Design of an advanced solar cooker with integrated self-powered active sun tracking and dual heating facilitated for rural communities
Authors :- Redekar, A., Deb, D.
Publication :- International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), Springer 2024
The conventional box-type solar cooker relies on a sole heat source, the sun, and integrates both manual and passive tracker mechanisms to improve its heating performance. Manual tracking necessitates frequent alignment of the reflector towards the sun’s position under sunshine, while passive tracking systems require particular attention at the start and end of the process. The literature frequently explores the tracking mechanisms for the cooker’s reflector or the base, highlighting the lack of active tracking mechanisms for the box-type model. This paper explores the creation of a groundbreaking self-powered active sun-tracking actuator system and secondary heating system, elucidating the fundamental arrangement of essential elements. This foundational model is crafted using the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software Fusion 360. The innovative design revolves around two single-degree-of-freedom (1 DoF) electromechanical actuators and a retrofitted heating element tailored for a box-type solar cooker. The heating element and electromechanical actuators are powered by electricity generated within the cooker model. To harness electric power, an array of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) leveraging the Seebeck effect is integrated into the cooker’s wall. Additionally, the overall design considers the needs of urban and hilly terrain regions, as well as considerations for ease of transportation focusing cooker’s weight, torque requirement of the actuator, and overall cost of the cooker. The 3D model of the cooker’s actuators undergoes static and dynamic testing to assess the design’s feasibility, strength, and functionality. Additionally, an analysis of the approximate energy flow is conducted. The static stress test is conducted in Fusion 360 software and the dynamic test for torque under loaded conditions is conducted in MATLAB multibody simulation. The overall weight becomes 18.45 kg and the prototype cost will be predicted to be Rs.7554/- only. The aluminum 6061 T4 material sustains wind stress of 10 N with a maximum displacement of 4.08 mm which does not impact reflection on the aperture area. The motor torque required to move the base is 0.3 Nm and for reflection motion is 7 Nm. The Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) produces a total of 28 Ah of energy, of which 19.6 Ah will be available for cooking during periods without sunshine after accounting for all consumption. This design is well-suited for nomad communities, villagers, tribal people, small urban households, adventurers, and those living in hilly and remote areas.