This week's projects were to finish the final presentation and to construct the system now that all the parts were obtained and the necessary parts were characterized. The final presentation was divided up into four parts and each person was given a part to work on and then present.
The next project was to create the final set-up of the system. Everything can be wired together and placed in its final position. If the system can be built with some time left, the plan is to run it with the code that has been edited based on characterization of the system parts.
May 19, 2016
During this meeting, the group got the 3D printed parts designed. These parts are used to hold the motor in place so it can rotate in the holder. The hole was the wrong size due to a software issue, but the opening was shaved down so it was able to fit the motor. The hole used to hold the rotating piece was also too big, so it was necessary to figure out a way to shrink the hole down from its current size.
The final report was edited this week based on corrections from other readers. It was lacking definitions and results. The results were added to the report to reflect the experiments run on the system. Two experiments were run to make sure the power was flowing the way suspected and needed. The second experiment was used to make sure the servos were connected through the arduino and could be moved, as that is part of the plan.
The final report was edited this week based on corrections from other readers. It was lacking definitions and results. The results were added to the report to reflect the experiments run on the system. Two experiments were run to make sure the power was flowing the way suspected and needed. The second experiment was used to make sure the servos were connected through the arduino and could be moved, as that is part of the plan.
May 12, 2016
This week's major task was to begin the first draft of the final report. The results of testing could not begin, but the report needed to be put together so when the results were in, they could simply be inserted and then the final report would be finished. The mechanical design was finalized. The protoype was built with all the parts necessary and could be tested, if it was sunny. The model was to be tested at the first available sunny day. The software design was being modified to account for the addition of the breadboard. The breadboard is being used to control the amount of current is sent through the circuit as the parts are specific about how much current, voltage, and resistance each can take.
The test with the LED worked. It was proved that the Arduino was connected into the circuit correctly and the flow of the electricity was as suspected. This means that checking the code can now be done in parts instead of running the code and trying to isolate variables. The next step in software is to see if the sweep of the Servos works. By proving the motors work, they can then be connected to the entire system. The code that has been written for "following" the sun can be be tested and changed according to the new information gained from these tests.
The test with the LED worked. It was proved that the Arduino was connected into the circuit correctly and the flow of the electricity was as suspected. This means that checking the code can now be done in parts instead of running the code and trying to isolate variables. The next step in software is to see if the sweep of the Servos works. By proving the motors work, they can then be connected to the entire system. The code that has been written for "following" the sun can be be tested and changed according to the new information gained from these tests.
May 5, 2016
Modifications were made in the code of the arduino utilizing the Arduino Software and are still being made. In addition, the physical aspect of the the device was very close to being finalized. However, although the two seem to work by themselves, the combination of the two to work together still needs to be worked on. The main goal is to have these two separate parts work together and function as one large system instead of two smaller ones.
One suggestion to make sure the system works is to use an LED. By attaching the LED to the Arduino then having the computer run a program to have the light turn on and then running a second program to turn off the light. Then to make sure the solar panels matches with the system, connect the LED and then take the mirror-solar panel system outside and angle it towards the sun. It everything is connected as it should be, then the LED should light up with the energy received from the sun.
One suggestion to make sure the system works is to use an LED. By attaching the LED to the Arduino then having the computer run a program to have the light turn on and then running a second program to turn off the light. Then to make sure the solar panels matches with the system, connect the LED and then take the mirror-solar panel system outside and angle it towards the sun. It everything is connected as it should be, then the LED should light up with the energy received from the sun.
April 28, 2016
The prototype was finally assembled, however, it failed to function. A few changes were made to the design to correct the faults. The distance between the mirror and solar panel were adjusted. Testing will be done soon to determine whether the new design worked. The wireless charging system was also setup but the transistor blew in the process of testing and so a better design is being considered. In order to find a better design, research into pre- existing circuits will be done. By using a design that has been proven to work, the project can keep moving forward and will be on track to be finished. The ideal situation is that the design of the pre- existing circuit can be replicated through the parts we have available.
Another consideration is that the resistance of the circuit will have to be modified to fit the current constraints of the system. If we find a circuit with the matching resistance we can match the required voltage to the maximum voltage that the system can take. Through this work, the system should function correctly and the project will be back on track.
Another consideration is that the resistance of the circuit will have to be modified to fit the current constraints of the system. If we find a circuit with the matching resistance we can match the required voltage to the maximum voltage that the system can take. Through this work, the system should function correctly and the project will be back on track.
April 14, 2016
The parts necessary to build this device were ordered. The plan is to create a design and then modify it so that when the parts are in, everything is ready to go. This allows more time to be spent making small adjustments to the design when the parts are in. This also means the amount of time to test the device should be increased because everything should be ready. As far as things that were ordered, an arduino board, two solar panels, different types of wire and various glassware was ordered. This was done early, again, in the event that something else was necessary for the project, there would be time to make an alterations in the plan if need be.
There was also more research done into how a solar panel could be more effective in collecting the photons and it was found that a mirror could also be used. A concave mirror was also ordered to test this. Even if the mirror did not work as advertised then the mirror could be used in place of the lens to point more solar energy onto the solar panel.
There was also more research done into how a solar panel could be more effective in collecting the photons and it was found that a mirror could also be used. A concave mirror was also ordered to test this. Even if the mirror did not work as advertised then the mirror could be used in place of the lens to point more solar energy onto the solar panel.
April 21, 2016
Parts arrived and the building of a working prototype began. A 3D model of the frame to hold the servos in place as well to hold the concave mirror and solar panel was designed to be printed. The design was modified several times during the course of the week. AT this point, the lens has been removed from the equation. After reading more on it at the insistence of our instructor, it was determined that it might be too risky to use. The solar panels are very important and in the middle of testing there was a risk the solar panel would blow and the project would be over. In order to protect our working model, the best decision was to remove the lens. This removed some of the complications of the design as a problem was to figure out how to attach the lens. WIthout this complication, the project was able to move forward as expected.
April 7, 2016
After sitting on this project idea for one week, some modifications to the original design were made. When researching solar energy, the results showed that solar energy was readily available, but it was not very efficient to collect. Solar panels have a limited surface area where they can capture that energy and the photons not collected were lost. Our solution is to use a lens to concentrate the energy onto the solar panel. After continuing to read, it became apparent that the solar panel could be positioned on a platform and controlled to "follow" the sun. By using an arduino and data from an outside source tracking the sun's position in a specific area, the solar panel could be angled throughout the day to capture the strongest sunlight possible.
Before an arduino was official included in the design, it had to be checked that an arduino could be incorporated into this design with relative ease. If it was found to be too complicated to add to the project, then the only modification would be the addition of a lens to focus the solar energy. The idea of adding a lens also had to be reseaarched to make sure the lens would not fry the solar panel. A solar panel can only take so much heat, and if that heat focused by the lens overheated the solar panel, the circuit would be fried. After reading on the subject, it was found that if the lens was focused very carefully, then the chance of successfully using the lens would increase and it would be possible to use.
Before an arduino was official included in the design, it had to be checked that an arduino could be incorporated into this design with relative ease. If it was found to be too complicated to add to the project, then the only modification would be the addition of a lens to focus the solar energy. The idea of adding a lens also had to be reseaarched to make sure the lens would not fry the solar panel. A solar panel can only take so much heat, and if that heat focused by the lens overheated the solar panel, the circuit would be fried. After reading on the subject, it was found that if the lens was focused very carefully, then the chance of successfully using the lens would increase and it would be possible to use.
March 31, 2016
As it was the first meeting of the group, the project that is going to be persued this term was drafted. The decision on the task to accomplish was to create a solar powered battery pack. This idea was chosen for two reasons. One is that the one theme of the lab the group selected is sustainable energy and the second reason was the group wanted to create something that would be able to help people from different areas of the globe. In areas where there is a lot of sun, but very little access to power electronics still need to be charged. These battery packs would be able to charge phones, or other small electronics in case of an emergency.
Research was done into the topic and it was discovered that other people have created this project. Before the next meeting, it was decided that a modification to the concept of a solar powered battery pack should be created. This would set apart the final product from others already created and sold online for general consumers.
Research was done into the topic and it was discovered that other people have created this project. Before the next meeting, it was decided that a modification to the concept of a solar powered battery pack should be created. This would set apart the final product from others already created and sold online for general consumers.
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