Fluid Power Control for Sun tracking of Solar panels: Modelling and Simulation

Year 2016, Special Issue (2016), 122 - 127, 01.12.2016

Ahmed Abu Hanieh

Abstract

This paper focuses on discussing a hydro-pneumatic hybrid (Gas/Oil),
passive technique for sun tracking and orientation of solar panels, collectors
and food dryers. The technique depends on utilizing the natural expansion of
gases caused by temperature increase. The pressure produced by gas expansion
causes a force exerted on hydraulic oil contained in the same vessel with the
gas and separated from it by a diaphragm. Hydraulic fluid is used here for the
stroke control because of its advantage over gas in terms of incompressibility
and controllability.  The exerted force
caused a 50 mm displacement of the actuator which can be improved by decreasing
the bore diameter of the piston and by using gases with higher expansion
coefficient.

Keywords

Hydro-pneumatic; Gas/Oil; Orientation;, Tracking; Mechanical Timer; Solar Energy

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