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Quanser |
Solar Tracker
Challenge:
Detect and track a light source.
Description:
Solar Tracker is a unique light-tracking device
which detects an actuated and controlled light source. This versatile
servo system is designed for teaching, studying and demonstrating concepts
and practice in control engineering. As an industrial product, it is
also targeted on applications that track missiles, stars, solar projects,
etc. The system is fully compatible with MATLAB/Simulink/WinCon and
LabVIEW.
The device consists of two key components: an independently
controllable light source attached to a rotary arm
and a light-sensing camera mounted on a servo motor-activated
slip ring. The light source has its own embedded
controller with an onboard power amplifier to vary
the light’s
intensity, position and speed. Solar Tracker's plant consists of a
DC motor in a solid aluminum frame. The motor is equipped with a planetary
gearbox, driving external gears. The servo unit also includes a tachometer
to measure motor speed as well as an optical encoder and a continuous-turn
potentiometer to measure the position of the load gear.
Difficulty:
Undergraduate - second course / Graduate / Project
/ Research
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