Title :
Testing the new solar tracker with shape memory alloy actors
Author_Institution :
Poulek Solar Int., Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract :
A new low-cost (95 USD/m2) single axis passive solar tracker based on shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators has been tested. The SMA actuator can be easily deformed at relatively low temperatures (by the tracker actuators below 70°C). It returns back to its original shape when heated above transformation temperature, producing mechanical work. During thermal cycles, the SMA actuator works as a heat engine. The efficiency of the SMA actuators (~2%) is approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of bimetallic actuators (which could be theoretically also used)
Keywords :
actuators; deformation; heat engines; shape memory effects; solar cell arrays; solar cells; testing; tracking; 2 percent; actuators; heat engine; mechanical work; shape memory alloy actors; single axis passive tracking system; solar arrays; solar tracker; thermal cycles; transformation temperature; Actuators; Heat engines; Lenses; Mirrors; Shape memory alloys; Sun; Temperature; Testing; Thermal conductivity; Torque;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 1994., Conference Record of the Twenty Fourth. IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - 1994, 1994 IEEE First World Conference on
Conference_Location :
Waikoloa, HI
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-1460-3
DOI :
10.1109/WCPEC.1994.520161
