AU2020103825A4 - Design for parabolic solar panel control system with wiper - Google Patents

Abstract

This initiative reports a CAD design and dual-axis sun tracker application for a 3 kW solar electric self-tracking concentrated solar power system. In a sterling dish or concentrated photovoltaic system, this solar tracking technology uses the sun by introducing a complex mechatronic and digital electronic control platform for a stand-alone, concentrated solar energy for CSP and CPV. The design requirements for the self-tracking motor-powered solar reflector with an optical 12-KW solar thermal harnessing capability required a high precision Automated Positioning and Solar Tracking System. This initiative report presents information about the CAD design and engineering prototype for a new 12 mq light fresnel parabolic solar concentrate system for a balanced, dual-axis, tilt-and-swing slew H-Fang moving platform. On an industrial system, Siemens Simatic Industrial Programmable Logic Microsystems(PLC) TIAs, remotely controlling the Siemens Simatic S7-1200 iOS App for iPhone / iPad, the solar tracking system uses a Siemens Solary Feature Block from the Siemens Solar Library. Heliostat Solar monitoring is also accessible from the Siemens solar library. On the S7-1200 PLS industrial platform, digital tracking automation, pulsing width modulated direct current drivetrain is introduced, and electronic solar loop / closed-loop tracking control, including the Siemens S7-1200 PLC. The design meets the goal of delivering a high precision dynamic solar tracking mobility platform for a concentrating solar power system that is easy to transport, assemble and install at remote rural sites. Real-time experiments monitored with an Arduino PIC processor show that the implemented solar tracker design performs continuous solar tracking to great optical accuracy. The prototype device's performance with the Siemens NREL SPA solar position algorithm (astronomical) is compared with sun pointing accuracy using a Solar-MEMS sun-sensor and webcam camera-based solar tracking PLC control strategies. Structural aspects of the prototype parabolic dish are evaluated and optimized by other researchers while the Stirling and power handling units are under development in parallel projects. Mainrel!lector Secondary reflectorEnrelco Optional mobile maintenance tool Optional PV mcodle Fig: Solar panel Parabolic design Fig: Solar panel Viper demonstration

Description

parabolic dish are evaluated and optimized by other researchers while the Stirling and power

handling units are under development in parallel projects.

Mainrel!lector Secondary reflectorEnrelco Optional mobile maintenance tool

Optional PV mcodle

Fig: Solar panel Parabolic design

Fig: Solar panel Viper demonstration

EDITORIAL NOTE

2020103825

THERE ARE NINE PAGES OF DESCRIPTION ONLY TITLE OF THE INVENTION DESIGN FOR PARABOLIC SOLAR PANEL CONTROL SYSTEM WITH VIPER APPLICANT

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

DESIGN FOR PARABOLIC SOLAR PANEL CONTROL SYSTEM WITH VIPER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The design aims at producing a knock-down CSP energy-generating kit for non-grid solar

energy applications, which is locally generated. Since this CSP power generation kit's

primary purpose is to be deployed on the rural market, the design provides a simple and

robust technical solution, which is suitable for rural people (the "user"). From a technical

point of view, this study's principal goal is to build a robust mechatronic platform for the

independent parabola solar concentrate system with a solar midday capability of 12 kWt with

automatic solar tracking monitoring. The mechatronic system should be configured to

monitor the various methods of action during solar tracking and power generation and include input embedded sensors and a digital electronic solar tracking system. The design will take the technical phases of the development of the structural and optical solar concentrator dish. The parable dish serves the mechatronic platform as payload, which means that the dish needs to be built as a load on the dynamic tracking system. As a final product, the complete, self-containing, self-contained solar power system must be used not as a grid but rather as a power source where grid power is not usable. In Chapter 3, the design methodology outlines the design requirements and system conditions necessary to commercialize the technology as a CSP power generation package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In 1994, South Africa's (SA) first democratic elections took place. Today, 90 years later, the

small-scale power grid system still deprives many rural Africans of electricity access. As a

result, Eskom is strongly promoting clean energy technology to provide electricity to smaller

communities. The solution for remote rural areas is that renewable energy and engineers aim

to improve the generation of renewable energies to meet those populations' needs. As such,

University Stellenbosch identified a research initiative to solve problems of electricity

generation and distribution in rural African villages. The goal of a project is to incorporate

novel mechanical and mechatronic technological principles. The development of solar

thermal engineering and scientific principles to encourage renewable energy technology in

renewables is promoted by the limited, independent off-grid, solar heat, and electricity

systems.

Related Work

Solar Tracking Control

In this contextual review, the focus is on solar thermal systems and the energy-efficient

regulation of a CSP device's movement. To that end, the CSP solar concentrate tracking device must be configured for a continuous orientation or positioning concerning the sun vector. The sun vector SQ (ys, Os) defines the sun's angle and the direction from an earth orientation viewpoint (Reda and Andreas 2008). (GPS). Since reliability and consistency are two of the key design specifications for a solar CSP monitoring system, several control strategy options in the general literature were proposed, tested, and published. This included open-loop control systems, closed-loop control systems, and an integrated or hybrid loop control system that incorporates open-loop and closed-loop control settings. To satisfy the design requirements for this review, four key categories of control elements need to be considered in open and loop controllers. These include: 1. sun position: the position of the

CSP system to decide the SQ(ys, Os) sun vector; 2. Strong drive system: the framework can

be shifted strongly to directly the sun; 3. Control input: control style inputs to be used, such

as sun vector, image sensor, or camera algorithms; 4. Control system: control of electric

motors and drives moving payload or the electric power system utilizing sequences and

knowledge control (state diagrams).

The latest modem industrial programmable logic controls (PLCs) use open-loop controllers,

also called passive controllers. The solar positioning algorithms, such as NREL, are used to

monitor the solar concentrate system's motion. Lightly sensitive electronics (LLCs) provide

for the maximum tracking accuracy, allow the controls to observe the sun's movement, and

dynamically position the concentrator system to the sun. More complex solutions include

camera-based solutions but, due to electronic sensitivity and stream processors specifications

for image processing, these solutions are much more common in PSC-based solutions.

Open-loop Sun Tracking

The solar vector sequence SQ(ys, Os) is defined in real-time by the control system for a

specific geographical location(Q) and is needed to perform successful sun-tracking by solar tracking. This section addresses three methods or algorithms that are astronomically dependent on the implementation of Suntracking in a microcontroller device. The precise monitoring with very little loss of paramilitary precision may also be known as artificial (AI) or fuzzy control (FC) mechanisms, in which two or both these methods may operate in combination with other controls' inputs. Depending on local time and season, the sun vector or solar location is defined in astronomical baseline algorithms as an apparent azimuth of the sun and elevation angles concerning an observatory at a particular geographical location "Q."

The term sun-vector, or sun-pointing vector, is derived from the algebraic grounds connected

with the earth-surface-based reference system in Figure 2.6, from which the observer at

position Q is highlighted by the central sunray, observed along the path-vector "SQ," where

the vector aims and toward the sun at the solar azimuth angle (y) and the solar altitude angle

(a) or the solar zenith angle (0) (Stine and the solar azimuth angle). Section 2.2 noted that

NREL had built an astronomical approach to one of the most accurate algorithms to compute

the SQ(ys, Os) sun-vector (Reda & Andreas, 2008). This algorithm is known as the NREL

Solar Location Algorithm (SPA), which measures the sun's position at the vertex with an

uncertainty of approximately 0.0003, trying to compensate for celestial shifts (including the

leap second) from 2000 to 6000.

Sun Tracking: Photodiodes and Transistors

Closed-loop control for solar tracking systems typically utilizes photosensitive devices and

the concepts behind their operation. These solutions can be used to independently direct sun

tracking or change the parabola plate's location with light-sensitive sensors or infrared

detectors. Differential signals from these devices are typically used in output balance circuits

to compensate for component variations or changes in light sensitivity levels. Input balance

circuits Dual angle-tracking with optical slot photodiode sensor panels is carried out in some

solar tracking concepts to determine whether a solar dish has been oriented to a solar house.

Usually, these picture diodes are placed on the parabolic plate structure for feedback on the

control mechanism for moving the plate collector to a location that faces the sun directly. The

added advantage is that photo Transistors can be connected to the servo motors in the current

circuits and thus physically regulate the drives that direct a parabolic dish's mechanism.

Sun Tracking: Sun Sensor

To constantly determine satellite or spacecraft locations with great precision in real-time, the

sun's sensors are employed in the Satellite and Space Industries. A precise sun sensor is spin

at a steady rate in spacecraft and satellite body orientation to define the orientation of the

spaceship concerning the sun. (Figure 2.7(a)). These sensors have been intended as higher

measurement accuracies than photodiodes for their use in nano-spacecraft (SolarMEMS

2013). Incident light is penetrated by sunlight through a small pinhole through a mask

platform (specificating ~50O for the field of visibility, about 4 hours of access to the sun

track), where the light is transmitted in contrast to the horizontally and vertically occurrence

of light to the silicon substrate, which produces four signals.

Sun Tracking: Camera Image Processing

Camera picture processing can also be used for optically controlled solar tracking or

compensating for azimuth errors and angle elevation errors in open blow mode. The device

ensures that any tracking errors due to wind impact, mechanical backlashes or construction

errors, or other disruptions in the parabolic platform's positioning are minimized with optical

feedback.

Design Problem and Objectives

The experiment is intended to develop, construct, and test an off-grid 3 kW high electrical

independent solar energy system, which is self-tracking and focusing. The project stems from a research initiative at the University of Stellenbosch to address the electric power generation and distribution problems facing rural African villages. The solar power system must, therefore, be modified for the autonomous development of rural electricity. The stand-alone rural energy requirement presents some specific design challenges compared to most network-based concentrating solar energy systems and technologies mentioned in the literature study (Chapter 2). For one or more of the following reasons, most of the current solar generation systems seen in the previous church can not be used in off-grid applications: existing systems need grid connexions to start operation; dyshell structures are complicated and difficult to assemble at remote rural locations, without skilled labor, and most of them have use of large, massive mirror systems.

Field Robustness

If a component in the mechatronic solar tracking system is ineffective, the solar concentrator

system could not recover from the catastrophic operational failure. In slow response times,

coupled with high logistics and replacement costs, maintenance costs in remote rural areas

have increased. If this fails, the system will lose its relation to the sun, leading finally to

failures in battery drainage and automation systems. The course will ultimately become non

functional. In addition to mechanical structural movement and balanced obstacles, a

mechatronic concentrated solar system must be built to meet harsh environmental conditions

in rural Africa. Operational problems can be caused by environmental impacts such as

environmental temperature, temperature fluctuations, deposit of soil dust (especially on

mirrors), high wind, snow, plumage, and lightning. These consequences must be considered

when considering the design robustness since some of these solar systems are feasible in

places that are not readily accessible to maintenance crews. Solar concentrative sections must

be rubbed, whereas essential subcomponents are chosen for components of stainless steel. For

protection from wet and dusty weather, control electronics shall be housed in an irrigated and correctly grounded enclosure. To remain intact externally in extreme weather conditions when used, all components should ideally have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of at least

IP55. The IP number values the level of protection offered by mechanical/electrical

bodies/enclosures from intrusion into physical elements, chemicals, or water (Bisenius,

2012). IP codes are IPxy format, in which "x" describes how well the solid foreign objects are

to be shielded from entry and "y" describes the extent to which moisture/water is to be

entered.

Mechatronic System Components

A model for solar monitoring from a two-axis, cross-coupled mechatronic platform

perspective is presented. To achieve a smooth power input solar trajectory, the goal is to

introduce a mechanical platform with a mechanical drive or an automated actuator system

and a digital PLC control strategy. Generally, the following components are usually an

electrically powered solar concentrator platform and a tracking device to drive the motion of

a concentrated solar dish:

• Subsystem Control Unit: configurable interface for controlling modes of operation as

well as the control strategy for positioning the system by solar algorithm or sensor co

ordinates;

• Limit switches: mechanical movement prevention to avoid tracker or cable disruption

beyond predefined boundaries;

• Environmental or atmospheric sensors: sensors for light intensity, solarimeters,

pyranometers, anemometer/wind sensors, ambient sensors, humidity sensors, and air

pressure sensors to detect emergency and endangering environmental risks.

Subsystem Solar Collectors: the requirements for the Stirling solar power generation solar

power plant (STP), as detailed in Chapter 3 (Table 3.2), include a concentrated solar system with a potential for collecting 12 kW solar power at a maximum solar altitude (MSA).

Information on the thermal panel's parabola design, namely parameters and criteria for a low

level of maintenance and self-tracking capability of the form plug-and-play, is addressed in

this section. A vertical dish with a potential to capture 12 kWt of thermal energy requires a

measured solar parabolic projector region of approximately 12 m2 A =~12 m2 ), which is

roughly equal to a dish diameter of approximately 4 m (D =-4 m) (Duffie and Beckman,

2006). Besides, the user requirements call for an overlapping dish structure that meets weight,

flexibility, structural stability, remote rural alignment, and transport to remote rural sites on

hard dirt roads. With a 4 m, the parabolic platform is both the most sensible and numerically

complex element and the largest component of the concentrated solar power system. The

parabolic dish design should take into account the development of the dish as modular units,

which can be packed in smaller, more comfortable to maneuver boxes for transportation to a

rural area by developing a concentric solar power system for rural Africa to be generated

centrally and packed in "knock-down" form.

Automation Processing Hardware Selection

In the solar tracking system, digital electronic automation hardware can be considered a

critical mission component as any tracking automation defect or operational issue causes the

transducer system to lose connection to the solar resource. Every long failure will result in a

drainage of batteries, which leads to a failure of the wireless communication link, and a

stand-alone remotely located CSP device will be cut off.

Solar Tracking and Control Strategies

Solar tracking control is required to continually reflect the maximum amount of incident solar

power to the solar receiver's focal point. The accuracy and stability of solar tracking are two

of CSP's key design parameters. A range of control solutions, including open-loop control systems, closed-loop control systems, and an integrated or hybrid control system where open and closed-loop control settings are combined, can be introduced to enhance solar tracking accuracy.

Claims (6)

EDITORIAL NOTE 2020103825 THERE IS ONE PAGE OF CLAIMS ONLY We can claim:

1. Dish structure control system: optical dish or reflector systems mechanically placed at the

center of the parabolic platform with associated Stirling engine/device;

2. Mechanical drive subsystem transmission/actuator: linear actuators, worms, linear motors,

slew motors, and planetary gear drives are part of the positioning mechanism for moving the

reflector to the sun;

3. Electrical motors: DC or AC motors, for power, frequency, or speed control, for driving the

mechanical drives;

4. Battery storage: power storage and power started battery backup system;

5. Motion sensor interface devices: linear or rotational shaft codecs, tilt sensors,

images, photodiodes to track the current location of the platter when shifting to the appropriate

position;

6. Algorithm of the Solar Position: algorithm to measure the Sun-vector SQ(s, as a solar

azimuth and elevation angles consistently

EDITORIAL NOTE 01 Dec 2020

2020103825

THERE IS ONE PAGE OF DRAWINGS ONLY

Fig: Solar panel Parabolic design

Fig: Solar panel Viper demonstration