Browsing by Subject "Solar panel"
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Item Design of vibrational and solar energy harvesting systems for powering wireless sensor networks in bridge structural health monitoring applications(2014-12) Adams, Jacob Allan; Crawford, Richard H.Structural health monitoring systems provide a promising route to real-time data for analyzing the current state of large structures. In the wake of two high-profile bridge collapses due to an aging highway infrastructure, the interest in implementing such systems into fracture-critical and structurally deficient bridges is greater now than at any point in history. Traditionally, these technologies have not been cost-effective as bridges lack existing wiring architecture and the addition of this is cost prohibitive. Modern wireless sensor networks (WSN) now present a viable alternative to traditional networking; however, these systems must incorporate localized power sources capable of decade-long operation with minimal maintenance. To this end, this thesis explores the development of two energy harvesting systems capable of long-term bridge deployment with minimal maintenance. First, an electromagnetic, linear, vibrational energy harvester is explored that utilizes the excitations from passing traffic to induce motion in a translating permanent magnet mass. This motion is then converted to electrical energy using Faraday’s law of induction. This thesis presents a review of vibrational energy harvesting literature before detailing the process of designing, simulating, prototyping, and testing a selected design. Included is an analysis of the effects of frequency, excitation amplitude, load, and damping on the power production potential of the harvester. Second, a solar energy harvester using photovoltaic (PV) panels is explored for powering the critical gateway component of the WSN responsible for data aggregation. As solar energy harvesting is a more mature technology, this thesis focuses on the methodologies for properly sizing a solar harvesting system and experimentally validating the selected design. Fabrication of the prototype system was completed and field testing was performed in Austin, TX. The results validate the selected system’s ability to power the necessary 14 W DC load with a 0° panel azimuth angle (facing direct south) and 45° tilt.Item Potential value extraction from TxDOT’s right of way and other property assets(2011-12) Paes, Thiago Mesquita; Prozzi, Jolanda; Caldas, Carlos H.Many Departments of Transportation (DOTs), including Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), have been challenged by inadequate funding from traditional federal and state fuel taxes, increasing construction cost, aging highway system, traffic congestions, and recent natural disasters, compromising their primary mission to provide safe vehicle transportation routes with adequate capacity. Furthermore, environmental awareness and sustainability concept have strengthened and sparked debates in Congress, culminating with several regulatory policies that affect, inclusively, transportation projects. This scenario has prompted DOTs to pursue innovative ways to reduce maintenance cost (at minimum) and generate revenue (at maximum) exploiting their assets, and to meet the new regulations. Likewise, the Center of Transportation Research at The University of Texas at Austin undertook a comprehensive research study to identify and determine when, where, and under what circumstances TxDOT should pursue the implementation of which Value Extraction Application (VEA), and how to effectively recognize and involve key stakeholders. As a result, 11 VEAs were identified. In addition, a methodological framework – embedding a multi-attribute criteria analysis matrix as the decision making method - was devised to guide TxDOT throughout the process of identifying, evaluating, comparing, and selecting the most appropriate VEA while a list of stakeholders associated with each VEA and a stakeholder analysis framework was provided to help TxDOT to identify and reach out key stakeholders.