Browsing by Author "Robayo Pico, Cristopher Alejandro"

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    Repotenciación del sistema de seguimiento solar con mecanismo de giro azimutal de una estación fotovoltaica de 840 w.
    (Ecuador: Latacunga: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC), 2024-08) Robayo Pico, Cristopher Alejandro; Taipe Guanoquiza, Holger Israel; Cruz Panchi, Luis Rolando
    The present technological proposal addresses the evaluation and improvement of the structural system of a single-axis solar tracker. In the initial stage, mechanical and structural failures that affected the operation of the system were identified. Among the mechanical failures were friction wear of components such as bearings and shafts, and among the structural failures, problems in the welds, deformation of the shaft and degradation of materials in the fasteners that affect the stability of the system. To resolve the deformation failures in the shafts and supports, CAD design tools were used to determine the elements to be modified, including the panel supports, distance between columns, and the distance of the connection between the mobile arm and the actuator. In addition, the distance between the support columns was modified to 3 meters, the panel supports were adapted using clamps that are attached to the shaft to allow their mobility, and the linear actuator was updated by increasing its capacity to 3300 pounds. These modifications restored the functionality of the system and also offered greater flexibility for the installation of panels of different dimensions. Through operational tests, it was determined that the changes made to the mechanical system allowed the angular displacement range of the system to be extended from 33° to 51°, increasing the capacity to capture solar energy from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This time was decided through the analysis of shadows from the buildings near the solar tracker. The reduction of the force required for the displacement to 1044.55 Nm with a load of 150 kg contributes to a more stable operation of the system. These modifications provided greater adaptability of the tracker to any type of solar panel that may be desired to be implemented in the future.