In this paper, a continuous tracking strategy for the heliostat in the James S. Markiewicz Concentrated Solar Energy Research Facility at Valparaiso University is developed. A model of the nonlinear dynamics of the heliostat motion is developed and the open-loop control strategy is presented. Asymptotic stability of the heliostat control using the Lyapunov and LaSalle’s theorems was proven. Simulations using the nonlinear dynamic model are presented and interpreted to identify the feedback gain that maximizes the time response of the heliostat without introducing oscillations in its motion. Finally, the control strategy is put to the test during summertime operation. The data presented show that the tracking strategy has an root mean square (RMS) tracking error of 0.058 mrad, where the error is defined as the difference between the desired and actual heliostat positions. Images of the aperture of a high-temperature solar receiver over 8 h of testing are also presented to qualitatively demonstrate the success of the tracking strategy.
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October 2019
Research-Article
Heliostat Attitude Control Strategy in the Solar Energy Research Facility of Valparaiso University
Shahin S. Nudehi,
Shahin S. Nudehi
1
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: shahin.nudehi@valpo.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso University
,Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: shahin.nudehi@valpo.edu
1Corresponding author.
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G. Scott Duncan,
G. Scott Duncan
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: scott.duncan@valpo.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso University
,Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: scott.duncan@valpo.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Luke J. Venstrom
Luke J. Venstrom
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: luke.venstrom@valpo.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso University
,Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: luke.venstrom@valpo.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Shahin S. Nudehi
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: shahin.nudehi@valpo.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso University
,Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: shahin.nudehi@valpo.edu
G. Scott Duncan
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: scott.duncan@valpo.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso University
,Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: scott.duncan@valpo.edu
Luke J. Venstrom
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: luke.venstrom@valpo.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Valparaiso University
,Valparaiso 46383, IN
e-mail: luke.venstrom@valpo.edu
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of ASME for publication in the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering: Including Wind Energy and Building Energy Conservation. Manuscript received November 9, 2018; final manuscript received April 3, 2019; published online April 18, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Marc Röger.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Oct 2019, 141(5): 051005 (8 pages)
Published Online: April 18, 2019
Article history
Received:
November 9, 2018
Revision Received:
April 3, 2019
Accepted:
April 6, 2019
Citation
Nudehi, S. S., Duncan, G. S., and Venstrom, L. J. (April 18, 2019). "Heliostat Attitude Control Strategy in the Solar Energy Research Facility of Valparaiso University." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. October 2019; 141(5): 051005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4043438
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