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Passively controlled continuous solar tracking
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DOI：10.1088/1361-665X/ae536d.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Solar tracking in photovoltaic systems increases yield, but conventional active tracking systems typically require complex controls and power sources. This can be especially challenging in strongly constrained operational settings such as space where power and mass are subject to significant constraints to ensure the long-term survival of a satellite. Solar tracking based on shape memory alloys (SMA), whether active or passive, to improve energy collection in satellites is often not considered or limited to very narrow tracking angles. Existing uses of SMAs are usually limited to slow, controlled deployment or reconfiguration of satellite appendages via active electronic control. This work presents a novel design and proof-of-concept prototype for a passively controlled solar tracking mechanism driven entirely by a directional heat flux that activates SMA springs. The proposed design is based on solid-state heat engine principles. The heat flux is directed by static vanes to generate a resulting torque that continuously reorients a central shaft towards the heat flux. Numerical simulations and experimental testing demonstrate continuous, 360° rotational tracking over multiple full revolutions, achieving 99% power generation efficiency during continuous tracking over 40 cycles. The solar tracking system is passively stable, failure resistant, and able to recover from periods without solar exposure, after which it resumes its previous tracking behavior. This proof-of-concept prototype demonstrates the use of SMAs to create a reliable, passive solar tracking mechanism capable of fully continuous heat-flux tracking in extreme environments.
Keywords:
Solar tracking
Shape memory alloys
Passive control
Heat flux
Satellite power systems
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