sustainable kinetic sculpture · 2014. 8. 5. · a kinetic sculpture is arguably the most artistic...

1
Design Three Main Subsystems: I. Centerpiece (Linear Actuation) The dynamic centerpiece was installed on the top of the sculpture. Four-bar linkages were connected to a linear actuator. The linkage was designed to create an interesting, symmetric path. The linear actuator utilizes an internal power screw. II. Canopy (Rotational Actuation) The tessellated canopy provides shade in an interesting pattern for people sitting on the bench below. The canopy was constructed out of ⅛” steel. The pattern was cut into the metal using a laser cutter. A geared down DC motor turns the canopy at a low speed. III. Frame The frame was constructed with 1½” square steel tubing. The canopy had polycarbonate installed between the tubing to provide protection for the moving parts. A bench was added to the design at the bottom of the sculpture. Power Systems Two Main Subsystems: I. Solar Panels Four 100 W high efficiency solar panels were installed symmetrically atop the canopy. The panels were wired in parallel to a deep cycle solar battery. In full sunlight, the panels charge the battery in 3 hours. II. Hand Crank Generator People can interact with the sculpture through the hand crank, which was attached to a generator. The power generated charges the battery and powers several LEDs. More LEDs turn on as the person turns the crank faster. Sustainable Kinetic Sculpture Left Top: Grape Solar (2014, April 9) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-250-Watt- Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel-4-Pack-GS-S-250- Fab5x4/202960000?N=8p9Z5yc1v Left Bottom: Wind Blue Power LLC. (2014, April 7). DC-520 High Wind Permanent Magnet Alternator. Retrieved from Wind Blue Power: http://www.windbluepower.com/Permanent_Magnet_Alternator_Wind_Blue_High_Wind_p/dc- 520.html Overview The objective of this project was to show the public that sustainability and engineering share many core values. We strove to accomplish this by highlighting different forms of actuation, like linear and rotational, and powering them through renewable resources such as solar and kinetic energy. The design we created was inspired by the simple elegance of a tree, though mechanized and modernized to best convey the blending of machine and nature. Why a Sculpture? A kinetic sculpture is arguably the most artistic medium that still shares roots with mechanical engineering. By pursing an artistic project we were given the freedom to design as creatively as possible. Most importantly, we believe that art allows us to connect with people at a deeper level, which allowed us to promote sustainable energy in a more meaningful way. Acknowledgements Special thanks to Mark Howell for consistently going above and beyond to help our team. Team Members: Sonoma Harris, Christian Soto, Rajath Thekkedath, Christopher Aronitz, Zac Bensing, and Nikola Pehar Advisors: Drs. Ken Monson and Shadrach Roundy Hand Crank Generator Frame Centerpiece Canopy Solar Panels Height: 11.75 ft Weight: 300 lbs Battery: 100 Ah Solar: 4 x 100 W Generator: 12 VDC

Upload: others

Post on 26-Jan-2021

8 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • Design

    Three Main Subsystems:I. Centerpiece (Linear Actuation)

    The dynamic centerpiece was installed on the top of the

    sculpture. Four-bar linkages were connected to a linear

    actuator. The linkage was designed to create an interesting,

    symmetric path. The linear actuator utilizes an internal power

    screw.

    II. Canopy (Rotational Actuation)

    The tessellated canopy provides shade in an interesting

    pattern for people sitting on the bench below. The canopy was

    constructed out of ⅛” steel. The pattern was cut into the metal

    using a laser cutter. A geared down DC motor turns the canopy

    at a low speed.

    III. Frame

    The frame was constructed with 1½” square steel tubing. The

    canopy had polycarbonate installed between the tubing to

    provide protection for the moving parts. A bench was added to

    the design at the bottom of the sculpture.

    Power Systems

    Two Main Subsystems:I. Solar Panels

    Four 100 W high efficiency solar

    panels were installed symmetrically

    atop the canopy. The panels were

    wired in parallel to a deep cycle solar

    battery. In full sunlight, the panels

    charge the battery in 3 hours.

    II. Hand Crank Generator

    People can interact with the sculpture

    through the hand crank, which was

    attached to a generator. The power

    generated charges the battery and

    powers several LEDs. More LEDs turn

    on as the person turns the crank faster.

    Sustainable Kinetic Sculpture

    Left Top:

    Grape Solar (2014, April 9)

    http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-250-Watt-

    Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel-4-Pack-GS-S-250-

    Fab5x4/202960000?N=8p9Z5yc1v

    Left Bottom:

    Wind Blue Power LLC. (2014, April 7). DC-520 High Wind Permanent Magnet Alternator.

    Retrieved from Wind Blue Power:

    http://www.windbluepower.com/Permanent_Magnet_Alternator_Wind_Blue_High_Wind_p/dc-

    520.html

    Overview

    The objective of this project was to show the public that

    sustainability and engineering share many core values.

    We strove to accomplish this by highlighting different forms

    of actuation, like linear and rotational, and powering them

    through renewable resources such as solar and kinetic

    energy.

    The design we created was inspired by the simple elegance of

    a tree, though mechanized and modernized to best convey the

    blending of machine and nature.

    Why a Sculpture?

    A kinetic sculpture is arguably the most artistic medium that

    still shares roots with mechanical engineering. By pursing an

    artistic project we were given the freedom to design as

    creatively as possible.

    Most importantly, we believe that art allows us to connect with

    people at a deeper level, which allowed us to promote

    sustainable energy in a more meaningful way.

    AcknowledgementsSpecial thanks to Mark Howell for consistently going above and beyond to help our team.

    Team

    Members:

    Sonoma Harris, Christian Soto, Rajath Thekkedath,

    Christopher Aronitz, Zac Bensing, and Nikola Pehar

    Advisors: Drs. Ken Monson and Shadrach Roundy

    Hand Crank

    Generator

    Frame

    Centerpiece

    CanopySolar

    Panels

    Height: 11.75 ft

    Weight: 300 lbs

    Battery: 100 Ah

    Solar: 4 x 100 W

    Generator: 12 VDC