Mechanical development of the actuation system of a parabolic solar trough
Name
773609851-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
3.23 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
774d64044d3ce1ea9afd42596912d981
Author(s)
O'Rourke, Conor R. (Conor Rakis)
Advisor(s)
Alexander H. Slocum.
Date Issued
2011
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis documents my personal contribution to the engineering and design of an actuation system with the purpose of rotating a parabolic solar trough to track the sun throughout the day. The primary focus of the design was to create a robust system with minimal cost while meeting a number of functional requirements. After considering a number of possible designs and conducting an in-depth analysis into two of them, the final design chosen was a slider crank mechanism that rotates the trough about its focus. This mechanism uses a lead screw to drive the base of two passively extensible arms in a lateral direction and translates that force into a rotational motion. Whichever arm is in compression actuates the trough. One of these bases is driven by the lead screw while the other is fixed a distance away using a rigid connection. The model for this system was optimized for cost and design simplicity resulting in the selection and purchase of parts for a full scale prototype at a site in New Hampshire using one 4ft lead screw and a 0.16 horsepower motor to drive each end of the trough.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2011.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 47).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
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