fast, as depicted by the fitness graph presented in this paper.

Synthesis and Numerical Analysis of Compliant devices – A Topology Optimization Approach for Mechanisms and Robotic Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Premanand Sathyanarayanamurthi ◽  
ARUNKUMAR GOPAL
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Rectangular Domain ◽  
Dynamic State ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Prototype Development ◽  
External Forces

Abstract The Topology Optimization design invariably shall be used in various applications like Aerojet designs, Aircraft Engineering designs and innovative systems for improving the efficiency of structure. The paper emphasizes more on general Topology Optimization design for a rectangular domain. The domain numerically analyzed with defined geometry setting and defined boundary conditions for finding the Stress and displacement. In this Topology Optimization Design synthesis, the result is suitable volume and mass reduction in the Aerojet application parts which further can be taken for Prototype development in 3D printing and experimentally test with safety characteristics and compares Objective functions chosen for design and development. The design can be used for other various automotive and aerospace devices based on deformation level and application of external forces. The Final destination of this design and development ends with passing Fatigue Endurance test cycle test pass condition in Aerojet and automotive vehicles in static and dynamic state.

scholarly journals Electrical system design of solar powered electrical recreational boat for Indonesian waters

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 04011
Author(s):  
Sunaryo Sunaryo ◽  
Adri Wirawan Ramadhani
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Electrical System ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
The Government ◽  
Solar Powered

Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands and has plenty of beautiful beaches and underwater spots which have great potential for maritime tourism. Tourism was ranked 3rd on Indonesia's foreign income and plays an important role for the country’s ecomony. Despite having potential advantages, the government has not yet maximized its efforts to develop the attractiveness of its maritime tourism. Beside the beautiful spots Indonesia is also blessed with all year long sun shine, which could be tapped as renewable and green energy as substitution to fossil fuel. Refer to these great advantages of natural resources the research was aimed to support the government’s program in developing its maritime tourism and to promote the use of green and renewable energy by designing a solar-powered tourism recreational boat which has 12 meters of length. The paper is focused on the design of solar energy and its electrical system, which includes conversion of solar energy to electrical energy and store it in the battery, the required electrical power is also predicted based on the appliances and equipment installed in the boat, the optimum attachment of solar panels on the boat structure is also calculated. All the methods and information we use are obtained from literature study, discussion with experts, and surveys to Jagur as solar-powered electric boat from Universitas Indonesia.

scholarly journals Design of a Hand-Launched Solar-Powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System for Plateau

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Zhou Zhou ◽  
Xiaoping Zhu ◽  
An Guo
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Control Law ◽  
Trajectory Tracking Control ◽  
Plateau Area ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Solar Powered

This paper describes our work on a small, hand-launched, solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) suitable for low temperatures and high altitudes, which has the perpetual flight potential for conservation missions for rare animals in the plateau area in winter. Firstly, the conceptual design method of a small, solar-powered UAV based on energy balance is proposed, which is suitable for flight in high-altitude and low-temperature area. The solar irradiance model, which can reflect the geographical location and time, was used. Based on the low-temperature discharge test of the battery, a battery weight model considering the influence of low temperature on the battery performance was proposed. Secondly, this paper introduces the detailed design of solar UAV for plateau area, including layout design, structure design, load, and avionics. To increase the proportion of solar cells covered, the ailerons were removed and a rudder was used to control both roll and yaw. Then, the dynamics model of an aileron-free layout UAV was developed, and the differences in maneuverability and stability of aileron-free UAV in plateau and plain areas were analyzed. The control law and trajectory tracking control law were designed for the aileron-free UAV. Finally, the flight test was conducted in Qiangtang, Tibet, at an altitude of 4500 m, China’s first solar-powered UAV to take off and land above 4500 m on the plateau in winter (−30 °C). The test data showed the success of the scheme, validated the conceptual design method and the success of the control system for aileron-free UAV, and analyzed the feasibility of perpetual flight carrying different loads according to the flight energy consumption data.

scholarly journals REVIEW DAN ANALISIS PERKEMBANGAN PLTS PADA SARANA TRANSPORTASI LAUT

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-118
Author(s):  
Made Puji Dwicaksana ◽  
I Nyoman Satya Kumara ◽  
I Nyoman Setiawan ◽  
I Made Aditya Nugraha
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
Production Volume ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Passenger Transportation ◽  
Battery Capacity ◽  
Array Structure ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Fixed Array

This paper aims to review the current development of vessels with solar power to reference the research and development of solar power vessels in Indonesia. The research method is a systematic literature review on the development of solar-powered vessels and includes an online survey of vessels using solar PV. This study found 86 solar-powered vessels consisting of boats, utility boats, ferries, houseboats, research, vehicle carriers, dive boats, and yachts developed from 1988 to 2020. These solar-powered vessels were built for various functions such as competitions, cleaning the environment, passenger transportation, and water tourism.  Production of solar-powered vessels is increasing in terms of production volume, PV capacity, and battery capacity. In terms of PV configuration, the solar array is dominated by a fixed array structure. However, there have been innovations using sun-tracking, wind tracking airfoils, and expandable channels to increase PV capacity.

scholarly journals Solar PV Fed Irrigation Pump

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 8616-8620
Keyword(s):  
Hardware Implementation ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Simple Design ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Agricultural Growth ◽  
Dc Voltage ◽  
Irrigation Technology ◽  
Solar Powered

Agricultural growth has been severely affected due to the constraints in irrigation-energy deficits. Due to the availability of abundant solar energy especially in India for all days, solar powered irrigation technology has been a promising alternative source compared to canonical electricity and diesel focused pumping systems. How to furnish an electric power suitable to drive an irrigation pump for agricultural purposes in isolated areas using solar PV panels is the problem. This project deals with solving a local irrigation problem in countries. In this proposed project a simple design of simulation and analysis of a PMSM fed by a solar PV, modelled through DC/DC converter controlled by a MPPT and for utilizing the power from Solar. Compared to all converters, luo converters is the advanced technology. POSL luo converter are of new DC-DC step-up converter. This POSL luo converter performs positive to positive DC-DC voltage increasing conversion. The hardware implementation has been done for positive output super-lift luo converter respectively.

Efficient Reduction in the Annual Investment Costs in AC Distribution Networks via Optimal Integration of Solar PV Sources Using the Newton Metaheuristic Algorithm

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11525
Author(s):  
Oscar Danilo Montoya ◽  
Luis Fernando Grisales-Noreña ◽  
Lázaro Alvarado-Barrios ◽  
Andres Arias-Londoño ◽  
Cesar Álvarez-Arroyo
Keyword(s):  
Power Flow ◽  
Fitness Function ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Optimal Placement ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Flow Method ◽  
Power Flow Method

This research addresses the problem of the optimal placement and sizing of (PV) sources in medium voltage distribution grids through the application of the recently developed Newton metaheuristic optimization algorithm (NMA). The studied problem is formulated through a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model where the binary variables regard the installation of a PV source in a particular node, and the continuous variables are associated with power generations as well as the voltage magnitudes and angles, among others. To improve the performance of the NMA, we propose the implementation of a discrete–continuous codification where the discrete component deals with the location problem and the continuous component works with the sizing problem of the PV sources. The main advantage of the NMA is that it works based on the first and second derivatives of the fitness function considering an evolution formula that contains its current solution (xit) and the best current solution (xbest), where the former one allows location exploitation and the latter allows the global exploration of the solution space. To evaluate the fitness function and its derivatives, the successive approximation power flow method was implemented, which became the proposed solution strategy in a master–slave optimizer, where the master stage is governed by the NMA and the slave stage corresponds to the power flow method. Numerical results in the IEEE 34- and IEEE 85-bus systems show the effectiveness of the proposed optimization approach to minimize the total annual operative costs of the network when compared to the classical Chu and Beasley genetic algorithm and the MINLP solvers available in the general algebraic modeling system with reductions of 26.89% and 27.60% for each test feeder with respect to the benchmark cases.

Solar-Powered Electrocoagulation System for Tofu Wastewater Treatment and its Characteristic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-348
Author(s):  
Muryanto Muryanto ◽  
Ajeng Arum Sari ◽  
Sunu Pertiwi ◽  
Danar Aji Prasetyo ◽  
Sudarno Sudarno
Keyword(s):  
Batch Reactor ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Hydroxyl Groups ◽  
Electrolysis Time ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Environmental Friendly ◽  
Sludge Characterization ◽  
Aluminium Electrode ◽  
Pseudo Second Order ◽  
Solar Powered

This study aims to investigate the ability of solar-powered electrocoagulation for tofu wastewater, especially for reducing COD and TSS. This feasibility was compared with conventional electrocoagulation using electricity from the state electricity company. The study was conducted on a laboratory scale using a batch reactor electrocoagulation and aluminium electrode. The types of electrolytes used are sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The contact time is 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. The results showed that removal of COD and TSS in tofu wastewater increases with a longer electrolysis time. During two hours of electrolysis time, the removal of COD and TSS were 25 and 53.85%, respectively. This process yielded the highest COD and TSS removal of 75 and 76.9%, respectively, at 6 hours. Pseudo-second order kinetics about COD removal, both in conventional and solar panel systems, is concluded. By adding NaCl electrolytes, the conductivity of wastewater was increased, and then the removal of COD and TSS was also increased. At the end of the electrolysis time (5 hours), the pH of wastewater was neutral. The results of sludge characterization using FTIR showed the presence of hydroxyl groups, amide compound, and aromatic compound.  The process of using solar panels gives results slightly different from conventional electricity, but has advantages in terms of lower operating costs and environmental friendly.

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