For the obvious reasons, I invariably get too busy to blog exactly when things get interesting...
MClimber Concentrator Pod
One array = 37 pods
MClimber's telescope gimbal, under construction
The University of Michigan’s MClimber team is back in force this year, with a very unique climber.
Following the lead of many solar applications, UofM chose to use concentrator PV modules – small, high-intensity-capable photovoltaic cells, and low-cost optics to capture as much light as possible and direct it onto the cells.
The beam director is pretty straight forward, built around a telescope gimbal. Controlled from a laptop, it is capable of performing the basic motions required. The tracking loop is not quite done yet, so during the test they’ll drive it manually. This is not a problem, since we do not really require tracking – it is just desirable. As long as the system does not exceed the safety cone, they can perform lasing.
The UofM climber design is modular. The first image shows a single concentrator “pod”, comprised of a Fresnel lens in the front, 4 reflective side panels forming a square-based pyramid, and a small 3×3 array of cells near the tip of the pod. The concentrator cells have a water based cooling system, since under the concentrated light, they will get to be pretty toasty.
As with all concentrating climbers, the optics on the climber have to point back towards the beam director, which requires a second tracking loop. Since the climber is unmanned, this loop cannot be driven manually, and I suspect that therein lies trouble. Luckily, this loop does not have to be as accurate as the main beam tracking loop.
MClimber will follow KCSP on the laser range, at around 10 am on Friday – stay tuned.