Tracking the Sun

Tracking the Sun

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SLED Team• John Grutzner

– College of Science, Chemistry• Alyssa Pantich

– College of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering• Kari Clase

– College of Technology, Technology, Leadership and Innovation

• Nancy Tyrie– 5th Grade Teacher, Sunnyside Elementary

• Bryan Hubbard– College of Technology, Building Construction

Management

Additional Team Support Members

• Melissa Colonis– Tecumseh Middle School, Math Specialist

• Julie Bell– Purdue, Science Specialist

• Connie Harris– Purdue SLED

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General Overview

• Two lesson plans

• Lunch speakers from CMTA Engineering– Design zero energy schools and assist with

integrating building systems into the curriculum

• Check the website for the most up to date lesson plans (modifications/clarifications are always being made)

• Open ended design activities

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Solar Tracker• A solar tracker is device that

orients a solar panel toward the sun.

• Solar panel trackers are used to reduce the angle between the incoming light and a photovoltaic panel.

• This increases the amount of energy produced

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_tracker

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http://www.justmeans.com/editorial/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/mil_solar_farm_nellis_afb_lg.jpg

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Trackers are used on most large solar farms

Power Lost Due to Panel not Facing the Sun

• 15° 3.4% power lost

• 30° 13.4% power lost

• 45° 30% power lost

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_tracker

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Discussion on sun position

http://www.byexample.com/library/illustrations/seasonal_sun/illustration_sun.jpg

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Reasons for the Seasons

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Earth Rotation

10http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion1/animations/seasons_ecliptic.html

Direct versus Indirect

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Direct versus Indirect

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Direct versus Indirect

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Sun Position Additional Activities

• Building earth/sun model

• Solar dance

• Shadow activities

• Phototropic plants

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Sun/Earth Model

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http://cosmicdiary.org/blogs/tijana_prodanovic/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/pic-054.jpg

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Solar Dance

Shadow Activity

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• http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakeperks/2441258936/

Components used by Engineers

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Ball Bearings

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/how-to-maintain-a-skateboard-1.jpghttp://skateboarding-tricks-01.webs.com/skateboarding-tricks.jpg

Bearing Basics

• Things roll better than they slide.

• Rolling friction has less resistance that sliding friction.

• These balls or rollers “bear” the load.

Ball Bearings

• Most common type

• Very small contact point

http://www.mdguidelines.com/images/Illustrations/hip_repl.jpg

UC Berkeley 25

Four Bar Linkage

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Example of Mechanisms

Lift platform

Front loader

Can crusher

Hany A. Sherif, Qassim University http://www.docstoc.com/docs/74748705/introduction-College-of-Engineering-Qassim-University#

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Example of Mechanisms

Lift platform

Microwave carrier to assist people on wheelchair

Hany A. Sherif, Qassim University http://www.docstoc.com/docs/74748705/introduction-College-of-Engineering-Qassim-University#

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Four-Bar Linkage

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http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.cherokee.k12.ga.us%2Fpersonal%2Fcharles_wilson%2Fsite%2FSuspension%2520steering%2520power%2520points%2F1%2FAutomotive%2520Wheel%2520Bearings.ppt&ei=_JIIT4X6Aebo0QGG683ZDg&usg=AFQjCNEdrQKDRqYXUMtQJS-3BGuqzNfd7w