Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
51 PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION CHARGER
Guangjun Xu
Sunhao Zhang
Xu Li
design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
final_paper2.pdf
# PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION CHARGER

## 1. PROBLEM DEFINITION AND MOTIVATION

With the increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy, photovoltaic power generation has become an important solution for reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels. However, in many daily and small-scale applications, electrical devices still rely heavily on grid power or disposable batteries, which may increase energy costs and create environmental burdens.

This project aims to develop a photovoltaic power generation charger that can convert solar energy into electrical energy and use it to charge electronic devices or rechargeable batteries. The system focuses on collecting solar energy through photovoltaic panels, regulating the output power, and delivering stable charging performance under different light conditions.

The project demonstrates a complete renewable-energy-based charging process, from solar energy collection to electrical energy conversion and battery charging. Its success will be evaluated based on whether the system can efficiently harvest solar energy, provide stable voltage and current output, and charge target devices safely and reliably with minimal external power support.

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## 2. SOLUTION OVERVIEW

The proposed solution integrates solar energy harvesting, power regulation, and battery charging into a unified charging workflow. A photovoltaic panel captures sunlight and converts it into electrical energy. Since the output of the panel may vary depending on sunlight intensity, a power management circuit is used to regulate the generated energy and provide a stable electrical output.

After regulation, the charging system delivers suitable voltage and current to the target load, such as a rechargeable battery or a low-power electronic device. The system may also include a monitoring function to display charging status, output voltage, current level, or battery condition. In this way, the project performs both energy conversion and device charging as a complete renewable power application.

The feasibility of the system is supported by the availability of standard hardware components such as photovoltaic panels, charge controllers, voltage regulators, batteries, and monitoring modules, as well as mature circuit design methods for energy conversion and charging control.

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## 3. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND COMPONENTS

### PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY COLLECTION MODULE

The photovoltaic energy collection module uses a solar panel to capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. The output power depends on environmental conditions such as light intensity and panel orientation. This module serves as the primary energy source of the system.

### POWER REGULATION AND CONTROL MODULE

This module receives the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panel and regulates it into a stable and usable form. It may include voltage regulation, current control, and protection functions to ensure safe and efficient charging. It coordinates the overall energy flow and maintains proper operating conditions for the charger.

### ENERGY STORAGE AND CHARGING MODULE

The energy storage and charging module is responsible for storing electrical energy in a rechargeable battery or directly charging an external device. Based on the regulated output, the module manages the charging process to improve charging efficiency and protect the battery or load from overcharging or unstable input power.

### MONITORING AND OUTPUT MODULE

After power conversion and charging, the system provides the final output to the target device or storage unit. This module may also display system information such as solar input condition, charging status, battery level, or output voltage and current. It completes the final delivery and user interaction step of the photovoltaic charging system.

Robotic T-Shirt Launcher Mark II

Hao Ding, Moyang Guo, Yixiang Guo, Ziyu Xiao

Featured Project

ROBOTIC T-SHIRT LAUNCHER MARK II

TEAM MEMBERS

Guo yixiang (yg16),

Guo moyang (moyangg2),

Xiao ziyu (ziyux2),

Ding hao (haod3)

PROBLEM

Our team has identified a problem with the launcher project that was completed last year. In particular, the previous design only included a single-shot launcher that required manual reloading and could only adjust the angle and direction automatically.

SOLUTION OVERVIEW

To address this issue, our team has proposed an improved design that will improve upon the limitations of the previous model. The Robotic T-shirt Launcher Mark II will be a fully automated system capable of launching multiple T-shirts by itself, without manual reloading. Our proposed design will also include more advanced features, such as the ability to adjust the trajectory of the launch. In addition, we will build it into a wearable device that could be carried on our shoulders.

SOLUTION COMPONENTS

The automatic launcher is comprised of several components that work together to provide a powerful and reliable weapon system. These components include:

Power Components: The power components of the system consist of an air pump, an air cylinder, a quick exhaust valve, and connecting elements. These components are responsible for providing the necessary power and pressure to the system to shoot out the bullet.

Function Components: The functional components of the system include the barrel, the two-axis gimbal (which is wearable), and the automatic loading system. The barrel provides the means for firing projectiles, while the gimbal allows for precise targeting and tracking of moving targets.

Control System: The control system is responsible for managing the various components of the system, including the electromagnetic valves that control the airflow, the actuator controllers for the loading mechanism, and the gimbal controller for targeting.

Human-Machine Interface (Advanced Requirement): For advanced users, the system could include a human-machine interface with features such as automatic firing, angle adjustment, and target recognition lock-on, allowing the user to engage targets effectively.

CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS:

Functionality: The launcher should be able to launch T-shirts accurately and consistently at a controlled angle and velocity. The system should be able to handle multiple T-shirts without the need for manual reloading, and the entire launch process and angle control should be initiated and controlled by a single button.

Airtight and Adequate Air Pressure: The launcher's air channel should have high airtightness and be able to generate sufficient air pressure to launch T-shirts effectively. The air pressure should be able to be adjusted and controlled to suit different launch scenarios.

Automation: The loading system should be fully automated, with T-shirts being automatically loaded into the air chamber without the need for manual intervention. The loading mechanism should be designed to be reliable and efficient, and the electrical control system should be able to manage the entire process automatically.

Safety and Cost-effectiveness: The launcher should be designed with safety in mind. Safety mechanisms, such as emergency stop buttons, should be included to prevent accidents or injuries. The design and construction of the launcher should be cost-effective, and any additional features should be carefully considered. Also, it is necessary to implement additional components to measure some critical values such as gas tightness in order to prevent gas leaks.