WikiSysop: Created page with '> FYI - > http://groups.google.com/group/solar-turbine/browse_thread/thread/fec5c75431d69a09# > > There's a note on possibility of using linear actuators with Arduino [[Image:tr…'

2010-02-25T20:09:32Z

Created page with '> FYI - > http://groups.google.com/group/solar-turbine/browse_thread/thread/fec5c75431d69a09# > > There's a note on possibility of using linear actuators with Arduino [[Image:tr…'

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> FYI -
> http://groups.google.com/group/solar-turbine/browse_thread/thread/fec5c75431d69a09#
>
> There's a note on possibility of using linear actuators with Arduino

[[Image:tracking.jpg]]
Very interesting. I've subscribed to the group.
But haven't found out how to reply to a discussion via email, so feel
free to put this mail including attachments into the group if you think
it to be valuable.

BTW, you should fix the "scheduled for mid-2009" in the group
description.

concerning the discussion on controlling the slats:

I'd also go for individually controlled slats -- I've already thought about
the necessary electronics for arduino to be able to control more slats than
the arduino has I/O pins by using a serial-in/parallel out shift register.
That way we can select which slat and corresponding sensors we want to
read/write and use the arduino to adjust each slat in a round-robin fashion.

I have thought about using cheap linear motors and probably some plastic gear
for controling each slat (gear can probably be made with a RepRap). The
arduino would turn one of the slats (quite slowly) until a photoresistor has
seen the edge of the reflected light on both edges of the slat. The arduino
would measure the time it took from one edge to the other and then adjust the
slat to the middle position just by measuring the time when turning the motor
backward. Since the arduino can do quite good time measurements we would
achieve enough precision, I think.

I've attached a drawing how I think the photoresistors could be mounted
in the path to the central concentrator, and, yes, this will cast some
shadow but the resistors can be mounted on a very thin structure, the
resistors I'm envisaging are 5mm in diameter (0.2 in)

Ralf
--

[[Category:Solar Turbine]]

Solar Concentrator Tracking - Revision history

WikiSysop: Created page with '> FYI - > http://groups.google.com/group/solar-turbine/browse_thread/thread/fec5c75431d69a09# > > There's a note on possibility of using linear actuators with Arduino [[Image:tr…'